VITAL STATS

Studio Where She Teaches: The Bar Method - Montclair, NJ

Classes She Teaches: Bar Method Classes 5-10X per week

Hometown: Needham, MA

Background: Shannon is the co-owner of The Bar Method Montclair. During college at Brown University, she taught yoga and cardio-kickboxing while majoring in psychology and became further enthused as she experienced the powerful impact of physical activity on her overall well being and happiness. Always open to new and innovative exercise techniques and wanting to pass her passion on, Shannon became a personal trainer/yoga instructor and marathon runner.

When one of her friends asked her to try a class in San Francisco in 2005 called “The Bar Method” she was excited and confident that it would be a piece of cake. Boy was she humbled!! Never having experienced a class that was so efficient, effective and holistic, she was completely hooked. Shannon took classes religiously while receiving her doctoral degree in clinical psychology and uses her knowledge of movement, breath and mindfulness to help her clients whom include children, adolescents, and adults. Shannon continues to have a small private practice but her passion for The Bar Method kept knocking at the door. When she met her partner, Kelly, it became clear that opening a studio in Montclair was the next part of her journey, and she couldn’t be more excited!

GETTING TO KNOW SHANNON & THE BAR METHOD™

What exactly is The Bar Method™? The Bar Method™ is a one-hour total body workout comprised of muscle strengthening and stretching techniques partially performed at the ballet barre, strategically choreographed and executed to music. The system is designed to create a uniquely lean, firm, sculpted body by combining the muscle-shaping principles of isometrics, the body-elongating practice of ballet dance conditioning, the science of physical therapy, and the intense pace of interval training.

What are the key benefits of The Bar Method™ and why do you recommend it? The Bar Method™ is designed to give you all of these great results:

• Sculpts and elongates all major muscle groups
• Burns fat
• Carves muscle
• Enhances posture
• Creates strong, flat abdominals
• Lifts seat
• Defines hamstrings
• Stretches the most chronically tight muscles

For someone who has never tried The Bar Method™, what advice do you have? Just take a leap of faith and try a class – you will not be disappointed! So many people come in intimidated, thinking that you have to be a dancer or have to be flexible to take class, and this is not the case! Bar Method is a highly structured class for all different types of people designed to give personal attention to posture and alignment. Everyone can benefit from class, and a lot of people have healed from a variety of injuries coming to Bar Method class!

How often do you recommend taking The Bar Method’s classes? 3-5 X per week.  The great thing is that you can do this on consecutive days because you are using mostly your body weight during class to help shape your body, which does not tear or bulk your muscles but leans them out.

The Bar Method move everyone should master:  My favorite part of class is Round Back because it slims and tapers the legs while burning fat around the waist - thats a lot of bang for your buck!!

Another “must” is Pretzel which tightens and defines the seat muscles while toning and sliming the sides of your waist –so you banish muffin top for good!! The result is a high, round, “cut” buttocks and a smaller, firmer waist-line.

What do you think makes The Bar Method™ unique from other barre-based classes? The Bar Method™ focuses on effectiveness, safety, and body awareness. It is the only bar workout that was designed under the guidance of physical therapists to ensure joint safety. Its teachers receive unique training in healthy patterns of movement, body connection, mental focus, and posture.  At the same time, The Bar Method emphasizes sculpting more than other bar workouts by targeting the muscles that play the largest role in changing the shape of the body.

Why do you think group fitness classes are a good way to get a workout? You are constantly pushed to your edge by the students around you and the teacher in front of you. Afterwards, you are left with a sense of accomplishment and community, in that you all got through the class together. This bonds you in a way that has a major impact on your mind and emotions. I believe that group classes are the best way to shape your body and boost your spirit!

How do you like spending your time when you're not teaching and managing The Bar Method Montclair? I like spending time with my husband, family and friends, going for hikes, reading, traveling, skiing and probably a lot more that I am not thinking about right now.

Your “go-to” workout song? Don’t have one …. Just have to match the energy output needed

Favorite workout brand: lululemon

Your guilty pleasure? Pizza – it's just so good :-)

If you could give GoRecess users one piece of fitness advice what would it be? Your mind is your biggest limitation, push the limits of your mind and you will see the results in your body!

ABOUT THE BAR METHOD MONTCLAIR

What makes The Bar Method Montclair unique? We have a very friendly, open and fun vibe at our studio. We take the time to get to know our clients on a first name basis and think of them as family. And, our studio has a really cool NYC loft-like feeling with exposed brick and 14-foot plaster ceilings with coffers and dental work throughout. Come check it out and you will know what I am talking about!!

Other Bar Method Studios: Not near Montclair, NJ? Check out these other Bar Method studios on GoRecess: Bar Method Washington, DC; Bar Method SoHo, NYC; Bar Method Winter Park, FL; Bar Method Dallas, TX; Bar Method Miami, FL; Bar Method Encino, CA