kateneedsfitness

For 8+ years I’ve been working on and off as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer, yet none of it prepared me for Adult Ballet I.

I didn’t do ballet as a kid, and until clogging classes in 5th grade, didn’t really have any experience with dance. And I’m pretty sure I only did that for less than a year, because I only did one recital- that’s usually an annual thing, right? Cheerleading kind of counts, and marching band really helped me learn how to step to music on beat 😂

What I’m getting at is, I’ve had little to no experience with ballet, but something has always drawn me into it. You can look at a ballerina and know she has put in a lot of hard work just by how strong she looks! But I had NO CLUE just how physically demanding ballet really is.

After I had surgery in late 2024 (unrelated), I knew I had to start doing more for myself to really live my life! I randomly searched for ballet classes one day, and discovered a studio not far from my house that was offering a free introductory class. I tried it and loved it immediately! It pushed me physically, it felt pretty, and I could tell the instructors knew what they were talking about. As a long time trainer myself, having a knowledgeable instructor is very important! I’m not looking for basics; I want to expand and push past my limits to a better version of myself!

What I have learned from my almost one year of practicing ballet twice a week is: every part of it starts from the core. Not a single move in ballet (or life) can be performed confidently, with grace and coordination without using your core. That is: your front- side- and low abs, your hips, butt, and low back.

Plié? You need a strong core for a tall posture.

Developpé? Originates from your deep core.

And don’t even get me started on jumps and turns 🙅‍♀️

So, I started working on my core multiple times a week because ballet is my current hyper fixation, and every week I can feel my relevé getting more and more sturdy 💪 I’m thanking core work for that!

Every Tuesday and Thursday I have ballet class, so at the very least, every Tuesday and Thursday morning, pre-class, I warm up my core so I can take on any move my (very tough) instructor throws at me.

Enter: Practice Powerhouse

It’s not an hour long workout, it’s a daily ritual.

Think of this as a physical and mental quick guide to make your core – your muscle core and your internal soul core – work together to grow stronger.

Your breath is your anchor. Your literal life. What is your breath telling you?

Your movement can’t happen if your brain is unfocused. What moves are you making?

>>>What’s inside: Six Daily Rituals to build a stronger core while keeping your mind grounded in the movement and in your soul’s purpose. You decide how long to sit with each action item. Time isn’t important here, form and focus is. Six Practices to help:

• Anchor: Ground & Prepare
• Align for Stability
• Ascend: Grow Confidently

I made this for the woman who doesn’t have time for an hour long HIIT class because she’d rather save her energy for her 90-minute dance class! Practice slow, mindful movement to help build a stronger core for life. Grab the Practice Powerhouse: Daily Ritual Checklist below.

As I continue my own research at the barre and in the studio, more focused programs will follow ✨