Hey hey, barrebabes,

Earlier this month marked my 10th anniversary here in NYC, and I wanted to take a moment to share with you a little celebratory retrospective of my favorite decade so far and a look ahead toward what's to come. Of course, also included is the schedule and a new playlist. Happy reading!

looking back

Thinking back to my first few weeks in New York, I remember having the distinct feeling that I was doing exactly what I was meant to be doing, even though I felt like I had no idea what I was doing, ever. For me, it felt like my life was just starting when I came here, and I remember being simultaneously overwhelmed by all the beautiful and amazing people but also feeling like I truly belonged, for the first time in my life. Here's some highlights:

- earning my masters from the Gallatin School of New York University in dance & Africana studies
- dancing professionally with numerous amazing companies and projects, both here in the city and abroad in Guinea, West Africa
- working continuously with a Guinea-based dance company, including performing, co-directing dance & cultural immersion workshops bringing people from around the world together to learn about Guinean dance and drum. and raising money to help fund social projects in Guinea
- developing the Barre and Danceprogram at Chalk Gyms, changing my body and life forever :)
- becoming a certified Pilates instructor at Romana's Pilates/True Pilates New York (one of the most challenging and rewarding things I've ever done)
- meeting and marrying the man of my dreams
- having the cutest sweetest baby, who makes being a mama the best thing that's ever happened to me
- developing effective movement programs for mamas after becoming educated about pre/post natal bodies and completing two certifications to that end
- meeting so many awesome, inspiring, cool people and friends, including all of you - seriously, each of you are SUCH RAD BABES!

Aside from knowing I would dance and (probably) finish grad school, I had no idea that ten years would bring me here, to such happiness, to such creativity and success, to a life as a movement teacher, forever curious student, as an artist of the body. Looking ahead to the next ten, though, there are some goals and plans I'd like to share with you:

1) develop my stronger-than-before-baby postnatal recovery program
2) lead super fun, restorative, magical retreats and hang in the desert with all you rad babes
3) keep dancing. keep learning. keep moving.

What about you? What have you accomplished in the past few years, and what do you look forward in the next? Share it with me, write it in the sand, or simply think about it - whatever your effort, it's kinda rad to look at the awesome you are and think about everything in store.

music

like what you hear in class? here's the latest from barrerhythms and pilates. or just follow me @annieforeal on spotify.

keep pulsing,
Annie