Wow, another new Favorite for me! Before we even begin Marnie gives a brief tutorial of the grapevine kick move for future reference. Then this class flows in Signature style yet felt so much more balletic and barre infused. It was sweaty, it was muscle-shaky, lots of pulses, and yet not extremely jumpy or super fast. Loved the ball in between our hands for upper body work. I adored the barre progressions standing and the choreography combos down on the mat using hand weights. Such a fabulous and barre-forward M/BODY Signature! And that playlist is something I need to return to on Spotify especially when cleaning.

This beautiful class FELT to me like it was led by a traditional ballet instructor who was gentler in nature and also trained as a Physical Therapist - Marnie, I loved it! Lovely stretches and graceful lengthening, with some slowing down flow. Fabulous walk-throughs of progression of form expression (now I finally know how to hold my leg as I cannot stand on one leg while holding my other leg high and outstretched- but now I know how to progress toward that with good form!). I paused to move my mat out of the way and briefly use my Gliders on a rug, and that was perfect for me. 

The chair is such a sassy prop, encouraging us to go lower and deeper in our leg positioning (I’m echoing Jenny G!). This chair dance felt challenging but not frustrating. We incorporate one hand weight at a time for a choreographical series; while our hamstrings, quads, and glutes are main character energy this class incorporates full body activation. I was sweaty and my hamstrings were sassing me, and many times I closed my eyes to focus on keeping the form for the rest of the count (meaning my brain could not wander for these 45 mins). Most of class our head is upright and jump options are minimal, so this is a great class if you have sinus pressure (we are laying on our backs on the floor with feet up toward the end, but I was attuned to the fire in my legs and not my headache). Legs are burny the next day in all the best ways! Also loved the playlist.

Revisited this seeking a 30-min class that brought some power with balletic strength... a heavier weight can bring the flavor of a Power Sculpt class to this Ballet class. No jumps and head stays up until final stretch (noting this as my sinus pressure today was feeling the lower head and I was grateful that was a frequent experience in this class). 

Planks + Push-Ups are humbling but also welcoming... I find them accessible challenges and Marnie guides us through with modification options and form notes. As mentioned we activate the pelvic floor particularly in the first half of class and while I know I will feel this from my trunk into arms and shoulders, I appreciate activating all of our muscles at one time or another in this short class. We can do hard things, and this class is DOABLE so please try it with an open mind. Some in the #mbodyglobalcommunity have added P&P classes into weekly or monthly rotations and there is such power in choosing challenge and inviting growth in milimeters.

This evening I added ankle weights and picked up some light hand weights anytime we weren't extending our fingers or flicking our wrists- such a great short class bringing us all over the mat.

Playful, releasing, cardio dance-y all standing class with some fun choreographical combos that bring some new feels to familiar moves. We use hand weights a little extra longer in this class. We have impact options of bounces and jumps, but always opportunities to do this class with lower impact. Truly all standing with some lunge infused choreography but we are not down on the ground, not even on our knees. I had to remind myself to let the freedom of playful movement happen when I was looking less than graceful in the mirror- as Marnie says earlier on in this class it doesn’t matter how it looks, what matters is how this movement feels.

This is Yvonne’s happy 5 year Marnieversary class!

ETA: after closing meditation Marnie shares some guidance and tips for sensitive knees when doing movements in a kneeling position, as a f/u to the recent Q&A chat.

Still a Favorites List class, still loving the tabletop position with a working leg with a Movement ball (or handweight) behind the knee- and still challenged by that move on the ball!

Wiggly, engaging, stretching, sculpting Movement ball class where we are standing for the first half or 2/3 then down to the mat. Upper body engagement with the arms holding the ball, incredible fire with the ball in the crook of your hip and abdomen standing (gosh I loved Marnie's words on the second set about the power of thought as the timing was impeccable). Then we are down on the mat with the regular size ball under one knee and mini ball (can sub a small hand weight) behind knee, then ball under hip with mini still tucked behind knee. Some serious crunch play with legs involved and a mini ball behind knee and larger ball offering support behind our back. No relevé on the ball in this particular class. I love the full body feel with deep hip, booty, and core work and this class delivers!

And it’s Cass’ birthday class!! 🥳

I read Leah Hapner's comment adding ankle weights and tried that in my long-overdue revisit of /182 and oh my goodness that adds even more elegant strength to this beautiful, elongating Badass Ballerina class! Loved this one as-is and loved the added fire of the ankle weights this evening. Thanks for that brilliant idea, Leah!