Barre on the Beat with Shayna Singh
What was your first introduction to barre?
My first introduction to barre was honestly through curiosity after having my second child. I kept
hearing about it and did some research. I loved that it was a blend of ballet, strength, and
endurance. And I felt that is what my body needed after becoming a mom of 2. I was craving
low impact workouts that felt good. I walked into a class not really knowing what to expect, just
knowing I wanted to try something different. And I fell in love after my first class in 2021
And be honest—what did it feel like walking into that space? Did you feel like you
belonged?
A good friend introduced me to barre. So, I did feel comfortable. But I also did not see anyone
who looked like me taking the classes. Once I switched studios, it was the same thing. I was the
only black young girl in class. But the owner of the studio was fantastic and always made me
feel welcome. And that alone kept me going.
At what point did you go from participant to thinking, I could teach this… but maybe
differently?
That shift happened when I realized I loved the method. I had a fitness page that was dedicated
to strength training. But I wanted to show women that there was a method out there that can also
build strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance, all while feeling good. My fitness page
slowly turned into a barre fitness page, but I was not certified. This is what made me start
looking into getting certified. Because if I am going to be showing my love for barre, I wanted
to do it the right way.
Tell me about your certification—where did you train?
I trained through a traditional barre certification program, where the focus was on form,
structure, and technique. It gave me a strong foundation in the method and helped me understand
the “why” behind the movements. I chose an online program called American Barre Technique.
This certification allowed me to train at my own pace while still working full-time along with
being a wife and a mom to two small children. I also was mentored during live barre classes to
help me with my form, technique, and teaching style.
What did your training actually prepare you for, and what did it not prepare you for?
It prepared me to teach safely and effectively. To understand alignment, sequencing, and how to
structure a class. What it didn’t prepare me for was how to hold space for different bodies,
different identities, and different lived experiences. It didn’t teach me how to create connections
or community. That part, I had to learn on my own.
There’s a big difference between being certified and being experienced, how did you grow
into your teaching voice?
By teaching. By messing up. By trying things that didn’t land and adjusting in real time. Over
time, I stopped trying to sound like what I thought an instructor should sound like and started
sounding like myself. That’s when everything shifted. My confidence, my connection with
clients, and the energy in the room. I started doing barre my way! And never turned back!
You created Barre On the Beat. Why?
Because I wanted something that felt like me, and I knew I wasn’t the only one. I wanted a space
where barre didn’t feel rigid or exclusive, but rhythmic, expressive, and welcoming for everyone.
What was missing for you in other barre spaces?
Representation, first and foremost. But also, energy. Music that moved you. A sense of cultural
awareness. And an environment where you didn’t feel like you had to shrink or assimilate to fit
in.
Your use of music is a defining part of your classes. What does that unlock for your clients
that other classes you’ve experienced don’t?
Music changes everything. It makes the work feel less mechanical and more embodied. It allows
people to connect emotionally, not just physically. When the music hits and the beat drops,
people let go a little. They stop overthinking and start feeling. And most of all have a great time
while working out to Hip Hop, R&B, Reggaeton, Soca, and more. That’s where the magic
happens.
What do you want people to feel in your class beyond the workout?
I want them to feel seen. I want them to feel stress free. And I want them to leave feeling more
connected to themselves than when they walked in.
When you entered the barre world, did you see yourself reflected in it?
No, not really. And that absence is loud, even when no one says anything about it.
Because I’ve seen it for years, barre can feel very homogeneous. Have you experienced
that?
Absolutely. It’s something a lot of people feel but don’t always say out loud. The perfect
aesthetic, the culture, the expectations can feel very narrow. There are some places that are a
copy and paste type of vibe. And I did not want barre on the beat to feel that way.
Do your classes look different? And if so, why do you think that is?
They do. And I think that’s because people can feel when something is genuinely inclusive
versus performative. When you create space with intention, people who’ve been on the outside
of traditional fitness spaces start to see a place for themselves. The space I host my classes at
isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing, but it is a huge space and just what I need. The Music I
play speaks for itself. And the people who come to my classes are from all walks of life. This is
what makes my classes look different and welcoming.
Did you feel like you had to go out on your own to create that kind of diversity, instead of
finding it in existing spaces?
Yes. I didn’t see what I needed, so I built it. And I feel everyone can see the diversity in my
classes. I do not target one specific race or ethnic group. And that I what makes my classes so
diverse.
