Resources for Barre Instructors Archives

Aug 29

A Zoom call video screen featuring the Barre Fitness Alliance

What You Need to Know About the Barre Fitness Alliance

By Melissa Feeney Barre Culture, Barre News, Lotte Berk, Resources for Barre Instructors, Resources for Studio Owners, The Dailey Method No Comments

Pilates has the Pilates Method Alliance and yoga has the Yoga Alliance but up until now, there was no comparable alliance for the barre industry. Introducing the Barre Fitness Alliance.

Since barre went mainstream, anyone using a ballet barre as a prop was describing it as a “barre” class, although methods and choreography could be markedly different from one class to another. There was no oversight committee in the barre industry so anyone could put a certification course together and charge money to “certify” instructors.

It seemed fitting that someone or a collective group of people needed to come along and identify what barre is and isn’t and offer some oversight.

It has been a long time coming, according to BFA President, Lara Foldvari of Barre On the Go (formerly The Bog – Barre Over Garage.) She is joined by some industry heavyweights including Andrea Isabelle Lucas, Founder & CEO of Barre & Soul, Jennifer Maanavi, CEO and co-founder of Physique 57, Betsy Royster, co-owner of Bayou Barre and Jill Dailey, Founder of The Dailey Method. They are supported by barre pioneers Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito of Core Barre Fit and also formerly of the Lotte Berk Method and Exhale.

In a nutshell, what is the Barre Fitness Alliance?

The BFA was hatched from a desire to assign a richer standard to barre certifications, classes and instructors.

“Our mission is to bring barre professionals together without bias to any one particular barre training,” says Lara. “We want to uphold the history of Lotte Berk both the human and the Lotte Berk Method studio in New York City and we want to ensure the quality of today’s instructors and really the integrity of the industry now and into the future. We want to ensure barre going forward remains not watered down for years to come.”

If you’re a barre teacher training organization, barre studio, instructor or even an enthusiast, the alliance is meant to be a resource for you.

What does the Barre Fitness Alliance consider to be the gold standard of barre?

If you’re familiar with the rich history of barre, then you know that there was Lotte Berk who famously invented the first iteration of what we know as barre today, and then everything that evolved from her original technique since. Considering barre fitness classes today are wildly different from what Lotte originally taught, there are actually two standards that the BFA uses as their bellwether. They are the teachings that came from the now-shuttered Lotte Berk Method in New York City, and Lotte Berk’s original technique as taught to Esther Fairfax her daughter and subsequently other trainees that carry on her legacy today like Long Beach’s theLONDONmethod.

“We’ve set the barre industry standards going back to the Lotte Berk Method in New York City for our members to uphold. Through these measures, the quality of barre instruction is maintained, which benefits those in our industry and the communities we serve,” says Lara.

A Barre Fitness Alliance Instagram post featuring Lara Foldvari, President of the BFA

What you receive when you become a member.

Members receive access to partner discounts on everything from retail to fitness equipment, certifications, apparel, AV equipment, liability insurance and more.
If you become a BFA-certified instructor, studio or training program, you can display the corresponding virtual badge on your website for everyone to see.
Anyone who visits the BFA website will be able to identify you in the public-facing directory.
You will be able to network with other highly qualified instructors through virtual and in-person workshops and events.
You will have a voice on what future industry standards should look like.

What you’ll get as a founding member.

All of the partner programs offer 20% off their training. There will be more opportunities for continuing education among partner certifications.

Pointe Studio offers product discounts. Vita Barre offers discounts on barres and other fitness equipment. AV Now offers discounts on audio-visual equipment.

An Instagram post from the Barre Fitness Alliance introducing Andrea Isabelle Lucas, VP of the BFA

How to apply to be a founding member.

You can apply on the website. To become a BFA-approved instructor, there is a one-time processing and registration fee of $140. An annual membership (at the time of writing) in subsequent years will cost you $130. To become a BFA-approved teacher training organization, membership and processing fees for the first year cost $599 and the limited founding teacher training organization rate is $549 for the first year.

