"For me, outdoor exercise is simply an escape hatch. My running shoes are a trap door I can sink my feet into whenever life gets too chaotic, which it consistently does.

Physical activity, particularly while breathing in fresh air, helps me put it all in perspective.There is something in the monotony of repeated movement that helps me both physically and mentally reset.

Getting my heart rate up eventually makes me feel good — after it's made me feel worse.

Somehow, though, even the feeling worse part is good. It's like the physical exertion matches the level of work demanded of me in life. When I can actually match that imagined pace, even during an activity that seems totally unrelated, it makes me feel like I'm working through something. I feel that sense of competency, and it brings me back into myself, one step at a time."

- Alli H.
Palmer, Alaska USA

Via When Life Gets Too Demanding, the Outdoors is an Escape Hatch

"I would really say the most important why - I want to set an example for my son. He loves watching me workout in the living room. He is learning now more then ever what his mom does. I want to make sure what he is seeing is going to help him set healthy lifestyle habits in the future."

- Camille T.
Beaumont, Alberta Canada

"I barre for the other benefits in my life. I didn't take good care of my body when it was new, so I have lots of aches to deal with, but I still like to stay active in my work and my play. Barre helps me with my flexibility, core strength, balance, and proprioception to maximize my performance in other sports. Except for the morning after class, I feel much better for my time at Barre. I started because I wanted to be in better shape and feel stronger. I keep on because the variety of exercises we do during the class: strength training, stretching, weights works out all the muscles in my body. I really enjoy how Barre is a near-perfect mix of yoga, Pilates, ballet training, strength training, balance, and endurance."

- Jordan
Edmonton, Alberta Canada

Via Barre Body Studio