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!

Started class feeling cold and added a long sleeve top, which I ripped off within a few minutes of our cardio dance. Longer sequences, longer sculpts, my bigger foot size used the regular M/ovement ball under feet and yet the mini ball is the star behind our knee and in between our knees down on the mat. I subbed it out for the hand weight behind my knee as these leggings are slippery. Low impact still means some impact OPTIONS and still very much involves sweat, deep breathing, sculpty burn! And Marnie’s super supportive words from before class (you are doing enough, you ARE enough), throughout class to hold space for your strength, and the closing messages.

What a fabulous class to start a Challenge, or just get started for your day! Cardio accelerating options in the beginning with some optional jumps, some beautiful wide second work that felt great following the recent inner thigh and hips class, and some push-up & planks that were brief but mighty (my biceps and triceps were talking a few hours later and the following day). I used my usual 5 lb. hand weights but switched out for my 3 lb. weights when it was time to extend our arms long and outstretched so my shoulders and neck do not feel burdened, then back to the 5s when we are lifting our arms behind us. The floor work felt wonderful- one leg bridge work is igniting in the best way.

HBD class to Marissa and HBD to Rebecca!!

Thank you Mary-Ellen! 💗

Yessss!!! So happy to be here with you all! I’m aiming for 4 classes/week for 60 days. If I get to 5/week that will be celebrated as a Badass Bonus. 💪✨🩵

Challenge day #2: warmed me on a chilly day, nervous system reset, perfect for morning, afternoon, or evening. A gentle, slow, but focused class that engages so mindfully.