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Beyond the Barre: You are your own best teacher
A single moment in a barre3 class led to a huge shift in thinking for barre3 Felida owner Amy Grabenkort. Read on to find out how barre3 taught this former elementary-school principal that she is her own best teacher in this month’s Beyond the Barre feature.
I glanced at the woman on the mat next to me. Her eyes were closed, and she was exhaling. Her leg lifted gracefully into the air. My hand went to my core. Was I doing this right?
It was the first week of my barre3 practice. I hadn’t exercised in front of other people for about a year, and I was nervous that everyone would see that I was doing it wrong. I was tempted to go check on my two little ones in childcare—not because I doubted that they were OK, but because I wanted an out. But before I could make my escape, I caught a glimpse of the instructor coming my way. I felt my face turn hot.
I was sure she was going to point out all the mistakes I was making. Instead, she gave me a thumbs up and gently reminded me to soften my nervous shoulders a little. My eyes actually teared up. I closed them, took a deep breath, and exhaled. Did I just feel my abs engage? I wasn’t going to achieve perfect form that day, but for the first time in a long time, I was sure I was headed in the right direction.
Engaging your abdominal muscles may not sound like a milestone moment, but for me, it was the beginning of a major shift: I was letting go of self-doubt. It was the first step to trusting myself and realizing that I know more than I think I do. It’s ironic, in a way: I spent years in the education field, but it took barre3 to help me understand that I am my own best teacher.
As soon as I embraced this truth, I started to notice that I was surrounded by women at barre3 who embraced it, too. In class, I looked up to those who modified postures with confidence and grace, those who opted to stand at the ballet barre for seat work instead of taking an All Fours position on the mat, those who choose to work without weights, those who went really low in Power Leg, or those who choose to take another posture entirely. These women trusted themselves to know what was right for them, and they were better for it.
I also noticed that once you’ve embraced the idea of being your own best teacher in class, you can extend it beyond the studio, too. Take my friend Billie, for example. She had never run in her life, tried it one day, and after a month started a local running club and signed up for her first marathon.
I was beyond inspired by these women and their ability to trust their gut. Before my big revelation, I had always inched toward my goals, but now I wanted to take them on in a large range of motion, trusting myself to know what I need to do.
I started listening to my inner voice and began to make some life changes that had a big impact. I made eating whole foods a priority. I set aside more time to take care of myself by planning my barre3 workouts in advance, by calling my sister more often, and by choosing to go on a hike with my family instead of going out for dinner when we wanted to spend time together. Within a just couple of months of trusting myself, I had a stronger body and a healthier lifestyle.
When I inhaled and told my husband about my dream of opening a barre3 studio, I again felt my hand going to my core. This time, though, I wasn’t wondering, “am I doing this right?” With my newfound faith in myself, I knew I was.
I jumped right in. My husband and I immediately clicked with the team at the Portland headquarters and knew in our hearts this was the right decision for our family. Now, as we approach our opening day, I can’t quite put my excitement into words. What I can tell you is that I’m so grateful that I listened to my inner voice, and I’m so thrilled to have the opportunity to help others see what I began to understand during that fateful barre3 class: We are all our own best teachers.
Is your gut telling you to open a barre3 studio? Find out how you can become a part of our team here.
A single moment in a barre3 class led to a huge shift in thinking for barre3 Felida owner Amy Grabenkort. Read on to find out how barre3 taught this former elementary-school principal that she is her own best teacher in this month’s Beyond the Barre feature.
I glanced at the woman on the mat next to me. Her eyes were closed, and she was exhaling. Her leg lifted gracefully into the air. My hand went to my core. Was I doing this right?
It was the first week of my barre3 practice. I hadn’t exercised in front of other people for about a year, and I was nervous that everyone would see that I was doing it wrong. I was tempted to go check on my two little ones in childcare—not because I doubted that they were OK, but because I wanted an out. But before I could make my escape, I caught a glimpse of the instructor coming my way. I felt my face turn hot.
I was sure she was going to point out all the mistakes I was making. Instead, she gave me a thumbs up and gently reminded me to soften my nervous shoulders a little. My eyes actually teared up. I closed them, took a deep breath, and exhaled. Did I just feel my abs engage? I wasn’t going to achieve perfect form that day, but for the first time in a long time, I was sure I was headed in the right direction.
Engaging your abdominal muscles may not sound like a milestone moment, but for me, it was the beginning of a major shift: I was letting go of self-doubt. It was the first step to trusting myself and realizing that I know more than I think I do. It’s ironic, in a way: I spent years in the education field, but it took barre3 to help me understand that I am my own best teacher.
As soon as I embraced this truth, I started to notice that I was surrounded by women at barre3 who embraced it, too. In class, I looked up to those who modified postures with confidence and grace, those who opted to stand at the ballet barre for seat work instead of taking an All Fours position on the mat, those who choose to work without weights, those who went really low in Power Leg, or those who choose to take another posture entirely. These women trusted themselves to know what was right for them, and they were better for it.
I also noticed that once you’ve embraced the idea of being your own best teacher in class, you can extend it beyond the studio, too. Take my friend Billie, for example. She had never run in her life, tried it one day, and after a month started a local running club and signed up for her first marathon.
I was beyond inspired by these women and their ability to trust their gut. Before my big revelation, I had always inched toward my goals, but now I wanted to take them on in a large range of motion, trusting myself to know what I need to do.
I started listening to my inner voice and began to make some life changes that had a big impact. I made eating whole foods a priority. I set aside more time to take care of myself by planning my barre3 workouts in advance, by calling my sister more often, and by choosing to go on a hike with my family instead of going out for dinner when we wanted to spend time together. Within a just couple of months of trusting myself, I had a stronger body and a healthier lifestyle.
When I inhaled and told my husband about my dream of opening a barre3 studio, I again felt my hand going to my core. This time, though, I wasn’t wondering, “am I doing this right?” With my newfound faith in myself, I knew I was.
I jumped right in. My husband and I immediately clicked with the team at the Portland headquarters and knew in our hearts this was the right decision for our family. Now, as we approach our opening day, I can’t quite put my excitement into words. What I can tell you is that I’m so grateful that I listened to my inner voice, and I’m so thrilled to have the opportunity to help others see what I began to understand during that fateful barre3 class: We are all our own best teachers.
Is your gut telling you to open a barre3 studio? Find out how you can become a part of our team here.
