M/BODY By Marnie Alton 12+

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.”

This barre/pilates/cardio dance/positive mindset platform has over 350 classes accessible that you can do from home and safely follow along with Marnie Alton’s guiding words. She explains form as she goes, provides modifications, and approaches movement with joyful curiosity and playfulness, rather than judging or shaming. Two live-streamed classes are created (and quickly catalogued) most weeks. Classes are 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes and offer a variety. Yet here we take up space rather than focus on getting smaller. The classes have closing stretches (stretches are also interlaced into class) and leave you feeling wonderful. Marnie and the community around the world support one another during and in between classes. You can choose to engage in chats during the Live classes and within the app’s community board, but even if you don’t want to connect with others I can confidently say these classes will make you feel connected to your body. These workouts can be done from home or while traveling (videos describe length, equipment needed, focus areas), and you can pause/rewind/fast forward class videos. Give this a try and experience the amazingness that is M/BODY by Marnie Alton!

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!