BarreASANA

Looking for a tough, toning gym class that’ll leave you like you’re floating on cloud nine? It does exist – Naomi White checks out Barrecore’s new BarreASANA class and gives us the lowdown.

We love Barrecore and are addicted to their online classes, so we couldn’t wait to get down to the brand new Kensington studio to try out the BarreASANA class. With a continuos flow of movement, your body and mind are challenged together – the perfect workout to kick start the day or to wind down after a stressful day in the office.

What is it?

A combination of traditional barre movements with a continuous flow of yoga-inspired sequences to warm up the body and release endorphins. The best part about the class is the music; a mix of current and classic beats but not the traditional relaxation vibe you would expect – no chirping birds or crashing waves here.

Where is it? 

Barrecore Kensington.

The lowdown:

Initial reactions to the new studio? Super sleek and stylish, located in a quaint spot just off Kensington High Street – perfectly situated near the tube station for easy access. Transporting you to a basement studio, the lights are turned down low with a relaxing scent and an array of Lululemon mats lined up to welcome the class. The little things really do matter!

We started with a relaxation sequence to set the mind and body up for practice, but don’t let this deceive you. You’re then brought into a fast-paced set of stretches from cobra to downward dog to engage your limbs. You begin to build up quite a sweat at this point, and start to feel the burn in your thighs, too – but that’s what we’re here for, right? The class develops to incorporate traditional Barrecore movements using the support of the wooden ballet barre to balance and flex the body. Towards the end of the class the support of the bar is no longer there and the balance takes over, sweeping your legs up, down, back and forth with toes pointed and hands set perfectly. The class ends with the relaxing savasana pose, allowing your body to take in everything it’s learnt from the practice.

Best for: 

Cardio junkies looking for an intense stretch that still gets your heart racing,or fitness fanatics with a dance background looking for a challenge.

Will we be back?

Yes definitely! Woke up feeling amazing and can’t wait to see what concepts Barrecore presents next.