Align Pilates® Minneapolis

At first, the client was skeptical. “Barre class?” she asked. “I took ballet as a kid.” You could tell she was imagining a few slow plies set to some classical piano.

Not to knock ballet–in fact, the barre method was developed by a ballet dancer–but this isn’t your niece’s ballet class. At Align’s incredibly popular Barre classes, high-energy music blares from the speakers while students stretch, chat and assemble their props–playground balls, free weights and Magic Circles all regularly make an appearance during the intense one-hour workout. And once class starts, you can tell right away that the instructor isn’t messing around as she challenges you up to releve five…okay, ten more times.

And our clients keep coming back for more. “I think Barre is so popular because it gives you an amazing total body workout,” said Barre instructor Danielle DeRemer. “It offers the grace of ballet, the precision and control of Pilates and the fluidity of yoga. The class is meant to work the secondary muscles by making small, yet significant, adjustments to alignment and movement–building endurance and strength faster and more efficiently than just doing regular cardio and weight lifting.”

Barre has been popular for awhile on the east and west coasts, and its roots extend further back than many people might realize. The method is actually based on the technique of Lotte Berk–a German dancer who fled the Nazis in the late 1930s and moved to London with her British husband. After Lotte injured her back, she developed the barre method by combing her ballet barre routines with her rehabilitative therapy for her injury. She opened a studio in her London basement in 1959, where the method eventually gained great popularity.

The Barre method made its way to America in the early 1970s when one of her students opened the Lotte Berk Method studio in Manhattan. As previously mentioned, it’s been an established exercise program on the coasts for quite some time, but the Barre buzz that’s currently underway is taking its popularity to a new level–clearly, it’s meeting a need for something that was missing from many people’s monotonous cardio workouts. “The best thing about barre class at Align is that it’s a high-intensity class that challenges your body, but also focuses on correct alignment,” said Adrienne Fitzmaurice, co-owner of Align Pilates and a Barre instructor herself. ” Therefore, I can see all my students not only becoming stronger, but also developing better posture and balance.”

Indeed, the Barre method has taken the Twin Cities exercise scene by storm, with classes regularly filling up well in advance. Although a variety of studios are now featuring versions of the workout, Align’s classes have received special recognition, being awarded the “best new workout” designation from Minnesota Monthly magazine. Align also offers Barre teaching training–a comprehensive 18-hour program that focuses on anatomy and movement physiology, safe choreography and the art of effective verbal cueing, among other topics. ”The Align Barre Teacher Training is definitely one of a kind,” said Adrienne. “We give teachers the tools to change someone’s body–not just kick their butt. There is a difference!”

Align offers many Barre classes throughout the week–advance registration is recommended, since classes regularly fill up. Hardcore Barre fans might also want to consider the Barre teacher training program, taking place this summer from July 27-29, 2012. Visit www.alignpilates.com for more information.

After the excesses of the holiday season, many of us want nothing more than a healthy start to the new year. However, we all know that motivation can be an issue during the dark, cold days of January. But here at Align, we get it! And we’ve designed a two-week winter cleanse that will snap you out of your malaise and get you focused on balancing your body, mind and spirit. Starting on January 20, join a group of like-minded people who are committed to a healthy shift in priorities. Align’s second annual winter cleanse will kick off on Friday evening with a two-hour nutrition workshop, where you’ll learn about healthy and safe ways to detoxify the body through food. Superfoods and meal planning will be discussed, and you’ll leave with a variety of recipes to help fuel you through the program. The Align cleanse has been designed to help you reset your metabolism, build your immune system, create flexibility and increase your circulatory system and heart rate. Through yoga, barre class and Align’s exclusive Prana Stretch technique, you’ll emerge from the program feeling centered, strong and healthy. Sign up now–only a few spots left!

Touch and movement have been used since the ancient times to enhance well-being and to heal. The power of touch is what helps us make connections to the world and each other. Being the earliest of the five senses developed when we are in the womb and after birth we continue to grow and thrive by receiving touch.

Dr. Dacher Keltner, a psychology professor at the University of California, Berkeley, has found that the power of touch is much more profound than we might have realized. Dr. Keltner reports on a wave of studies that have documented incredible emotional and physical health benefits that come from touch throughout our life suggesting that touch is truly fundamental to human communication, bonding, and health. He continues that touch is our primary language of compassion, and a primary means for spreading compassion.

To maintain health we need sleep, good nutrition, water, air, sunshine, exercise and love. Compassion is an aspect of love. By caring for ourselves we have more to give to others. Taking time to reward your body and mind with a recharge of energy to renew your senses. One way to refill our cup is by receiving a massage. Many are finding out the many health benefits to receiving a massage:

• Improving circulation
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles
• Increase joint flexibility
• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system
• Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller
• Lessen depression and anxiety

Studies have shown significant biological changes as the result of a single massage! With so many kinds of bodywork there is something for everyone. At Align we offer Pranassage, Thai massage, Indian Head Massage, and Reiki.

- Mary Sullivan CMT

The ballet barre workout is sweeping the nation, yet the appeal is not new. Ladies have long lusted after the lean and poised physique touted by dancers. And while you don’t want go so far as to kill for a ballet bod, like Natalie Portman’s rather disturbed Black Swan character, you may be interested in bellying up to the barre to see what you can do.

Align’s very own Barre Class uses many of the movements that you already know in a new way—even if you’ve never donned a pair of toe shoes. Combining the stretching and toning movements of Pilates and yoga, the strengthening and sculpting principles of ballet plus an energetic cardio workout, you’ll target your arms, tummy, butt and thigh muscles. The small focused movements are meant to tone without adding undue bulk. No tutu required.

Finally, a bar that’s belly-friendly.

L-O-V-E. It’s the positive four letter word. And even though the Valentine’s Day hoopla may leave you saying other four letter words that we won’t repeat here, we hope that you reserve the L one just yourself. Whether your V-Day plans consist of dinner with a sweetie or an overdose of boxed chocolates and sappy reruns, we highly suggest taking some time to give a little love to you. And what better way to give yourself a big wet-sloppy than indulging in a juicy Prana Stretch class. After desert, or once you hit that chocolate with the icky pink gooey stuff in the middle, slip into something a little more comfortable and join us for Align’s second annual special Valentine’s Prana Stretch Class.

And since nothing says L-O-V-E like F-R-E-E, that’s exactly what you’ll get: 15 minutes more of Prana Stretch Class at absolutely no additional cost. Surrender to the stretch. And Happy Valentine’s Day, you sexy thang.

Special V-Day Prana Stretch Class at Align

• Monday, February 14th
• 8:30 pm – 9:45 pm