If you have any questions, send an email to barrefitnessalliance@gmail.com or a direct Instagram message to instagram.com/barrefitnessalliance.

What are the requirements for a certification to become accepted by the BFA?

Certifications must be a minimum of 100 hours in training and cover:

The history of barre
Anatomy
Exercise science
Musicality
How to put a class together
Modifications/variations
Hands-on adjustments
Practice teaching
A written and practical exam
25 of the 28 exercises listed in the syllabus criteria.

You can see the full breakdown here.

A post from Jennifer Maanavi’s Instagram, Treasurer of the BFA

What you receive when you become a BFA-certified teacher training organization.

You’ll be able to display the BFA barre teacher-training badge on your website and be listed as an approved teacher training organization in the BFA directory.
You will have a voice in future industry standard discussions.
You’ll be able to offer discounts on training to other members.

Will in-house training programs from franchises like Pure Barre, The Bar Method or Barre3 be recognized?

Any certification program whether it is public-facing or not is invited to submit an application for review. Barre3, one of the world’s largest and most popular barre franchises for example auditions instructors before they go through their in-house training.

In order for a certification to be properly vetted by the board, the company hosting the training needs to provide a syllabus and training materials for review. Since some franchises are known to keep their training materials close to their chest it is yet to be seen if any of the franchises will be willing to disclose (at least to the board) their proprietary information.

If you’ve been trained through a franchise that isn’t already a BFA education partner, the BFA encourages you to speak with your managers or write to the heads of the company where you were trained to see if they would be interested in applying.

BFA Secretary and Bayou Barre’s Betsy Royster is introduced on the Barre Fitness Alliance’s Instagram account.

What are the requirements to become a BFA-certified studio?

To become a BFA-certified studio, you will need at least two of your instructors to be certified by a BFA-approved Barre Teacher Training Program. If not instructors, then a Director, Owner, Master Trainer or Manager of the studio. Also at least one of those instructors needs to be BFA approved, so they need to show proof of certification in the year they applied and with yearly renewals.

Is it necessary to join the Barre Fitness Alliance?

Like any exercise discipline with a professional association, you are not forced to join it in order to run classes. It all depends on what you’re looking to get out of becoming a barre teacher, opening a studio or offering a certification program. If you’re looking to build credibility among your clientele and peers, joining the alliance is a good way of establishing that.

If you’re a fitness instructor, having a BFA-approved certification behind your name can be an easy way to fast-track job offers, especially when busy studio owners don’t want to spend more time than they need trying to assess your skill level.

Both the Pilates Method Alliance and the Yoga Alliance weren’t built overnight. It will take time for the credibility of the BFA to grow and not everyone in the industry will be on board with this particular group of people deciding what should and should not count as barre. In my opinion, this is a remarkable who’s who of the industry. You have some of the most sought-after owners, teachers and business people on the board, and I believe they know what they’re talking about.

The Dailey Method’s Jill Dailey is introduced as BFA Director on their Instagram.

What does the future of the BFA look like?

In a Zoom call with members back in early August, the board of directors was pressed on whether certification criteria might evolve in the future to reflect the changing barre landscape. In response to that question, BFA Vice President Andrea Isabelle Lucas had this to say. “Yeah absolutely. We should all admit that we’ve all evolved the method. It will be a challenging and really productive exercise for us to start to evaluate more trainings that are maybe a little bit less similar.”

When speaking with Lara Foldvari in a separate follow-up call she seemed optimistic yet realistic about what the future could hold. She has hopes of growing the BFA base to rival industry counterparts like the yoga and Pilates alliances, while also knowing that the Yoga Alliance has 100,000 certified instructors in their base and barre does not have as much mainstream influence as yoga or Pilates. “We know how barre has evolved, we anticipate barre industry standards to evolve and grow as we do,” says Lara.

The BFA plans to host a mixture of in-person and virtual events throughout the year with the hopes of hosting at least one in-person event annually. I for one can’t wait to see what’s in store for the alliance and all involved.

Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito of Core Barre Fit are Supporting Partners of the BFA.

