Hi movers! My name is Rob; I’m Kindall’s partner and I’ve recently joined The Movement Blog team to help with the blog. I’m a bit of a geek who likes dance (watching and partaking) and I enjoy taking GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® classes in London as well as cooking and travelling as much as I can. I’ve …
A Mini Dance & Fitness Guide: the Pacific Northwest
Being in the States for Christmas and New Years for the first time in a while meant being able to visit family, friends, teachers and studios I know and love along the Pacific Northwest. After a very relaxing time in Los Angeles, it was time for an adventure to discover something new. This meant travelling (and dancing) for at …
Movement Playlist #7: Barre Fitness
A few months ago, I’ve started covering Barre Fitness classes for City Academy and Triyoga, Camden, which caters towards those interested in ballet, cardio and overall movement and alignment as an upbeat fitness class. These classes also include yoga and pilates mat exercises.
This particular method has challenged me to keep my music upbeat, simple, clear, yet really enjoyable. In this playlist, you’ll get a sample of what I’d usually play when I’m teaching these classes, which is quite different from my slower driven mixes meant for improvisation, for example.
What is Barre Fitness?
Barre Fitness may also be called ‘barre fit’, ‘barre workout’, ‘barre core’, or ‘ballet barre’. This method is derivative and based off the Lotte-Berk Method and The Bar Method. It wonderfully targets muscle groups while focusing on lengthening the muscles, just like ballet. Classes sizes are usually with up to 6-7 people at a time, so it’s gives you a ‘group personal training’ feel.
It is, of course, also great with different fitness levels and body types. No experience or ballet shoes required! Check out the schedule at Triyoga or at City Academy and try it for yourself.
What are my Barre Fitness classes like?
It’s a mixture of Yoga and Dance moves combined with specific strengthening and stretching exercises. These exercises include the use of props, such as weights, and floor work. My goal is always to allow students to pay attention to their alignment during to gain the most out of each exercise.
The class focuses on always working and using the entire body but in ways that are achievable yet challenging. Key emphasis: back of leg (i.e. hamstring, gluteus) and core connection. At the end, you’ll feel more energised, properly aligned, and ready for the rest of your day.
Kindall usually covers the 1:15PM Barre Fitness class, Saturdays at Triyoga, Camden. Stay tuned for updates on the blog’s Facebook page.
If you liked that one, check out my Warm Up and Cool Down Playlist.
Enjoy!
xo
Mini Dance Review: Skånes Dansteater Malmo, Sweden
The Movement Blog’s ‘mini’ dance review aims to give you a ‘short and sweet’ low-down of current performances from around the world. Company: Skånes Dansteater Show: To See the World While the Light Lasts Choreographer: Ben Wright (and dancers) When: November 4th-6th, 2016 Where: Malmo Opera, Sweden Skånes Dansteater, based in Malmo, Sweden, represents dancers from all over the world. This is my second …
WISE WORDS by Norbert De La Cruz III: New York/L.A. Based Dancer, Choreographer & All Around Artist
I present to you a series called WISE WORDS, which will feature short interviews from influential, up and coming and young artists, dancers, and teachers alike. Let’s step into the minds of these professionals to not only find inspiration but to get to know them and relate. First up, New York/L.A. based dancer and choreographer, …
Best New Blogs in Dance, Health, and Fitness in 2016
Above: Mara Cimatoribus, founder and blogger of SHE-SMILES In no particular order – these new blog platforms are equally amazing, inspiring and necessary for dance, fitness, health, and wellbeing enthusiasts alike. One thing these blogs have in common is that all of the founders/creators/directors/bloggers took the initiative to use their experience and knowledge to create a fun, …
A Journey Back to Dance #6: Dealing with Old and New Injuries
(Above: Teaching a GYROKINESIS® class via Video Chat to help dancer, Valeria Caboi, recover from an old hip injury.) Often times dancers have to deal with either old and/or new injuries, especially when returning to training and performance. Even when we train, retrain, and cross train to prevent and reduce injury old or even new injuries could flare up when the body is …
A Journey Back to Dance #5: Cross-Training
Above: The new Health, Fitness, and Pilates Studio at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, 2016 Cross-training for dancers, both student and professional, is becoming more and more popular and for very good reasons. Big companies like the Royal Ballet and Hofesh Shechter have made it a point to include it into their schedule. As I slowly make my way back into the …
Take Home Tips #1: For Dancers
Here are a few tips my dance clients receive during and after a GYROTONIC® class that I would like to share. These tips are essentially all taught during a dance class, however, private and semi-private training allows an individual to focus on the areas that need more improvement to provide even more depth and clarity. Private or small group training also allows the individual …
A Journey Back to Dance #3: Preparation
It’s important to adhere both mental and physical preparation especially when returning back to dance and performing. There are quite a few ways to mentally and physically prepare for a journey back to dance. Whether you’ve taken a year or a week off, your body and mind will need the upmost care (and respect). Some key elements involve cross-training, ‘letting go’, and …