So lately in an effort to fix some of the ongoing issues and imbalances that I have within my own body, I've been calling on some extra expert advice by taking 1:1 Pilates sessions with Ireland's Master Teacher Trainer up in Dublin. I have to say that something that continues to amaze me is how often (in virtually every aspect of life) there is such a leap between good and outstanding. And when it comes to an eye for detail and understanding of body mechanics, she is outstanding. However, although her insight is invaluable and there have been several things which I hadn't considered previously, I am particularly struck by the…
Foundational Habits Part Two: Exercise
As renowned sports-medicine physician Dr. Jordan D. Metzl wrote for Time in its special edition The Science of Exercise, "exercise is a miracle drug… take it often, and you'll live a longer, healthier life. Your medical costs will be lower, you'll sleep better at night, and your workdays will be more productive. Your mood will improve and your risk of developing almost any chronic disease will drop. It works for just about everyone who takes it, young or old, and if done correctly, it has few or no negative side effects. Every dose is 100% effective - even small ones. It's the most powerful, readily available drug in the world. …
How Barre Cultivates a Growth Mindset
If you've ever heard me talk about all the MANY things I love about barre, you know that for me it's more than just the physical benefits. I love the way that barre has transformed my body, giving me tone, definition and strength like nothing else has and the buzz of the #barrehigh, but it's so much more than that. As I shared previously, barre has taught me many important life lessons and provides me with ongoing opportunities to develop mental strength and grit. And just recently, I was reminded of exactly how this happens. Last month I read Norman Doidge's The Brain That Changes Itself which included research and…
Home Cardio Barre Workout
If you've been in any of my barre classes lately, you've probably noticed - they're getting a bit sweatier! That's not only due to the nearly suspiciously nice weather we've had in Cork lately, but also because I've been trying to incorporate a bit more HIIT-type, cardio bursts either on the mat or at the barre as of late. For some reason, it just seems seasonally appropriate - and it's a lot of fun! You get your heart rate up, releasing an extra little rush of endorphins on top of the already euphoric experience of barre, and well, it's addictive! And so I've been doing my own home cardio barre…
The Impact of an Inch: Kicking Your Barre Workout Up a Notch (But Just a Notch!)
We are often quick to dismiss the magnitude of small, but consistent progress in the right direction. However, as nearly anyone who has achieved something great (I'm talking anything from inventing a truly disruptive product to just making it through the day without losing your cool and everything in between) will attest, it's all about the little steps forward which over time have a cumulative effect. C.S. Lewis said it well: "isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different," - a truth I am constantly reminding myself of when I fail to recognize growth or become discouraged with my pace of change. And…
Barre and Brunch! The Benefits of Group Exercise and the Barre Community
This weekend was SO.MUCH.FUN. On Saturday we hosted our first ever Flex in the City "Barre and Brunch" at The Oyster Tavern downtown Cork. We tucked at the "bar," we ate delicious food (those poachies on avocado toast "went down a storm" as the Irish would say), we laughed and laughed and got to know each other just a little better. It was a great opportunity to sit together and chat over two of my personal favorite things - barre and brunch! I know that particular types of exercises and sports tend to lend themselves better to building a community and barre is definitely one of those. If you ask…
Lifted Seat Barre-Less Barre Home Workout
Within our lifetime, the “lifted seat” has definitely gained popularity in terms of aesthetics en vouge, however there are actually a lot of real benefits to strengthening our posterior (glutes and hamstrings) and barre is an extremely effective way to do so. The isometric contractions which underlie so many of our exercises in barre help you to deeply connect, getting those glutes to fire and yielding unprecedented results when it comes to building your backside. Aside from appearances, what are the benefits of a strong and lifted seat? Our glutes are one of the biggest and most important muscle groups in our bodies, comprised of the minimus, medius, and maximus…
Barre is “My Happy Place” :: Why Exercise Makes Us Happier
In recent conversation with a friend (after barre – OBVIously), we were talking about upcoming weekend events, which led us to lament those days when life gets in the way of “barre time.” Now in this case, she was looking forward to some special occasions and fun things which of course she was more excited about than if it were extra hours at the office, but nonetheless we both agreed that missing a chance to shake at the barre was never something we dealt with well. Although we realized with a laugh that this is probably not something everyone would understand, we completely agreed – life is better at the…
Hotel Power Half Hour Round Two :: Travel Barre Workout
Earlier this week I was traveling for business to Amsterdam for our company 2018 kickoff meeting. Thankfully it was a short trip, everything went smoothly, AND I had time for some quick hotel room barre! Exercise is vitally important to me and my sanity so I try to make it happen even when I am away. Although a travel barre session it is rarely the best workout of my week, I am a firm believer in the fact that the habit of keeping a habit is more important than even the habit itself and even a quick workout helps to set me up for a successful day! This is the…
Cultivate Poise and Perfect Your Posture with Barre
I am yet to become a member of the Mom Club (and in no rush to get there) but I am interested to see what the induction process looks like. Judging by how universal and ubiquitous many of the methods and admonishments are of mom’s everywhere, I suspect there must be a whole carefully guarded secret oath, rulebook of tenets, or doctrine to which one must pledge. My mom, true to these unwritten rules of motherhood, used to always (much to my annoyance) reprimand me to stand up straight or to fix my slouching posture. And even more annoying is when years later, I learn and understand the million and…
