A day in the life of a Barre studio owner
Nora Hameidani, barre instructor and founder & creative director of Barre Effect studio in Al Wasl, shares a glimpse into her day.
My alarms are set for 5:45 am and 6:00 am in the hope that I wake up before my three kids—but more often than not, they beat me to it. On weekends, the kids are the only alarm clock I need.
While I sometimes wish I could hit snooze, mornings are still my favourite part of the day. There’s something special about having the whole day ahead. I try to take a few quiet minutes before things get going to help me start focused and calm.
On weekdays, I have breakfast with the kids—usually oats or Greek yoghurt with berries. I like to start with herbal tea and save my first coffee for later… but after that, it’s definitely coffee all day.
Choosing an outfit is quick—it’s always activewear. Whether I’m teaching, taking class, or meeting with someone about the studio, I live in Alo and Lululemon.
After school drop-off, I head straight to Barre Effect to teach, train, or attend meetings.
With a family of five and both my husband and I running businesses, things can get busy. My colour-coded phone calendar keeps me organised. Everything goes in there, teaching times, kids’ school reminders, even dinner with friends. Without it, I’d forget something.
My to-do list is always long, but I’ve learned not everything has to be done right away. Sometimes it’s okay to let things wait and take downtime. Otherwise, burnout comes quickly.
No matter how hectic life feels, working out always recharges me. Even if I start class feeling tired, I leave energised, accomplished, and grateful. I take a moment afterwards to reflect on what—and who—I’m thankful for.
I feel so lucky that my passion is my work. At Barre Effect, we’ve built a beautiful community of women who inspire me every day. Their journeys and energy are what keep me motivated and excited to do what I love.