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INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT SERIES: ALLISON BEAM
With so many of us taking our barre3 practice into our homes these past few months, the online instructors have become familiar faces—friends we invite into our living rooms to help us move, breathe, and destress. In our Instructor Spotlight Series, you’ll get to know the instructors beyond their energy-boosting choreography and motivating mantras.
This week, we chatted with the incredible Allison Beam. The mom of four discovered barre3 10 years ago and has been a bright light in our community ever since—first as a client, then an instructor, and today, Allison is a Lead Instructor. Read on for Allison’s tips on working out pre- and postnatal, how to keep your practice going with young kids underfoot, and what she hopes clients take away from her workouts.
BARRE3: With so many people trying barre3 online for the first time in the past few months, you’re a new face to many in our community—but you’ve actually been working with barre3 since early 2012. Can you tell us a bit about how and when you got started with barre3, and what roles you’ve held in the company over the years?
ALLISON: I found barre3 in 2010 after I transitioned out of being a full-time recruiter to being at home with my twin babies and toddler. I was grateful for the opportunity to be home with my kids; however I had missed being around my coworkers, who had become such great friends and a huge support network. I was also trying to figure out how to best bring back strength and endurance to my body.
Running had always been the form of exercise that made me feel good, but logistically that was more challenging to make happen. On days when our oldest son was in preschool, I would be out pushing our twins in the double jogging stroller around the hills of SW Portland with our Golden Retriever by our side. Making this happen felt like a major accomplishment in my day!
While being outside felt good for all of us, I still had major abdominal separation, and on days when there were no playdates with fellow moms, I was lonely. I craved a community to support me during this new stage of life.
At the time I needed it most, barre3 came into my life. I was genuinely welcomed into the Pearl studio and immediately trusted the staff to love on my babies while I spent 60 minutes just focusing on myself. It was a breakthrough moment when I realized a few classes in that I was not being selfish taking this time for myself. I was becoming so much more aware of how to best support my body in getting stronger (slowly giving up the ‘go big or go home’ mentality) and realizing that during each 60-minute class, I could only focus on me (not my grocery list, not on what the kids were doing in the Play Lounge, etc). I was finally part of a community again—one that celebrated me for being Allison. I would leave barre3 sweaty, more energized, and a much better version of myself ready to jump back into parenting.
BARRE3: The timing sounds like it was perfect! How did you go from taking classes to teaching them?
ALLISON: I was approached about auditioning to become an instructor in 2011 and jumped at the opportunity (all thanks to Lisa Schale-Drake!). I went through training in early 2012 and have been teaching ever since! I learned so much about myself in my Instructor role and was passionate about the connections it brought me. Until our kids were in pre-school, they came with me to Play Lounge whenever I taught. It was such a gift!
BARRE3: Since then, you’ve grown into other roles at the company, as well. Can you tell us a little about those?
ALLISON: Love of Learning is one of barre3’s Core Values that really resonates with me. When I was offered an opportunity to get more involved and go through additional training, I saw it as a new challenge to push me to learn even more. I have been a Lead Instructor since 2013 and together with our Training Team get to live out our ‘Love of Learning’ Core Value every day. For quite a few years during the 8.5 that I have taught, I was also able to work closely with barre3 Portland as an Instructor Mentor within all five local studios. This role provided valuable experience by stretching me to continue growing, and I was then able to take this knowledge and use it in further supporting our Training Team.
The other area of the barre3 business that I continue to work with is our Digital Team as a leader of online workouts. Creating and leading content sparks my creativity and drives me to find deeper ways to connect with clients via an online workout instead of in-person. It is also such a thrill to film new workouts each month knowing that they will help connect me with family, friends and fellow barre3 subscribers near and far!
BARRE3: When you’re not teaching people how to Step Tap and Sumo Squat, where are we likely to find you?
ALLISON: Co-Managing Team Beam and the commitments and activities with which we are involved. You would also find me on the golf course in the spring and summer. My family loves to golf! It is a multi-generational sport that supports our competitive nature and consistently challenges us athletically, while also exposing us to the beauty that is prevalent in our area. Golf has taught me so much throughout life (hello, patience!) beyond the course, and it brings me so much joy to see our kids embracing it alongside the rest of my extended family.
BARRE3: You have four kids, and yet you always seem to have a limitless supply of energy. What’s your secret?
ALLISON: I thrive on staying active and make movement a priority every day. I strongly believe that is what helps me have the energy, strength, patience, and enthusiasm to keep up with my four kids, husband and our puppy! I do my best to balance workouts by myself (a barre3 class online, Livestream, or back in the studio) with those involving my family (runs with our Golden Retriever, walks with the whole family, a round of golf with our kids, etc).
BARRE3: As a mom, you’re well-versed in the pre- and postnatal benefits of the barre3 workout. Do you have any advice for moms-to-be or new moms who are trying barre3 for the first time?
