Burn at the Barre, Clarence

Maria McKendry, Burn at the Barre’s certified instructor, conducts the studio's barre-fitness classes. During these sessions, she fuses the muscle toning and core strengthening of Pilates with the grace and strength inherent in ballet. Stealing from her experience as a personal trainer and her education in physical therapy, Maria infuses her classes with long, flexible moves and more rigorous cardio. The classes incorporate sequences of controlled, isometric exercises, which require unwavering mental focus as well as precise physical technique while they methodically work muscle groups throughout the arms, hips, and abdominals. Students animate their body by way of thumping tunes while using the ballet barre to balance. Maria's experience as a triathlete informs her ability to incorporate different disciplines into one entertaining, high-energy class.