Aug 07

Why You Can’t Copyright a Sequence of Barre Poses and Other Legal Facts You Should Know

By Melissa Feeney Barre Culture, Exercises, Resources for Barre Instructors, Resources for Studio Owners No Comments

When you think about it, one of the first interactions you have with a new fitness studio involves legal paperwork. One of the first things owners or administrative staff will have you sign is a legal waiver. It often includes paragraphs of jargon that you quickly skim over, but have you ever stopped to think about what you’re signing? If you’re a client who instructs, how do you make sure that what you’re learning in class and then teaching elsewhere isn’t stepping on any toes? If you’re a studio owner, do you know what all your rights are, and how to protect yourself?

Since I can’t help answer those questions, I turned to lawyer extraordinaire and self-proclaimed fitness enthusiast Caroline Mankey, a partner at Akerman LLP. Below is a full interview I did with her to help us break down everything from intellectual property laws when it comes to exercises to reposting other feeds’ social media content. Before we jump in, here is the legal disclaimer!

This is not legal advice. This is a general discussion about legal concepts that apply in some, but not all, jurisdictions and circumstances. Caroline recommends seeking the advice of legal counsel in your jurisdiction to advise you specifically on the law applicable in your jurisdiction and to your unique circumstances.

What protections do you have when it comes to exercises, class formats and choreography?

Melissa: How do studio owners protect their classes from being stolen?

Caroline: This is very difficult to do using intellectual property laws. Copyright law protects creative works. However, copyright law does not protect ideas. It protects the creative expression of ideas, but only where the expression is in a tangible form, such as a book, video, sound recording, photograph, painting or sculpture. Works that are not recorded tangibly (such as a poem or play that is recited audibly only, or exercise sequences taught in a classroom, and not written, recorded or video recorded) are not protected.

The following are examples of works that are protected by copyright:

- - a book about Pilates (Ross-Nash v. Almond, No. 219CV00957APGNJK, 2020 WL 6947691, at *1 (D. Nev. Oct. 28, 2020))
  - a choreographed dance routine (17 U.S.C. section 102(a)(4)), which is comprised of dance steps, dance movements, and/or dance patterns (Pellegrino v. Epic Games, Inc., 451 F. Supp. 3d 373, 388 (E.D. Pa. 2020))

The following are examples of work that copyright does not protect:

- - a sequence of yoga poses and breathing exercises (Bikram’s Yoga College of India, L.P. v. Evolation Yoga, LLC, 803 F.3d 1032 (9^th Cir. 2015))
  - meditation exercises (Palmer v. Braun, 287 F.3d 1325 (11^th Cir. 2002))

Melissa: Sounds like the lines are pretty blurred.

Caroline: The line between what is protected choreography and what is simply exercise that is not protected can potentially be blurry. Barre exercise, however, can be analogized to ballet. Individual ballet moves and poses are not protected by copyright. Even a sequence in which the poses are taught is not protected by copyright. It is not until the poses are combined in such a way as to create an original and unique work, such as The Nutcracker, and recorded in a tangible form of expression, that the sequence is protected as a choreographed routine.

Another method to legally protect an exercise routine would be to enter into contracts requiring students not to teach the exact sequence that the studio owner teaches. This presents multiple problems, however. First, will your students agree to sign such an agreement? Teacher trainees might, but class students might not. Also, how do you police it? It’s difficult to track what others are teaching, particularly outside your area. Finally, how do you enforce it? It would be prohibitively expensive to file lawsuits against other teachers and studios.

Ultimately, the best way for a studio to protect its classes is to be the best at what it teaches and offer a safe and beautiful space, and a supportive and positive environment that keeps people wanting to come back, even if a competitor is teaching the same material elsewhere.

Melissa: How do studio owners know to the best of their ability that their choreography is not infringing on anyone else’s?

Caroline: It’s unlikely that studio owners would be infringing on any other studio’s rights in the sequences, since exercise sequences (whether yoga, barre, Pilates, or others) are not protectable through intellectual property laws. Unless the studio owner has entered into any agreements prohibiting their use of certain material, then the studio and its teachers are free to teach any material they want.

