In the whirlwind of motherhood, finding moments for oneself can often feel like an elusive luxury. Yet, for Katie G., Pure Barre Master Teacher Trainer and mother of two, carving out time for herself at Pure Barre has been nothing short of essential for maintaining balance amidst the demands of motherhood.
For Katie, Pure Barre has helped preserve a piece of her identity amid the beautiful chaos of motherhood. "Motherhood requires a lot of sacrifice in many different ways, and it can be easy to 'lose yourself' in the trenches of baby and toddlerhood," Katie reflects. "Pure Barre helped me hold onto something in my life that I loved, something that was just for me."
Pure Barre is a low-impact, high-intensity workout that incorporates elements of ballet, Pilates, and yoga. Using small isometric movements, Pure Barre targets specific muscle groups, helping to tone and strengthen the whole body.
With the guidance of a healthcare professional, Pure Barre is a safe and effective workout for expectant and new mothers. The benefits of barre for moms include strengthening the pelvic floor, stress relief, supportive community, and much needed time to focus on health and wellness in the prenatal and postpartum journey. It's suitable for all fitness levels, and tailored modifications are available for expectant mothers. If you think you may be expecting, let your Pure Barre teacher know before class so they know to provide the appropriate modification. We also always recommend consulting with your doctor beforehand!
Katie at her home studio, Pure Barre Fort Wright
Pure Barre empowers the body and mind to create positive change, strength and growth. "Moving through Pure Barre in both pregnancies allowed me to feel strong and capable of what my body could still do through each trimester and gave me confidence going into birth and beyond” says Katie. The motivational cues during Pure Barre classes also came in handy as Katie states, “Don't forget to bring your Pure Barre motivational cues with you through birth! "You're stronger than you think" "You can do anything for 60 seconds" "Embrace the burn" it helps ha!”
Katie & her family
Inclusive and inspiring, Pure Barre celebrates continuous improvement and collective strength. "The Pure Barre community is one-of-a-kind... filled with Moms in all seasons ready to support you and cheer you on every step of the way," Katie emphasizes. “I dealt with an infertility journey before my first pregnancy and the amount of resources, guidance and support I received from my Pure Barre community during that time was unmatched. After both of my babies were born, the meal trains and check ins from my staff and clients alike was an amazing testament to how strong our Pure Barre family is. Pure Barre is the village every Mom needs.”
Katie & her kids in the studio
Acknowledging the juggle of limited time and multiple schedules, Katie emphasizes the importance of prioritizing self-care and personal growth amidst the responsibilities of motherhood. "There is no perfect balance but rather a choice of what is most important at that time," she advises. "Sometimes that is the laundry, and sometimes that is 20 classes in 31 days (hello Barre Stronger challenge!). You can do it all, but you can't do it all at the same time."
Katie's journey underscores the necessity of patience and self-compassion, particularly during the postpartum period. "Comparison is the thief of joy in all things but especially in motherhood," she acknowledges. "Every day, both in and out of the studio, give yourself grace on grace on grace... you can do all of the hard things!"
Starting a new fitness routine? We recommend consulting with your primary physician or doctor before starting a new fitness routine on your prenatal or postpartum journey.