Although a cocktail in the Studio sure sounds like a good idea some times …. that’s not the Barre were talking about!  The barre workout has gone viral and there are so many variables its like a smorgasbord of styles and philosophies.  The barre workout seems to be a natural extension to Pilates as the movements are similar (think standing Pilates work) a mind body connection is required and the precise contractions will seem very familiar to Pilates enthusiasts. Barre Technique has its foundation in traditional ballet and the work of Lotte Berk, a Russian dancer who developed a protocol for her own rehab after a serious spinal injury.  The use of the ballet barre has become widespread in exercise studios where form and precision are emphasized.  As in Pilates, individual attention from a highly trained instructor is essential. Working at the barre gives you a sense of center and balance while performing small isometric movements for each muscle group. Particular attention is given to the arms, seat, hips and abs. This workout also requires mental focus as muscles are strengthened and then stretched to create a longer, leaner physique. Barre technique produces the tone, length and increased stamina also acquired in Pilates.  Depending on the style you choose, the exercises will tend to be more contracted and small, focusing on deep toning and sculpting.  Other styles focus more on the dancer-esque feel using larger, more sweeping movements that require more flexibility and coordination (think battements, arabesques and tendus).  So why is the barre workout so popular right now?  Perhaps it’s the pretty movements, the burn that you experience in your thighs, the cardio effect you get from the circuit style routine or maybe it’s getting the results that people desire.

So should you consider adding a barre program to your studio?  Great question!  Most studios have an area that is used for mat work and that space can easily be used for a barre program.  Most studios have various balls and bands, which are often incorporated in a barre program.  The investment could be far less than the cost of a Reformer and the return could be much faster than an expensive piece of equipment that can only accommodate one client at a time.  Portable barres can be used or you can have them installed.  Do you already have mirrors and a sound system? You may be more than half way there!  You can market to your existing clients and then reach out from there. Then there is the issue of education of yourself or your staff. There are not many options available that don’t require you to go work for the program you train with or require a licensing agreement. You will want to do your research on such issues of: location, schedule, price, requirements, licensing fees/issues, continuing education and support.  Will you have to travel? How long is the program?  These are important factors along with, of course, what style is offered and will it work for you, your Studio and your clientele.  Is your client base older and more prone to injury? Are they younger and able to learn complicated dance moves/ as we said before the styles of programs vary widely.  Take a few classes, watch some DVDs and get a feel for the methods that are currently available.  Pilates Sports Center has developed a Barre Certification Program – Burn at the Barre.  With a strong background in Pilates and Pilates education for over 12 years, PSC has branched out to bring quality, cutting edge barre education to Studios who want to add to their repertoire without being obligated by any brand or licensing.  A 2-day program hosted either in Los Angeles or at your location – PSC will equip you and your staff with all of the necessary elements to “turn-key” a barre program and increase revenue immediately at your location(s).  A remote program is available if travel is prohibitive.  We will package for you all of the materials you need and offer remote support to get you started.  The program includes the vital elements of alignment, cueing and foundation rather than just learning exercises.  We include also, the skills needed to build and teach a successful class.  PSC has developed a clever way for you as the instructor to change, modify and vary the class at any time to keep it fresh and challenging but easy to teach.

What sets PSC apart is the strong Pilates background, a team of professional dancers, a Chiropractor and a history of world class education that places PSC at the forefront of education ability and organization.  PSC knows what it takes to create a solid program and run a successful studio.  We have been educating professionals for over 12 years at Reebok Sports Club/LA, Sports Club/LA, Equinox, and studios worldwide.  PSC courses are all PMA approved, have been taught at Pilates On Tour with Balanced Body University, Inner IDEA, and Body Mind Spirit.

We invite you to join our team and build your Studio with the Burn at the Barre Program and tap into the excitement that is growing with the barre phenomenon.  Studios nationwide are adding barre to their class schedule all the time – the franchise close to you is getting all of the attention – why aren’t you offering the same service from a more skilled and experienced staff?!

Once you are ready to take the next step you may want to install barres at your Studio.  We would like to share with you how to get that done!

Why Choose “The Burn at the Barre™” Certification Program?

