Back to the Barre

It’s Friday! Who’s ready for the weekend?

<Insert squeal and arm raised high to the ceiling!>

Scott and I will be spending ours in Boston! He has a work event to attend, so we took the opportunity of already being there to stay an extra few nights and enjoy the city. I have never traveled to Massachusetts before, so I am excited to get out there and explore!

Before I get back and post about Boston, I have a LOT of covering Florida to do. Considering I spent a good two and a half weeks visiting home, I have a lot of places to talk about and even more photos to share. Where do I even begin? <Taking deep breaths> Okay, let’s take it slow and highlight one thing at a time.

Today I am excited to spotlight the time I spent taking classes and catching up at my old barre studio!

The long time blog readers already know I how much I am in love barre workouts. I took my first class back in October of 2011, and became hooked that very day.

It wasn’t long before I found myself at the studio several times a week, and eventually approached them about teaching. I had never taught any kind of group fitness class before, so I was extremely nervous, and wasn’t even sure what kind of training I would be getting myself into.

This was the year I took off dancing in the NBA, so I took my extra time as motivation to leave my serving job and focus on teaching and blogging full-time.

To make a long story short, it took a few months of patience, hard work, and pushing myself out of my comfort zone, but I did it!

By January of 2012, I started teaching my own classes and was on the schedule five and sometimes six days a week. I woke up with the early risers to teach 6 a.m. classes three times a week, and spent the other days popping in at different times in the afternoon or evening. It was a tricky schedule, but I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.

When I found out we were moving last August, my heart broke a little. I was ready for Scott and I to embark on a new adventure and get settled into a new life, but I wasn’t quite ready to give up teaching barre.

I loved my students, I loved my studios (by this time we grew to two locations!), and I absolutely loved my time at Barre 54.

I will never forget the feeling I had walking up the stairs as an employee for the first time, knowing I was going to be teaching and helping others reach their fitness goals.

I will never forget the feeling I had after my classes were over for the day, when the studio seemed so calm and serene.

I never forget how fantastic it was to show up to work and spend my day in workout clothes!

After a quick trip to Jacksonville, I made it a point to visit my home studio and take class the first opportunity I got.

Back to the Barre

I arrived for my first class back considerably early. I wanted time to catch up with some familiar faces and check out the new merchandise.

The very first thing I noticed were these Shashi mesh barre socks!

Barre (and yoga) socks all have gripped bottoms, but these stand out by having a cooling mesh top. I loved the idea, and appreciated the extra ventilation mid-way through class.

While setting up my station for warm-up, I couldn’t help but think how many photos I must have shared on Instagram of this exact same thing throughout the years. Oh, the memories!

For those of you who are new to the blog and are not familiar with what the heck barre is, here is a quick description, first shared here by yours truly:

“Barre is a fitness solution sent from God that works out every muscle group in your body using fundamentals of ballet, yoga, & Pilates. Barre strengthens, tones, lifts your muscles, and leaves you feeling like you just spent hours at the gym. It’s a fun, high-energy workout and produces quick results to those who frequent classes regularly.”

A bit dramatic, but completely true statements. For a full behind-the-scenes inside look at the studio and workout method, watch this video of Meghann with Meals and Miles attending her first Barre 54 class!

Not just a walk in the park, my friends.

As expected, I got a fantastic workout and left class with burning legs and and a shaky core. Thanks for re-introducing me to the barre burn, Amanda!

Amanda was one of two people who trained me, and I miss her and the rest of the barre 54 staff dearly. We spent at least a few days a week working together, and every Wednesday we had a lunch date between classes.

Since the studio is walking distance of Park Avenue (<- a must see shopping and restaurant spot for those visiting Orlando!), we always took advantage of it and enjoyed an afternoon walk outside.

(Winter Park Rose Garden)

(Park Avenue)

One of our favorite spots to eat a quick and healthy meal was Powerhouse Cafe, so we figured that would be the perfect place to go. You can see all about what we ate in WIAW #9!

It was so great to catch up with her and revisit my old stomping grounds.

While in town, I wanted to come back and take as many classes as I could fit in. When I wasn’t running outside with my mom, I called the studio to see what class I could get into.

It took about three classes to not “struggle and shake” as I like to phrase it to new students, and by the end of my two weeks I was back in top barre shape again.

Quick shout to Laura with Bashful Bliss for providing me with this adorable tank top!

The company produces t-shirts, tanks, necklaces, and workout gear made just for women who like to workout and look cute doing it. I love it, and got several compliments on this Rock What You Got tank!

My trips back to the barre certainly were wonderful. I would be lying if I said I didn’t get a tad sad when I left the doors for the last time.

I often get asked if I will start teaching barre up north, and my answer is always, “maybe one day.” I have taken classes at Pure Elements and X-Tend Barre, which are both about 30-40 minutes away from where I live. While I am still dancing (I am planning on one more season!) I am putting the thought of teaching on the back burner, to spend my days focusing on dancing and blogging instead.

Until next time, b54!

 Questions of the Day

• Have you ever tried any variation of the barre workout?

• What is your favorite kind of hour long workout class?

Barre is obviously a favorite of mine.  After that, I also enjoy any kind of cardio-intense class like kickboxing or spinning.  I also enjoy group power classes that require weights, but I am dying to try CrossFit.  I heard it’s unbelievably challenging and am looking forward to taking a class at FitBloggin’ next month!