Melissa: What recourse does a studio owner have if they think their work is being taken without permission? For instance, a former student teaching elsewhere with the same materials and class formats the studio taught them?

Caroline: If a former student is using a studio owner’s actual written or recorded materials, such as class handouts, worksheets, workbooks, audio or video lectures or videotaped sequences, then the studio owner might have a claim against the former student for infringement of the copyrights to those materials. But just teaching the same subject matter and/or in the same style is not prohibited.

A woman works out at home while studying for a Barreworks barre certification.

Working out while studying for a Barreworks certification.
Photo credit: instagram.com/barreworksto

What to know about photography and promotional materials

Melissa: If a studio is hiring a photographer to take promotional photos for marketing materials including social media, are there any general guidelines that they should be aware of? For instance, what is the proper way to credit the photographer?

Caroline: A photographer owns the copyrights to the photographs they shoot. Purchasing the photos does not necessarily transfer the copyrights unless there is an express written agreement to transfer the copyrights to the purchaser. You should always have a clear written agreement with every photographer stating expressly:

Who owns the copyrights to the photos
How the party who does not own the copyrights may use the photos in the future
For how long the photos may be used
Whether the party who does not own the copyrights may give other third parties permission to use the photos (such as if a magazine asks you for your headshot or photos of your studio for use in the magazine)
What credits must be given to the photographer for approved uses
How the parties will respond to requests to use the photos in ways not addressed by the contract
Payment terms
What the consequences are for unapproved uses of the photos
Any other terms that are important to the parties

What are your rights when it comes to social media content?

Melissa: What should studio owners and the people doing their social media know about posting other people’s content?

Caroline: Posting someone else’s content is risky. Someone owns the copyright to every photograph. For example, there are lawsuits all the time by paparazzi photographers against celebrities who post a paparazzi photographer’s photo of the celebrity on the celebrity’s social media page. If you did not take the photograph, or buy the copyright with a written contract, you do not own the copyright and your use of the photo could expose you to liability for copyright infringement.

Melissa: What about if you credit them on Instagram?

Caroline: You should always seek permission to use someone else’s photograph or other content.

Melissa: What do you suggest if another studio is re-posting your photos or creative without crediting you?

Caroline: If someone is using your content, and your content is original and wholly owned by you, then you could have a valid copyright infringement claim against the party using your material. In order to file suit, you first need to register your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office, which is pretty easy and inexpensive to do online at copyright.gov. Filing lawsuits is very expensive and is a very slow and labor-intensive process.

Melissa: What if you just want someone to stop reposting your content who isn’t crediting you?

Caroline: If you simply want the other person to stop using your material, the best approach is to start with a letter explaining that their use of your materials is copyright infringement in violation of federal law and asking them to stop and to take down all copyright protected materials of yours. Usually, a letter from a lawyer is more effective than a letter from a non-lawyer. Also, you don’t want to misstate your position when you are asserting your legal rights, so I recommend seeking the advice and assistance of a lawyer if you think your protected materials have been used without your permission.

In conclusion, copyright can be a tricky thing to navigate. The barre world is filled with stories of people stepping on each other’s toes. Just look into the history of barre and you’ll find countless stories of deceit, terribly-written legal contracts, and copycats.

We don’t want you to go down the wrong path, so when in doubt it’s always best to check with a lawyer first if you can.

Sep 01

Students training at The Barre + Yoga Experience

These Overlooked Qualities Could Be Your Secret Weapon to Standing Out As a Barre Instructor

By Melissa Feeney Barre Culture, Resources for Barre Instructors No Comments

So you have a barre certification, you are well-versed in the terminology, have the anatomy down pat, can cue exercises effectively and have great timing. However, there’s so much more to teaching barre than explaining exercises. If you’re looking to get hired as an instructor, or are currently instructing and want to increase your value, have you thought about what other unspoken or overlooked qualities studio owners might be looking for?

If you want to stand out as a barre instructor, here are some things to think about to help you land and maintain the gig of your dreams.

