Luma’s Barre classes in Edinburgh’s New Town are something a little special, and that’s largely down to who’s teaching them.
Our Barre instructors bring professional dance backgrounds and decades of specialist experience into every class, creating something you simply can't find at a standard gym or fitness studio.
Barre Classes
in Edinburgh
Grace, strength and people who really know their craft. Luma Barre
The classes themselves blend the precision of Pilates with the elegance of ballet: small, controlled movements that target the muscles you didn't know you had, combined with sequences that build genuine strength and improve your posture in ways that stay with you long after you've left the studio. Expect to work at the barre, on the mat, and occasionally with light props. Expect also to be surprised by how much a tiny movement, done with perfect intention, can ask of your body.
No dance experience needed , not even close. Barre is for anyone who wants to move with more grace, build functional strength, and be taught by people who have dedicated their lives to understanding exactly how that's done.
Two ways to do Barre at Luma
Not sure which to start with? If Barre sounds a little intimidating, Level 1 is the right call. You can move up when you're ready.
Our Barre Instructors
Luma’s Barre instructors bring backgrounds in professional dance and years of specialist training to every class.
Serena's career in professional dance gives her an instinctive, deeply-trained understanding of form, alignment and how the body moves under load.
Mylène brings a beautiful fluency across Barre, Mat and Yoga that makes her classes feel seamless and considered.
And Liron has nearly two decades of teaching behind her and the kind of quiet authority in a room that only comes from that level of experience.
Between them, they bring something you simply can't fake: a genuine, embodied knowledge of movement that you'll feel from your very first class.
What to expect in class
Class duration: 45 minutes
Class size: Small groups – never more than 12 per session
Equipment: Barre, mats and props
What to wear: Comfortable, form-fitting clothing and grip socks – available in our shop if you need them
When: Morning sessions Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, plus a Wednesday lunchtime class. View the schedule
New to Luma?
Your first three Barre classes start from £30. No prior experience needed, no fitness level required, just come as you are.
No commitment required. New clients only.
Ready to get started?
Book a class, check what's coming up on the timetable, or get in touch if you'd like a hand working out which level is right for you.
Looking for the perfect partner to Barre?
Barre pairs beautifully with Mat Pilates for deeper core work,
and Yoga for flexibility, breath and recovery.
Barre FAQ
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Barre is a fitness discipline that draws on the training methods of classical ballet, combined with elements of Pilates and strength training. The name refers to the ballet barre – the horizontal handrail used for balance during part of the class. You don't need a dance background to practise Barre; the movements are adapted for all bodies and fitness levels, and the focus is on strength, posture and functional movement rather than performance.
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Barre is highly effective for building lean muscle tone, improving posture and increasing overall body strength. The high-repetition, low-impact nature of the work creates muscular endurance and definition without bulk. Combined with the postural improvements that come from consistent practice, most clients notice significant changes in how their body looks and feels within a few weeks.
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Not at all. Our instructors teach Barre for all bodies and all backgrounds – the movements are explained and demonstrated clearly, and modifications are always available. Some of our most enthusiastic Barre clients are people who have never danced in their lives.
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Barre draws on ballet-inspired movements and incorporates the barre for balance, with a stronger emphasis on lower body work – particularly the seat, hips and thighs – and cardiovascular elements that Pilates doesn't traditionally include. Pilates has a broader focus on full-body integration, core strength and spinal health. The two complement each other beautifully, which is why many of our clients attend both.
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Classes typically begin with a warm-up, then move through barre work (exercises performed holding the rail for balance), centre work on the mat, and a cool-down stretch. You'll work through sequences targeting the legs, seat, core and upper body – often in small, pulsing movements that create a deep burn in targeted muscle groups. Props such as light hand weights, resistance bands and small balls may be used.
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Barre can be suitable during pregnancy with appropriate modifications, but we always recommend getting clearance from your midwife or GP first. Let your instructor know before class so they can guide you through safe alternatives where needed. Kat, one of our Yoga instructors, also holds a specialist Prenatal qualification if you're looking for pregnancy-specific movement classes.
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Barre is the full class: precise, demanding, and taught by instructors with professional dance careers. Barre Level 1 is designed for people who want to build the foundation first. Working at a gentler pace, it focuses on alignment, posture, and controlled movement, giving you the technique and confidence to progress. Both classes are suitable for people with no dance experience. If Barre sounds a little intimidating, Level 1 is the right starting point