Music is clearly Robin’s lifeblood, but life on the road can be exhausting. She returned from a 2013 tour with a rare kidney infection and, on doctor’s orders, was forced to take a break and develop a healthier lifestyle. She found the fitness options in New Orleans at the time to be quite limited — too expensive, intense, or otherwise exclusive to make her feel truly comfortable or give her a sense of belonging. So Robin had another vision: to find a way to make fitness fun and accessible for all New Orleanians. She took to Facebook to put her intention into the universe, and what started as a casual running/walking group has blossomed into Move Ya Brass, a robust workout organization with free classes nearly every night of the week in various corners of the city. As the name suggests, local music serves as the pulse for each class. An expectant mother herself, she’s particularly excited about the newest addition to the Move Ya Brass lineup: a Baby Bounce class held at the newly reopened Storyland in City Park that is perfect for parents, caregivers, and children alike. And while the majority of Move Ya Brass classes are free and open to the public, the organization is also happy to team up with small groups for private events such as bachelorette parties.
‘I GOT A LOT OF ‘NO’S AT FIRST’: HOW NEW ORLEANS’ SONGBIRD ROBIN BARNES SOARED ABOVE THE ODDS
