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Liliana McKenna Brings Energy and Balance to Campus with Barre Fitness Classes

Liliana McKenna

January 23, 2025

Liliana McKenna, a nursing student at the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON), is making a name for herself beyond the classroom through her passion for fitness. As a Barre instructor at the University of Memphis Campus Recreation and Fitness Center, she offers students a unique way to build strength, reduce stress, and find balance in their busy schedules.

Barre, McKenna explains, is all about the whole-body experience. Her classes combine low-impact, high-intensity exercises with stretching and active recovery to leave participants feeling stronger and refreshed. “When someone leaves my class, I want them to feel like they’ve built themselves up rather than being torn down,” she says. Her approach ensures that each student walks out of the studio feeling better than when they arrived.

Liliana McKenna

McKenna’s classes are held in the Mind-Body Studio on the second floor of the Recreation Center. While the spring semester schedule is still being finalized, she plans to teach Barre at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, offering the campus community a midweek opportunity to reset and recharge.

Her passion for fitness has been a lifelong constant, providing her with a way to destress and build resilience. As a nursing student, teaching Barre has become an important part of her routine. “It gives me something to look forward to at the end of a long day,” she says. “It’s refreshing to use a different part of my brain and explore another set of interests in the midst of nursing school.”

Balancing fitness and the rigorous demands of nursing school has taught McKenna the importance of efficiency and focus. She encourages fellow students to prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to studying. “Sometimes, less is more. If you have limited time because of an extracurricular activity, it can actually make you more motivated to focus. When I’m teaching a lot or performing during a busy week, I put my phone away, remove distractions, and stay completely locked in while studying,” she explains.

McKenna’s dedication to both her academic and personal passions serves as an inspiration to her peers. Through her Barre classes, she not only helps others build strength and resilience but also creates a space for them to reconnect with themselves. With her commitment to wellness and balance, McKenna exemplifies the power of pursuing passions while excelling in academics.

Liliana McKenna

 

 

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