ALLISON: Preparing your body to have a baby and then recovering from it is a journey, and it is important to lean into each moment as best you can. I am extremely grateful that I had a very regular barre3 practice in place (beyond teaching) when I had our fourth child in 2016. As I was being reminded of the limited other areas of my life (avoid alcohol, no caffeine, stop running, etc.) while pregnant, I felt empowered during every barre3 class to make it work for how my body, mind, and energy felt on that particular day. I was able to finish each class feeling strong and accomplished, which I did not experience elsewhere. I also felt confident in the choices I was taking during class to support me best—a trait that I attribute to everything barre3 has taught me. For example: Planks on the floor? No thank you, the barre will serve me better for engaging my muscles and not feeling extra tension living in my neck and shoulders. Sumo Squats in my ninth month of pregnancy? Not a good option for my lower back; Horse Pose is where I will be.
BARRE3: So many people have taken their practice home as we all take precautions around the global pandemic. It’s such a luxury to be able to do barre3 from anywhere—and yet for parents, it can be a challenge to work out with kids underfoot. Do you have any advice, or tips on how you’ve made this work?
ALLISON: First option: Get your kids involved! I believe that modeling healthy movement for your children is powerful. Sometimes my kids join in for the first 10 minutes, sometimes they stay for 30. I cheer them on during squats and lunges and we laugh about how hard the holds are together. I continue to teach Livestream classes for barre3 Portland each week, and it makes my heart so happy when I see via Zoom my husband and all the kids joining in for a workout with me from our basement. The kids understand by watching us (their parents) that staying active is important and impacts how well they do throughout the rest of their day (in school, extra curricular activities, and in their role as a family member). I know getting your kids involved is not as easy with littles. When mine were younger, I would have everything set up and ready to go (workout clothes on, props ready, computer set up, and water bottle full) for an online workout, and then the moment they were napping, I would hit play so I could maximize my time during those precious solo moments!
BARRE3: I know that when I do your online workouts, I always leave feeling not just with an energy boost, but with an optimism boost, as well. What are some things you hope people take away from your workouts?
ALLISON: First of all, that is the ultimate compliment! My hope is that my online workouts leave you feeling more joy and gratitude for the time you committed and what you experienced in your own mind and body that day. I want you to finish confident in the decisions you made during our time together and a deeper sense of connection to your inherent strength.
Thank you so much, Allison! Try Allison’s workouts free with a 15-day free trial of barre3 online or find your local studio to get started with barre3 today!
With so many of us taking our barre3 practice into our homes these past few months, the online instructors have become familiar faces—friends we invite into our living rooms to help us move, breathe, and destress. In our Instructor Spotlight Series, you’ll get to know the instructors beyond their energy-boosting choreography and motivating mantras.
This week, we chatted with the incredible Allison Beam. The mom of four discovered barre3 10 years ago and has been a bright light in our community ever since—first as a client, then an instructor, and today, Allison is a Lead Instructor. Read on for Allison’s tips on working out pre- and postnatal, how to keep your practice going with young kids underfoot, and what she hopes clients take away from her workouts.
BARRE3: With so many people trying barre3 online for the first time in the past few months, you’re a new face to many in our community—but you’ve actually been working with barre3 since early 2012. Can you tell us a bit about how and when you got started with barre3, and what roles you’ve held in the company over the years?
ALLISON: I found barre3 in 2010 after I transitioned out of being a full-time recruiter to being at home with my twin babies and toddler. I was grateful for the opportunity to be home with my kids; however I had missed being around my coworkers, who had become such great friends and a huge support network. I was also trying to figure out how to best bring back strength and endurance to my body.
Running had always been the form of exercise that made me feel good, but logistically that was more challenging to make happen. On days when our oldest son was in preschool, I would be out pushing our twins in the double jogging stroller around the hills of SW Portland with our Golden Retriever by our side. Making this happen felt like a major accomplishment in my day!
While being outside felt good for all of us, I still had major abdominal separation, and on days when there were no playdates with fellow moms, I was lonely. I craved a community to support me during this new stage of life.
At the time I needed it most, barre3 came into my life. I was genuinely welcomed into the Pearl studio and immediately trusted the staff to love on my babies while I spent 60 minutes just focusing on myself. It was a breakthrough moment when I realized a few classes in that I was not being selfish taking this time for myself. I was becoming so much more aware of how to best support my body in getting stronger (slowly giving up the ‘go big or go home’ mentality) and realizing that during each 60-minute class, I could only focus on me (not my grocery list, not on what the kids were doing in the Play Lounge, etc). I was finally part of a community again—one that celebrated me for being Allison. I would leave barre3 sweaty, more energized, and a much better version of myself ready to jump back into parenting.
BARRE3: The timing sounds like it was perfect! How did you go from taking classes to teaching them?
