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!
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.
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!
10 STEPS TO CREATE YOUR ZEN LEADING UP TO YOUR WEDDING
In order to look and feel your best while walking down the aisle, it is essential to take the time to keep your stresses low and your spirits high. During the special time leading up to your wedding, you should take the time to take care of yourself rather than over-stressing about the details of the big day. In other words: try to worry less about the seating charts, and more about what’s in your heart. Here are some ways to turn that anticipatory energy inward and invest it where it really counts.
Get moving Getting yourself on a healthy fitness routine is a great way to feel strong and radiant for the big day. It’s also the perfect way to channel your hyped up energy!
Take a breath This is a special time, not a stressful time. Build yourself up to become the most cool, calm and collected bride anyone’s ever seen. Take a yoga class to re-center yourself, or dive into some mindful meditation. It’s all about love, so don’t forget to show yourself some.
Sleep Beauty sleep will bring you that natural, beaming glow that every bride wants. So get yourself to bed early with a cup of tea and a juicy reality show and get those Z’s.
Eat right Clean eating will keep your stomach happy and your skin glowing. Fight off those pre-wedding butterflies with calming foods that will not irritate your stomach.
Show your nails some love You’ll be looking down at your hands a lot (hello bling) so give yourself something beautiful to look at.
Manage your time Don’t let things build up and bite you in the butt. Set aside time each day to take whatever bridal duties you may have, but then set everything aside and allot time for focusing on yourself. Websites like Zola make registry and wedding planning easy! (Pro Tip: Add Exhale to your registry for spa therapies and fitness classes to help get you ready for your big day!)
Love your body The dress is meant to fit your body, not the other way around. So whatever your goals are, don’t let them get the best of you. Toning up before the big day can help you to feel fierce and fit is healthy, but don’t let it stress you out!
Embrace your friends Friendship is a big part of self-care. The people we choose to laugh with can bring a sense of comforting support that will keep you feeling like you.
Know that it’s okay to be selfish Don’t shy away from putting yourself first. Listen to yourself and give yourself whatever you need to feel strong and centered for your day. Get a rejuvenating facial or massage to refresh your skin and your body.
Treat yourself. That’s right, give yourself something special. Treat yourself to a weekend away with your girls, or splurge on that pair of earrings you’ve been eye-ing! That self-fulfillment will give you the confidence and spirit to enjoy your day to its fullest!
Exhale Barre: A workout for all levels and needs
An Exhale Barre class is a workout that will challenge you on many levels: strength, flexibility, endurance, and stamina. What makes this workout unique is that the exercises can be modified and tailored to your individual needs (prenatal + postnatal, men, teens, athletes, injuries, limitations — you name it!). Our program is built to make the workout work for you! New to Barre? Your teacher will ask a few simple questions before class in order to better understand your limitations, potential modifications, needs and goals. That way your teacher can give you personalized barre challenges that work for you. If a position or move is problematic, our teachers are trained to provide appropriate modifications that will keep your body challenged and moving while maintaining a safe workout. Once class begins our teachers are trained to use proper and succinct set up cues to put you in position that build and progress — becoming more
FIRE UP YOUR SUMMER PREP WITH A FLEXIBLE FITNESS PLAN
You made it. Winter has finally passed (thank you Arya Stark) and you are one step closer to sunny beach days, rooftop happy hours, and sizzling barbecues. Regardless of how you plan to spend your summer, now is the perfect time to step up your game with an active routine so you can feel strong, sexy, and confident for all that lies ahead! Our diverse offering of fitness classes will have you dripping in sweat one day, and restoring your muscles on a mat another day. You’ll lengthen your muscles and tone using your body weight as resistance in one class, and move through hard-hitting prop-based circuits in another. Keeping your classes diverse keeps your metabolism revving and your body feeling strong, but it also releases endorphins that can keep you in a clear and confident mindset. A strong body paired with a strong mindset will set you up for a healthy and fit summer. Keep yourself on a practical workout routine this spring and summer by creating a flexible regimen that works for you (and for your spontaneous summer plans). An Exhale Flex Pack is a great way to put your goals into action while still having the freedom to customize your schedule and keep yourself open to any impromptu summer adventures. Choose to take 4 or 6 classes a month. Every month your pack will auto-renew and you can cancel anytime. (No more having to think about re-upping your class pack or committing to a membership!) To help jumpstart your routine, when you sign up for an Exhale Flex Pack in May, we’ll give you bonus classes free of charge! Yes, we’re serious. Summer can’t come soon enough, but in the meantime let’s take the time to set ourselves on a healthy track that will give us the strength we need to enhance our overall wellbeing for a happy and healthy summer. LET THE SUMMER PREP BEGIN
