WHAT’S YOUR WORKOUT MENTALITY?
By: Fred DeVito, exhale co-founder and the ultimate fitness aficionado
As a young barre teacher, back in the 80’s and 90’s, most students came to my class 4-5 times a week like clockwork. They loved the technique — because it challenged them constantly and it gave them fast and noticeable results. Back then, it was fashionable to be consistent with one method that worked.
WHAT IS BARRE?
By Fred DeVito
Core Fusion co-founder and ultimate barre aficionado, Fred DeVito, breaks down the history of barre, how it works to change your body, and what to look for in a high-quality barre class.
First things first: what is a barre?
The Barre, a word taken from the world of ballet, is a fixed pole, firmly attached to a wall so that a person can pull, push, hold or lean on to gain support when performing exercises that are primarily using one’s body weight as resistance. These movements stem from the original ballet barre warmup that dancers use to prepare and train themselves for their actual dance combinations in a performance.
When and where did barre workouts originate?
Lotte Berk, the founder of the barre class space and the direct lineage of the technique decades ago, combined her knowledge of dance based exercises with orthopedic core work that she learned from physical therapists when going through the process of healing a dance-related injury. Her combination of these two disciplines inspired her to create a class called Rehabilitative Exercise in London back in the 1960’s.
A decade later, the technique was introduced in the 1970’s in NYC at a studio named in her honor, The Lotte Berk Method, and an exercise system was born. That’s where exhale got its roots — I taught there as well as my wife and partner, Elisabeth Halfpapp. Both of us taught 34 classes a week for almost 20 years (if you can believe that!) and that’s how we established ourselves as authorities in the barre space, training many teachers who now run or own some of the major barre studios and franchises in the world. Every major player in the barre space can track their roots back to us at the Lotte Berk Method since we were the leaders there for 20 years.
I TRIED BARRE+YOGA
By: Emily McNeely, exhale enthusiast, copywriter, dancer and (newly committed) Barre + Yoga devotee
It’s why I fell in love with exhale in the first place: balance. Whether it’s the balance of spa and fitness, of energy and mindfulness, of strength and flexibility — or the challenging balance in chair position on the mat, heels up, arms stretched wide, finding your center. That’s why I fell in love with exhale’s new class, Barre + Yoga.
The latest brainchild of exhale’s co-founder, former ballet dancer, and barre legend Elisabeth Halfpapp, Barre + Yoga blends two classes into one powerful, balanced hour. For the first half of class, you’re in Core Fusion Barre mode — toning up with hand weights, planks, thigh and glute work.
Then, seamlessly, you switch gears and move into an athletic yoga flow. After a series of Warrior sequences, you move to seated yoga poses and a core section, complete with the classic Core Fusion curl. Then you end the hour with a mindful moment in Savasana.
REASONS WHY MEN SHOULD TAKE BARRE CLASS
By: Fred DeVito, Core Fusion co-founder + the world’s first male barre teacher
Most men are programmed from sports training in high school and college to think that lifting weights and doing cardio is how you stay in shape. But after high school and college, most of us realize that only doing exercises you’re used to can limit your fitness potential – and as the first male barre teacher in the industry, I learned this the hard way.
THE 411 ON FLEX PACKS
For some, having fitness plan in place is a necessary step in actually booking your workouts. But commitment can be scary. That’s why we’re breaking down our newest fitness plan so you can determine if it’s the right pack for you! What is a Flex Pack? A flex pack is a discounted series of 4 or 6 classes that auto-renews monthly so you don’t have think about stocking up when your classes run out. Is a flex pack right for me? If you’re all about the hustle and bustle and you don’t always know what the following month’s schedule holds, then a Flex Pack is for you. You have the choice between taking class 4 or 6 times a month and you can cancel and restart anytime if your schedule changes. I’ve used up my classes this month. How do I add more? You can add additional classes to your Flex Pack at any time, at the same discounted flex pack rate (that’s up to an $8 savings per class*) — so, you always have the option to maximize your flex pack! Simply mention that you want more classes upon check in for your last class. However, if you find yourself adding more than 2 classes a month, then a membership may be a better option for you. Can I use my flex pack for all class types? Yes! With a flex pack, you can choose from any of our fitness classes. Try a little of everything for some well-rounded variety!
