Jurate (pronouced Yur-ah-teh) joined our Studio B community in May of last year and has since completed almost 150 barre classes! We absolutely love having her in our studio, and if we're lucky, sometimes she brings her lovely husband and young daughter with her. Find out more about this Lithuanian-born mother of three and why she makes barre a family affair, below.
How did you get introduced to Studio B?
I heard about Studio B from a friend – Rashmi Joshee. She told me great things about the workouts, but it took me a couple of months to stop procrastinating and try them out.
Why do you barre so hard?
Mostly, because it makes me feel good. It is that one hour of my day that I have just for me, and I can take what I need from it. I relax and stretch (thank you, Marie!); I push myself till I can barely breathe (thanks, Claire!); I find ways that I didn’t think my body could twist and bend (oh, Lindsay!); I clear my brain with cool music (Lauren’s techno works miracles!); I relax with fun dance moves (love them, Kate), or just have a good time (yes, Jill, I am having a good time even on Monday evenings!). If I have to miss a workout, my body and my mind aren’t happy.
How has barre impacted you?
It has helped me shift my mindset to actively taking care of myself. It’s made me physically stronger and healthier. My work involves long periods of sitting and lots of computer work, and mid-way through the school year, I’d get regular back paints, problems with tennis elbow, and general lack of energy. This is the first year I’ve been physically fine. I have more energy to do things I want to get done. And, most importantly, barre has helped me psychologically. The combination of focus and fun that we have at barre really help me clear my mind and deal with stress. I have to admit I love the chats after barre sessions as well. 😊
What keeps you motivated and coming back to Studio B?
To be honest, I’ve taken up the mindset that I don’t need motivation. I am a former debater, so I can convince myself (and others) pretty much into or out of anything. I can come up with great reasons why I am not motivated to work out, but I realized that if I wait for motivation to come or to feel just right, I’ll never be fit. Between the family and three jobs I’m juggling, there is almost never the right mood or the right feeling or the right time to exercise even though we know it’s essential. And we don’t need to be motivated for essential things, right? Just like I don’t need motivation to eat, I don’t allow myself to contemplate my motivation for barre. It just is part of life now, and it has to happen.
But of course, Studio B makes it very easy too - having multiple levels of exercise and supportive but open minded coaches really helps. If I am too tired, I focus more on stretches, if I am angry, I go nuts with those dang jumping jacks… I like when they say “You do you today.” It helps me assess and focus on the needs of my body and my mind on the given day.
I guess my family has also been motivating me. Well, not really motivating, more just kick me out of home when workout time comes 😊 It might be because they are getting more free time, but I’d like to think that it’s because of the positive difference they see in me since I started barre.
Favourite barre exercise or series?
My favorite part is the stretches at the end. I love those moments of tranquility when I can refocus and re-set. The favorite challenging series is the down-up-low jacks. I could barely do this monstrosity of an exercise when I started at Studio B, so being able to do the series now feels like a big achievement.
Other than barre, what other types of exercising or activities do you do?
I excel at the new Olympic sport of espresso drinking. I also love hiking or anything in nature – mushrooming, fishing….
What do you love about exercising with your family members?
I think it is just fun to do something we all love together. I really wanted to get my daughter involved at Studio B to help her feel more confident about herself, and to help her get over her anxiety of making mistakes. Seeing me and my husband screw up our moves or doing some exercises wrong has helped her (I think) to be ok with trying things, getting out of her comfort zone, and doing her best on that day. I love seeing her become a stronger and happier young woman. As for my husband, to be honest, I thought he would not be up for a challenge. He wanted to check Studio B out to see why I come back so happy after each workout. I thought I’d teach him a lesson and the very first class I dragged him to was B-Bold. But not only did he survive the class, he wanted to go for more! It’s really cool to share our barre experience, challenge each other, and encourage each other (especially when it feels that the leg is going to fall off after those gazillion repetitions of “fire-hydrant.”)
Jurate with her daughter Svaya and husband Dalbir
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
I used to do kayaking slalom when I was a teen.
Favourite way to treat yourself?
Coming to barre 😊 My second favorite is – a hot bath with herbal oils and a binge-worthy show.
Favourite movie and book of all time?
I love reading and have lots of favorite books. One book that I love coming back to for fun or for teaching is Atwood’s The Robber Bride. Movie… now it’s Mad Max Fury Road.
Favourite place to eat in Edmonton?
My living room. My family has such different tastes and preferences that it is almost impossible to find a place that works for all five. So we order food (from pizza to Thai seafood), hang out, watch a movie and then listen to my hubby and our oldest son arguing about the movie we just watched.
Favourite local spot?
The River Valley. We used to go for walks there with my hubby before we got married. Now, years later, we walk the same trails with three kids and two dogs. I love these walks because they remind me of how much we’ve grown since when met back in 2001.
What is your favourite quote?
Lately, it’s Winnie the Pooh “You are braver than you believe, you’re stronger than you seem, and you are smarter than you think.”