So good to return to in the Rise & Align Challenge!

Beautiful messages about being here in the present and able to move and shake through the tough stuff around us. This class gives you what you need in a short timeframe, no equipment, all standing from warmup to cool down (goddess posture and leg stretches but elevated from the floor). Elongating stretches, built in burn, and cardio activation that can be amplified with active arms. My right knee has been a little sensitive, but it handled the bounces, jump options, and choreography without issue or discomfort. Favoriting this powerful quick class and love the “Step Into Your Power” song (I def went to Marnie Alton’s Spotify class playlist after to hear it again).

Wow, this was so meditative (because it was so damn wiggly for me!) that the 30 minutes flew by. I went with 5 lb. weights and we have a few active arm movements but it felt most of the weighted work was simply holding- either up toward our chest or allowing our weighted arms to be down by our hips. It added to it, but it did not feel like a super strong arm workout (if your arms or shoulders need a break this is a great class to do without any weights). All standing except for the very last few minutes down on the ground with a gorgeous sweep of motion moving from one knee and one hand into a lyrical figure four stretch. I don't know what I was expecting with this no impact class, but I freaking loved it and am favoriting it! So present and thankful for my years of M/BODY training so my thoughts can be welcoming and kind and curious with the significant wiggles rather than self-deprecating and self-judgy.

Such great side body work, so calming to the nervous system! 

Ohhh SO good after sitting for a while or for releasing and stretching emotionally and physically. Great for following some worked muscles from class + snowy outdoor adventures causing some muscle soreness.

I enjoyed the accessibility of this chair dance class, and the choreography of primarily standing with some brief down to the knee and back up again movements. I have a barre for regular classes, so moving to the lower surface of the back of a chair is a nice challenge. Hip opening, booty burning, leg work, that incorporates core and arms are optionally dancing in the air or helping to hold you via the chair. 

Whew, this is such a powerful class! Loved revisiting it for the current Challenge- super warming on a snowy winter day.

To quote Marnie from this class: “Slow. Squeeze the inner thighs. Hold. Simple. Elegant. Graceful. Badass.”

Hell yeah!

Amanda did you have ankle weights for the second go round of this class??

Echoing Rachel M’s comment about the post-class chat. Today felt like a great community connection (much needed). The playlist was phenomenal and had radio-edit versions so it’s ok for nearby sensitive ears (children). This class warmed me up quickly; we have a traditional warm up but with a shift in which we gave a bit more focus to both sides interlaced (rather than all left side then all right side in the first few minutes). We use hand weights during traditional arm dance and movement ball in between thighs and under feet at the barre, then behind our back and once again in between knees down on the mat. Marnie used the mini size at times; I stuck with the traditional Movement ball. Fabulous signature class, well paced, and only very brief wide second stance (Lindsey J!). It felt new and familiar. I loved honoring how we show up in all the colors of life experiences; we acknowledge at the end chat the passage of the first year since Bourbon (Marnie’s fur baby) crossed the rainbow bridge and how we show up for ourselves and each other in our space together.

24 minutes of gorgeously led empowering movement, bringing up your heart rate and giving a little sweat and celebrating the feminine energy. Still loving the closing message!