Hiya Babes!

barrebod going pro

Last Saturday was particularly special as it marked the first official BarreBod training, and I was so honored to have such rad people come to learn. It was huge for me to share with everyone about my very favorite class to teach. Not only is it a step towards increasing the number & quality of barre classes at Chalk, it is also a great way to cultivate awesome teachers for my maternity leave. Everyone wins! Here's some shots from the afternoon:

Photos: Noni Culotta

You deserve it (?)

I recently "celebrated" my Thirty Five Alive birthday (and by recently, I mean yesterday :). "Celebrated" is in quotes because I didn't really tell anyone about it or do much of anything differently than usual. While I'm totally happy turning another year and have exactly zero hangups about my age, for once I just really didn't feel like planning anything. I'm so busy these days working, preparing to move, and just being pregnant that I deep down preferred not to celebrate. Maybe it's a practicality born of age, but it honestly sounded better just to keep my nose to the grindstone than take time and energy for a party at which I couldn't drink or a massage whose effects I will undo in the next intense week or so.

Now, I'm not trying to wrangle any boo-hoos from you. Quite the contrary! Not only did Mr. Roddancerbod elevate me from the usual princess to queen in terms of birthday treatment, lots of lovely friends wished me happy birthday and made me feel special. Most said something to the tune of, "Eat something sinful and delicious - you deserve it!" or "Hope you enjoy a day off - you deserve it!" And I of course appreciate the sentiments, but it got me thinking about the idea of indulgence.

What actually makes something indulgent, and therefore special? I have so much of what I love in my daily life that there's really nothing to take a break from or do much differently. I'm the kind of person who would still do my job if I won the lottery, so a day off isn't exactly that much of a treat (although I am loving my newfound Saturday aka Monday!) And I'm skeptical of the implied "sinfulness" of this idea of indulgence. Maybe it's a lesson learned from being pregnant when my go-to indulgences are out of the question such as sushi feasting, champagne and oysters at midday, or staying up late drinking margaritas with all my friends, but the things I most want for myself these days are to have the space to do what's best for me and in the right amount.

Like, it's great to have a glass of champagne, but before an evening workout when it'll only give me a headache or a bad mood? Doesn't exactly sound fun. Also, having not had a hangover in 9 months or so, I can say with authority I would like never ever to have one again. If the indulgence causes discomfort, is it really that indulgent to begin with? Or cake. Too much makes everything go out of whack, and even pregnant people have to watch their sugar intake. I think the better indulgence wish would be to have exactly the amount of something we truly love at a time when we can fully enjoy it, no?

Anyway babes, I wish you all the best until I...

See you at the barre!

Annie