Adding Barre classes will increase your revenue bottom line with existing space and a minimal investment!  Barre fitness has been considered the next largest fitness trend and is perfect for any studio.

• Bring new clients into your studio by offering a cutting edge barre workout
• A minimal upfront investment is supported by a quick return.
• PSC can supply most of the materials you need to get started in a turn-key operation
• Marketing and Branding Materials Available
• Ongoing Choreography Support
• Continuing Education Provided
• We Do Not Take a Percent of Your Businesses Income.
• The Program Creators / Directors Are PMA Pilates Certified Teachers™
• Comprehensive Instructor Training
• Boutique Education / Owner Operated
• Limited Class Size: Student / Teacher Ratio is Ideal
• Co-Created by a Doctor and Two Professional Dancers
• Course Manuals are Illustrated and Extensive
• Competitively Priced
• Challenging Variations as well as Modifications to Assist with Injuries and Limitations
• Program is a 10-hour training program performed over 2 days with DVD support materials included
• Course Fees include: Manual / Certificate / and 10 PMA CEC’s and 1.0 ACE CEC’s (in person cert. only)
• Learn the fundamentals of safe alignment and cueing, modifications for client issues and variations such as the use of balls and bands.  You will learn how to program your classes and lead with confidence and creativity.
• PSC creates the best instructors available and we accomplish this through continued education and support to insure your success as a Burn Graduate.

www.PilatesSportsCenter.com 818 788 8112

Burn at the Barre is gathering interest and will be hosting programs at Inner IDEA, Seattle, NY and LA this year!  What is BatB? a Barre class that incorporates ALL of what you want in one hour!  many questions about how it compares to other programs and to the Lotte Berk method are being asked – heres the deal: The Lotte Berk method is an old method from London, and was bought by Lydia Bach to bring to the USA, it is barre based and if you have ever seen Callenetics – it is based in Lotte Berk.  The workout is deep isometric movements.  No cardio is incorporated, the knee bends and knee positions are too extreme in my opinion for most people and the extreme “C shape” of the low back especially UNDER the bar with added pressure from pushing the barre is dangerous on the discs. (I had sciatica for 3 moths afterwards)  We have taken these elements OUT, we added cardio, hand weights to get the sculpting that ladies want, the spinal extension needed for low back health and larger dance/ballet movemetns to expand and open the body ALONG with the small isometric movements that sculpt and tone.  But it needed balance – it needed more stretching and large movements too.  It also makes it more fun and sassy to dance a bit.  We think its more balanced, safer and more fun than other programs and gets the same fabulous results without the risk of injury

join us for class or certification

www.PilatesSportsCenter.com

818 788 8112

We shot the entire two day Burn at the Barre certification last month and we will periodically post little excerpts online so everyone can see it.  Pilates Sports Center has created a really effective, safe and fun at-home certification for Burn at the Barre that can be completed remotely no matter where you are in the world.  Contact PSC for more information at 818-788-81112 or at our website: www.PilatesSportsCenter.com.  And for those who want to come in and take our next in-studio certification for Burn at the Barre, the next dates are: October 29th and October 30th.  Get Burn at the Barre classes going at your studio and see what all the fuss is about!

A Healthy Outlook, Despite the Recession

Overall, Pilates has held its own in a challenging economy. “We’re currently very busy,” says Tom McCook, founder of Center of Balance, a personal trainer and a nationally recognized fitness and movement specialist. “The only thing we’ve noticed is that some of the mat classes have gotten bigger because it’s an economical way to experience Pilates. We’re in the heart of Silicon Valley. There has been some drop in income in our area, but most people don’t want to let go of what makes them feel good.”

The recession has driven the growth of group classes and training sessions. “When we started our Pilates studio, the trend was just personal training; now it’s back to group,” say Katherine and Kimberly Corp, who own and operate Pilates on Fifth, in midtown Manhattan, and founded the Pilates Academy International. “Our best year was in 2008, but then revenue decreased about 35% in 3 months. We diversified to rebound, with more group mat classes, group reformer classes,GYROTONIC® exercise classes, a ballet bar workout and other programs. Group programs brought a huge influx of clients. We also started renting out space to physical therapists, who refer patients to us.”

