Desiree
What inspired you to kickstart your fitness journey? After the pandemic, I was searching for a new way to get my body moving again. I was not motivated to go to the gym as I previously had before and I struggled to keep a consistent workout routine by myself, which hindered my self-esteem. I had also recently recovered from an injury so I was interested in finding something sensitive to my body yet could still give me that full-body workout as well. My physical therapist suggested I try Pilates and with a Google search in my local area, I found The Studio (MDR) super close to me. I realized The Studio was not necessarily Pilates, but instead Lagree, but nonetheless I was drawn to it because it was dedicated to “high-intensity/ low impact” methods, which sounded like the perfect fit for me. I decided to give it a shot!
I had never tried Lagree before (or even Pilates for that matter) so I was very nervous heading into my first class. To my surprise, however, I found the instructor to be extremely inviting and encouraging. She walked me through how the carriage worked, asked about any prior injuries I had, and kept a close eye on me throughout the class, kindly adjusting my body when needed. I quickly grew comfortable in the space when I realized I was not judged for modifying if I needed to and was called out by name for doing my best. I felt very supported. Moving through every spring change, I instantly fell in love and knew this environment was for me. It gave me the sweat, the accountability, the inclusivity, and the mind-to-muscle connection I was looking for. Most importantly, it gave me the opportunity to believe in myself again and grow inspired to strengthen my body beyond my expectations in a safe way. Since that day in February 2023, I have been consistently attending class ever since!
Any pearls of wisdom for those just starting out? Remember no class is the same, but each class is a new opportunity to give it your all.
You are your own competition.
Every position comes to an end so just hold on a little longer!
Breathe through the pain- that is your secret weapon.
Trust your instructor. If they think you can do it, you can!
What keeps your fitness fire burning bright? What keeps my fitness fire burning bright is my drive to be better everyday and show up for myself in a way where my future self will thank me for it. No Lagree class is the same and I take each class as a new opportunity to push myself, my mind, and my body to a new degree. Many days Izzy Ghotbi, one of my favorite instructors, shares “how do you want to show up for yourself today?” and I take that question to heart. If I already woke up early and showed up to class even when it would have been much more comfortable for me to sleep in, why not give this class all I got? Can I hold a plank longer today than last class? Can I advance in a position even when I don’t know if I can do it? Can I calm my mind and lunge deeper even when my body wants to give out? In saying “yes” to these questions and choosing resilience over convenience, I have found that I- both mind and body- am limitless and can accomplish much more than I initially thought. The pain is temporary, but the decisions I make for myself in class today (and even out) will set a foundation for tomorrow and be worthwhile. And it is- I have seen my body transform and sculpt itself in so many positive ways, it amazes me!
Not every class will be perfect, but more important than my performance is my commitment to put my mind and body first. My next class may be my best class and I will take progress over perfection any day. Oh, and empowering coaches help keep that fire burning bright too (thank you, Izzy!).
What major fitness milestones are you aiming to conquer next? I would love to join the 1,000 Club! I would also love to become a Lagree instructor myself! It would be a great opportunity to give back to the community that truly changed my life and my outlook on fitness.
How has your mindset shifted since you began this journey? One way my mindset has changed since I started taking classes at The Studio (MDR) is the belief that I can truly overcome any hardship that comes my way. The Studio’s Lagree method teaches us to use our breath to move through every four-count exercise, slowly, which sounds easy. In reality though, it is much harder and requires a lot more mind-to-body awareness, considering how naturally my body wants to move through the exercises faster to relieve the pain. Still, after my continued training I have learned that through incorporating breathing techniques, I am able to lean into discomfort rather than steer away from it. In other words, there is power in my breath. These classes push my body to the point where I want to give up, sometimes even scream haha, but instead of giving up, I make the decision to calm my mind with my breath and remind myself that I have all I need inside of me to get through this. I can do this and I can move through this temptation, slowly, and I do. Through this, I am able to recommit to my goal and come out mentally and physically stronger.
This mindset shift has become my foundation in life both in and out of The Studio. I am no longer afraid of challenges or questioning my self-worth before trying something new. Instead, I ground myself in the discipline I have learned through class and can lead with confidence and understanding that I will make it through to the other side- I just need to breathe through it!