Source: The Barre + Yoga Experience

Have You Taken One of Their Classes Before?

This may seem simple but have you actually sampled their method before applying for a job there? “As a studio owner, whenever someone applies or reaches out looking for a teaching gig, the first thing I do is look up their account and see if they’ve taken classes,” says Angela Vieira of The Barre + Yoga Experience.

Making a Connection Is Everything

According to Angela Vieira, there’s so much more to being a barre instructor than being well-versed in the exercises and teaching the class. Creating a lasting relationship with your students is paramount to ensuring your class numbers build and your community grows.

She suggests breaking down the connection into three parts. Before, during and after class.

Before Class – One of the easiest but maybe overlooked things an instructor can do before class (even if it’s online) is to greet them using their name. “Introduce yourself and ask the student if they’ve taken barre before, if they have any injuries and maybe something to really develop a connection like ‘do you live around here?'” Angela suggests. “If your student is a regular still connect with them before class. You can ask how their weekend was or how they’re feeling after their last class.”

During Class – “It’s important to remember this is their workout, not yours,” Angela says. “So often I see teachers with their backs to students or face down in the mat. At that point, we’re not teaching anymore – the focus gets taken away from students and there’s nothing more disconnecting.”

She suggests making eye contact and telling students they’re doing a great job. Motivate them by using their names. Something, I personally think works really well.

After Class – Setting aside a few moments for housekeeping at the end of class is important. When the class is wrapping up, Angela suggests reminding everyone of your name and when they can take a class with you again. Answer any questions they might have too, follow-up is just as important as the introduction and the connection you make in class.

Lastly, Angela suggests checking in with as many students as you can. “I never let a student leave without saying goodbye, if I miss them, I often yell to them in the parking lot – it seems excessive but it is important!”

A class being taught at The Barre + Yoga Experience in Plainville, MA.

Source: The Barre + Yoga Experience

Mindfully Challenge Body-shaming Language

We might not even realize we’re doing it sometimes, but body-shaming language can creep into our dialogue, especially in a world with narrow beauty ideals. According to Adrienne Rabena of Barre Eclipse, one of the main things all instructors should learn is to be aware of body-shaming language. “In my online barre teacher training program, we have an entire module dedicated to ‘waking up’ to the myths we’ve been fed about health and our bodies,” Adrienne says. “In this module, we discuss how to create a truly empowering environment for students and how to use inclusive language in our instruction, too.”

Body-shaming language can be very subtle that we might not even notice that we’re making back-handed compliments. Something like “you’re so brave for wearing a crop top to class, I could never do that,” might come off as insulting. It implies that despite their size, showing skin is an act of bravery when really they should be allowed to wear whatever they feel most comfortable in.

Always Be Furthering Your Education

So you have a barre certification. Maybe you’ve also been trained in related disciplines like yoga or Pilates. What about advanced training? According to Lori Winter, the Director of Operations and Master Trainer for BarreAmped®, instructors who are motivated to continue their own education can give them an edge over other potential hires.

“Clients can tell when an instructor is simply phoning it in, as opposed to the fresh energy and new skills they bring to class after taking a workshop or advanced training,” says Lori. “If you’re an independent contractor hired by a boutique fitness studio, this is the kind of edge you want to ensure you’re the in-demand teacher who can fill up classes.”

Taking Care of Yourself Is Just as Important

In addition to your physical health, are you taking care of your mental health? “No one can pour from an empty cup,” says Lori Winter. “We teach the importance of warm-up, cool down, rest days, nourishing and fueling your body for activity, breathing well and deeply, etc.”

You Won’t Be An Effective Teacher If You’re Burnt Out

Here’s some good news! Worried that you have to take the entire class along with the clients? That can cause you to burn out and is not the best way for clients to get the most out of the class. “Overtraining can easily creep in and take over if instructors are taking the classes they’re teaching. We encourage our trainees to demo exercises, but to also come away from the teacher barre and focus on the clients in the room,” says Lori. “Do your own more intense exercise as a student when you can fully connect your mind to your body and be present.”

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Resources for Barre Instructors