The Barrett Blog

GETTING BACK ON THE HORSE 🐎

The Barrett Blog

Lots of people fall away from their regular workout routines right about now. Maybe it’s from going away on vacation, the mellow-er (and hotter) August vibe, or maybe your household demands more from you due to kids being home from school. Losing the exercise habit is very common, and honestly, it comes with having a life. Don’t sweat it. A week or two or three of not formally working out is not the end of...

Health. Care.

Ellen Barrett Empowered Wellness

The biggest beef I have with what’s going on in healthcare today is this: we seem to have forgotten the body’s brilliance. “They” want us to forget. The more we forget our self-healing potential, the less empowered we are, and the less empowered we are, the more dependent we become.  TOP THREE DISEMPOWERMENT TECHNIQUES: 1. Never ever discuss nature’s remedies. Sunshine, fresh air, movement, nutritious food, meditation, love, laughter – these are potent medicines, they seem to...

August, Here We Come!

Ellen Barrett Mindful Movement

I spent a good chunk of my childhood playing tennis and had a slew of coaches. “Play the ball” was one of my all time favorite coaching tips. It basically meant, don’t worry about your opponent across the net – focus on hitting your best shot. Another memorable coaching tip was when I was very intimidated playing a top seed on their home turf and there was a big local crowd watching. My coach very calmly said, “Hey, this is...

What’s Your Why?

Sometimes we lose track of the why. Why are we working out? Why are we spending time, money and energy on fitness? Why?  There is no right or wrong why. Your why can be to manage weight or boost mood. It can be to be better at your job or safer at a sport. It can be to keep up with your kids or to look good. Many of us have multiple why’s, and for most of us the why keeps evolving. Perhaps, what...

Step One: Settle In

My niece is finally 16, and she’s obtained her driver’s permit. I’ve been taking her out driving and she’s really getting the hang of it. My biggest driving tip, which I said early on, I’ve really hammered home, and I keep repeating, is:   Be sure to get settled in the car before you put it in drive and head down the road.  That translates as not rushing, perhaps taking some deep breaths, making sure the...

A New & Unique Workout

Yoga Pump With Ellen Barrett

Yoga Pump is now streaming on Let’s Move! and I think it’s a very unique interval workout. We’ve gotten great feedback on a couple of our previous workouts, Yoga Tone and Yogini Sculpt, and I wanted to bring that vibe to muscle conditioning again, but with a twist.  For years I’ve felt this need to bring a sense of calm to workouts. Life is already pretty hyper for most of us, and sometimes I think hyper workout sessions do more harm than good....

Inspiration in Everywhere

Full Body Blast

I have one dog, Rey, who is the most athletic Labrador you’ll ever see, and then I have another dog, Bridget, who is gentle and willowy – not as capable as Rey – but very beautiful to watch. It dawned on me recently, that watching my dogs run, stretch, swim, and maneuver through life could be my favorite pastimes. I am inspired by them, and I’ve learned a lot from them.  Aside from the obvious,...

That’s Hot!

Ellen Barrett Let's Move!

It’s firmly summer here in Connecticut, and while I try to appreciate every season, I must admit, I live for summer! I love the sun, the longer days, the summer food and most of all, I love being warm.  Warmth is not talked about all that much but let me take you down memory lane. First, air conditioning wasn’t even a thought in dance/yoga studios back in the day. Most gyms did not have it...

Ready For Action

The black legging….what did we do before black leggings? Some fashionistas might not love the fact that a black legging is part of an unofficial “uniform” for millions of women, but there is a solid reason why: black leggings are functional. You and I can move freely in them! Fitness clothing is just clothing you and I can move in, right?  Also, black leggings can be spruced up.  In the winter, I wear sweaters with my workout wear....

Neck Health DIY

DIY Neck Health (Barrett Blog)

There’s a reason why we use the term “pain in the neck” when describing something or someone annoying. Neck pain is annoying, and I think everyone at some point in their life, has experienced it first hand. Often, we don’t know the cause of our neck pain. It just shows up. Did I sleep in an awkward position? Did I strain my neck at work? Did I lift something too heavy? It’s important to know that while exercise...

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