Most of you know that I had foot surgery a couple of years ago and it changed my life. Mostly in a positive way, but when it came to workouts, I had to relearn everything. The movements I was doing before I could no longer do. I needed something with low impact, that allowed me to modify, and was easy on me, since it had been months since I had worked out.
At this point, everyone has heard of Barre. But when I started the classes a few years ago, it was still pretty early. I found The Dailey Method close to wear I lived in San Francisco and I started going as much as possible. Since my husband was working out of town so much, I would sometimes take an Uber just to get to class to avoid my foot swelling from the short walk (you do what you gotta do). I fell in love with the Barre technique and it quickly became an obsession.
Anyone that knows me IRL, knows that I naturally have long limbs with long muscles. My back can get really bulky thanks to muscle memory from the swim team in high school. So for those reasons, I love isolated holds for my upper body and torso. It really is the only way for me to slim down my back muscles and tone without adding bulk. The small range movements really allowed for my muscles to pop, without seeming like they were growing or swelling. However, my lower half has even longer muscles and needs a little more than isometric holds and body weight movements to tone them.
Barre is hard.
After moving to Arizona, I found Barre3 and it is NO exception. But the instructors are extremely educated on modifications so that you never have negative pain. You do what's right for YOUR body. Plain and simple. If you just get the breathing right the whole class, you will have accomplished something great. We all have injuries, and we all have good & bad days, that's life.
Barre3 mixes athleticism, grace, and the latest innovations designed to balance the body.
Whether you have ten minutes or an hour, each full-body workout optimizes every moment with moves that adapt to your body for maximum results.
I choose B3
Barre3 is for everyone. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach to exercise. Instead of being embarrassed to modify when I needed, I feel empowered that I'm an individual with my own needs. It gives me a rewarding endorphin high and lets me avoid the painful stuff that doesn't work for me.
Did you know you could get a full body burn using only low-impact movements? It's genius, really!
How it goes
STEP 1 | HOLD Align the body, build mind-body connection, and engage your muscles.
STEP 2 | MOVE SMALL Work deep in the muscle without compromising your form to push through plateaus, and build strength.
STEP 3 | MOVE BIG Build functional strength for everyday activities, tone your muscles, and energize your entire body.
ISOMETRIC HOLD
STEP 1 | HOLD
We begin each posture with a hold to ensure alignment is correct and muscles are firing before we move. Holding strengthens muscles continuously – an efficient way to change the body.
Holding works muscles to the point of fatigue more quickly than running or other high-impact activities with less impact on the joints. Holding tones both large and small stabilizer muscles, and increases strength and endurance.
During a hold you connect with your breath, allowing you to move mindfully, work deeper, and challenge yourself.
SMALL RANGE MOVEMENTS
STEP 2 | MOVE SMALL
Now that we have your muscles’ attention, we layer on small one-inch movements to transform the body one inch at a time. Small movements allow you to stay in the posture longer, working your muscles to the point of fatigue and recruiting your core muscles to stabilize the body. You may even experience barre3 “shakes and quakes,” a sign that muscles are becoming stronger.
Moving small targets focus areas, heats the body, and builds overall strength.
LARGE DYNAMIC MOVEMENTS
STEP 3 | MOVE BIG
Now we transition into large-range movements to flush out the body and elevate your heart rate. Moving big brings fresh oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, allowing you to work longer and burn more calories.
Dynamic movements mimic how we move in our daily lives, creating “functional strength.” By working the whole length of the muscle, you create a limber physique.
Moving big gets the heart rate up, builds body balance, feels great, and leaves you with more energy for the other 23 hours of your day.
BARRE3
I don't know about you, but my life can seem SO out of balance. Everything from mood to posture... I need a fix. Sitting, driving, spending hours typing away... it all creates imbalances in the body, giving us slumped shoulders, a rounded spine, and a lopsided stance. The body just cannot function properly when your shape is out of whack... and it's a double whammy if you workout like this!
The barre3 practice will give you proportion that is shapely and attractive.
You will build toned muscles, increase your metabolism, and lose weight. You’ll find balance in your body, which will lead to better posture, healthier digestion, and a physique that serves you rather than holds you back. You’ll be stronger, stand taller, and feel better all day long. I know all these things to be true because I'm watching these things happen to me. It's so neat and fun to watch your body transform by just doing something you enjoy. I feel better and I look better. It's that simple.
Whatever you like to do—biking, yoga, hiking, running—barre3 will help you do it better. In my case, it's keeping up with my pup!
I love these classes for more than one reason... but my favorite is because they reduce stress. The instructors are so absolutely in tune with their students. They know when you need a modification, and they know when you need hug.
I love the physical changes Barre3 has given me, but clearing my mind in a world full of chaos has been invaluable to me.
Thank you for letting me spend a month with you, Barre3 in PV! I vow to see you at least three times a week FOREVERRRR!