“The economy has affected everyone, from the largest to the smallest business,” says Kevin Bowen, education director at Peak Pilates and co-founder of the Pilates Method Alliance. “We may see more Pilates in health clubs and fewer smaller studios, but people aren’t going to stop doing Pilates. We just aren’t going to see the growth rate we had for a while, with new studios opening just blocks from each other.”

Pilates for Cross-Training

Experts believe Pilates is likely to become increasingly popular as a cross-trainingtool. “We see more athletes, performers and weekend warriors looking for Pilates as a cross-training method to complement their other fitness activities,” say Katherine and Kimberly Corp. “People like that we offer a wide variety of activities at our studio, not just Pilates. No one method ‘does it all.’ Pilates is a major piece of the fitness puzzle, but it’s not the whole puzzle.”

Enormous public interest in Pilates may initially have created unrealistic expectations, says Michael King, who has been working with the Pilates technique for more than 27 years and is the founding director of the Pilates Institute in London. “We have to give credit to the media for all the great coverage of Pilates, but there have also been times when I have questioned the validity of extreme claims about weight loss or cardiovascular benefits.”

New Markets Ahead

The versatility of Pilates may be its best asset for the future. Experts believe that a number of markets have yet to be fully developed, including men, older adults and teens.

Merrithew Health and Fitness, through its premier brand STOTT PILATES®, has created “Specialty Tracks” to educate instructors on working with postrehab patients, athletes, the active-aging population, teens and pre/postnatal women. Reaching out to new markets can also spur innovation. In creating programming specific to rehab and postrehab clients, Merrithew has developed reformers that are higher off the ground (for easier mounts and dismounts) and that allow for a greater range of functional movement.

More specialization of skills is also anticipated. “Now we have Pilates in hospitals; physical therapy clinics; spas; football, rugby and tennis clubs; [and] many golf clubs,” notes King. “Pilates will become much more specialized.”

For more insights into the future of Pilates, please refer to the complete article,“The Pilates Phenomenon: Where Do We Go From Here?” in the online IDEA Library or in July–August 2010 IDEA Fitness Journal.

To learn about the latest in Pilates programming, techniques and equipment, attend the Inner IDEA® Conference in Palm Springs, September 23–26. To register, visit www.inneridea.com.

Featured PMA Member – Kelly Snailum

How long have you been practicing Pilates and how did you become involved with the method?

I have been practicing Pilates since October of 2003 in preparation for my wedding day. I had a good friend that taught out of her house and as a wedding gift gave me 10 sessions. I have always been into fitness and have tried just about everything to tone and strengthen my body. After my 10 sessions my body looked and felt different. I continued to practice Pilates after my wedding and had plans to get started on building my family. My career as an Advertising Executive was great, but I was in search of an outlet that was fitness focused, family friendly and would keep my mind and body in shape. After some careful research, I found a program that was right for me and signed up. Today, I am the co-owner of Remedy Pilates and Massage. My sister-in-law, Amanda Snailum and I went through our training together and dreamed of the atmosphere and community we have created at Remedy. In an effort to continue my knowledge and practice of the Pilates Method, I recently completed the Pilates Sports Center Master Training Program. Remedy is currently hosting our first teacher training program and working to develop some amazing new instructors.
When did you start teaching Pilates?

I began teaching Pilates in October of 2005, exactly two years after my first Pilates experience.

What is your formal Pilates Training?

Master Teacher Trainer for Pilates Sports Center | 2010
PhysicalMind Pilates Teacher | 2005

What is your style of Pilates teaching (who are your main influences)?

My style is both classical and progressive. I put a great emphasis on the fundamentals of Pilates and what makes it unique. After all, that is what got me hooked.  At the same time, I consider each client’s individual needs in an effort to put today’s biomechanics into consideration. Additionally, I enjoy being creative with the repertoire and all of the new, innovative apparatuses. My influences include Romana Kryzanowska and Michele Larsson. Currently I am obsessed with Kelli Altounian and Dr. Andromeda Trumbull, D.C., the founders of Pilates Sports Center.
Do you teach any other modalities?

I currently do not teach other things but take an active role in marathons and other fitness programs for cardiovascular training.

Cheryl K. Symister-Masterson,
Freelance, Free-Minded
“Artists are here to disturb the peace.” – James Baldwin

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