Are you teaching barre?

The short answer is, no. The real answer is more than that.

For those of you who don't know, barre is one of my favorite way to work out. It is a full body work out that uses small, isometric movements to lift and tone your arms, core, legs, and glutes. It is non-impact, completely safe for you knees and back, and no matter how many classes you go to, it never gets easier! You do not have to be graceful or a ballerina. HA we know I'm none of those things! You also don't need to be skinny (still not me), have a diamond ring the size of the moon, or any of the other stereotypes you heard about barre. It's just a good time. 

I was so excited to have the opportunity to become a certified barre instructor at barre. [d] studio in Charlottesville, VA. The studio owner, Hanna, worked for a long time at my local barre studio in Arlington and when she opened her own studio in C'ville and offered training, I knew I had to do it. I am so glad that I did.

Through the training I not only learned how to teach others, but I became much more aware of my own body while taking class. Now classes are much harder for me because I am now doing every move correctly. It's awesome and is the worst at the same time.

Back to the original question: Am I teaching barre? No, I'm not. Barre studios are very picky about your training. Most studios have their own "unique" philosophy and technique. In reality, they are very small changes. On the other hand, I recognize that it's a business and that studios make money training people on their program. I found out quickly that if I wanted to teach, I needed to do so through a gym or a community center.

When I first moved to Charlotte, Nick found a women's gym just down the street from our apartment. Not only was the gym beautiful, but they were hiring fitness instructors. I was thrilled. After talking to one of the owners, I was given a two week pass to get used to the gym, try some classes, and meet the clients. He said he would reach out in another week to schedule a time to do a demo class. I went to a barre class, a yoga class, a cross-fit style class, and went once to just use the elliptical. 

I really did not like it. At all.

I tried really hard to like it. The clientele were fantastic. Most of the staff were friendly. The classes were terrible. In the barre class, I found myself doing my own thing because the instructor was asking us to do things that were unsafe for your spine and the class in general was just ineffective. I was disappointed to say the least. The other classes were OK, but nothing to write home about. I never heard back from the man who interviewed me and I never reached out.

At first, I was disappointed. I was upset that I spent a lot of time, money, and travel to get a certification I could only use in a limited number of locations. Then I thought about all I gained from being trained by Hanna at barre.[d]. I not only improved my own barre work out, but I learned to love it even more than I had previously. I met a group of women who are all roughly my age that I can look forward to seeing when Nick and I visit Charlottesville. More importantly, I did something really nice for myself.  Above all else, I thought that was most important and what made the whole experience worthwhile.

Maybe one day I will be able to teach. But for now, I'm not teaching barre.

Best,

Becky