meet victoria
victoria sands, owner
Hi, there! My name is Victoria and I’m the owner and lead instructor at Vibe Barre in the MESA, ARIZONA. I was born and raised in New York, but after studying Sociology and Exercise Science at Northern Arizona University, I eventually decided to make Arizona my forever home.
For as long as I can remember, I have battled with my weight and general insecurities related to my body. After spending years attempting numerous workout plans and trying to find something that would truly work for me, I decided to commit to a healthy lifestyle and train for the 2010 Boston Marathon. During the marathon, a section of my vertebrae began to shift, but I decided to run through the pain, using my passion and dedication to fuel me through the finish line.
After the race, I was unable to walk for six months and was eventually diagnosed with spondylolisthesis (grade III). Following my diagnosis, I began doing physical therapy with Broadway dancers and was taught the importance of core strength. Unfortunately, I ended up needing spinal fusion surgery on my L5-S1. Following my surgery, I had lost nearly all of the progress I had made in my fitness journey and experienced severely limited mobility and flexibility. While I was eager to focus on being healthy again, I was afraid to start exercising and potentially reinjure my back, which caused me to gain more than 40 lbs.
I knew I needed to make a change and I decided to return to Arizona for a fresh start with a renewed perspective on the importance of my health and well-being. This time, I researched different methods of low-impact exercise that would improve my flexibility and core strength. Thus, began my barre journey.
I started working as a front desk attendant at a popular barre franchise and quickly realized how powerful and effective the workout could be — particularly for someone struggling to overcome a serious injury. While I was passionate about barre and what it could do for other people like me, I never felt comfortable in that environment to become an instructor.
I decided to make another change and I moved to a new studio that placed a greater emphasis on safety and thoughtful class structure. After starting as the sales manager, I realized how much more comfortable I was in my new surroundings and I decided to become a nationally-certified barre instructor. I started teaching my own classes and quickly realized how much more enjoyable and accessible I could make my classes by providing helpful modifications throughout the workout. I eventually decided to branch out on my own, so that I could continue offering classes that are personalized and inclusive, rather than overly structured or regimented.
As a real person who has experienced real results, I am passionate about paying it forward in the best way I can, which is why I decided to open Vibe Barre. Vibe Barre is a culmination of all the things I love about barre and all the things I hope to give others — a sense of self-love, a positive body image, an inviting environment, and a great workout, of course!
