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Low Bar

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My friend Oliver introduced me to the Low Bar concept years ago;

“Set the bar low and leap over it.“

As someone who is consistently feeling underacccomplished, this concept is is met with skeptism and curiousity.

But what the hell, setting the expectations high and falling short hasn’t really been working for me for the last 40 years, time to try something different.

Mostly joking but in all seriousness, setting the bar high often leads to anxiety and feelings of failure within me and I am still not convinced that my behavior changes, as in, I work harder.

I am doing an experiment and applying the “low bar” concept to several aspects of my life this month, including my professional shift that is starting this week as I go fully independent in my teaching, You can read more about Gracefulfitness Pilates here.

As far as my physical “goals”, here’s my Low Bar plan for the rest of the month:

  • Walk 1 Mile Day
  • Do Tabata-style* Planks Monday/Wednesday/Friday
  • Spend 10 Minutes A Day on Mobility

Even as I wrote the above “plan” my brain screamed, “that’s not enough!!”.

Then I remembered last month. I set running mileage goals and Pilates goals and I totally missed the mark. As a result I felt embarrassed, a little bit of shame, a sense of failure. I had set completely self-imposed meaningless expectations on myself and fell short. Again.

These are my bare minimums, my low bar. I am in Portland, Oregon for the next month or so, spending time with my sister and her family. She’s due with her second baby next week so life is uniquely unpredictable right now. Perfect timing to be kind and realistic with my expectations both professionally and personally.

So why set expectations at all?

I do well with freedom & flexibility but I also like loose perimeters, checking things off the list, a measurable sense of accomplishment. This is especially true when life is out of the ordinary and out of established routine, as it has been the last 7 months and is again for me with this trip.

Do you tend to set the bar high or low? Do you leap over it no matter how high you set it or do you tend to throw in the towel if the expectations are high?

Anyone want to join me for my Low Bar Plan, or make your own?

Big Announcement!

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Faith Levine Pilates

2020; the year of self-evaluations, re-evaluations, and pivots.


With a heart full of love and gratitude, I am leaving Posture Studio Pilates.


Posture has served as a wonderful “homebase” for me professionally for the last 6 years. At the end of the day, it was time for me to fly the nest and fully launch Gracefulfitness as my main teaching platform, something I’ve dabbled with for 10 years but hadn’t been ready to fully embrace the self-employed life.


I’m ready now!

Or at least, I’m doing it!


I’m thrilled and anxious and a wee bit overwhelmed for sure.


Mostly grateful and excited for this new phase of life.


Here’s what I am offering starting NEXT WEEK.


Virtual Pilates-based Private & Duet Sessions Through Zoom.

These sessions are geared around the space you have available, your physical needs, props you have on hand (or none!).

Clients have reported being so pleased with the detail and clarity with which I can see their movement and bodies through the screen and the ease of following my comprehensive verbal cuing.

You can find more details, pricing, and schedule an appointment HERE


Virtual Pilates Mat Classes Through Zoom

Wednesday’s 5:30pm

If you cannot attend “live”, class will be available “On Demand” for one week.

Sign up for class and find information HERE

More VIRTUAL classes to be added next month, including Dance Conditioning.


The last piece of the announcement is that I will be operating out of a physical space in the nearish future, in addition to my virtual offerings.


My brand new pilates reformer and stability chair are ordered and on their way!!

In the meantime, I am traveling to Oregon to “move in” with my sister’s family. They will be welcoming their second daughter shortly and I’m thrilled to be able to spend this transitional time with them.

I intend to be back in Charlottesville and booking In Person Private Sessions just before Thanksgiving.


As crazy a time as it is to completely shake things up, “quit” my job, and assume more professional risk, it also feels like quite perfect timing for me personally.

Thank you so mush, those of you who have already shown me such sweet support in this new endeavor and thank you in advance for supporting Gracefulfitness!

Please follow the blog, instagram, or Facebook to make sure to stay up to date on class offerings. Or, reach out to me directly with any questions that you may have about booking a session. I will continue to share free content on Gracefulfitness YouTube and periodic blog posts here.