"Accepting oneself does not preclude an attempt to become better." Flannery O'Connor I consistently struggle with knowing when to accept something about myself as opposed to when to push myself a little harder. As a general rule, I fail to accept pretty much anything as immutable and tend to be somewhat self-critical. Over the past few years in particular, I have spent considerable time discovering the value of knowing myself better in order to build a life structured upon my own nature rather than fighting against it. And in many ways this has allowed me to better understand what I really like or want and to care less about what…
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…
Celebrating Four Years at the Barre :: The 4 Most Important Lessons that Barre has Taught Me
Tomorrow marks two very significant events in my life. The first, is my mother’s birthday. I cannot begin to put into words just how much my mom has taught me, supported me, and shaped who I am and am striving to become everyday. If you have met my mom, I am willing to bet that you may have been a bit stunned. She is good at just about everything and she is someone who can and does take on multiple superhuman tasks all at once, executing each one to an unprecedented level of exceptional. Long story short, she is pretty amazing. And I remember clearly calling to wish her a…
Building Grit and Mental Strength One Barre Class at a Time
Nature vs. nurture – one of the oldest and most longstanding of all psychological debates. Although this was a formerly hotly debated and central issue in the field, most researchers and people in general now accept that each of us are indeed powerfully influenced by not one or the other, but both biology and genetics as well as society and culture in almost every facet of our personality, preferences, tendencies, talents, and inclinations. A lot of evidence supports a variant of set point theory, which argues that we all have a genetically determined range for our weight, our aptitudes, our intelligence and even our happiness. But it is important to…
The What, the Why, and the How of That “Barre Shake”
I am definitely biased, buuuuuuut barre is just the best! Aside from the sense of camaraderie and community, the upbeat music, and the indescribable “barre high,” your body is challenged in a totally unique way. It’s low impact, but definitely not low intensity! No matter who you are or how fit you are, it is a shockingly challenging workout. Barre is full of tiny, isometric movements and contractions which generate a big burn and epic shake in your muscles regardless of how strong you are. Seriously – even professional athletes and Olympians (recently witnessed at Flex in the City firsthand – with our special guest Derval O’Rourke!) experience that tremble…
How to Get the Most Out of Your Barre Class
When it comes to choosing an exercise routine, I personally think that first and foremost you should find something that you enjoy and that works for you which I have written about in greater detail here and here. Ultimately, if you don’t enjoy doing something, the chances you will keep it up over the long haul are significantly lower because research shows that habits stick better when they’re pleasurable. Although some of it is purely psychological, an activity seems easier and more convenient when it is fun or provides some level of satisfaction. Once you have found something that you like and suits you, you should try to find ways…
Embracing an “Atmosphere of Growth”
“Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure, nor this thing or that, but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing” – William Butler Yeats With each year that passes, I find that I have become increasingly passionate about growing. And over the past few months, I have become quite serious and focused a considerable amount of time devoted to this endeavor – reading some of the best and most influential research and writing about habits, growth, and happiness. Inspired by one of my role models and absolute favorite writers, Gretchen Rubin, I have started my very own “Happiness Project” which seeks to improve my life, and consequently the lives…