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Kathi Harmon

Jun 26
Love2
Holding The Barre at Barre Harmony

Why Barre

By News

So what is this Barre stuff everyone is going on about?

While it is not related to any liquid indulgences, it does create another level of the “feel goods” that will surge through your body, just in a different way. I remember the first time I walked into a barre studio, I was very unsure about what to expect. I was sure that I was going to be waaaay in the back of the studio, hopefully hiding in a dark corner, hopefully unnoticed by the instructor. As my body fought my brain and my brain fought my body during the workouts, I found myself finding muscles that were hidden for so long. As I went out to the parking lot after that first class, I said to myself, “THIS IS IT!” I found a way to work out without the joint jamming, boring weight lifting DVD’s and exercises that were not geared for a women’s body. I wanted to share this epiphany with everyone around me. Like so many of my friends, I found that as I am getting more “seasoned” with life, things started changing with my body. My usual routine was just not working anymore. I had to find something engaging, fun, energizing and something that I looked forward to doing frequently during the week. As I tried several types of barre fitness I started to desire to incorporate my passion for Yoga and my new BFF barre workouts into a studio that offers both classes that helps everyone feel the way I do. I found myself again and I am no longer wanting to hide in the back of a studio in a dark corner. I am ready to stand next to YOU, be your guide into this new found passion of mine. Now, if you are wondering why this form of exercise is becoming so popular, read on!

Barre fitness programs:

are low impact and gives you periods of moderate activity and short bursts of higher intensity that will get your heart pumping and really rev up your metabolism. Your body will continue to burn fat even after your workout is over. Of course there are modifications and amplifications to suit everyone.

It will help you build muscle without getting bulky. Barre fitness classes are exceptional for burning fat and defining muscles.

Barre is for everyone, no dance experience required!  If you’ve danced all your life, that’s great. Dancing in the room all by yourself counts!   If you’ve never danced in your life, that’s great too. Just come to a class and follow the instructor. The moves are not complicated, you’ll be able to pick them up right away. There is no judging here!

Are you lacking flexibility?

Suddenly you are scared, right? Don’t be! Every muscle in our body needs attention, whether it is just bending over to tie your shoes or reaching in your car to get your groceries, we need to make sure that our regular daily activities can be done without pain.

Having flexibility is important because it helps keep your muscles long and pliable. When we lose this flexibility, our muscles shorten. This hinders posture, think rounded shoulders and tension building right between those shoulder blades. Women tend to carry a lot of their stress in their shoulders. We need help!

As we age:

if our flexibility isn’t addressed, our  posture worsens and we have issues doing  simple tasks like reach up to grab a  wine glass out of the cabinet. You’ll be amazed at the difference in flexibility you will gain. I no longer groan when I bend down to grab something, which was happening frequently before my core got smacked into shape. My energy is amplified and my sleep patterns have improved, so WIN-WIN for me – and my family, because as we all know, a happy momma= happy home! Enjoy the class! See you at the Barre!

Jun 26
Love0
Ana Sporting her yoga

Finding My Zen Through Yoga

By News

These days, it is very easy to get caught up in the day to day happenings of our own little world. Sometimes I can’t see past the dirty laundry or dishes that need to be put away. I forget that I am essentially connected to a larger web of life. This infinite web, full of people, places, opportunities, challenges, it all shapes me, and how I react, think, and feel. Realizing that I have the power to share something that may influence someone else down the road, is inspiring me to live more consciously. Yoga has helped me be more present. It has become that friend, the one who says, “it’s ok, you don’t have worry about the future “what ifs” just enjoy the now, just BREATHE!” All of the stress in my body was thriving on the past or worried about the future. It was growing and taking over. My joints ached, my body was tired. My mind was so wrapped up in the possibilities of what may happen I started to loose focus on just being present. I worried about my kids, their schooling, their future schooling, their driving, the expenses, the list goes on and on. Yoga helped me gain my awareness and gratitude back into my daily life. I have learned to slow down, give more attention to what is happening at that moment, the good and the bad. When I am class, there is the gift to devote the entire time just to take care of myself, to calm my mind and give my body a jump start. Maybe, it is a little more of a reset button, allowing a do-over, allowing me to be the best I can be.

Jun 26
Love2
healthy food at Barre Harmony

Easier Ways to Feed Your Family Healthy Meals

By Announcements

Helping your family eat healthy can be quite the challenge these days. We are in a time crunch to get to soccer practices, dance recitals, school functions…. the list goes on and on and it is really easy to get in the fast food line to grab something on the go. I found that preparing and planning ahead can save calories, temptation and boost your nutrition in your household.

Preparing brown rice, quinoa, couscous or any whole grain medley and storing it in your fridge can help get you ahead of the game. Adding rotisserie chicken without the skin, and some steamed veggies, you’ll have several meal options to throw together at the last minute.

Quinoa makes awesome cold salads when mixed with nuts, seeds, light olive oil, raspberry vinaigrette and feta cheese. Pack it up for a nice refreshing lunch or mid day snack. You can throw in leftover chicken for extra protein. Try out a new oil for sautéing veggies such as safflower, grape seed oil and high quality olive oils to make the change from butter or margarine.

I have a drawer in our refrigerator that is accessible to little hands with options such as ziplock snack size bags full of cut up carrot sticks, celery, zucchini, jicama; yogurt ( try buying brands that are low in added sugars and no preservatives and chemicals/high fructose corn syrup added); hard boiled eggs, little cubes of cheese, heart healthy nuts such as almonds, and raw pumpkin seeds.

Try making your own bag of granola mix-you can let your imagination go wild, think outside of the normal raisin-m&m-cheerios, peanuts combo that we grew up on. Try venturing into gluten free granola bites, gogi berries, craisins, raw cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, unsweetened shredded coconut, roasted cocoa nibs, dried apricots.
I found that the less processed foods and sugar I eat, the less I crave them.

Here is the deal, when you make healthy food fun for kids, you can engage those curious little brains and let them be their own mini master chefs. Kids love to play with food, so gather up some cookie cutters, softer veggies and fruit such as cucumbers, zucchini, melons, and have them get creative. You can make faces on plates with red pepper strips for lips, tomatoes for the nose, olives for the eyes, zucchini “zoodles” for the hair.

Taking time to sit together for family meals is so important. Spending just a few minutes sitting down together as a unit has been linked to better emotional stability in children, lower rates of obesity, eating disorders and substance abuse. Engaging with each other during dinner can be the only time everyone can share their day before the TV, electronic devices and homework take over.

Remember, lead by example! When your family sees you interested in healthy family meals and together time, they will start following your lead. Also, don’t expect miracles overnight, making small adjustments over time will ease your family onto a heart healthy lifestyle.

Namaste!
Kathi

Jun 08
Love1
Barre Harmony Exersize

How to Get Motivated to Exercise

By Announcements

Lighten Up Your Goals:

Don’t push yourself to far. Most people fall short when there goals are  to high.

Track Your Progress:

When you see your progress, you will be inspired to achieve more.

Find the Fun in It:

Find a class that is that you love, or with people that you enjoy being with.

Break It Up:

Don’t do the same classes. Have a variety, you will much more likely to stick with it.

Make It Convenient:

Arrange your workouts around your schedule. You will be less likely to make excuses why you cant work out.

Reward Yourself:

Have a cheat meal. You will go crazy just eating celery.

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