Daily Inspiration: Meet Elissa Hazel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elissa Hazel.

Hi Elissa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you so much for having me and giving me the opportunity to share my story. I like to say that I found my passion while chasing a dream. After I completed my BA in psychology from the University of Nebraska, I came back home to Arvada ready to kick start my life. There was one problem, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I have a background in cheer/dance so keeping that in mind I started scrolling Indeed when I came across a listing titled “Barre Instructor, No Experience Needed”.

I read the description and applied, after taking a couple of barre classes I signed up for the training. If I am being completely honest, my first job as a barre instructor was a complete disaster. I quit after 6 months of receiving my certification to teach and thought I would never go back. After much consideration, I decided to go back to school to complete my cosmetology license.

I quickly figured out I needed a job that was flexible while I was in school which is how I landed back in the barre studio. I started teaching 6 classes a week at Arvada Barre while going to school full-time. Every class I taught I fell more and more in love with what I was doing.

I was watching my clients gain confidence and mobility and more importantly fall in love with themselves. I quickly realized that while being behind the chair as a stylist was a dream, being a barre instructor is my passion. That was back in 2018, while I have taught at other studios Arvada Barre has always been my home.

That studio and those clients have helped shape me into the instructor I am today. They stumbled through sloppy first classes with me, took virtual classes during COVID with me, watched me get married, watched me become a mother, all while taking countless hours of certifications and classes to become the best instructor that I could be.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My first job as a barre instructor definitely tore away my self-confidence. I was hired on at a studio that was failing and held the training to benefit financially from it. After the training, they had no intentions of keeping us on the roster of teachers. Very slowly I was pushed out by blaming small class numbers and members leaving on my teaching abilities.

At that time I truly believed what I was being told. I was brand new in this profession and didn’t understand that becoming a great instructor takes time. I truly thought I would never walk into a studio again when I left there. Now as a lead teacher, I tell any new instructor that it will take time, it will not be overnight and that is okay. Give yourself grace.

It took almost a year of teaching six classes a week for my confidence to slowly come back. I have taken the challenge that was my first 6 months of teaching and I have helped it shape me into the lead teacher that I am today. I hope that any new instructor I come across feels like they can ask any question, that it is okay to mess up, and that they will become a strong instructor with practice.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have specialized my career in pre/postnatal barre. Years ago there was a line of thought that women shouldn’t exercise while pregnant. Now we know that exercise can be beneficial for soon-to-be mothers. As long as they are cleared by the doctor for exercise. Having that said, not every instructor or trainer has the education to give a soon-to-be mom a safe and effective workout.

I have specialized in this arena, I pride myself in knowing when, where, and how mom should be moving at all times during one of my classes. I love walking through this journey of life with them and welcoming them back after they have had their baby. This also brings a different set of movement challenges that once again most are not aware of.

After having a baby, the body changes dramatically, knowing how it has changed and how we can help strengthen particular areas of a postpartum body is crucial for a mom to feel and be successful. The core, hips, glutes, and pelvic floor are challenging areas to understand but oh-so glorious when trained properly.

I have countless clients who are newly postpartum, who have kids who are older, or who have kids who are grown adults, that no longer have back pain and have a stronger connection to their core because of the proper training they receive in my classes. I love all of my clients but the pre/postnatal community will always hold a special part of my heart.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people don’t know that I am HORRIBLE with knowing my right from my left. Although, all of my clients know this about me, it is something I have to admit to them as I simply forget which leg is in fact the moving leg and which is the static leg until I look at my hands for the L. You would think this would get better over time since I have to use the left side and right side during every class but man it simply gets me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @elissa_barrefitness