Full body barre workout with Olia Burtaev

If you’re unfamiliar with Barre, the class is designed to be a full-body endurance workout with high repetitions to fatigue muscles. It’s inspired by dance, ballet, yoga and Pilates, focusing on major muscle groups including the arms, legs, glutes, and core.

The workout can be toning and lengthening but also helps with poise, grace and confidence through its ability to challenge the body.

We were lucky enough to speak to former Olympic synchronised swimmer and rhythmic gymnast Olia Burtaev, who designed this workout and also get her hot tips on how to move confidently in Barre and beyond.

4 TIPS TO MOVE CONFIDENTLY IN BARRE

LET GO!
"With dancing it’s about body awareness and not being shy to express yourself through movement. Being so in-tune with your body that you feel every part of the movement instead of just doing it. Dancing is all about letting go, breathing in and out, feeling the movement."

VISUALISATION
"Without any feedback visualise exactly how you see yourself. Everyone speaks about visualisation, but it’s funny I used to do this in synchronised swimming where before we would compete or do a routine, everyone would have to get out of the pool, we would lie down on yoga mats and they would say “close your eyes” and put the music on of our routine.

They would want you to imagine swimming the routine, and with that was the breathing too, like holding our breath under water and you would see yourself doing exactly what you want to do. Once we did the 4-minute routine we would hop back in the pool and perform the routine. We made it as real as you can. I think it’s the same with dancing, visualise by putting the music on, drop your shoulders, relax your fingers, feel the muscles in your body."

SHOW UP
"Come to whatever it is as that person, even if you don’t feel like it, you’ve got to just pretend because slowly you will become that person, you’ll become confident."

USE VISUAL FEEDBACK
"I know a lot of people get uncomfortable with filming, with mirrors but I think lean into it if you can. It’s the perfect way to not rely on anyone, and see it yourself. Someone can always tell you something whether it’s your trainer, your friend, your family, but if you took time to look at yourself in the mirror when you’re training or film yourself, actually see what your body is doing. Relaying that back to dance, ballet has always taught me to be very body aware and I didn’t realise I would also relate to it in real life. You might think you are doing one thing but then your body is doing the polar opposite. It’s just awareness and being able to connect everything. And explore different angles."

Olia wears ORIGINAL SUPER SOFT for her barre workout.

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