BARRE IS HERE!
This March, we are encouraging you to R E F R E S H your routine. We’ve adding a NEW discipline to the On Demand library with the addition of Barre workouts with the fantastic Naomi Butterworth. The Beginner to Barre series takes you through six short classes to learn technique, feel the burn, and have fun doing it.
Read on to find out more about Naomi, her connections to the Isle of Wight and how you may be able to unearth your inner ballerina!
New Instructor: Naomi Butterworth
Naomi is an ex professional dancer turned barre instructor. As a trained massage therapist, Naomi is passionate about posture.
Through her barre classes she aims to help people build an awareness of their body & how it moves & aligns happily, whilst also finding joy & the benefit of movement by sharing her love of classical ballet technique.
No previous ballet experience required, just enthusiasm and determination!
ISLAND GAL
Naomi is a keen sailor, having done all her certificates from the island & fell in love with a sailor (who she met in a yoga class!). Naomi regularly returns to the island, sailing over with her family as often as the weather & tides will allow. She enjoys building sandcastles or exploring the water with her daughter on their huge family sized paddle board!
What is Barre?
With origins in the Lotte Berk Method and the New York City Ballet Workout, Barre is a strength and conditioning class that has influences from Classical Ballet technique and Pilates.
Barre includes small, targeted movements in high numbers of repetitions to establish good mind-body connection and feel the signature burn. In the majority of classes, you use a “barre” or equivalent (tables, chair back etc). From her professional dance background Naomi’s classes have a deep connection to Classical Ballet and she loves to bring out your inner ballerina.
You don’t need to have a background in ballet, or a ‘ballet’ physique to take part in barre. Every body is welcome at the barre!
Benefits of Barre
Here are some of the many benefits of Barre classes for you mind + body:
1. Increased muscular endurance
Barre includes high repetition exercises (hello glute burn) to help you build muscular endurance. You can expect small pulses that intensify the activation in the targeted area. Often neglected in fitness classes Barre helps to strengthen the core by incorporating a lot of balance work. Single leg exercises such as arabesque and pirouette position are staples in Naomi’s barre classes.
2. Better posture
As a massage therapist + Barre instructor Naomi loves to help her clients improve their posture. The alignment cues and muscle groups you work in a Barre class can help you improve your posture in daily life, particularly if you sit at a desk all day or have a small child.
3. Mind – body connection
“In a lot of my classes, clients really thrive on learning the classical lines & positions. This, I feel, creates a more thoughtful & mindful movement experience, focusing more about learning the way their body moves rather than simply copying a routine. Every BODY is unique & having that understanding leads to a more injury free & nourishing fitness journey.”
4. Cross Training
Barre is accessible to everybody. Barre can be a great addition to your training as it requires you to focus and isolate the muscle groups. You do everything on each side so you can iron out imbalances in your strength and flexibility. Barre makes use of all movement patterns that you might find have been missing in your current routine or sport. You can then take that knowledge into your other activities or to help prevent or manage injuries.
5. It’s fun!
At Balance + Glo we want you to find an exercise routine that works for YOU. Barre is a great option as not only is it a seriously good workout but it’s good fun too. It’s never too late in life to learn a new skill and embrace your inner ballerina!