Tag Archive for: workout

Take a Barre Yoga Fusion Class For an Optimal Mind Body Experience

It’s April, and we’re willing to bet more than a few of you have gotten behind on those well-meaning New Year’s resolutions. Well, why not get a fresh start with a new class? Maybe you’re familiar with our yoga classes, but did you know that we also offer strength training classes as well? Today we’ll be talking to one of our instructors, Jessica Gutstein, about her specialty – our Barre Yoga Fusion class! But first let’s tackle a couple of common questions regarding barre.

What is a Barre Yoga Fusion class?

If you’ve never heard of barre, don’t get confused – it’s not just for ballet dancers! Our 45-minute Barre Yoga Fusion class combines the essential elements of barre and yoga for an optimal mind-body experience. The low-impact, high energy Barre workout is designed to improve flexibility, tone, and strengthen the body through the use of small isometric movements, weights, and resistance exercises. The yoga elements of the class focus on breathing, lengthening the muscles, and quieting the mind. By combining these modalities, you will feel relaxed, recharged and ready to make the most of your day. This unique sequence is designed for all fitness levels.

Is a ballet background necessary to do a Barre Class?

No! You don’t need any ballet or dance experience at all to fully interact in and enjoy our Barre Yoga Fusion class. Barre was originally designed by a dancer, Lotte Berk, who started teaching in the 1970s and continued until she was well into her 80s. Some of her more famous clients included Joan Collins and Barbra Streisand. Because Lotte wanted both dancers and non-dancers to be able to reap Barre’s benefits, she designed the exercise to use basic dance positions that aid in developing muscle tone and core strength. Many Barre classes utilize a barre like ballet dancers do, however, it can also be done on mats on the floor or with no equipment at all. Barre can have therapeutic benefits as well and many have used it to ease back into exercising after an injury.

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Meet Our Barre Yoga Fusion instructor, Jessica Gutstein

Jessica has been practicing yoga since 2002, teaching yoga since 2007 and teaching barre since 2017. To the Seacoast community and Bryony Body, she brings years of experience as well as a love for the mind-body connection each exercise provides.

“Leading this class is the greatest joy for me. Each student arrives with whatever body and mind they were blessed with on that particular day.

My goal is to help quiet the noise that life is constantly throwing at us through movement, breath work and a grounded approach to full body wellness. I want students to leave feeling a sense of strength and space in their bodies and minds, ready to tackle their day.”

Why might someone enjoy a Barre Yoga Fusion class as opposed to just doing Barre or just doing yoga?

Our instructor, Jessica says, “A barre yoga fusion experience combines the core tenants of both a high energy barre workout with the meditative and healing aspects of yoga.”

The beauty and healing lies in the strength and stillness, grit and grace that this synergistic practice offers.

Jessica continues, “The practice can be modified for all fitness levels and emphasizes basics of breath, stretching/lengthening, body awareness and concentrated muscle and core development.”

What times and days of the week do you offer the class?

Our Barre Yoga Fusion class is offered at Bryony Body in Exeter, NH on Wednesdays from 9:30 – 10:15am. To try it out, you can sign up on MindBody and if you’re a first timer, take advantage of our introductory 1-month trial membership.

Photo Credit: Kate Donovan Photography

Join us at Bryony Body

Now that you have a better handle on Barre (excuse the pun), we hope you will come check out a class! We look forward to welcoming new students no matter your age, body type, or experience level. Barre not your thing? We have several other types of classes to choose from, including strength training and basic yoga which you can find on our Bryony Body Yoga and Wellness Classes page. We are committed to meeting you where you’re at, so contact us today so that we can help you get started on the next step in your wellness journey!

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Bryony Bootcamp: Where Yoga & Strength Training Intersect in Amesbury

While some people may prefer a solo run or to pop in earbuds for a weights session, at Bryony & Birch, we’re all about group training.

For starters, we know how hard it is to find the motivation to even show up to a workout when you have a never-ending to-do list as well as the last season of that Netflix show you’ve been binging calling your name… When you commit to a class, you hold yourself accountable, which increases your likelihood of showing up and actually raising your heart rate, which increases your body’s production of happy chemicals like dopamine and serotonin! Yew!

Second, group fitness is a great way to connect with people who are likely to value the same things you do. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to Amesbury or simply looking for people who want to feel stronger and more centered, stepping out of your comfort zone and into a new group of individuals could be the exact energy exchange you’ve been looking for.

