By Tanya Nuchols

Barre is all the buzz lately. Barre studios have been popping up all over the city, each with their own brand of this renewed dance fitness format that fuses basic ballet drills, pilates exercises, sculpting movements and yoga stretches. The main philosophy behind Barre is high repetitions of small movements that target every muscle group, especially the ones that women most often want to tone more (thighs, underarm, hips and seat). The burn we feel in class contributes to the toning, lifting, strengthening and lengthening of the body.

You may have seen them around. Pure Barre, Extend Barre, Barre 3, Barre Method, Barre Code, and Biker Barre (pretty cute)…studios specifically offering Barre classes have become widely popular all over the country. The average class costs $25 to drop in. Me, being a dance fitness fanatic, had to go try it out, dishing out $25 a class each time. After about five classes, I noticed the hip pains I’ve had for years starting to decrease. In class, my hip felt like it was going to fall off after 32 reps of tendus front, side and back. But after a few days of post workout burn, my hip strengthened. And because we stretch each muscle immediately after we work it, my hips have increased flexibility as well.

I grew rather fond of the Barre workout and sought out to find one that really spoke to me. As a dancer, I crave connection to the music. I found Barre Body®, a Barre workout developed by dancers who previously took classes at Joy of Motion Dance Center. Choreographed to music, with attention to tempo, musical structure and feel, this Barre workout appealed to me the most. So, I stuck with Barre Body®, certified in it and am happy to now bring it to JOMDC. And, at dance studio prices, it’s a significant deal compared to barre studio prices.

Set to a relaxing yet upbeat mix of pop, R&B, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz and loungy Latin music, we focus on form and alignment on the floor, at the barre and on the matte. It’s not the sweatiest workout, but you will definitely feel the burn after class and limbered from intermittent and cool down stretches.

Tanya teaches Barre Body® Fridays 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and Tuesdays 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. at JOMDC Friendship Heights. Barre Body® is part of our MOVE dance and fitness program. Click here to learn more and to sign up!