Pure Barre: IE Begins Her Pure Barre Challenge

Here we go

9:15 am class, Mon-Fri

The biggest thing about Pure Barre is the “tuck.” We do it in the obvious places at the barre and on the floor. The benefit of so much tucking is that it works the back and the core and sets the body up correctly so you can get the benefits of all the Pure Barre exercises. It feels like it stretches the lower back, and trains you to go deeper, finding the deep abdominals and the smaller internal accessory muscles to complete the movements.

  See below for a Pilates-type anatomical breakdown:

And here's a cool section from a class of tucking in seated knee position:

Starting Measurements for IE:
Hips:  37

Thighs:  left,  21 ½  right, 21

Calves: left,  12 1/2, right, 12 3/4

Biceps: left, 11,  right, 11

Waist: 29

Star move of the week:

The key move here is the "oblique crunch" inspired by the Martha Graham Technique's sitting fourth position.

Pure Barre adds stretchy bands that are held over the head

as you "crunch" down toward the back leg and reach up with the extended arm. The obliques are both contracted and extended on each side as and the core supports the back. This one is both a balance and toning exercise, plus it looks pretty!

 

Check back for week two--

IE

IE does her own Pure Barre Challenge

Here in Marin when you say your exercise routine is a "barre workout"—the next question will be,  "OK, but what kind?" IE has already investigated several of these varieties: Pure Barre, Dailey Method, Bar Method, Le Barre, Pilates, and Gyrokinesis.

With the New Year, several of these studios are offering “challenges.” That is, come once or twice day every day, for a month, or two and see what happens. IE thought it would be interesting to put self through such a challenge, albeit slightly differently.

IE is committing to two full weeks of classes every day at Pure Barre Marin. We'll get specific with before and after measurements,and maybe even a few exercise videos with some key class moves.  We'll see what its like to "transform your body" the Pure Barre way.

See you at the Barre,

 

IE

New Dance for the New Year

2014

Back to the Studio

Because we still have so much left to learn

IE/ID talks to the dance teachers

The New Year has IE/ID gathering steam for diving into dance/exercise classes and 

events in Northern California and beyond. For our first New Year’s segment ID will be 

interviewing and/or taking class with several local dance teachers, highlighting their classes and performances. They'll tell us why they still dance, and how they stay motivated as instructors.

This is a rare early short film of Isadora Duncan dancing and a lovely window into the work of Lois Ann Flood a local Duncan Dancer and a favorite teacher of ID.

She has graciously shared her mission statement. Enjoy her wisdom on dance along 

with some Duncan photos to enliven her thoughts, and give the reader a sense of what it's like to take a class with Lois.

"To live is to Dance!

Elegant and passionate,

 

  my dance is called Classical Aesthetic Dance. 

Inspired by nature,

 This dance uses gesture, music and harmonious movement, like Isadora's "Rose Petals" dance, to create positive and hopeful feelings in the viewer. 

I believe all positive Art can create a more peaceful and harmonious world. 

 

Dance is my way to express feelings of love, passion 

and sorrow, 

It is a way I can express generosity and kindness.

It is a place where we join and share our experience, a way for us to come together.

I am both priestess of Isis and revolutionary of Peace. 

 I love teaching Natural Aesthetic Dancing. 

Watching a person moving freely and expressing herself, 
fills me with joy and hope for a better world.

Uplift the human spirit through the Beauty of the Dance."
Lois Ann Flood

Lois' ideals are all present in her classes. ID can't wait for her new series to start. 

Will be sure to let you know when and where--

yours in dance

ID