barre + body awareness

I like to think that I've always had “good posture.” I grew up with a British grandmother who was constantly reminding me to stand up tall.

 

As a teenager people often pointed out my posture, which felt weird since that's not really something most teens talk about. It was never something I was really aware of unless someone pointed it out.

 

Fast forward ten-ish years when I first discovered Pilates in my late 20s. The breathwork being connected to the movement forced me to be so present in my body, so aware of it. I had not felt that connection to where I was in space since I stopped playing volleyball in college.

 

This body awareness that I experienced playing a physical sport and then with Pilates, is also present with my barre practice.

 

Barre is a combo of yoga, Pilates, physical therapy, ballet, and functional strength training - all modes of movement that require

serious connection to and awareness of one's body.

 

I've been told by clients that since starting barre with me, they stand taller and have noticed better posture. Someone once said they hear me in their head when they are slouching!

 

My most favorite cue is “chest is proud.” The self adjustments folx make when hearing this are spot on. every. single. time. There's something about the word proud that makes us all perk up a little. We all know what proud looks and feels like.

 

What I consider probably the most beneficial part of my barre practice is how it translates so seamlessly off the mat. That little voice in your head telling you not to lock out your knees when standing in line at the grocery store, that awareness to have a proud chest when you're scrolling through social media, is all because of the intentionality to focus inward and pay close attention to your body and what it needs during class.