10 WAYS TO STAY MOTIVATED DURING YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY
You are your own best motivator. This means that you are the only one that can truly keep yourself driven, inspired, and on track! No matter what your goal is, you have the power to guide yourself along your journey towards total wellbeing, as long as you keep yourself motivated. Here are some effective and fun ways to do that. Set a goal Set a course for yourself and establish what it is you want to accomplish. Having a goal in mind will keep you focused on whatever it is you are aiming for. Keep an extra set of workout clothes at work or in your car Always give yourself the option to fit in a workout session. You never know when motivation will hit! Get some cute new workout clothes The confidence that a great outfit gives you can fuel your fitness motivation and give you that extra incentive to gear up
FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE
Father’s Day is right around the corner, and the highly varied interests of fathers, husbands, brothers and friends can seem like a vast unknown when it comes to looking for a gift. Rather than the go-to patterned tie to add to his hefty collection, we’ve curated a collection of gifts that will really leave an impression!
HEALTHY HABITS FOR THE FAMILY
Working together as a family to take on healthier habits is a great way to set everyone on the right track towards an active and lively lifestyle! Not only is it fun and easy to take on healthy habits as a team, but it creates a sense of purposeful teamwork that brings everyone together. Here are some ways you can be that driving force for your squad! Set a good example Lead by example and make it all about the positivity! Whether you’re speaking about your body, food or health in general, make a conscious effort to keep the comments constructive and positive. No negativity necessary! Limit screen time We all need our TV breaks, but make an effort not to let it bleed into the day for too long. By putting a time limit on TV and encouraging other relaxing activities such as reading and face-to-face conversations, you’ll improve sleep, increase focus, and better the overall wellbeing of the entire family. Drink lots of water Keep the water flowing!
HOW TO GET YOUR BEST BROWS EVER
By: Angela Marinescu, @thequeenofbrows
An expertly shaped brow is one of the easiest ways to give your look instant pick-me-up — whether you’re correcting asymmetry or getting an immediate face-lift. One of our NYC brow experts, Angela, walks us us through her fave do’s and don’ts.
HEALTHY AND BEAUTIFUL EYES FOR FALL
As we all know, the eyes reveal it all – the good, the bad and the tired. As the seasonal transition begins, it is important to take proper care of yourself as a whole and extra good care of your most prized assets. We’ve asked our expert estheticians/ lash and brow specialists how to take proper care of our eyes and how to give them an extra pop this season! According to Mar McCown, Exhale’s Skin + Brow Specialist… EmerginC Eyelight Cream is a great product to use for Fall since the summer sun can damage the skin (especially under the eye because the skin is thinner). Ideal for all skin types and filled with antioxidants and vitamins, this product aids to brighten, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and de-puff the skin. We recommend using this product year round, but especially in the fall after that summer sun has dulled and pigmented the skin. Aloe Vera helps to soothe the skin, while the AHA (lactic acid) helps to reverse the signs of aging. Stop into the boutique after your sweat session or zen session, and browse our revitalizing eye care products! A lash lift is a great option for those who are too sensitive to get extensions and want a natural lift for their lashes. Lash lift is a perm for your lashes without harmful chemicals, leaving the lashes elegantly lifted while accentuating the eyes. You see results instantly after the service, leaving your lashes feeling lifted and your eyes looking more youthful. The results last up to two months and there is no need for eye lash curlers or mascara. This is a great option for those who want more of a low maintenance make up routine. Fall is also a great time to go a little darker for the tints (brow and lash) which naturally lifts and opens the eye area! According to Angela Marinescu, Exhale’s “Queen of Brows”… I do believe that brows should always be a statement accessory for your face! Brow shape and fullness can completely change the appearance of your facial structure and your overall look. When your brows are fuller, you’re able to wear less makeup, especially when we add a natural-looking tint that will give color and fullness to eyebrows. Full brows can also make your features appear more lifted and youthful! So this season, play up your brows and make a statement. And remember, strong brow says something powerful about a woman : invincible, accomplished, successful , confident, fabulous! Call your nearest Exhale Location to get beautiful eyes for fall!
