MEET TEJA
Hi Barre Fam, my name is Teja. I have dedicated my life to fitness and am blessed to have the opportunity to share this lifestyle with all of you. I’ve had quite the journey to get me where I am today, so here’s my story and how I found the barre.
I’m a mom of 2 precious lil babes and a wife to the most incredible husband, all of whom I adore more than anything. I’m also a certified Barre instructor, Founder of The Barre Teja, creator of The BT Method and a lover of all things fitness.
Being an athlete was my true identity. In high school, I played 4 sports, on top of being a dancer, national power tumbler, and Triple A softball player. Back then, training 30 hours a week and going from one sport to another was my normal. Now? Fitting in an hour workout is truly a miracle. (I know you get it!)
I travelled the world as a power tumbler on Team Canada, winning a silver medal at the Pan Am Championships. My dream to perform as a Cirque du Soleil acrobat was within reach. Unfortunately, being an elite athlete, an injury was almost inevitable. After years of enduring a bad back, I suffered 2 spinal fractures and my body forced me into retirement before I was mentally ready. Adding insult to injury (literally), this happened just months before the World Tumbling Championships. It was a low time for me — who was I without gymnastics? But, as a multi-sport athlete, my body was used to moving — even if that meant moving on.
At 19, I accepted a full ride to Winthrop University on a Division I softball scholarship. I headed down to South Carolina, where I completed both my undergraduate degree and MBA. (I know. I was all over the place!)
I am beyond grateful for the journey sports and fitness have taken me on, but there is a painful piece of my story I have rarely shared. From the outside looking in, everyone told me my life was “perfect!” I have a hard time with that word…perfect. It was something I always strived and trained for, yet it was never realistic or attainable. For years, I quietly suffered with my mental health in the form of an eating disorder. It’s something many people probably never knew. I would obsess over working out (for the wrong reasons), controlling what I did and didn’t eat and everything in between. I hid my pain and daily struggles until I was finally forced to get help. The way I looked at myself was completely different from what the rest of the world saw, but slowly — and I mean SLOWLLLLLYYYYY — this stopped being the center of my universe. Don’t get me wrong, I still have off days (don’t we all?) but this no longer consumes my every thought, my every action. We never really know what someone else is going through; no one’s life is perfect. We all struggle in different ways, but always remember — you are never alone. Whoever, however, or wherever you are — you’re always welcome at The Barre Teja.
ABOUT THE BT METHOD
Through it all, I loved athletics. They provided me with clarity, purpose and belonging. Even after my competitive sports career was over, I kept going, completing a half ironman, practicing hot yoga and finally, finding my new passion at the barre.
I loved the concept of barre: A high-intensity, low-impact, full-body workout that agreed with my body. The higher-impact, jerking, heavy-lifting workouts were no longer right for me — or my back. The barre made me feel fitter, healthier, and stronger than ever. It was a feeling I wanted to share with others, and that was the start of it all!
This is the reason I wanted to teach– to help others love themselves and feel confident, strong and vibrant in their own skin. After becoming a Certified Barre Instructor, I greatly valued traditional barre classes, but with my vast and varied fitness background, I began creating my own approach: The Barre Teja Method.
The BT Method is an intricate, full body practice. It channels your energy through focused, low-impact movements to burn, transform and sculpt your body into defined lean lines. This technique gives the classic workout a burning twist. It has the fundamental barre movements at its core, but it is also heavily intertwined with elements from a series of multiple fitness practices.
This methodology of movement has transformed my body into what I have always wanted it to be, giving me the confidence, I rarely found even during the pinnacle of my athletic career(s). The BT Method is more than a workout. It’s a lifestyle and positive way to incorporate movement into your daily routine. Do the BT Method on its own, or add it to any other type of workout — anywhere, on your time.
The moments you set aside for movement are so important for your mental health. Exercise has the ability to clear your mind and can bring a sense of strength and peace to your day. Whether you spend 10 minutes, 30 minutes or a full hour, moving can make you feel more confident and an overall better you.
So, that is my mission – to help you find the best version of yourself through the euphoric high of movement. Here, you are a part of a family. This is a safe place for you to be yourself, to be vulnerable and to focus on the improvements and goals you want to make.
No matter who you are, make the time for movement. Transform your lifestyle and build a healthier, stronger, more confident mind, body and YOU. And Barre Fam, just know: You are all so loved in so many ways.
Love your movement, love yourself, love your lifestyle. Together, let’s keep on burning!
– Teja xo
