Tuck Today, Toned Tomorrow

We have all been tucking away at the barre and have read this wonderful saying on the wall in front of us. Well, there might actually be some truth to this saying; and, maybe, just maybe, what the instructors are having you do isn’t just to see your faces contort into all different shapes or just to torture you. We say “Tuck” because it will result in flatter, more toned abdominals.

Tucking is an extremely important foundational principle to every class. You hear us say it all the time, tuck from the abdominals not the glutes! Sounds easy enough but is actually an extremely challenging task to the non-barre beauty. This form of tucking, or a lower abdominal crunch, stems from Pilates. This principle of tucking from the abdominals and not squeezing the seat to tuck, actually allows us to tap into our deepest layer of abdominal, called the Transverse. The Transverse is located right in between the hip bones and about two fingers below your navel. It is the spot that as women, is where our “pootch” is, or the spot that refuses to lay flat after we have our children. It is also known as our corset layer of abdominals. It is the muscle that cinches all the other layers of abdominals in, and helps them to lay flat. So, when we tuck and engage that muscle, we are actually benefiting all four layers of our abs.

So, now that we know what we are working while tucking, the magic happens when you can actually do it in class. The problem that we often run into is that since this muscle is so underworked and is the most stretched, we often can’t even feel it to engage it.

“So, my word of advice is when you hear that beloved phrase of “tuck under”, close your eyes and put your mind’s eye right to that spot right in between you hip bones. You will eventually feel it, I promise. Even the act of trying to do it, will help you tap into that stubborn area. Mind Over Matter. It is powerful!”

Here are some cues you can think about while in the midst of tucking..

• Minimizing the space in between your bottom rib and hip bone
• Getting punched in the stomach and absorbing the punch
• Pulling the navel up and in
• Lower abdominal crunch
• Pelvic tilt

As always beauties, if you are still not grasping this foundational principle, please do not hesitate to pull one of us to the side, and we can find a cue that works for you. Make sure you get plenty of practice tucking by trying out all of our classes we offer at Barre and Beyond. We just started our Sculpt for Spring Challenge and added even more classes to the schedule. We have Beginner Barre which is a great opportunity to step back and really out your mind to the matter to feel that “tuck”. In addition, you can try all the wonderful classes during our special Wild Card classes on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 pm and 11 am on Sundays.

Sharing the Love at Barre + Beyond,

Rachel