Challenge Accepted

2020 has ushered in exciting times at labarre studios.  The Gold Barre Standard Challenge was introduced as the calendar flipped to the new decade and with it debuted the studio’s first year-long challenge.

A great deal of thought and energy went into crafting the Gold Barre Standard Challenge as it needed to achieve a few key goals.  We wanted it to be both beneficial and functional. To be clearer, it had to deliver the results our members expect and it would have to be sustainable over the course of a calendar year. We also wanted to encourage our new guests to be able to join in throughout the year, so they could participate in the fun and enjoy the benefits of taking classes 3+ times per week.

What was the best way for me to assure that the challenge would hold its water?  Personally, be a part of it and experience the journey as a participant, not a bystander.

For me, the very first month is best described as a rough start with a brilliant finish.  That month had me immediately reflecting on the age old adage, “It’s not how you start, but how you finish.”  That’s how success is truly defined. So the bigger question is, 'Why set a challenge?'

This is a great question to ask and the answer is simple; It challenges us to be our best while keeping life exciting!  Setting events to look forward to and, more importantly, setting goals for yourself will help you move in the right direction, while experiencing more enjoyment out of life. Whether it is your career, family or physique, goals are a great way to challenge the mind, body and spirit.
 
Just like other goals we set, the Gold Barre Standard Challenge is realistic and considers things that can be deemed as setbacks.  Illness, injury, vacation, career pressures, family… all of these are accounted for and weighed as the labarre equipe fashioned a doable, but difficult challenge for you so that your membership works to achieve the results you had hoped for when you first entered the studio.

A refresher on how it works, we begin the challenge on the 17th of each month with attending 14 classes is the set goal.  This structure even allows for members to miss a full month without falling short of achieving the challenge. We know!   We get it!

Everyone needs at least one “re-do or mulligan.”  Better yet, if you find yourself getting off track and need a “re-set” we allow members to jump back into the challenge by rejoining it in April, July or even October.  And don't worry … we will remind you!

For more context, I want to share my personal journey along the Gold Barre Standard Challenge.  I finished December and the beginning of January strong, taking classes almost daily.  Frankly, I was on a roll … and then I hurt my back while putting away Christmas decorations.

It happens to us all … I was rushing trying to get too much done with too little time.  I reached over to pick up a heavy bin while bending and twisting and I felt my disc slip out of place in my lower back.  No carols, mistletoe or sugar plum fairies, just pain and setback.  I have a history of lower-back disc challenges and I have had a herniated, bulging and even a ripped disc in my lower back L3-L5.  Amazingly, I am able to manage my back injuries with barre-inspired workouts and many of you may not even realize this is part of my life.

Barre is gentle while strengthening the body and even with injury, is an activity that can be done daily to improve such ailments. The tough part for me, though, is to remember proper body mechanics while doing everyday activities that are “automatic.”  Simple actions like making beds, emptying the dishwasher, loading and unloading the groceries from the trunk, and the one that seems to sneak up on me when I don’t pay attention… working in my garden. 

The point is we can typically experience injury when we are not being mindful. 

This time, however, luck and years of barre fitness were on my side as I had a positive and speedy recovery.  I immediately went to see our Acupuncturist, Angelica Acton, and I was teaching within days of my injury.  Within one week, I was feeling exceptionally well.  Luckily, this afforded me the time to get in my 14 classes for January and even I was amazed with how quickly my body recovered. (Again, a shout out the heavens for Angelica’s Acupuncture techniques!)

Your story may be different.  Again, setbacks might occur in the form of time, commitments or injury.  But those obstacles are not insurmountable and we want to be here to help.  The labarre community and all who have partaken in the Gold Barre Standard Challenge are in the same boat: We have a goal and we are here to reach it, together.

Let this be a little motivation to keep pushing to design yourself and achieve the goals you originally set out to accomplish.  Need a little more motivation?  Take a look at these fabulous guests that are tracking well through the challenge… or should we call them our Gold Barre Stars!  See you at labarre!