This is the second part of our Total Barre® Principles series. If you missed Part 1, you can read it here.
In addition to a barre workout being high-energy, dynamic and fun, we believe that it still needs to uphold the integrity of being safe and responsible with strong importance being placed on the correct biomechanics of movement.
Today, we wrap up our sneak peek series into the final three Total Barre Principles, ensuring high quality movement and reducing the risk of participant injury.
- Scapular Movement & Stabilization: Stabilizing the scapulae on the rib cage prevents overworking muscles around the neck and shoulder, and is an essential primary step during the beginning of every exercise. The lack of direct bony attachment to the rib cage and spine means that the scapulae boast a great deal of mobility. This allows the arms to move in a large range of motion. However, a lack of structural stability means that more muscular support is necessary.
- Head and Cervical Placement: The cervical spine should hold its natural curve, and the skull should sit directly above the shoulders when in vertical neutral. It’s important to restore and muscularly support the natural curves of the cervical spine in optimal alignment. In most instances, the cervical spine should continue the line created by the thoracic spine during flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation.
- Hip, Knee, Ankle & Foot Placement: Did you know that when there is a focus on neutral placement of the tors, it’s much easier to maintain optimal alignment through the lower kinetic chain, specifically the joints of the hip, knee, ankle and foot? Optimal alignment of all the joints ensures dynamic stability, movement efficiency and proper muscle activation. Misalignment of the joints can negatively affect all the other joints in the kinematic chain, which can then have a negative influence on the pelvis, spine and shoulders. Also, applying pressure into the ground compresses the joints, providing proprioceptive feedback that enables the musculoskeletal and fascial systems to work more effectively.
If you’re curious to learn more about the Total Barre program, get further insight here.
Look forward to sneak peeks from some of our other premium programs in the near future!