November 11, 2019
BBW MEMBER INTERVIEW WITH: Christina Schwefel, Owner of Forme Barre Fitness (I’m also a psychologist!)
What is your name and occupation?
Christina Schwefel, Owner of Forme Barre Fitness (I'm also a psychologist!)
How long have you been a Boston Business Women’s Member?
Less than a year
What is your instagram handle?
@formebarre
Were you born and raised in Boston? If not, what brought you here?
Yes, I was! In West Roxbury.
Tell us more about your job or company and what led you to your career?
I am the owner of Forme Barre, a boutique fitness company offering research-driven barre classes that are classic, safe and effective. Forme customizes props and choreography to activate and engage under-trained muscle groups through high repetition and isometric work, all while prioritizing postural alignment and recovery. I started as a yoga and pilates teacher and then trainer in NYC for many years before teaching barre -- I loved how barre brought together so many of my worlds into one exercise class. I also loved how it helped strengthen my back and posture. Having grown up with scoliosis, I found many of my back issues re-emerged after my first pregnancy and Forme Method literally helped to correct my spinal alignment and relieve any back pain.
What would your clients say about you and your company?
I think clients would say that we are a company that cares! We pride ourselves on getting to know our clients and their postural patterns. We make a lot of adjustments but also want clients to learn to recognize their own patterns and ultimately, to self-correct. I also often refer to myself as a bit of a nerd, because I love research (I am a professor of counseling psychology) and I have applied a lot of these practices to Forme Method. Our method is driven by research and consultation with experts in classical ballet technique, biomechanics, and physical therapy. Clients can feel and notice these influences when taking class and often remark that we are very different from most barre classes out there.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
My mentor once told me, ``you can do it all, but you can't do it all at once.`` It sounds simple, but it makes so much good sense.
What is your favorite book?
To Kill A Mockingbird
What is your secret weapon? An app, a tool, a organization method, anything?! (Can be a personal or professional life tool)
Our family uses the Cozi App to organize the day to day, and it is a life saver!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell myself to enjoy every moment and try to be as present as possible, instead of always focusing on what's next.
How do you enjoy your free time?
With my four children! Three of them play hockey, so that keeps us very busy. And the fourth is only 2 years old. Our happy place as a family is on Nantucket.
What is something that not many people know about you?
I was a huge Grateful Dead fan in high school and saw them play several times before Jerry died.
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