“To uncover your true potential you must first find your own limits, and then you have to have the courage to blow past them.”  ~ Picabo Street, USA gold-medal skier

Once you set a clear goal and prepare for it you begin to feel optimistic.So why isn’t that always enough to keep going or even get started?What makes the difference between a well-intentioned wish and a goal that you continue to pursue whether it takes 5 minutes or 8760 hours? What makes you willing to keep getting back up whether it happens seamlessly or you fall 365+ times?

Pictured: Custom Barres Floor Mounted Barre (Attitude Silver Brackets - Hard Maple Barre)

The inspiration

Many times something inspires us and we think we SHOULD be ready to pursue our goal. The collective energy of everyone starting in the new year or the image of a friend or celebrity on social media killing it in a workout can get the adrenaline pumping. But the initial adrenaline rush is temporary and that spark of inspiration needs deeper motivation to keep you driven.

The warm-up

Before you begin anything new you want to remove the old temptations and habits to make room for the healthier choices.When preparing to be healthier you usually trade in the junk food in your pantry for fresh whole foods in your fridge, right?

The same is true for mental preparation for your fitness or dance goals. Mental prep-work is more than just positive thinking and feeling enthusiastic. Old excuses and patterns can be re-triggered if you just tucked them away behind your shiny new inspiration and didn’t remove them. Find the hidden limitations you are holding onto and clear them out for a fresh start.

Tip: Step up the barre, close your eyes and just listen for the thoughts and feelings that surface (i.e. - resistance, defensiveness, rationalizations)

The practice

It may be cliche, but enjoy the journey.Every movement in your fitness or dance practice is an opportunity to center your attention on the moment and release the pressure from your final expectations.

A child learning to ride a bike is too busy concentrating on the pedals, the handle bars, the ground ahead, the bumps that may throw the bike off-balance, and coordinating his or her movements to be distracted by the end result.

Whether you are a beginner or a professional, the barre is where you set the pace for your practice both physically and mentally. Through consistent training you develop focus and resiliency while you safely build your muscle strength, endurance and flexibility for a solid foundation to your success.

Tip: Slow down and give your attention to the details (i.e. - the contraction of each muscle, your breathing, the support from the floor and the barre)

The dream

Discover what you love about your practice that has nothing to do with the outcome. This is where you will find the long-term motivation to keep showing up for your goals no matter what setbacks may happen. Even professionals who have achieved lifelong dreams have moments when they lose sight of what made them start in the first place. Although rewarding, the mind-driven goal (i.e. - weight loss or performing for a world-renowned dance company) often isn’t the actual dream, but the feelings you experience before, during and after.

Tip: Reflect on the positive feelings you associate with your training (i.e. - the release of stress or negative emotions, the artistic expression of something that cannot be put into words, uncovering a strength within yourself you didn’t even realize you had)

With a large selection of wall-mounted, floor-mounted and portable ballet barres, CUSTOM BARRES provides professional quality dance and exercise equipment to help you discover (or re-discover) your passion for your practice and reach your goals.