All-standing balletic strength class, holding one handweight at a time (I used my usual 3 lb.) and the foot closest to the barre is on the Movement ball in relevé. This class brings the month’s theme of balance to the forefront as we work top/bottom, right/left. There were some interesting angles at the barre as we turn our outside foot and leg, which I’m not explaining well but the it creates standing healing hip work. As Lindsey commented, lots of wide second in relevé. I was sweating. My legs were shaking. It’s a few hours after doing this class and I am feeling my lower back and obliques as well. Whew!

Hi Ruhdan! An email newsletter came to me on September 2nd, then September 9th featuring a “spotlight” on gorgeous Claudia M., and I received an email alert about an opening for the Italy retreat on September 10th. If those are not in your inbox and did not automatically get sorted into spam/junk folders, maybe try going to the M/BODY website (on a computer not on your phone’s app) and scroll to the bottom to re-enter your email address in the “keep moving with us” section. Or email them (connect@mbodybymarniealton.com) and ask, so they have your email address. Newsletters aren’t usually weekly that I see, it can vary. Hope those suggestions help from one community member to another!

I hope to hop on as desk crew from work if I can!

Sensitive knees question: I’m often wondering how to safely push myself so I can drop lower, but without my knees hurting? I get an uncomfortable sensation and sometimes sharp pain if I push myself too much/drop LOW. My knees used to get inflamed and feel warmer to the touch a few years ago, but turmeric supplements has lessened this, combined with listening to my body and not pushing my body, but I don’t want to plateau in progress/strength/stretch either. Knee sensitivity can occur for me in all positions: wide second, parallel, etc., and sometimes with jumps but mostly it’s the lowering that gets me.

Any way to make amends to my knees after putting them through 2000s music high school dances and college nights back in the day?

This 45 minute class brings the sweat, stretch (and challenge). Some movements are small but mighty. We incorporate full body work with choreography that builds upon itself. There are some battements (kicks), some back and side curtsy moves, and option to include a firecracker jump within a sequence, but this brings the heat through quick flow and brought my heart rate up without traditional cardio motions. The M/ovement ball can be used for stretches, but the workout part of the class only uses your beautiful body, your brain, and some patience with and belief in yourself for any potential moments of challenge. I especially loved the lyrical dance inspired and yoga-infused moves on the ground and laced through the cool down stretch at the end.

Happy 5th Marniversary, Lauren!! 🎉💪🩰🩵

I love this and your sweet family looking at you with wonder and admiration! 💕

Favorited! The comments before me are right on: this class was dynamic, featured changes to the “usual” Signature flow but still had the familiar outline to follow (I am loving the blend of new and old!). It had me sweaty and breathless with a quick pace, which surprised me as it was not OVERLY bouncy or jumpy. The arms over head for core work on the floor was unique and challenging, bringing the right level of discomfort to draw my attention but not feel impossible or painful. Totally full-body workout I felt for the next two days. ❤️

Roughly 25 minute all standing beautiful barre class with choreography centered around wide second position and tons of leg movements to work our hips, our lower backs, and our legs. Slightly different and brief warm-up start to class. We are moving up and down, as in touching a hand down and popping back up, and optional graze of knee/shin down with movements in class. The flow is moving with purpose and the warmth is real with anaerobic movement. Brief moments in releve, but not a main focus in this barre sweat flow class. As always I appreciate Marnie's words, thank you!

Revisited this from my “Favorite” list and found balancing on the ball slightly easier today (every day is different!). Class went by quickly; keeps the pace but it is warmly low impact and intentional in pace. Only a very brief time in wide second (Lindsey J !)

Optional ankle weights (Marnie has hers on before warmup begins) and we pick up hand weights quickly, incorporating them throughout most of class. Class flows from standing w/ lots of one-leg work and balance checks, standing in relevé on the ball, then down to the ground for table-top position with cross-body engagement & movements and side plank awesomeness, then ends laying on our backs, using the ball for some leg movements to fire the core muscles and a very brief bridge. This is definitely a “glutey” class! But I felt it full body, including all sorts of core muscles in my sides and back. It was slow motion sculpting, compound movements of arms and legs to keep my brain present, and super wiggly. When I do it again I’ll continue focusing on keeping my hips centered and even; the movement of wrapping one leg back and then in front of us in a 1/2 circle around our bodies was such a challenge to keep my hips aligned!