Venn Ambassador Spotlight: Katie Boren — Ballet and Balance
Katie Boren is a professional ballerina with American Ballet Theatre with a demanding fitness regimen that focuses on balance. She’s also a Personal Trainer, certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and teaches a weekly Conditioning for Dancers class to help dancers build strength and improve balance through cross training. Read our interview with Katie and learn about her impressive and inspiring dedication to movement and fitness. Interested in trying a training session with her? Email her at katieboren1@gmail.com or book through this link.
1. Tell us briefly about your work, inspirations and passions.
I am a professional ballerina with American Ballet Theatre and a NASM certified personal trainer. I have been dancing ballet for pretty much my entire life and began my professional career 12 years ago. Throughout my career as a dancer, I developed a passion for fitness and cross training. For the past few years, I have been creating and developing methods and exercises geared towards the conditioning of dancers.
“ I’m happiest when I’m moving, sweating, and pushing myself beyond my limits.”
2. We're all about movement at Venn. What does a typical day for you look like through the lens of movement?
My entire day is all about movement. Prior to the pandemic, I would spend 5 days a week in rehearsal. A rehearsal day consists of morning technique class for 1.5 hours and then 6 hours of rehearsal to follow. I would get a cardio workout in before class and would do my strengthening and cross training exercises during a break or after rehearsals. A typical day during this time is quite different but still very movement focused. I wake up and do an hour or so of core and conditioning exercises. I’ll then go on a run for 4-6 miles. After that morning routine, I’ll take technique class via Zoom in my apartment. The rest of the day I’m training clients virtually or teaching group conditioning classes. At the end of the day, I make sure that I properly stretch and allow my body to recover from everything I put it through.
3. Why and how do you use a Venn Air Chair? Where in your home, office or workout routine do you use it?
I don’t do a lot of sitting, but when I do, I use my Venn Air Chair as a chair. I’ll use it when I’m planning classes for the next day. I also use it in my daily workout routine as there are so many ways to benefit from stability ball exercises.
4. What are your favorite Venn Air Chair positions and moves?
I love doing advanced plank and pike exercises with the Venn Air Chair. I also use it for bridge exercises that target the hamstrings and glutes.
5. At Venn, we zig when others zag. What's something in work or life that you approach differently - philosophically, physically, emotionally- than others?
I’m definitely a very active person. I’m happiest when I’m moving, sweating, and pushing myself beyond my limits. For me, it’s a challenge to allow myself rest or slow down. Learning how to take a proper day off is actually something I have to work very hard at.
Follow Katie on Instagram at @katieborenfitness and @katieboren1 to keep up with her latest moves, and book a personal training session with her here.