It translates beautifully to the pool using variations of land barre moves and lots of new exercises possible only in the water! A Let’s consider another exercise example, the Curtsy Kick. How To: Curtsy back with R ball of foot; bending both knees (photo A). Then lift R knee to front corner; extend knee w/ 2 quick kicks (photos B & C) and return to curtsy. Left foot stays grounded with knee soft throughout. Hands on hips; or fingertips behind ears with elbows out, challenge. for greater B Barre includes many full body and compound exercises that provide the more athletic par- ticipant with the benefit of core strengthening using both brac- ing and coiling exercises for power. Older and more adap- tive populations benefit from strengthening under-utilized muscles, releasing tight mus- cles, creating muscle balance, and improving posture and stability. The gluteal, adductor, abductor and oblique muscle groups are a primary focus in barre classes. These muscles C tend to be weaker in both the young and old, fit and unfit! Barre excels at targeting and strengthening the weak muscles of the lumbar/pelvic region and posterior chain that are common in our sedentary soci- ety, and often manifest as knee, hip and lower back pain. As an instructor, you can add barre exercises to an existing class, or teach a full barre format. One recent instructor with 30 years of water experience shared that she used a few new barre moves on Monday morning; on Wednesday, an older male participant told her to do whatever she did on Monday, because it gave his knees and hips relief! He is an individual who might not considering attending a barre class, but even just a few barre moves snuck into the regu- lar class provided benefits. There is inherent value in barre work and the programming possibilities for a class are diverse. Imagine going to a barre studio on land and looking at the schedule. You would hope to see more than one class type. Well the same can be said of barre in the pool. You can have a barre class and do a variety 20 | Akwa | December 2017 / January 2018 of types of programming or even offer various barre classes with different purposes. Using one or more variables from the sections below, you can see the wide variety of class options available. Level Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced Senior Adaptive/Rehab Athletes Recovery Water Temperature Cool Warm Emphasis Cardio Strength Flexibility Balance Posture Ballet Pilates Yoga Rebounding Grounded Muscle Focus Glutes Hips Legs Core Equipment No Equipment Noodle Nekdoodle™ Barre or railing on the pool wall; or water level gutter Other Options Circuit Intervals (Tabata, MIIT, HIIT, etc.) Very shallow water Barre in the water is accessible, progressive, and beneficial to everyone. It adds valuable cross-training for water partic- ipants and the land participants it may attract. It is fresh and fun, helps to improve muscle imbalances, and can set you apart as an instructor with an expanded skill set. It may even open new teaching and personal training opportunities! n Author Katina Brock MS, is an international fitness presenter, creator of Wet Barre™ and a 25-year fitness industry veteran. An original trainer at The Biggest Loser Resort Malibu, she is NASM-CPT & Corrective Exercise Spe- cialist, TRX®, BarWorks®, Mat Pilates, Synchro Fitness, and Aqua Stretch™ certified and is an AEA and AFAA CE provider.
