Wow, this class worked it all. More than anything I felt the endurance/stamina work to stay with the longer series. Those 5lb weights and repeated plies add up to true whole body strength building.

Rochelle! It’s so good to hear from you and kudos for getting to the mat, or the gym, or whatever works to fit movement into your day! Managing time is a real thing and I commend you for making it work 🙌❤️

This class felt both familiar and unique, and truly flew by! Cardio dance and wide second with heavier weights felt familiar and like the start of a traditional signature or 45, as did some of the postures with the chair while standing. But the chair truly makes it all feel new. I agree with Monique, those low to high and toe tap moves are the best. I really liked the freedom to choose whether to use 2 hands, 1, or none and play with balance and how much that back foot is used like in other classes but without the chair.

I have found that when lying on the ground with feet propped on the chair that having my chair pressed against something sturdy helps it to keep from slipping and leads me to focus more on engaging the muscles and my form to complete the reps without getting distracted by form or falling (not sure if this is cheating as it doesn’t require so much concentration on pressing down instead of away..but it works well for me)

I love a prop packed class. It breathes new life into familiar motions and engages the brain to connect with the body. I find I need this especially when my mind is whirling and I’m having a hard time getting out of my head and into my body.

Thank you so much for the kindest birthday wishes, I am touched and grateful 💛

I used a combo of two sizes of weights for this one. The opening series with two weights I found challenging and knew I needed lighter for form for one of the moves. The longer series with over head presses were my favorite. Puppy cuteness and mayhem means that the cueing for the second side of that series is the same arm as the first (both left), understandably! Heads up to switch to the other arm if you’d like, but it all evens out with how consistent mbody is.

I had a harder time tapping into power and confidence today. Lots of doubting my own strength to be honest. I appreciate that these power sculpt classes invite the exploration of those thoughts, even though they are hard to feel and think about.

Hi Jess 🤍 I have read, left, returned and read this repeatedly hoping to land on the ‘right’ words. I wanted to respond to your beautifully vulnerable and honest post correctly. But, there aren’t any, because that isn’t a thing. All of us are truly trying our best and working through this messy complicated experience as best we can. And finding the beauty in all of it as we go.

Thank you for sharing your process here. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. You belong and are welcomed and appreciated for who you are, just because you are you. It is brave to allow yourself to be seen and heard and loved and we are so glad you are doing that here.

What a beautiful, vulnerable, honest expression of movement and its healing powers if you listen and trust. Marnie, you listen and trust, and we are watching and learning from you. We are so thankful for your guidance. Thank you..

🤍

Hi Izzy! I love this, and this question. My routine isn’t anything special or ceremonial (I love that thought though..). I do mbody in the mornings (first thing week days and a little later weekends). So I hydrate, caffeinate, and have a little something to eat first. I think about which class to do and review my week, scan my body, my thoughts/mood, as I decide. I have journals that I have been making notes from classes for since I did my first challenge in 2021 and looking through them can help guide the decision and bring some inspiration. I always use my headphones, even in an empty house. It gets me more in tune with myself and my body while shutting outside noises (even silence) out. I have an led strand around my workout area in a corner of my basement that I change to coordinate with the color of class when Marnie does. I have my Amazon barre, mat, a tall mirror with a shelf that holds my iPad that was a handmade gift; my weights, balls and ankles in a basket. It’s small, it’s not fancy, but it’s a part of the experience for me to have a special spot.

If you are like me and find yourself bracing and straining both mentally and physically to connect for classic “standing seat” work, you absolutely must listen to the form guidance after class ends. It really helped me to think about those tips as I tried it for this class. Instead of thinking of performance and perfection, or harder faster stronger, I thought; learn, you are learning. I also continue to really appreciate that Marnie shares the lbs used for weights as she guides us each class. I was maxed at 3lb for that arm dance series in this one. I really appreciate the exploration of all different kinds of weights the platform now brings. I am trying (learning) to hear and gently quiet my ego as it flairs when I struggle with certain series or higher weights.