No, The Recovery Barre meetings are always free to attend. There is never any expectation or requirement to donate in order to participate. If you feel led, you may choose to donate directly to your community's instructor to help cover costs like space rental or time spent preparing. Meeting-donated funds go directly to the independent instructor and/or host facility, not The Recovery Barre nonprofit, and are therefore not tax-deductible.

In many cases, no registration is required to attend The Recovery Barre. However, some host sites may use their own online platform to collect liability waivers and manage expected attendance. You are welcome to email your meeting location instructor, listed on our meeting directory, for details.

The movement portion of class blends low-impact Pilates, yoga, strength training, and barre concepts, and are most often taught without the use of a physical barre. No experience is needed, and you don’t have to know what barre is to join in. Every instructor is certified through The Recovery Barre’s accredited training, where they learn to lead equipment-free, welcoming, approachable classes that use uplifting, body-neutral instruction. Each class offers options for all experience levels and empowers you to choose what feels best for your body. Many classes, especially those held in community or recovery centers, will be taught barre-free. Some studio-based locations with built-in barres may choose to use the barre or light equipment. This will be noted on the meeting directory, and will be taught using the same approachable format. You do not need to be familiar with using a barre. At the heart of The Recovery Barre is the belief that joyful, accessible movement and connection can be powerful tools in sobriety. Whether you're brand new to exercise or not, you belong here!

Barre is a low-impact blend of strength training, Pilates, and yoga. While traditional barre classes are named for the ballet barre used in workouts, The Recovery Barre is designed to be taught without one—so anyone can join in, no matter the setting. Classes combine elements of yoga and Pilates with foundational movement patterns that support everyday life. No prior experience or equipment is required, making it easy to adapt to any space and any fitness level. Barre is an excellent way to build muscular endurance and improve whole-body stabilization in a low-impact, accessible way.

Many host sites will provide you with a yoga mat, but if you have access to your own and prefer to use it, you are welcome to bring it. Your meeting directory will provide you with more location-specific details about whether a mat is provided or if you are encouraged to bring one. Please bring water and wear clothing you feel comfortable moving in.

No. The Recovery Barre is not a treatment program and should not replace mental health counseling, medical treatment, 12-step programs, or any other professional recovery services. Instead, it serves as an additional tool and supportive community to complement the sober journey by providing an encouraging space to connect with other sober individuals and experience joy through movement together.

The Recovery Barre Community Agreements are read at the beginning of every meeting to help create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants. These agreements are designed to foster respect, compassion, and connection among our community while protecting the integrity of The Recovery Barre format. They serve as shared values and general guidelines that, by participating in the Recovery Barre, you agree to uphold.

Absolutely! Anyone who has a desire to explore sobriety, or is simply curious about living a sober lifestyle for any reason, is welcome at The Recovery Barre. You don’t need to know what route you choose in order to show up. By listening to others share their experiences, you may naturally begin to find your own path. You might relate to their stories, or you might not. Either way, you are welcome here and your presence matters.

The length of The Recovery Barre meetings may vary by location, but most last around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Typically, half the time is dedicated to community sharing, and the other half to movement. Meetings and classes will naturally vary slightly by location and instructor. (ex. If a meeting is being held at a barre studio, they may choose to have a longer class. If a meeting is at a recovery center, they may choose to have a longer discussion). Meeting duration and other important details will be listed on our meeting directory page.

For the safety and well-being of everyone, we ask that participants have at least 48 hours of continuous sobriety before attending, or receive clearance from a medical professional if they have recently completed treatment. Before joining class, your studio location will provide a waiver to review and sign, confirming these guidelines.