Tonight was the first time I cried in a workout class for a reason other than being completely drained or exhausted. I just got home from taking a free class at The Barre Code in East Lansing, the brand new location of a franchise that truly lives up to its code of empowerment and motivation:
We live by a code. The Barre Code. We believe in our bodies. Our abilities. Our strength. We accept the differences that make us beautiful and strive for beauty that makes a difference. Every day we work hard to realize our potential. To dig deep and discover what we are capable of. To earn our bodies. We are relentless. We live to evolve. To exceed our own extraordinary expectations. We live by The Barre Code.
At the beginning of the class, which was the 50-minute Barre Code strengthening class, the visiting instructor Kaye explained that at The Barre Code, they never talk about calories, or burning off something you ate, or summer bodies. It isn’t about doing all of the moves perfectly. It is about being present, and taking care of yourself, both mind and body.
I love that the classroom felt intimate and on the darker side, with bumping music. I feel less self-conscious in a group fitness class when it is that type of setting, sort of like when I did a Soul Cycle class. Even though there were mirrors surrounding me, I didn’t pay attention to how I looked. I was focused on doing the moves and how it felt in my body.
What made me tear up was at the end of the class, as we stretched. Kaye had us lie down on the floor in any comfortable position we wanted and close our eyes. She talked about all of the work we had done in our 50-minute class, and that 50 minutes is 4% of our day. She talked about how important it is to take this time for ourselves.
This really hit me at my core. Sometimes it feels like it’s so hard to get away and do a workout, when in reality it doesn’t take that much time to do something for myself for my body and mental health. I felt myself tearing up as she talked and I had my eyes closed, lying down on the mat.
I think this barre experience is different from any other barre classes I have taken. It’s clear that there is a specific mission and attitude at The Barre Code, and it’s one I can completely get behind. I didn’t do every move perfectly and I needed to take several resting moments by the end, but I didn’t feel defeated at the end. I felt strong.
The East Lansing location’s free preview classes are running through June 23rd, and they are an excellent way to get a taste of what The Barre Code is all about. You can sign up at www.thebarrecode.com or using the MindBody app, which I just used to sign up for another free class later this week!
The founders of The Barre Code, Ariana Chernin and Jillian Lorenz (a Michigan State University alumna!) were just featured in a Forbes article this month that talks all about the company’s growth.
Check out some other photos of The Barre Code in East Lansing:
The Barre Code is located at 1024 Trowbridge, dangerously close to Gigi’s Cupcakes.
This is a Kids Room! Now I definitely don’t need to make the excuse that I can’t get someone to watch the girls so I can go to a class.
Thank you Kaye for a wonderful class and your motivating words, and thank you to my friend Linda for letting me know all about The Barre Code! I am a convert.