And third, there are loads of benefits of doing Bootcamp style classes:

Benefits of Bootcamp Workouts

  • More accountability (You’re more likely to show up AND work harder)
  • More variety in your workout (You’re less likely to get bored or plateau)
  • More bang for your buck (Designed to work your whole body while building muscle and increasing your cardiovascular fitness… basically: two birds, one Bootcamp)
  • More opportunities to socialize with people who encourage you to live a healthier lifestyle
  • More cost-efficient (They require less equipment to run the class.)
  • Can be done both indoors and outdoors (Keeps things exciting all year round!)

Scroll down to learn more about Amesbury’s Bryony Bootcamp and to book your first session!

What is Bryony Bootcamp?

At Bryony & Birch here in Amesbury MA, we’re lucky to have a lot of highly skilled personal trainers and yoga instructors. While we offer loads of yoga classes and personal training, one of our most popular offerings is the Bryony Bootcamp.

Bryony Bootcamp classes are designed for all levels of experience. Together, we focus on strengthening the core so we can more efficiently tone the rest of our bodies while protecting our spine.

As lovers of a full-body workout that mixes traditional calisthenics and bodyweight exercises with interval training and strength training, no class is ever the same and often brings in elements of yoga.

During the warmer months (and when weather permits, all classes are held at the Lower Mill Yard/Heritage Park.

Monday
7am Bryony Boot Camp with Kiana Morano
6pm Vinyasa Flow with Jessalynn Hudgins

Tuesday
6pm Power Yoga with Katie Cavic

Wednesday
7am Bryony Boot Camp with Kiana Morano
6pm Yoga Sculpt with Jessalynn Hudgins

Thursday
6pm Power Yoga with Jess Benedetto

Friday
7am Bryony Boot Camp with Kiana Morano
10am Vinyasa Flow with Jessalynn Hudgins

Saturday
8:30am Bryony Boot Camp with Kiana Morano
10am Vinyasa Flow with Jessalynn Hudgins

Sunday
10am Power Yoga with Jess Benedetto

Click here to book your spot!

Meet Bryony Bootcamp Trainer, Kiana Morano

As soon as Kiana Morano took her first steps, it was clear she was a natural-born athlete. Starting with gymnastics and then eventually gravitating towards lacrosse and volleyball, Kiana had an exciting athletic career right through college.

Today, she specializes in corrective exercises, strength training and most importantly- balance.

Kiana loves working with all people whether they are 8 or 80. By coaching them and showing them what confidence in the gym looks like and how it translates into confidence in life, she’s able not only to change a person’s physique, but also their mindset.

In fact, her favorite cue, which will be ingrained into each student’s head is, “Keep your chin up!”.

When Kiana isn’t in Tree Pose, she’s usually among the trees, hiking with her dogs Nala, Maverick and Ari.

Her goal for herself and others is to connect the mind and body so intimately that each person becomes a stronger, more grounded version of themselves.

Meet all of the Bryony & Birch Trainers

Bryony & Birch Studios Katie Cavic Teacher
Katie Cavic
Her Yoga M.O. – Smoothe, Sweaty & Challenging

Bryony & Birch Studio jessalynn Hudgins teacher
Jessalynn Hudgins
Her Yoga M.O. – Alignment & Posture

Bryony & Birch Jess Benedetto yoga instructor
Jessica Benedetto,
Her Yoga M.O. – Inclusive & Adaptable

Meet all of the Bryony & Birch yoga and wellness instructors here

Porch Fest 2021: Have Fun & Support Local

We officially kicked off our Porch Fest event series and are absolutely pinching ourselves!

Featuring live music, local food and beverages, small business pop-ups, a live art auction and raffle – we were able to raise money and awareness to sponsor local organizations and future artists initiatives!

When’s the next Porch Fest in Amesbury?

Aug. 20th, 2021 (rain date: Aug. 22nd)
Sept. 17th, 2021 (rain date: Sept. 19th)
Oct. 15th, 2021 (rain date: Oct. 17th)

Porch Fest is held right outside Bryony & Birch at 48 Main St. in downtown Amesbury. Click here for more information or to get involved!

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Looking for someone to shoot your brand photos, wedding or family portraits? Meet our Go-To Amesbury MA Photographer, Kate Donovan.

Heading to the North Shore for a mother-daughter trip? Here are Amesbury Activities to do with Mom.