Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/06/barre-grace.jpg" alt="BarreCor teacher Erin Cooper Gay" class="wp-image-9450" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/06/barre-grace.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/06/barre-grace-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/06/barre-grace-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/06/barre-grace-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/06/barre-grace-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Ballet and Pilates-inspired Barre classes have landed in Ashbourne! More than a little tempted by the lure of a lean, lithe dancer’s body, Muddy signed up to give <a href="https://barrebybarre.com/">Bare by Barre</a>&#8216;s classes whirl (or should that be a pirouette?).</p>



<p>Barre is low-impact and brilliant for improving flexibility &#8211; a whole-body workout that works up a sweat through holds (like yoga), while toning the thighs and calves, strengthening the core and sculpting the arms. With studios at both <a href="https://wildhive.uk/barre-therapy/">Wildhive Callow Hall</a> and Sally Montague in Ashbourne, Barre teacher <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/barre-by-barre-ashbourne-derbyshire/">Erin Cooper-Gay</a> runs weekly classes and private sessions, as well as sessions exclusively for guests at Wildhive Callow Hall. Muddy checked in for the full package.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/wildhive-barre-1024x683.jpg" alt="intro to barre class at wildhive callow hall ashbourne derbyshire" class="wp-image-9714" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/wildhive-barre-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/wildhive-barre-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/wildhive-barre-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/wildhive-barre.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>My intro to Barre kicked off in the Coach House at Callow Hall, Wildhive’s wellbeing hub (pictured above) where there’s a studio, gym, sauna and map room to plan Peak District walks and cycle rides. The studio is a delight. With huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the woodland-fringed courtyard, exposed brick walls with cosy, candlelit niches and wooden floor. It feels earthy, warm and welcoming.</p>



<p>Barre teacher Erin is a breath of fresh air. Canadian and a professional French horn player, she is passionate about the role music and breath bring to Barre (hence her music-inspired <em>Barre by Barre</em> name). She oozes a calm charisma and is a natural teacher who is easy to warm to. She keeps things breezy and light, yet focused and precise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-intro-class">THE INTRO CLASS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/wildhive-barre-into-1024x768.jpg" alt="barre class at wildhive callow hall" class="wp-image-9715" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/wildhive-barre-into-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/wildhive-barre-into-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/wildhive-barre-into-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/wildhive-barre-into-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/wildhive-barre-into.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>I’ve done Pilates classes before (albeit in fits and spurts), I run, I’ve even dabbled with dance in my youth, so I went into Barre feeling pretty up for it and confident. Minutes in, I realised this wasn’t going to be the easy, breezy experience I’d envisaged.</p>



<p>Erin has a way of explaining things so well. I’ve always been told ‘navel-to-spine’ for engaging the pelvic floor for Pilates, but Erin’s visual explanation was not only way more hilarious but way more detailed and nuanced, getting you to focus on multiple levels of engaging those all-important muscles (starfish and tampons may have been mentioned!).</p>



<p>With the basics mastered, we moved onto some of the key moves I’d need for the group class the following morning. Some seemed simple (balancing on tiptoes while bending the knees) but were really tough when you get it right, focusing on tucking the tailbone under, breathing correctly and keeping the crown tall. Some seemed difficult (arabesque-ing the arms over a leg raised onto the barre) and were, er, punishingly difficult.</p>



<p>No surprise that with her wind instrument background, there’s a big focus on breath in Erin’s class. And wow does it make a difference when you get that ‘choo’ out breath right.</p>



<p>I had dragged my sporty teenage daughters along to the introductory session and even they found it challenging. We’d worked muscles we hadn’t used in a while and felt more like we’d had a hardcore HIIT session than a brief intro to the basics. If you like reassurance your workout will reap rewards, you&#8217;ll be an instant convert. ‘This is sooo good,’ my 16-year-old enthused.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-group-class">THE GROUP CLASS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/SAlly-Montague-group-barre-class-1024x683.jpg" alt="group barre class in ashbourne" class="wp-image-9712" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/SAlly-Montague-group-barre-class-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/SAlly-Montague-group-barre-class-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/SAlly-Montague-group-barre-class-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/SAlly-Montague-group-barre-class.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Next morning, it was off to the studio at Sally Montague in Ashbourne for a group class putting all the techniques we’d learned into practice. This was a class attracting all ages, from 17-year-olds to 71-year-olds, set in a bright, white, light-flooded studio with ballet barres on the mirrored walls.</p>



<p>Classes are capped at 8, which feels like the right number to feel the energy of a group, but have enough space and time for one-to-one attention from Erin who is constantly buzzing round checking form and that the right muscles are &#8216;turned on&#8217;. With the intro class under my belt I feel way more confident and am able to focus more on the important bits of what to keep strong, how to hold myself and the breath.</p>



<p>It’s also way easier to use the sensational soundtrack musician Erin has put together to help the breathwork. There’s energising Edith Piaf, a spot of Buena Vista Social Club, some high brow Mahler and even a bit of Bob Marley. It’s been thoughtfully put together and really lifts the workout. Just wait &#8217;til you try out &#8216;swan arms&#8217; &#8211; a killer upper body workout made achievable by the brilliant soundtrack. The tunes will get you through it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/group-barre-class.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9716" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/group-barre-class.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/group-barre-class-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/group-barre-class-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/group-barre-class-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/group-barre-class-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It’s nice to see everyone’s muscles trembling and shaking at the tough bits – not just me then – and seems easier to hold for longer in the company of others. Erin’s prompts to visualise a column of light running from your crown through into the earth are really helpful for these holds and pulses too. She is big on the mind-body connection and it’s a whole-body experience that’s not just about getting lean and lithe (though it’s pretty good for that too).</p>



<p>You finish Barre feeling strong but connected, calm and in control. That’s after one class. Imagine how you’d feel as a regular.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-details">THE DETAILS</h2>



<p>There are various ways you can give Barre a whirl. Either book in with <a href="https://barrebybarre.com/">Barre by Barre</a> for a group class at Wildhive Callow Hall or at Sally Montague, opt for a 1:1, intro or bespoke session, or go for the deluxe, customisable <a href="https://wildhive.uk/callow-hall/the-coach-house/">Grounded@Wildhive</a> experience. Here you’ll do a blissful four hour package of Barre, followed by a sauna, meditation or woodland walk, before a light bite in the gorgeous Garden Room Restaurant. You&#8217;ll end with a Sound Journey (and I highly recommend kipping the night with a blissful overnight stay at Wildhive). Cleansing, rejuvenating and very grounding, I felt cared for and deliciously refreshed after mine.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-damage">THE DAMAGE</h2>



<p>An intro session starts from £20 and various membership plans are available for classes. See price details<a href="https://barrebybarre.com/pricing/"> here.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>Barre helps you feel strong, lifted and lithe and is a wonder for anyone hunched over a screen all day. Miss your pelvic floor? Barre will bring it back.</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>Duracell bunnies looking for a heart-pumping cardio fix. It’ll make you sweat, but in an altogether different way.</p>



<p>Email Erin at erin@barrebybarre.com or visit <a href="https://barrebybarre.com/">www.barrebybarre.com</a>.</p>


Meet you at the Barre! Muddy reviews Barre by Barre, Ashbourne

You may also like