Director of Epic Yoga, Emma Saal - Photo by WUB Llc
The Bare Naked Critic will show you how to put on the pounds, but Melissa reports on the best ways around Washington to take them off.
***
Difficulty: Easy, Tough, Killer (mostly easy with a few tough moments)
Where: Epic Yoga in Dupont Circle – 1323 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036
JOIN EPIC FOR AN OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 14 FROM NOON TO 3 PM. In addition, complementary classes will take place on Saturday at 10 am, 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm – first come first served. For information on classes, location, price and more, check out: http://epicyogadc.com/
What: Ballet barre: equal parts yoga and ballet.
Melissa’s Burn: We began lying on our backs with eyes closed, breathing and relaxing. Next we moved through a series of vinyasa style movements interspersed with ballet-style toning postures. The class focused on engaging the core for balance. We stood on one leg, the other leg extended behind in arabesque and attitude. We also spent a lot of time with heels lifted, toes apart (referred to as relever in French) – strengthening our calf muscles, legs and glutes. We did a series of jumps in first and second position, followed by changement. That was the most difficult part of the workout from a cardio perspective.
Toning work was conducted at the barre. The most difficult was lifting the heels off the ground while holding a deep bent knee position. We also did a series exercises, bent at the waist, upper body folded over the barre making small motions with one leg in bent knee position for deep glutteal toning.
The class ended with stretching and additional yoga poses such as chataraunga flow motions with downward dog as a focus. With its attention to stretching, this class is sure to increase flexibility over time.
I recommend this class for those who aren’t sold on yoga but like the toning aspect of a ballet style workout. This class is more challenging than the typical yoga class but not as challenging as other barre classes in the area.
Who was there?: The mirrored ballet barre area of the spacious studio can accommodate quite a few students. In my class there were six attendees: all female, all young.
Why do it?:
- General sense of well being
- Increased flexibility
- Strengthening and elongation of muscles
- Reconnect with your inner dancer
When: Classes are offered seven days a week and Epic offers a variety of options such as hot yoga, yoga for beginners and power yoga.
Cost: An array of options are available from new student packages (one week of unlimited classes for $20) to 10 and 30 pack classes to monthly unlimited packages. Prices are very competitive.
Who is Melissa Murphy?
I am an active DC professional seeking to be my fittest self. I run marathons, bicycle and weight train. Juggling a career, a relationship and a hectic social life like many Washingtonians, exercise can sometimes be put on the backburner. Luckily, I’m here to help you find an exercise regimen that works for you.
Want to burn it with Mel? Email melissamurphy99@yahoo.com