The comments before me helped me prepare for the slow sculpt fire and knowing we would be fueled by it rather than burned by it. We build on in class and incorporate hand weights for more than half of the class - at times with one weight in each hand but some times of optionally holding both weights in one hand. I used my 5 lbs but when we moved arms further away from us I knew to ignore ego and switch to 3 lbs so my shoulders and neck would be along for the ride instead of some backseat drivers stealing my focus. The ups and downs are gentle on knees and are so helpful for our future older selves.

HBD class to Yvonne and Ilana and Katelyn! Sorry if my spelling is incorrect, birthday beauties!

Wowza! Insert 5 seconds of silence for our pals who did this class with 15 pounds or whatever weight felt challenging to them. I went with 12s and holy moly! We begin w/ one weight, with a focus on one side at a time (and some options to hold one weight with both hands) and work to holding both weights simultaneously. Bracing core (standing core and pelvic floor engagement), purposeful exhales with lifts, following Marnie’s guidance for form are all the ways to make this class accessible and safe. It is low impact (no jumps or bounces) but leg lifts (side extension standing and in side plank, forward, back leg lift, and a forward lift from lowered lunge position). Via squat position or down in a one knee lunge we continue the soft strength of moving our bodies up and down. As Marnie says in class, “You got this, darlin’”.

Sounds like you were and are EXACTLY where you belong, Jen. I’m glad to share space with you.

Felt great to re-visit, especially when trying to keep my immune system strong taking care of a sick child. Sweaty, heart accelerating, lots of opportunities for strength and power as we move through it. Forgot that a Portishead song was in this class!

I forgot to comment when revisiting last week- did this early evening after work and it was a great mental and emotional re-set as I was so irritable before hand and felt more emotionally balanced after.

I chose two 3 lb. handweights (instead of my normal 5 lb.) which was best for me and allowed me to choose the options of both weights in one hand. As usual, we are shown various options and reminded of our freedom of choice for what is best and challenges us that particular day. Cross-body action, some leg movements but primary focus on arms and core engagement so it gets that complimentary work. I love the words before the workout begins that we do this for strength and wellness and not to be smaller. Bad Bunny soundtrack does make it harder to brace core and NOT sway hips. Class flew by!

Minute 29:10 is when Marnie opens her belated birthday gift from #mbodyglobalfam. Shout out to Faith for her wonderful organizing! 💝🐾 There’s an M/BODY group chat on IG where we talk about many things and sometimes come up with ideas of celebration if anyone ever wants to be added!

@Amanda get it momma!! 💪

@Jenny G summarized this class so beautifully! I ADORED this one (adding to my Favorites list). There are segments of sweat and segments of stretch, back and forth, twice. In the first sweat segment I was thinking about previous classes where Marnie has called class our recess, and I was thinking in this no-equipment class this is my recess and my body is my own playground. This felt freeing, releasing but comforting, and SUPER warming. The entire playlist made me so happy!

This time around the two 5s worked for me and my shoulders were comfortable- just required the mindful effort and reflection in mirror to keep them from raising up. At times I kept the non-working arm at my side or hip rather than outstretched (probably could have dropped the weight to keep the arm extended out). The pace goes quickly and I was thoroughly warmed up by these 30 minutes!

Everything I wrote was true in my re-visit a year and a half later - so much chest opening, barre leg work one at a time was FIRE, I now have 5 lb. hand weights and do not need to fuss with wrist weights to add on, and ending on our back maintained the challenge. Between doing the Palentine's 2026 class yesterday and this one today: what an ass-tastic weekend!