Hello Barre Beauties, 

Hope everyone had a beautiful weekend! Happy April! Happy Easter and Passover! So for my weekend, let’s just say it was a poignant weekend for me. Have you ever felt exhaustion, nausea, tears of emotion, excitement, accomplished all at the same time? Well that was me after my first 5k. It was something that I wanted to do and to say that I have done. I was exhausted after the run barely enough energy to walk to get a water. I felt nausea because maybe that egg for breakfast was not the right choice or maybe that I just have never worked that hard. I was tearful and still am because I did it for Liza. I have been so strong, so mentally tough alongside my amazing daughter, that the endorphins from the run made the tears start well up in my eyes. All the emotion just started to release. Liza has been through so much and her quote, her song, her mantra is “always try your best, no matter what people say.” So true. So true for anyone, everyday. I said it during my run. I said “mind over matter” during my run. I said “do it for Liza” during my run. As a dancer, we were not allowed to “run” because it developed our muscles the wrong way. And as an adult, anytime I had attempted to run, something would hurt. So with Calla’s program, I was able to do it. But where did I start? My first run felt so hard that I could barely do 2 minutes. But with her amazing step by step personalized program, a dear friend (thank you, JT, who showed me the ropes) and the mind over matter mantra that I  have repeated over and over in every Barre + Beyond class, I was able to push away my hesitations, my doubts, and just do it. I learned how to work my body and grow as an athlete. I believe that with the correct mindset, positivity and guidance, one can accomplish anything they believe in. I am writing this as Liza gets her last chemotherapy treatment. I have learned so much from her on this journey. My emotions are still building within me and as I finish writing this, I am just not sure what I am feeling. But what I do know, is that I am so grateful that Calla created an amazing program. I am grateful that there was so much support in our group. All of you have been so supportive and patient this past year too. I truly appreciate all of you. And if there is anything to learn from all of this, is that the Mind Over Matter mantra works. The more you believe, the better. So ladies, as we embark on another month, tell yourself each day that you got this. Set some goals and go for it. Find the mental toughness to make it happen, one class at a time. 
Cheers to emotion, strength, gratitude, and all our accomplishments. 

Sharing Barre Love,
Orlee