On Posted on by mchristensen to Theme of the Month

“We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.”

                                                                                                                – Max DePree

This month’s Word of the Month, Capacity, makes me think about pushing our limits; finding our own capacity and then stepping beyond that.

One definition of capacity is an individual’s mental or physical ability, aptitude or skill.

Each one of these words relates personally to me in regards to our Dailey Cycle program. I am a barre girl. I love barre classes. I feel my strongest and most graceful when I have a barre to hold onto. However, Dailey Cycle was a product that people wanted.

Owners, students, and our community wanted to have something that would give them a greater cardiovascular boost to increase their lung and heart strength. We developed a great product, I was proud of it and stood behind it. At the same time, I kept in the back of mind “this is not for me personally” or “I’m not a cardio girl”… “I’m not good at cycling.”

But alas, I am Jill Dailey. Should I really put my name on a product that I don’t own, or don’t participate in? Not if I strive to be authentic.

So about a year ago I started heading to Berkeley to take classes. OMG out of my comfort zone! I thought I was going to die. I had to hide in the back so no one would look at me or [even worse] try to follow me. I couldn’t keep up high RPMs and had to sit down quite a bit when we were cued to stand. But I persevered and increased my capacity as a result. A few months later I committed to adding the product into my Fairfax studio. I was hugely fortunate to have an enthusiastic, supportive and dedicated group of barre teachers that raised their hands to go through the training with me. While I did the build-out, we received the training and practiced and practiced and practiced some more. We were all good barre teachers but this was something completely new and pushed each one of our capacities in different ways. Mentally, physically, skill-wise and emotionally! I opened the doors in May and my community is embracing and loving the product. 

Guess what? I now call myself a Dailey Cycle teacher. I can keep up with the cadence. Sometimes I still have to sit down when others are standing. But I’ll get in the front row and not worry about people following me – because we’re told to listen to our own bodies and do what’s necessary for ourselves not compete with our neighbors. So I do just that. And I LOVE it.  

Inhale the future. Exhale the past.

The best part about of Dailey Cycle, and why it is so complementary to our other formats, is that you don’t have to sacrifice any of the core teachings of The Dailey Method® Barre classes. In fact, the core principles are just as important in Dailey Cycle, especially with the fast nature of the classes.

We always start with foundation and alignment on the bike, just like in our barre classes – by Aligning, Engaging, and Moving. We show you how to find your neutral spine position on a bike and remind you throughout class to go back there. We emphasize the back body support that is so integral to your well being and power on the bike. We teach you HOW to ride a bike which can help you be more successful anytime you jump onto a seat, whether it’s inside or outside.

What many people find surprising in a Dailey Cycle class is their own capacity to make it through their first time!  Luckily, TDM instructors load up the class with awesome music, creative, yet safe choreography, and different cadences to help you successfully improve speed, strength and aerobic ability. Almost immediately after incorporating a Cycle class into their week, TDM students talk about improved cardiovascular benefits. And let us not forget about the endorphins that only one class produces.

We first need to know our capacity, then we can exceed it!

How can you push yourself this month? How can you increase your capacity in one way or another? I’d love to hear!

We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.

Here’s to making the uncomfortable, comfortable!

-Jill

 

If you have the opportunity – here are the current TDM studios that offer Dailey Cycle:

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