ALLISON: I was approached about auditioning to become an instructor in 2011 and jumped at the opportunity (all thanks to Lisa Schale-Drake!). I went through training in early 2012 and have been teaching ever since! I learned so much about myself in my Instructor role and was passionate about the connections it brought me. Until our kids were in pre-school, they came with me to Play Lounge whenever I taught. It was such a gift!
BARRE3: Since then, you’ve grown into other roles at the company, as well. Can you tell us a little about those?
ALLISON: Love of Learning is one of barre3’s Core Values that really resonates with me. When I was offered an opportunity to get more involved and go through additional training, I saw it as a new challenge to push me to learn even more. I have been a Lead Instructor since 2013 and together with our Training Team get to live out our ‘Love of Learning’ Core Value every day. For quite a few years during the 8.5 that I have taught, I was also able to work closely with barre3 Portland as an Instructor Mentor within all five local studios. This role provided valuable experience by stretching me to continue growing, and I was then able to take this knowledge and use it in further supporting our Training Team.
The other area of the barre3 business that I continue to work with is our Digital Team as a leader of online workouts. Creating and leading content sparks my creativity and drives me to find deeper ways to connect with clients via an online workout instead of in-person. It is also such a thrill to film new workouts each month knowing that they will help connect me with family, friends and fellow barre3 subscribers near and far!
BARRE3: When you’re not teaching people how to Step Tap and Sumo Squat, where are we likely to find you?
ALLISON: Co-Managing Team Beam and the commitments and activities with which we are involved. You would also find me on the golf course in the spring and summer. My family loves to golf! It is a multi-generational sport that supports our competitive nature and consistently challenges us athletically, while also exposing us to the beauty that is prevalent in our area. Golf has taught me so much throughout life (hello, patience!) beyond the course, and it brings me so much joy to see our kids embracing it alongside the rest of my extended family.
BARRE3: You have four kids, and yet you always seem to have a limitless supply of energy. What’s your secret?
ALLISON: I thrive on staying active and make movement a priority every day. I strongly believe that is what helps me have the energy, strength, patience, and enthusiasm to keep up with my four kids, husband and our puppy! I do my best to balance workouts by myself (a barre3 class online, Livestream, or back in the studio) with those involving my family (runs with our Golden Retriever, walks with the whole family, a round of golf with our kids, etc).
BARRE3: As a mom, you’re well-versed in the pre- and postnatal benefits of the barre3 workout. Do you have any advice for moms-to-be or new moms who are trying barre3 for the first time?
ALLISON: Preparing your body to have a baby and then recovering from it is a journey, and it is important to lean into each moment as best you can. I am extremely grateful that I had a very regular barre3 practice in place (beyond teaching) when I had our fourth child in 2016. As I was being reminded of the limited other areas of my life (avoid alcohol, no caffeine, stop running, etc.) while pregnant, I felt empowered during every barre3 class to make it work for how my body, mind, and energy felt on that particular day. I was able to finish each class feeling strong and accomplished, which I did not experience elsewhere. I also felt confident in the choices I was taking during class to support me best—a trait that I attribute to everything barre3 has taught me. For example: Planks on the floor? No thank you, the barre will serve me better for engaging my muscles and not feeling extra tension living in my neck and shoulders. Sumo Squats in my ninth month of pregnancy? Not a good option for my lower back; Horse Pose is where I will be.
BARRE3: So many people have taken their practice home as we all take precautions around the global pandemic. It’s such a luxury to be able to do barre3 from anywhere—and yet for parents, it can be a challenge to work out with kids underfoot. Do you have any advice, or tips on how you’ve made this work?
ALLISON: First option: Get your kids involved! I believe that modeling healthy movement for your children is powerful. Sometimes my kids join in for the first 10 minutes, sometimes they stay for 30. I cheer them on during squats and lunges and we laugh about how hard the holds are together. I continue to teach Livestream classes for barre3 Portland each week, and it makes my heart so happy when I see via Zoom my husband and all the kids joining in for a workout with me from our basement. The kids understand by watching us (their parents) that staying active is important and impacts how well they do throughout the rest of their day (in school, extra curricular activities, and in their role as a family member). I know getting your kids involved is not as easy with littles. When mine were younger, I would have everything set up and ready to go (workout clothes on, props ready, computer set up, and water bottle full) for an online workout, and then the moment they were napping, I would hit play so I could maximize my time during those precious solo moments!
BARRE3: I know that when I do your online workouts, I always leave feeling not just with an energy boost, but with an optimism boost, as well. What are some things you hope people take away from your workouts?
ALLISON: First of all, that is the ultimate compliment! My hope is that my online workouts leave you feeling more joy and gratitude for the time you committed and what you experienced in your own mind and body that day. I want you to finish confident in the decisions you made during our time together and a deeper sense of connection to your inherent strength.
Thank you so much, Allison! Try Allison’s workouts free with a 15-day free trial of barre3 online or find your local studio to get started with barre3 today!
