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Beyond the Barre: Make It Your Own
We have a saying at barre3: To make it your own. Read on to see how Portland client Sarah Grace McCandless has internalized this mantra during her barre3 workout and beyond.
If you’ve ever participated in a barre3 class, you’ve likely heard the instructors encouraging you to, “Make it your own.” It’s a permission I try to remember and live by throughout all 24 hours of my day. It’s also one of the thousands of reasons I love barre3, and not just as a physical endeavor.
I have never been an athletic person by nature. I didn’t grow up playing any sports on a regular basis. The closest I ever came to doing so was mustering enough skills to pass my swimming tests to become a certified lifeguard. Truth be told, that was simply to get the coolest summer job available to a Grosse Pointe teen. I could swim, of course. I just wasn’t breaking any records, and I still can’t do a flip turn to this day.
Maybe it’s partially because I didn’t play regular sports as a kid that I had such a hard time finding an exercise routine I wanted to stay committed to, and truly enjoyed. At my best, I begrudgingly committed to 5K training and runs, or 45-minute cardio classes, but I was clock watching the entire time.
I initially came across barre3 a few years ago by way of a previous business relationship, and as such, needed to understand the practice and brand. Sadie taught the first studio class I ever took, and there were several points throughout where I wondered if I would make it through the entire session. I was sweating and shaking profusely, and couldn’t understand why my body was having such a strong reaction to such seemingly small, controlled movements.
But I did finish, and strong, largely because as Sadie reminded us throughout class to “Make it your own,” along with suggestions for modifications, I was actually listening, and present. This was a first for me. I didn’t even realize there WAS a clock in the room until I was leaving the studio.
I immediately connected to and fell in love with barre3, because I had finally found something that wasn’t about doing it the “right way,” but about doing it in the way that was right for me. I didn’t need to apologize for putting my own spin on things, or worry about whether or not doing so would hinder my results. Tailoring to my tastes meant I was honoring my body, but also mind and spirit, too.
There’s an even bigger payoff here, one we can and should all embrace. Putting our personal imprint on our studio practice, and all aspects of our lives, creates stronger connections – be it with Narrow V’s, a work presentation, the meal we just prepared, or the new friend we just made. And I am a firm believer (and living proof) that stronger connections lead to long-term commitment and success.
So…how will you “Make it your own” today?
We have a saying at barre3: To make it your own. Read on to see how Portland client Sarah Grace McCandless has internalized this mantra during her barre3 workout and beyond.
If you’ve ever participated in a barre3 class, you’ve likely heard the instructors encouraging you to, “Make it your own.” It’s a permission I try to remember and live by throughout all 24 hours of my day. It’s also one of the thousands of reasons I love barre3, and not just as a physical endeavor.
I have never been an athletic person by nature. I didn’t grow up playing any sports on a regular basis. The closest I ever came to doing so was mustering enough skills to pass my swimming tests to become a certified lifeguard. Truth be told, that was simply to get the coolest summer job available to a Grosse Pointe teen. I could swim, of course. I just wasn’t breaking any records, and I still can’t do a flip turn to this day.
Maybe it’s partially because I didn’t play regular sports as a kid that I had such a hard time finding an exercise routine I wanted to stay committed to, and truly enjoyed. At my best, I begrudgingly committed to 5K training and runs, or 45-minute cardio classes, but I was clock watching the entire time.
I initially came across barre3 a few years ago by way of a previous business relationship, and as such, needed to understand the practice and brand. Sadie taught the first studio class I ever took, and there were several points throughout where I wondered if I would make it through the entire session. I was sweating and shaking profusely, and couldn’t understand why my body was having such a strong reaction to such seemingly small, controlled movements.
But I did finish, and strong, largely because as Sadie reminded us throughout class to “Make it your own,” along with suggestions for modifications, I was actually listening, and present. This was a first for me. I didn’t even realize there WAS a clock in the room until I was leaving the studio.
I immediately connected to and fell in love with barre3, because I had finally found something that wasn’t about doing it the “right way,” but about doing it in the way that was right for me. I didn’t need to apologize for putting my own spin on things, or worry about whether or not doing so would hinder my results. Tailoring to my tastes meant I was honoring my body, but also mind and spirit, too.
There’s an even bigger payoff here, one we can and should all embrace. Putting our personal imprint on our studio practice, and all aspects of our lives, creates stronger connections – be it with Narrow V’s, a work presentation, the meal we just prepared, or the new friend we just made. And I am a firm believer (and living proof) that stronger connections lead to long-term commitment and success.
So…how will you “Make it your own” today?
