Today we’d like to introduce you to Corinne Wainer.
Corinne, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Today (or let’s say July 1st because that’s when SHAKTIBARRE classes start in LA!) we are the same yoga-barre empowerment hub you know from New York now expanding to the West Coast.
We got here — to 11 classes a week hosted by The Space Samo and Yogala — by way of becoming known and loved for our unique barre methodology as well as a reputation for being inclusive, expressive, affordable, and inspiring our students to use yoga and barre as tools for both a physical challenge and a way to explore our emotional and spiritual inner worlds by breathing through, sweating by way of, rejoicing during, and feeling within mindful movement.
We typically found boutique fitness to be expensive, so we created more attainable prices as well as a sliding-scale option when in hardship. We also had only experienced barre as subtly competitive, highly commercialized, and lacking in any real depth, henceforward our signature classes incorporate tools such as learning how to move without mirrors, finding new ways to approach and befriend our bodies one muscle group at a time, productive dialogue during class, eclectic teachers and music, plus an understanding that we are practicing on any given day to motivate our collective energy toward an activated and actionable life.
Has it been a smooth road?
The path to LA has been all in all a wonderful opportunity to answer our Los Angeles friends when they continually advocated for a barre class that didn’t break their wallet, make them feel excluded, or immerse them in a culture of fitness that felt too surface level to really know a deeper relationship with it (or even one is possible) and felt too results-based to really turn down.
For example, Venice resident and The Audacity Journal’s founder Teju Owoye declared, “I am sooo beyond thrilled SHAKTIBARRE is coming to LA. What you have going on in Williamsburg, Harlem, and Dumbo over there on the East Coast is BEYOND. Talk about the boldness I encourage in my journal!” Up in Topanga Canyon, Rachel Pringle Urb (who is releasing her poetry book very soon!) echoed her acknowledgment of SHAKTIBARRE’s deep resonance with barre students and beyond as she’d led workshops with us back in New York and experienced it herself. Further, Gabby of LA’s famous MyBeauty Truck expressed that in all her years of championing women’s empowerment, she’s “feeling incredibly happy and blessed to have an ally in that realm and to know that these SHAKTIBARRE classes uplift a huge market of deserving women touches my heart.”
That being said, I’d say the hardest struggle on this road to LA growth was leaving New York for a while. We received lots of messages from students saying they would miss me, yet entrusted our team of co-founder Shauny Lamba, Dumbo co-owner Jasmine McCarthy, Regional Manager Sami Aviles, and an exceptional group of nearly 40 teachers and 18 ambassadors to keep the New York classes lively, of quality, and with that special Shakti sauce.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with SHAKTIBARRE – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As a company, we are a yoga-barre studio and community space offering movement classes and wellness education that is accessible and sustainable.
Our proudest moments always come from heartwarming student experiences and reviews (you can find over 20,000 on ClassPass for example, and yes our LA classes are available via ClassPass AND Mindbody!), and additionally I’ve truly enjoyed recognition we’ve received as wellness industry game-changers from Reebok, VOGUE, The New York Times, Self Magazine, Well and Good, Wanderlust Journal, and more.
Last but not least, for me feeling proud comes in the small moments with great attention and care. Looking back now at all the hard work it took to bring SHAKTIBARRE classes to LA, like when we did our first video with Popsugar in their Los Angeles headquarters, to know the dream will become a reality this summer is… well I have no words. And certainly the idea is someday we may build our own studio here too, so tell your friends!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Love the transparency and happy to divulge my LA glows and grows (which is a term I got from teaching literature and psychology way back in the day, and we currently use both when giving teachers feedback and when replying to public reviews). Mainly, the aspects I love best about the city are supportive people you’ll find just about anywhere. I blame it on the extra sunshine you get compared to us New Yorkers. For instance, Lauren and Vanessa of The Space have helped us every step of the way, such as our pre-launch event on May 11th where they rallied all the other fitness brands on-site (The SexyFit Workout, Katie’s Cakes, The Ballet Spot, The Movement — there we so many more ahhh definitely visit their website). In my humble opinion, Lauren and Vanessa are fellow visionaries in the land of collaboration over competition and I couldn’t think of ANY place more appropriate to launch this LA Shakti baby.
Similarly, other LA entrepreneurs and leaders like Chris Keener of GOLDENAIR, Sara Moss’ Rita House, Deena Hyatt of Mindbody Grace, Alexandra Roxo (who has just about a million life-altering programs for women), Beauty Cafe by Lisa Slavik, and Crystal Fawn from The Wing LA (which I’m a member of!) have all relentlessly shared their love, insight, and strategy as I navigate familiarizing SHAKTIBARRE with her new digs.
What don’t I like about LA? Honestly only the cars. I’ve already mapped out waking plans from Santa Monica to Echo Park and back to get my cardio in, worry my mom, and save my “going crazy” for the way I teach. See you in class!
P.S. if anyone was wondering, our colorful logo with open yogini arms represents engaging in a barre class that meets you where you are. Whatever your mood, level of fitness, background, socioeconomic status, gender, of beliefs, we encourage vulnerability and modifications to truly stay in your truth and awareness during the entirety of class. Tone, lengthen, and awaken your body and mind (however they show up that day) in this unique yoga-barre workout combining isometric ballet movements with chakra activation, powerful vinyasa, and empowering meditation.
Pricing:
- There’s a New Client Special for $35 and its 1 week of unlimited classes!
- Single classes are $24 (or $15 if you make less than $60K annually), and packages/memberships are even more affordable.
Contact Info:
- Address: LA classes are held at The Space (3009 Lincoln Blvd) and Yogala (1840 Echo Park Drive) so check the schedule for times and double check you’re headed to the proper location (:
- Website: http://www.shaktibarre.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/shaktibarre
Image Credit:
Diego Bazán
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