Also, some huge fitness chains and local studios can lock you in to their way of teaching, their
music, their sequences, and their rules. As a creative person, that is very restricting. Now that I
have my own barre business, I can create a space that feels warm, welcoming, and diverse. And
most importantly, a space that feels like me.
You’re not just teaching classes, you’re creating a space. What are you intentionally doing
to make people feel like they belong?
From the language I use, to the music I choose, to the way I acknowledge different bodies and
abilities. I’m always thinking about inclusion. I greet people, I learn names, I create an
environment where no one feels invisible. I want to build a community and not just a typical
class.
What’s something a client has said to you that made you stop and think, this is why I do
this?
When someone tells me, “I really had a bad day today and almost cancelled class, but your
energy and this class is just what I needed”. that stays with me. That’s bigger than a workout,
that’s impact. Something that I hope to continue to do in my journey.
Have you seen your work change how people view barre or even themselves?
Yes, and that’s been one of the most rewarding parts. People come in thinking barre isn’t for
them, and leave realizing they’ve been capable all along. Or I have people who think barre looks
so easy and simple. And when they leave, they are like Whoa, that was a great workout. But the
most important thing I see in my classes is my clients confidence shoot through the roof! You
can tell by their clothing being more fitted as they are feeling more comfortable. You can tell by
how confident they show up at the barre with their form improving each class.
How does your identity shape the way you show up as an instructor and a leader?
I don’t separate who I am from what I do. I think growing up in New Britain, CT had a huge
impact on how I connect with people. New Britain is so diverse. I always had close friends of
different races and cultures. That also helped me with my full-time job in social services and
now pharmacy. And my family and friends who really knows me, they will say that I am always
in good spirits, their biggest cheerleader, and someone who is overall supportive. All these
things have helped me be the leader and the instructor I am today.
Do you feel a responsibility being a visible Black woman in a space where that’s still not the
norm?
I do. Not in a way that feels like pressure, but in a way that feels purposeful. Visibility matters,
and I’m aware that someone might walk into the room and feel more comfortable simply because
I’m there. And I am okay with that.
And on the flip side—what has been the hardest part of showing up authentically in this
industry?
Not shrinking. Not adjusting myself to fit expectations that were never built with me in mind.
Staying grounded in who I am, even when that challenges the norm.
You’ve been in this space, so I’m going to ask you directly… what does the barre industry
still get wrong?
It still leans too heavily on a narrow image of who barre is “for.” That impacts everything from
marketing to hiring to the overall experience.
There’s a lot of talk about diversity right now… do you feel like real change is happening
or is it still surface-level?
There’s movement, but a lot of it is still surface-level. Real change requires consistency,
investment, and a willingness to shift power and not just optics and aesthetics.
What’s next for Barre On the Beat?
Growth but intentional growth. Expanding the reach while protecting the integrity of what makes
it special. I am excited for what the future can look like for barre on the beat.
What does success look like for you, not by industry standards, but by your own?
Success looks like impact. It looks like people feeling seen, returning, bringing others, and
building community. I want other women and mothers, like me, to feel that they can take 45-60
min out of their busy schedules and do something for them. Do something to help their mental
and physical health. And that it is okay to take a break from being home with your children. It
is okay to choose yourself so that you can be the best version of yourself for your children and
loved ones.
What do you want to see for people of color in barre, and not just as clients, but as
instructors and studio owners?
I want to see more ownership, more leadership, and more visibility across all levels. And not as
exceptions, but as the norm.
What still needs to change for that to happen?
Access, mentorship, and opportunity. And a shift in who gets supported and elevated.
And what would you say to someone who’s interested in barre, but doesn’t see themselves
represented?
You belong, even if the space hasn’t caught up yet. And if you can’t find the space you need,
know that it’s possible to create it.
Finish this: Barre wasn’t built with us in mind, but _____
…but that doesn’t mean we can’t redefine it.
The biggest misconception about barre is _____
…that it’s easy and a workout modality that cannot get you in shape. But it’s quite the opposite.
It’s challenging, it’s a full-body workout, it can reshape your body when consistent!
In my classes, you don’t have to be ______, you just have to be ______.
You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be present and try your best.
Representation in fitness matters because…
…it shapes who feels welcome, who feels capable, and who even walks through the door in the
first place.