Heather Runman is a force of nature. Her distinctive, encouraging voice and broad smile carry through the studio as she leads students through barre classes that are at once incredibly hard and incredibly fun. The challenge she presents and the individual care she takes with each student—as well as the superfun soundtracks and occasional costumes—make her classes high-demand. See what’s what behind the scenes with our Teacher of the Month.

Okay, how did you end up becoming a barre and Pilates teacher and a boot camp trainer?

I grew up dancing, running track, and playing soccer. As an adult, I fell in love with yoga and went through yoga sculpt training (this was about four years ago). I was also fortunate enough to go on a retreat in Nosara, Costa Rica, where I got to know Adrienne Fitzmaurice and Emily Easton. The barre classes were just getting started at their studio, and so I joined the team. Everything else just followed from there!

When you haven’t done three barre classes in a day, what’s your favorite way to get your move on?

I love doing anything outside. My kids are getting into snowboarding, so that’s fun to do as a family, and my boys love every sport there is. I’m often outside with them, playing football and pitching or kicking around a soccer ball. For myself, yoga’s my favorite solo activity.

There are lots of changes coming at the studio, and you’ve been integral in planning the transition. What’s got you excited for the months to come?

Change is hard, but good! Emily is really bringing fresh new ideas to add to our overall experience—we have such an amazing community of teachers and clients, and I’m most excited about growing and learning alongside these people who have really become my extended family.

What is your favorite workout song this week?

That’s not a fair question! You know I can jam to just about anything! I’d go with ‘90s hip-hop, just as a general category.

You’re known for tossing on a costume with very little provocation—I’ve seen photos of you teaching barre in a full Black Swan get up! What’s the goofiest thing you’ve worn for a workout?

I try to avoid combining costumes and working out [Editors’ note: this is so not true], but I did do a 5K in a nun costume. Terrible idea!