When talking about the barre community as a whole, let’s take the whole and make two halves. There are barre instructors and barre students. Put together they equal a whole amazing community of barre lovers! To make this community even stronger it is important to promote inclusivity.
Women attend a barre class at Barre Forte in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
Inclusivity and how it relates to the barre community
Inclusivity in the barre community is just as important for the students as it is for the teachers. Students should be welcomed into what can seem like a scary form of working out. I mean, who wouldn’t be nervous around a bunch of people vigorously kicking their legs in the air!
There is a perception from outsiders who have never experienced a barre class before, that you need to have dance experience to participate. Newcomers, even while in the middle of class can feel intimidated and often voice that “well I’m not a dancer, so I’m going to be bad at it,” or “I’ve never taken ballet, so I don’t think it’s for me.”
No matter the student’s background or experience, barre class should be a place where they can be a barre star! It’s up to the instructor to encourage students, make everyone feel safe, welcome and make sure they receive an effective workout (which means make it sweaty and fun). My favorite way to ease tension or fear is to make jokes and say things like, “don’t worry, there’s no performance at the end,” or encourage the group and say “watch out Rockettes, here we come!”
When the class is more at ease, I can begin to teach using more instructive cuing that will get the students moving more efficiently and with the proper biomechanics involved in barre exercises. Once everyone is on the same page and moving together, there is an immediate feeling of being part of a bigger whole through the choreography.
The benefits of inclusivity for instructors
There are many benefits for barre instructors who work in supportive environments. When Instructors are part of a supportive community they tend to not burn out as much and there is more of a desire to continually learn in order to be a more effective instructor.
One way for instructors to feel connected to their barre practice is through continuing education. Higher learning will give more credit and substance to the barre classes being taught and will also give the confidence needed to provide safe, effective and welcoming classes. The experience of sharing ideas, learning new ways of approaching barre exercises and becoming more knowledgeable about the biomechanics of barre is an opportunity for teachers to bond with each other under the commonality of loving all things barre.
How to create more opportunities for inclusivity
Right now, there is a lack of opportunities for instructors to participate in workshops and training programs outside of large franchises and licensing companies. These exclusive programs and methods only provide continuing education for their own members. I get it. I am not knocking it at all! It’s about quality control and the awesome perk of being apart of a larger organization. For boutique companies looking to venture beyond their barre studios, it is hard to find inclusive providers.
I see an opportunity for smaller studios and companies to fill this void and to advance the importance of inclusivity for students and teachers. Offering inclusive workshops and training provides an opportunity to dig deeper into barre and provide a different perspective. Allowing anyone to be part of these experiences will create a better, more informed community around barre. Students will gain the power of knowledge and any fears or intimidation will be eased. For instructors, they are provided with an opportunity to bond with fellow instructors, learn more, stay inspired and to avoid becoming burned out from the same way of doing things.
These inclusive experiences for both students and instructors will take their barre love to the next level! Preventing any barrier to entry and burn out at the barre through continuing education will keep everyone motivated to be part of such a positive, informed and fun community. What better way to make two halves of barre lovers whole, by strengthening the bond between instructor and students through their shared love and understanding of barre!
Time to create a stronger more inclusive barre community!
About the author: Michelle DuVall is the creator of Barre Variations, a compressive method and manual with an expanded syllabus of choreography and technique. She is also a passionate motivator who creates inclusive experiences for her community through movement sessions, wellness events and retreats.
I couldn’t agree more!!! ????