March 11, 2025
 
Greetings Barre Bae!
 
It's a very sleepy week as I adjust to daylight savings, but I am excited about the sun setting later in day. It feels like we're coming out of hibernation.
 
This week we're meeting Tiffani in a member spotlight, going over the new registration policy, reflecting on a new Weekly Wondering, and celebrating because weekday in person classes are back!
 
member spotlight
 
MEET TIFFANI
 
FBW: Tell us a little bit about yourself (hobbies, where you live).
 
TJ: Howdy! My name is Tiffani (or Tiff) and I am a Bay Area native, having grown up in El Sobrante, CA. I currently live in Richmond and work at a university as a communications person. When I’m not practicing barre with Erica and her awesome community, I’m cooking, reading, writing, practicing yoga, or going on hikes.
 
FBW: What is your favorite thing about practicing barre?
 
TJ: My favorite thing about practicing barre is how it makes me feel. There’s a grace and a beauty to practicing barre that makes me feel connected to my body in almost a playful way. But there’s still a focus on building strength that goes far beyond simply building physical muscle; it’s also about building internal strength and convincing your mind that it’s just as powerful as your body is.
 
FBW: What makes barre different from other modes of movement you do/have done? 
 
TJ: Barre is a very intention-based practice. I’ve found that with other forms of movement I’ve tried, it’s really easy to zone out and become disconnected from my body. But barre makes me tune in: to my breath, to the muscles I'm working, and to how I'm feeling.
 
FBW: What would you tell someone considering trying barre at FBW?
 
TJ: I would tell them that it ain’t going to be easy (I mean, nothing worth doing is), but that they’ll enjoy every minute of it! Erica’s energy coupled with her fire barre class playlists make it well worth the sweat and occasional tears (kidding!).
 
What’s the biggest thing you’ve noticed since starting your barre practice? 
 
TJ: I’ve noticed that doing other everyday activities such as walking and lifting heavy groceries has gotten a lot easier. I can now walk from the parking garage at my job to my office without getting winded. That’s a huge win!
 
FBW: Anything else you’d like to share with the FBW community about barre in general or my classes specifically?
 
TJ: If you’ve never tried barre before, Erica’s classes are the best place to start. She’s done an amazing job of cultivating community and making everyone, regardless of skill-level, feel welcomed. Signing up for her classes is the best thing I’ve done for myself in 2025 thus far.
 
new registration policy
 
With the transition to a new booking system, I had to make some shifts to the registration policy. For starters, I've widened the booking window before closing. Booking now closes six hours before class begins. Up until now, it was nine, so members have a little more time to register for classes. 
Second, if you would like to attempt to sign up after the booking window closes, you may text 510.775.1255 for possible registration. If there are folx already signed up and class is not full, you can snag a spot within that six hour time frame.
Lastly, I encourage everyone to book classes early. If you know you'd like to take a class, be sure to register early. If there is no one scheduled for class six hours before it's set to begin, the class will be canceled.
 
Weekly wondering
In case you missed the newsletter last week, I'm challenging myself with a “Weekly Wondering” for the next few weeks to get back into the habit of journaling and hope some of you will join me on this journey.
 
I appreciate those of you who engaged with last week's Weekly Wondering: Where am I robbing myself of growth/healing to stay comfortable where I'm at?
 
This week's wondering:
Are all the things and people I'm nurturing, supporting, and pouring into, nurturing, supporting, and pouring back into me?
 
 
 
Pass it on…
Do you know someone who is looking for an inclusive wellness community and would appreciate FBW content? Please forward this newsletter on to them. 
 
 
thank you for being part of the fbw community
xo, EO
Erica Obando, Founder/Instructor

 
 
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LAUREL LN & MAY RD
El Sobrante/Richmond, California 94803, United States