Sarah McGinley

Since I was young, I loved to dance, and I competed and performed for many years as an Irish Step Dancer, and took college-level classes in modern, ballroom, and hip hop.  Until I discovered barre, I had no way as an adult to incorporate this love of dance and rhythm into my fitness routine.  As soon as I stepped into Lexington Power Yoga, I knew that I found my community.

Hundreds of barre classes later and I was given the opportunity to share my love of barre with others by teaching.  I enjoy creating challenging and fast-paced classes with a focus on building functional strength, and I especially appreciate the importance of making barre accessible to everyone through thoughtful modifications and proper form.  I love to bring new routines and music to my classes, and I hope that my students walk out of every class feeling stronger in both mind and body.

Sarah is certified through LPY’s 40-hour Barre certification program lead by Linda Spolidoro.

Courtney Walsh

I found yoga back in 2003. I was an avid long distance runner who often had to take time off because of injuries. I thought I would give yoga a shot while I was unable to run. In the beginning I went to yoga classes for the physical aspects of the practice. Over time I found that I kept coming back to my mat for more than just the physical part of the practice but more for the calming and grounding feeling that I got each time I showed up. Through my experiences I hope to bring my students both a challenge for their body but also the feeling of leaving our practice more grounded and with a clearer mind.

My love for yoga eventually led me to the Barre. Barre is a great compliment to the yoga practice. When you leave Barre you feel strong and toned. The small movements and lighter weights make the class accessible to many different fitness levels, from the avid fitness person to someone who is just coming back to working out. If you are looking for a new workout routine or to add something new out give Barre a try!! It is challenging and rewarding at the same time. See you at the Barre!

Gail Brosnan

From a young age, I loved dance, whether creating my own dance with friends, or at my weekly dance classes after school. I loved the poise and beauty of ballet, the upbeat fun of jazz, and the creativity behind it all. This passion helped me find a love of fitness, and I soon added in running, spin, boot camp, yoga, and zumba classes. 

    Years later, after training for a half marathon, and multiple boot camp classes, I experienced chronic knee pain. After months of trying P.T. and rest, and even surgery, I still felt pain. So, I got a second opinion from a doctor. He told me what I needed where the 3 S’s: strength, stability, and stretching.

     I found all this and more in barre class. Amazingly, with the help of barre, I no longer experienced pain from simply walking, and felt stronger and healthier. Just like my former dance classes, I genuinely looked forward to barre class, and the work and fun it entailed. I kept coming back for more, perfected my form, and eventually trained to teach.

     I love everything about barre, from the inspiring and positive energy, the music, the modifications and challenges, the techniques and form, and the mind-body connection. I love how barre helps you to find the strength within to push yourself, without causing injury or stress upon your body. I hope to inspire others to find this same love of barre.

Linda Spolidoro

I took my first barre class at Lexington Power Yoga with the amazing Barre & Soul Method.  I admit I didn’t love it at first, but it fit into my schedule and so I reluctantly showed up. It didn’t take long before I was seeing and feeling the benefits and actually looking forward to class.

 One of the greatest benefits of my barre practice was how it helped with a chronic knee injury I’ve dealt with for most of my adult life due to a serious car accident. The best I hoped for was to keep it from restricting my activity too much. Through barre, the muscles surrounding my knee became so strong that I all but forgot about any limitations I might have had. It made me a stronger yogi, a better yoga instructor and confident in my own strength. It’s tough and it takes commitment, but If there is one thing that barre does for you, it is make you feel like a strong and confident bad-ass.

Mandy Schwartz

As a yoga instructor since 2009, Mandy is excited to add barre classes to the mix.  Mandy has been a committed student of barre for over four years and has found it to be an excellent complement to her yoga practice.  Building strength in a mindful and balanced way has helped Mandy find power and ease on her yoga mat and in life.  Students can expect a class that feels challenging and supportive, with the power of a strength workout and the mind-body connection of a yoga flow. With years of practice teaching all levels of students, Mandy offers options for beginners as well as options to advance when ready.  These classes are for everyone.  Tap into your power, support your practice, and get inspired.  See you at the barre!

Monique Hanafin

I was in high school when I discovered the magic of yoga. As a varsity three season athlete, I was desperate need to find relief from my Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Since I was 22 months old, I have struggled with this chronic illness and after my diagnosis, my parents were told I would most likely end up in a wheelchair, but that’s a story for another time! 
             I started doing on demand yoga workouts at home and fell in love with the physical practice. When I went off to college, I had a Denise Austin power yoga DVD that I would do in my dorm room. Practicing yoga helped me maintain a strong, flexible and balanced body while also alleviating pressure on my joints.
            After my freshman year in college, I decided to take my first live yoga class, which not only took my practice to the next level, but happened to present itself at the perfect time. My cousin, Renee, had just suddenly past away and yoga played a huge part in my emotional healing. After that first live class, I felt the happiest I had felt in months and I knew right then that I wanted to become an instructor. 
            Eventually, I became a children’s yoga instructor at the age of 19 and after two gratifying years of teaching yoga to children, I was ready to take the next step. I decided to go for my 200-hour yoga teacher training and started teaching adult classes immediately upon completion. And then came barre…
            After taking my first barre class, I was completely obsessed and again, instantly knew it was something I wanted to teach. I couldn’t believe how in just one hour, I could challenge every inch of my body (muscles I didn’t even know I had!) without any impact on my ever so sensitive joints. I showed up to the barre every single day for my daily dose of pulsing, tucking and squeezing and quickly got in the best shape of my life. I also was pleasantly surprised at how much my barre practice complimented my yoga practice. Barre strengthened my yoga muscles and I’ll never forget the first time I did crow pose, something that previously seemed impossible for an arthritic person like myself. From what I’ve learned through my own practice and from years of teaching is you don’t need to be in perfect health, in tip top physical shape or be able to bend yourself into a pretzel to practice yoga or barre.  Your practice is just that, a practice and a journey. It works for all different body types and you learn to embrace and celebrate your body for what it CAN do and not compare yourself to others.
            By the age of 22, I was teaching yoga and barre full time and almost four years later, I haven’t looked back yet. In addition to teaching vinyasa yoga and barre, I am reiki I attuned and specialize in teaching yoga to athletes, most notably for Harvard University. 
            Teaching is my passion in life. I feel so blessed to be able to do something I love everyday and teach such incredible students. I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring my positive energy and expertise to LPB @ LPY and I look forward to seeing you in class!