When I was first diagnosed with Endometriosis I had posted an image on Instagram, (the one you have seen on the blog before) "The cure for everything is saltwater, tears, sweat and the sea." in the caption I had said that I have been doing way too much of the tears lately, when my local studio owner, sent me a beautiful note saying that she couldn't do much for the other two things but she could help me with the sweat. Even before the endo diagnosis, I had loved the Barre3 message, 'balanced in body/empowered from within', that we move our bodies for ourselves and not a number on the scale.
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| Me after my first Barre3 class |
Barre is a hybrid workout of yoga and pilates, using strength conditioning, that focuses on high reps of small range movements. Barre3 - "A full-body workout combining strength conditioning, cardio, and mindfulness that will leave you feeling balanced in body and empowered from within." What I love about barre is that it is a small range, strength-focused workout that allowed me to recover and heal while still getting in a full-body workout. But what I really love most is the mindfulness. We create our own narrative, we are the ones that know our bodies the best and with Barre3 there is more than one way to modify a posture.
After my first class back from my first surgery, I cried when we did our breathwork at the end of class, I could not believe that I did it! Don't get me wrong, I did ALL the modifications and went a lot slower than I normally would, but I didn't care and I knew no one else in that studio cared either.
I was unable to become a member at that time because I knew I was going to be right back in that hospital room with a longer recovery time than before, so for Christmas, Nick bought me a class package from the website so I could go when I was feeling ok to do so. I also bought the online membership so I could do the shorter workouts if I could not make it into the studio, but needed a pick me up. Every time I did a workout I felt stronger and more empowered.
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| Photo Cred: Barre3 North Peoria |
Last January, the January Challenge that Barre3 does each year ended the Sunday before my big surgery. It was just what I needed to prep my mind and body for surgery and recovery. When I was able to start going to Barre3 again, my physical therapist was a little apprehensive since she didn't know how my pelvic floor was going to respond to the added activity. I did ok my first day back, but what I did notice is that I was in the right mindset to know what my limits were and the modifications that I needed to do for me. I also remembered that a lot of the Barre3 postures were exercises we do in physical therapy; bridge lifts, pigeon pose, cat/cow, inclined chair ball squeezes. These were all exercises that help strengthen my core and pelvic floor.
Physically, I do not know where I would be if it were not for Barre3 (ha that rhymed). It has allowed me to connect my mind and body together, it has been a benefit not just physically but also mentally. After a few classes of being in the absolute back and always staring at the merch on the walls, one shirt stuck out to me the most, Mind over Matter. (I didn't buy the shirt, but the bracelet, seen above) I wear it every day. Whenever I am feeling like something is taking over my body and spirit, I look down at that bracelet and know that I can overcome anything and that whatever negative feelings I have are temporary.
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| I mean when this is being said in your classes... |
So to me, Barre3 isn't just an amazing workout, it is a community that has made me stronger in all areas of life. Also, a special shoutout to the Barre3 North Peoria studio, every class from every instructor that I have taken makes me feel amazing and your words of encouragement are everything. I know that with certain instructors I am going to get the beautiful mindfulness I was craving. Other instructors I will get the extra cardio-sweat sesh that I didn't know I needed. Or the instructors that make me laugh so much that it uplifts my spirits. To you all, thank you.
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| Yes, yellow for our live stream class on 3/28 - for Endo Awareness Month |
When Life Gives You Endo...Barre3 it Out!
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