Studio raises the Barre

HURON — A local woman made some major moves so dancers can reach their peaks while also helping others improve their well-being. Colleen Worthington recently opened The Barre Method, a dance and fitness collaboration studio, in Huron. Located at 524 Main St., it's in a plaza beside Executive Cleaners next to Main Street Tavern. Worthington, a Huron mother of five, has both a business and human resources background. She's familiar with dance because two of her children compete in dance and various sports. "This is a passion project that began with identifying a gap locally in offering barre fitness, which is a new concept to this area," Worthington said. She explained: "Yes, we welcome dancers in, and they do belong to other dance studios around, but we are not trying to steal anyone from anywhere. This just adds to what's there. We are offering training opportunities for dancers who are interested in increasing their techniques. This is a progression to, say, after a dancer graduates high school and wants to keep performing." Barre fitness represents a type of fitness routine combining disciplines of ballet, pilates and yoga. People, including Worthington, describe it as a low-impact, high-intensity workout focusing on core strength while toning various muscles. Those taking part in a class, open to anyone from 18 to 80, use a barre — pronounced like "bar," it's a stationary used for support — to perform various exercises. While many dancers take part in these classes, other non-performers do as well, Worthington said. She noticed the skills dancers gained from these classes and wanted to provide this opportunity to all others. "It's for everyone," said Worthington, noting her classes are tailored to all skill levels. "Taking a class here will improve all the elements of your wellness, and there are physiological benefits as well. People who are swimmers, baseball players, football players — any athlete really — can take a class here, and the skills learned are transferable and will help with their fundamentals." Worthington assembled what she considers a dream team around her: talented and trained industry professionals to lead these classes, providing trusted guidance to participants. This would include Renee Grime, a certified barre instructor who's taught for about three years. "Our bodies were created to move. And when we move them, we not only benefit physically but emotionally and mentally," said Grime, a licensed physical therapist. "Barre offers an opportunity to train the whole person in strength, endurance, balance, mobility and posture with the added benefit of community to bring encouragement and joy." People can learn more about The Barre Method, including a full schedule, by visiting thebarremethodhuron.com. It also has an Instagram account. "This whole place is meant to be centered on community," Worthington said. "This is growing, and there is a huge demand for barre fitness. We are just bringing it here, to Huron, so people can learn and improve their health and gain confidence in themselves."