Tying up my running shoes and pounding the pavement has been my go-to form of exercise throughout each lockdown, not to mention a saviour for my mental health. The rush of fresh air is invigorating, liberating and refreshing. However, it’s also a high impact physical activity that demands a lot from my joints, and after 5 weeks of daily runs during the most recent level 4 lockdown my legs, my hips and feet are really starting to feel it.
A colleague of mine asked whether I had ever tried Barre classes as an alternative form of exercise for my sore, exhausted body. I’m no ballerina so the idea was not immediately appealing, but I reluctantly signed up to Barre Base Anywhere’s 7 Day Free Trial. I thought, “What the heck, if I’m ever going to give this a go I’d rather it be in the privacy of my own home where nobody has to witness my clumsy attempt at being graceful.”
I was immediately impressed by the share number of Barre Base Anywhere’s Barre, Yoga and Mobility classes (there’s currently 55), however what really grabbed my attention was the Stretch and Lengthen Class for Runners. 30 minutes specifically targeted to help give back to a runners body, this session covers stretches for the hips, glutes and hamstrings.
I was also somewhat comforted to see the Barre classes broken down into categories of “Barre Base Burn” (Rosa’s Barre Workout), “Gentle Barre” (perfect for beginners such as myself) and “Barre Breakdown” (for intermediate+). After a couple of days committing to the Stretch and Release class I decided to branch out and give Gentle Barre a go.
Despite being a complete novice, Rosa’s clear instructions and attention to detail made me feel confident and supported. An added benefit of online workouts for beginners is that you can rewind and replay movements for clarity, and after a few days of Gentle Barre I was ready to take the plunge into Barre Burn. These classes absolutely live up to their name: while “Barre” might not sound hardcore, you definitely feel the heat even from a short 20 minute session. As a beginner, what I have most appreciated from Rosa’s classes is the varied options she gives for different moves, even in the more intense classes. Whether you are ready for a more advanced challenge, or you need to dial it down, Rosa always ensures you walk away from each classes with a feeling of success and accomplishment (something we all need during a lockdown!).
This feeling of achievement and the resulting endorphins was enough to inspire me to continue exploring the array of classes available at Barre Base Anywhere. The selection of workouts is so varied, there is enough here to keep anyone going for weeks without repeating a session. Most of the videos also have a specific focus, isolating different areas of the body, which is ideal if you like to constantly switch up your workouts (and bust through pandemic induced boredom).
With a background in dance and yoga, Rosa’s passion is to help people move well. To Rosa, movement is medicine, and can help us find strength, freedom and confidence on an emotional level as well as a physical level. Hence why alongside traditional barre classes, Barre Base Anywhere offers Yoga-Fusion Classes and Stretch and Mobility sessions. If this is all a bit overwhelming for you and you don’t know where to start, fear not because Rosa puts together a Monthly workout guide for those who love to follow a plan. This calendar includes a balanced selection of strength and mobility classes for you to move through weekly.
Personally, I have found the Stretch and Lengthen Classes in particular a true mind-body release. Although I am committed to daily exercise, whether it be a run or one of Rosa’s online classes, the reality of being confined to the four walls of my own house means that I still move a lot less than I normally would. Think about the short walks that we do throughout the day, even just a short stroll to the local coffee shop. Without these ‘movement breaks’, my body is holding on to a lot of stagnant energy. As well as the Strength and Lengthen Class for Runners, Rosa also has a 25 minute Stretching For Sitters release – the perfect antidote to a day at the desk. The invitation is also available to use a pillow, making this a dreamy class to wind down with before bed.
If a community feel is what you’re after, Rosa has that covered too. To complement the growing number of on-demand classes, Barre Base Anywhere runs weekly livestream classes to offer a longer workout to members, and an opportunity to connect in a different way to the community.
Overall, Rosa’s online offerings through Barre Base Anywhere have helped me to find the perfect balance of powerful workouts, while also listening to and honouring my body during lockdown. Thank you Rosa for helping me keep moving and stay inspired through Barre Base Anywhere, my new daily endorphins-boosting regimen.
Barre Base is a Dunedin Studio that opened it’s classes to the world during the first Covid-19 Lockdown. Barre Base Anywhere classes combine ballet conditioning exercises with pilates, yoga and functional body-weight training. Visit www.barrebaseanywhere.co.nz to sign up for your free 7-day trial.
