Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/943494
44 MARCH 2018 NORTHSHOREMAG.COM BARRE 101 THE WHO, WHAT, WEAR WHO: Originally developed by injured German dancer Lotte Berk, barre as we know it today (hello, isometrics!) was born out of Berk's desire to combine dance and ballet exercises with rehabilitation therapy. WHAT: Most barre classes include a mat, light hand weights, a strap, and a ball. You can expect mat work, including push-ups and planks, as well as arm, thigh, and seat work sections, all set to music. WEAR: You should wear socks with grip or go barefoot (depending on the studio). Beyond that, think like a ballerina—leggings and form- fitting tops are great for observing your own alignment. IN THE KNOW achieve and how far you can push yourself. e classes are lled with people who come from ballet and dance backgrounds as well as those who don't, and at any given class you'll nd current and former dancers working out alongside others who have never even had a desire to see a ballet, much less considered dancing in one. at's the beauty of barre—it truly is a t for every body. e studio also oers hugely popular cardio classes, including Core & Cardio, CircuitSculpt, CardioBarre, and other high-intensity interval training (HIIT) classes. Kinsey and the Motivate sta recognize that while everyone has their own workout preferences, such as a favorite class style, they also have their own learning style. e sta pays special attention to individual needs, and instructors utilize both visual demonstrations and verbal cues to help clients perfect exercises. Kinsey's cheerful outlook is evident throughout the program, from the studio's bright orange accents to the names of the classes. Motivate (wicked hard) Barre runs on Friday mornings and is, in fact, wicked hard. ere's also "Lunch Barre," a condensed 45-minute class that runs at noon many weekdays and exists to encourage people to t a workout into their busy schedules. "Everyone needs to start somewhere, and you only have one body," says Kinsey. "And it's so important to prioritize your own health and wellness." Too often we let our own well-being fall by the wayside; to help remedy this, Kinsey oers up a tip she herself employs, which is to schedule workouts as if they are appointments you fully intend to keep. Scheduling a workout with the mentality that it's something you "must do" allows you to make time for yourself and follow through on it. At the end of the day (or the start—Moti- vate oers 5:45 a.m. classes!), if you can nd a workout that ne-tunes your body and mind, as well as an opportunity to "laugh and be part of a community," you really are doing yourself a huge and necessary kindness, Kinsey says. Need more motivation? You know where to nd it. See you at the barre. Classes are filled with people from all dierent backgrounds, making barre a true fit for every body. / L I V E + P L AY / CONTACT motivatebarre.com