Barre Blend Progress Report

I’m over half way through the Barre Blend eight week program, so I thought now would be a good time to check in and share some of my thoughts about it.

First matter of note, I LOVE IT!

I have come back to the mat every single weekday morning for the past five weeks. I have followed the program as it’s mapped out, and pressed play each day. This is unprecedented for me. I have never followed a program-a marathon, a triathlon, anything- without moving days around, shifting schedules to fit my own. But there’s something about this Barre Blend that has me doing it in stride.

Even on a day like today when I was unusually tired or the kids woke up half way through (two reasons right there that could have stopped me in my tracks), I stuck to the plan.

I think it’s a combination of many factors. One is the enjoyment of it. One is the commitment to the plan, and realizing that sometimes just following through is easier than juggling to squeeze it in later.

One is the prospect of not “having” to do one of workout on the weekend is a freeing thing. It’s a new thought for me- odd, but welcomed. She calls is time to rest and replenish. I’ve been a weekend warrior for years, running, swimming, or biking sometimes crazy miles every weekend. Now I feel the pull to make taking care of and spending time with my family and the kids a top priorities. So this schedule aligns with that so well right now.

I still work out every day, including the weekends. But having the space, and freedom choose what I want to do on Saturday and Sunday is so lovely, without the feeling of “having” to check a workout box. I can listen to my body. Having that space feels like a chance to breathe, like stepping outside for a breath of fresh air after being inside for a long time.

It is such a comprehensive program. It’s interesting, it’s intense, it’s fun, it is all of the things. I find some of the moves so challenging I have to take breaks (pretzel anyone? Ab work and push ups are my weak spots, too). Some of the intense, smaller motions are obviously what I need to be working on. On some of the moves, though, I can take the intensifiers, which are what she calls the next level. Cardio days are my jam, and I don’t mind the extra movement or high heart rate. I’m used to that kind of hard work. Monday and Friday classes have been my favorites lately, though. Those classes feel so graceful.

The gracefulness is one of my favorite things. It’s bringing something out of me that’s been a little dormant. I feel more confident, more balanced, able to hold and move my body more powerfully and centered, off the mat as well as on.

We had a family dance session the other night, which is not uncommon. We danced around the kitchen to a variety of songs from Frank Sinatra to, of course, the Frozen 2 soundtrack. My daughter and I had “a moment” as we sang and danced our way through Elsa’s anthems. I felt more expressive, more confident, even in my own kitchen with my family (which is ironically sometimes the hardest place to let yourself go). I enjoyed myself more, felt more free, and I know that’s because Barre Blend has helped bring that out.

The last thing I’ll touch on is that Affirmation Deck. The first few weeks I didn’t use it myself. I would wait to see what Elise chose, and it seemed redundant to pull another card. There were a few days that her choice were so poignant. One day I even mixed up the workout by accident and I swear it was probably just because that affirmation card was meant exactly for me that day.

As the weeks went past, I started finding myself drawing cards on the weekends, and inviting my daughter to do the same. I did it other mornings too, before the workout, when I sat to write or read. The sense of clarity for having a word, a thought, an intention is so much more powerful than I’d think. I went from thinking they were optional to now loving what they add to my overall experience.

Here’s the part where Elise gets major props. Not only is she serious “body goals”, she is so heartfelt. I feel like her concepts and her approach to life are very similar to mine, positive, joyful. What she says is not altogether new to hear for me. But yet, truth is truth and can be mind blowing anytime you hear it, even if you already believed it. Its like opening a nesting doll.. there’s always gifts more hidden inside.

I feel so encouraged every time I come to the mat my workouts. And I feel so much stronger. It’s not just the hard body work. It’s the continuous heart work we are all doing, which is one of my favorite things of all!
I love what Barre Blend is helping me do for my body and my mind. I love how I feel when I’m on the mat as well as when I step away, both mentally, physically and emotionally. Those are signs of a really great workout.

So the program is a keeper for me. One that I’ll be doing again and again. It keeps getting more intense and challenging, but I’m here for it. I’m already thinking how much stronger I’ll be when I go through it a second time (or maybe even a third!). Tell me, have you tried it yet? Or what physical challenge are you loving right now?

Xoxo