About | The Recovery Barre

Inclusive fitness class helping break stigma around recovery and wellness.

Why We Exist

Exercise is a powerful and effective tool for supporting physical and mental wellbeing in recovery. Although it is highly effective, it remains vastly underutilized–but not for lack of interest. One study found 95% of people in treatment want it included in their recovery plan.

With 1 in 6 Americans experiencing a substance use disorder last year (SAMHSA, 2025), making exercise more accessible to the recovery population has the potential to not only benefit individuals, but transform entire communities. Still, barriers such as cost, access, and lack of population-specific programming keep this resource out of reach for many.

The Recovery Barre exists to fill that gap.

By combining accessible movement with community-centered practices, we're on a mission building strong, connected communities that harness the mental and physical benefits of movement.

We carry out this mission in two ways:

Instructor Training – Equipping leaders with the tools, knowledge, and support to launch The Recovery Barre meetings and classes in their own communities.
Nonprofit Impact (501(c)(3)) – Funding training scholarships, providing mats and resources, and collaborating with mission-aligned organizations to build healthier communities and broaden opportunities to wellness.

Whether you're here to support, give, or lead, your presence makes a difference. Together, we can build stronger communities, expand access to wellness, and create new pathways to recovery.

We believe that movement is an essential tool for wellness, and access to healthy, connected communities empowers lasting recovery.

Our Mission

To expand access to wellness in sobriety by building strong, connected communities that harness the mental and physical benefits of movement.

Sober men and women in recovery from alcohol and substance use disorder perform a mat-based Pilates exercise in The Recovery Barre class, combining movement, mindfulness, and community support for sobriety.

An instructor leads The Recovery Barre meeting, guiding participants through a supportive blend of community discussion, sobriety support, and movement-based practices for healing and connection.

Our Vision

To provide uplifting recovery communities that unite movement and connection, where anyone seeking sobriety feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Leadership

Ashlynn Howe, Founder & President

Ashlynn Howe

Ashlynn Howe is the creator of The Recovery Barre instructor training and nonprofit organization. After hosting The Recovery Barre meetings virtually in 2021, she recognized the demand for sober movement opportunities when over 350 women signed up with interest in just a few months. This inspired the creation of an instructor training, designed to reach more people in recovery in their own communities.

With a B.A. in Communication and an M.Ed. in School Counseling from Grand Valley State University, Ashlynn brings nearly a decade of experience as a school counselor to The Recovery Barre, as well as professional experience working in nonprofit writing and communications. She also has eight years of lived experience in recovery, shaping her passion for helping others in sobriety find joy, fun, and freedom in movement.

In addition to leading The Recovery Barre nonprofit, Ashlynn is the Director of Marketing and Communications for Fit Pro Programming, teaches multiple group fitness classes each week, and leads instructor certification trainings. She presented at the SCW fitness conference in Chicago in 2025, and creates monthly musicality-driven classes for thousands of Barre Above and Pumped Up Strength instructors as a creative choreography member.

Years in the making and shaped by the hearts of many, The Recovery Barre carries deep significance for Ashlynn. Inspired by her own experience of community as a lifeline in sobriety, she created this space to give back that same comfort, connection, and hope to anyone seeking recovery.

Danielle Paoni, Treasurer & Community Development

Danielle Paoni

Danielle Paoni is an educator, counselor, and community leader passionate about enhancing mental health and wellbeing by building systems that nurture strong, community-wide connections. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Spring Arbor University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Currently, she is pursuing her Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership & Development, furthering her expertise in creating sustainable change in education and mental health.

Danielle is the creator of Every Student Known, a school-wide initiative designed to combat teacher burnout, reduce student isolation, and address behavior and mental health risks through intentional connection. Her current work and impact as a High School Counselor has been featured in multiple news outlets and presented at EdCon, highlighting her dedication to reimagining how schools support both students and staff.

With a blend of clinical insight and organizational leadership, Danielle brings deep experience in counseling, education, and systems design to The Recovery Barre, helping expand access to wellness and community.

Annika Thatcher, Secretary & Outreach

Annika Thatcher

Annika Thatcher brings a powerful blend of professional expertise in advertising and over three years of lived experience in recovery to The Recovery Barre. She is currently pursuing her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Cornerstone University, with a focus on alcohol and drug counseling.

After earning her B.A. in Communication from the University of Washington, Annika spent nearly a decade in Chicago leading advertising teams at top tech companies, including Microsoft, Simpli.fi, and AdAdapted. Following her move to West Michigan, she felt called to shift toward work that is more human-centered and healing-focused.

A certified Barre Above instructor, Annika is passionate about integrating movement, mental health, and recovery. She brings both professional expertise and personal insight to The Recovery Barre board and is passionate about creating communities where every individual feels seen, heard, and supported in their growth.

Your gift helps create access to wellness by funding scholarships, providing mats, and bringing sober movement communities to life. Together, we can ignite hope and joy through movement!

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