Marnie is a ray of light. I joined in August 2020 after seeing her videos on Popsugar and knowing nothing about barre. I am the least graceful, flexible and agile person, but with this platform I feel like a strong, warrior-ballerina. There are new videos twice a week that reflect “global fam” requests. She listens and responds to questions/comments posted on IG and FB and makes the most fun playlists. This kind of workout doesn’t give me vertigo like I struggled with while doing HIIT or other exercises. I’ve never been able to even so much as touch my toes but after doing this work the last several months my core is stronger and I’m more flexible than I have ever been (and I can finally touch my toes and put my hands flat to the floor—take that, middle school fitness tests lol). I’m a busy mom with two kids and there are so many different video lengths to choose from. My body has started to anticipate and want this type of movement. It’s become essential for me to feel energized and like my best self. I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Marnie: “All those moments you’ve spent thinking about other people, other needs, not your own, that shifts right now. Because if we don’t continue to nourish our bodies and souls they cannot continue to work through this world in that beautiful way. They cannot continue to help and support because they’ve just run out of gas. This is fueling you up.”

I’ve been following this ray of light, Marnie Alton, for over a decade. The studio days were full of empowering energy, incredible music and love that shined through every breath taken. Pandemic hit and Marnie and her team got to work on creating that same atmosphere for this amazing platform, M/Body. Building not only a place to exercise, but an entire wellness community dedicated to empowering you to succeed mind, body and soul-or as Marnie says”Take Up your space. “ The classes are designed to sculpt and strengthen(and yes, so much sweat!) but accessible to all through modifications and the helpful instruction to listen to your body. The app is easy to use, the catalogue is vast and unbelievably each one is different but no less powerful. They’ve added a calendar to keep track and lets you plan your workouts, you can favorite and save whichever you want and download for travel. Any issues, the MBody team is quick to answer your email and nothing is ever a problem, outstanding service! The very best part besides Marnie, is the community platform. This app allows us to connect and link to others around the globe as we travel this life together, searching for light and total wellness as ourselves. I’ve had many ups and downs in the last decade, but having Marnie & M/BODY & the Global Fam have saved my light and helped guide me to a stronger body and healthy mind. I’m forever grateful, forever a tribe member and I wholeheartedly encourage you to join us! Eyes to the sun, be in the light 💛

10/10 recommend this movement practice to anyone! There are over 500 classes, primarily in 20, 30, 45, and 60 minute durations (but a few 10 minute ones available too!). All classes include whole body activation, but there are themes of focusing on arms, legs, booty, core, neck and shoulders, pelvic floor, etc. The creator Marnie Alton incorporates barre, cardio dance, Pilates, yoga, and other modalities for this unique movement practice. The energy is encouraging, body positive (zero shaming or size focus), the music playlists are fire, and accessing classes from the comfort of my home at any time of day or night, or while traveling, is key as a working mom. Sometimes I’ll choose a relaxing stretch class at night, or an uplifting cardio dance for the morning. Sometimes classes incorporate heavier weights, yet Marnie reminds us of equipment we can substitute with what’s around our home (a chair or countertop can be our ‘stable surface’ if we don’t have a barre). My primary care physician is pleased with me doing weight-bearing exercises and I WANT to workout regularly because I feel so good, so present in my body, and so calm after class. I consistently feel that way, no matter what type of class I did and what length it was. Also the community is super supportive if you want to connect with others (available but not at all required). I’ve been doing these workout classes for 3.5 years and I’m still in love with it. I am stronger, my muscles are more defined, but best of all I feel way more present and connected and loving toward my body - I call that M/BODY Magic!

This isn’t a workout. It’s a space to feel joyful, playful, beautiful, strong, and special. I struggled with workout anxiety, ED’s, and body image issues my whole life. I was always in a spiral of intense workouts, and feeling bad about myself when I didn’t get to the gym or an app. And every community I built seemed to reinforce that. Then I joined m/body during the pandemic, and my whole worldview switched. I am not usually a all-in kind of person (as evidence by my yo-yo’ing before!). I have been a part of this community now for 4 years. I feel so much more whole in myself from this community and Marnie. The workouts are fun, and fresh, and TOUGH, and did I say fun? And everyone on this platform is a ray of supportive light. The app includes a message board where we share updates and insights. And there is a new video (which goes live if you can attend) twice a week. I am strong, and graceful, and confident, and beautiful, and not because M/Body made me that way, but because they made me realize I already was and I didn’t need to push to be so, but just let myself be so. And dance while doing it! Love you guys!