I want to invite you to come watch our final student showcase to celebrate with us, to show your love for the studio, and to support our dancers. This will take place at the outdoor ISquare Theatre on July 24th at 6:00pm followed by an ice cream social afterwards. Connect with us and enjoy community as we gather together to uplift and support each other. 

Get your tickets with the link below, we want to see you there! 

Dear friend, I first want to share my deepest gratitude for all of the love and support that has been shown for the studio here at our time at The Barre. If you are reading this then you're one of the wonderful people who has made this community so special and pleasant to be engaged in. 
 
The ending to a beautiful chapter is never easy, but we can choose to celebrate the opportunity for a new beginning and keep a positive attitude. The Barre Dance & Fitness has enjoyed a wonderful couple of years at 370 Elmridge center drive but with a heavy heart have decided to close the doors on July 31st 2022. 
 
I would love to spend the remainder of the time at the studio celebrating all the good memories and time we've shared by enjoying classes till the end. We will also have a celebratory Ice Cream happy hour after the final Student Showcase on July 24th, more details to follow. Please make sure you come enjoy the classes you love, use your credits and manage your monthly memberships accordingly. If you have any questions at all or would like to share how the studio has made a positive impact in your life in some way please do not hesitate to reach out to me. 
 
In the meantime, please be sure to stay in touch to see what comes next. I will be teaching more yoga events, pop-ups, and workshops in the community and throughout local parks and venues around the Rochester area. I would love to keep this beautiful community connected and share the next chapter with you, please see the resources below to help with this transition. 

A labyrinth or labyrinth garden is used for "moving meditation" (or walking meditation). You'll see a single path from the outer edge in a winding circular pattern  to the center. Labyrinths are used world-wide as a way to quiet the mind, calm anxieties, recover balance in life, enhance creativity and encourage meditation, insight, self-reflection and stress reduction. 

"The labyrinth symbolizes a journey to a predetermined destination (such as a pilgrimage to a holy site), or the journey through life from birth to spiritual awakening to death."

Labyrinth walking is an ancient practice used by many different faiths for spiritual centering, contemplation, and prayer. Entering the serpentine path of a labyrinth, you walk slowly while quieting your mind and focusing on a spiritual question or prayer.

In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth was an elaborate, confusing structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos. Its function was to hold the Minotaur, the monster eventually killed by the hero Theseus.

Today, there is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth path. When walking slow and mindfully from the outside to the center, it is a great way to open you mind, reflect, pray, and or meditate. With each step it is encouraged to take slow mindful breaths, when you reach the center pause to reflect, pray, or maybe journal. Whatever you feel is right for your experience.

"Walking a labyrinth in this way can be surprisingly calming and clarifying for your thoughts. Even if you don't have a spiritual side, the slow, intentional walking in a quiet place on a set path allows for a level of focus that can be difficult to find in a busy life. " 

Since I'm writing this article from Rochester NY I've included a list of where to find a Labyrinth here in the article below, however there is a website that you can search for one right where you live called : World - Wide Labyrinth Locator. 

Go visit one today in your local town and enjoy the experience!

Namaste, 
Erin Joy

Creating a dedicated space at home for your meditation practice can be helpful in avoiding distractions and setting yourself up for a wonderful practice! You don't need to spend a lot of time or money creating a space at home, and you can literally practice anywhere and anytime. But having a space can add to having a positive meditative experience, here are a few ideas below to get you started!

​There are no special tools you need to practice meditation however there are tons of props available to make you more comfortable for a seated meditation. You may choose to use something soft to sit on such as a bolster, blanket, or pillow (even a couch cushion will work). Or something more firm such as a yoga block or stack of large books to sit on, allowing the hips to open easier with a tall straight spine. 

Aromatherapy and scents are another element to consider while creating your meditation space at home. Most popular and accessible being candles, essential oils, sage, or incense. Depending on the time of day and your mood, have a variety of calming/ soothing scents such as lavender or bright/ spirit lifting aromas like citrus. 

Utilizing sense of sound is another well-loved element to meditation practices. If you're at home try looking up a "Meditation Playlist" on your laptop or iPhone and then putting it on airplane mode or "Do Not Disturb" so the music doesn't get interrupted. I've Included one of my favorite Meditation playlists below from Spotify. 

And lastly, don't forget to personalize your space, make it your own! Add in a few things that are calming and soothing to you without adding too much clutter. For example I've added a few crystals, stones, and my favorite plants to make my space feel cozy, safe, and relaxing. Look inward, then reflect this onto the space that will support and nourish your body and mind. 

Thanks for reading and hope this helps, happy meditating!

Namaste, 
Erin Joy 

Enjoy this short guided mediation for encouraging self-compassion in a difficult area in your life right now.  Take a few moments to close your eyes, breathe, and just take a short break in your day to offer yourself loving kindness as you cultivate self-compassion. If you've never tried meditation before this is a great place to start and one of my first recordings as part of my assignment for my teacher training. I hope this clip gives you a little bit of peace today and you find compassion for yourself, you deserve it. 

With love and kindness, 
​Erin Joy

Welcome Rochester Yoga lovers!

I've created a group through MeetUp for anyone living in the Rochester area who loves yoga! In this group you'll expand your knowledge of yoga and grow your practice by getting the scoop on events, workshops, and classes. These Yoga classes  are open to all levels and offer a gentle approach, you'll experience lots of juicy stretching and supported postures.

This group is for anyone looking to add more yoga and movement to their life and wants to discover more about themselves through their yoga practice. If you love yoga, want a welcoming and judgement-free environment, and you live in Rochester, then this is the group for you!

At these events, we will explore both indoor and outdoor yoga classes along with guided meditation & breath work. You'll also have the chance to experience fun collaborations with other local business owners that are in the wellness industry!

Join the group by clicking the button below, see you on your mat soon =]

Warmly, 
Erin  Joy