You may have heard of The Lotte Berk Technique but who is the woman behind the workout? Lotte Berk, born Liselotte Heymansohn in Cologne, Germany is considered to be the originator of barre. She was a renowned European ballet dancer until she suffered a severe spinal injury.
After the accident, Lotte began working with an orthopedic surgeon. It was during her recovery that she designed a series of exercises to strengthen the spine and core to assist. After making a full recovery, Lotte Berk began sharing her method with others.
Why might Lotte Berk be considered the founder of barre?
Even though Lotte trained as a modern dancer, her exercises are specially designed for non-dancers. She also incorporated use of floor and bar work into her routines.
Lotte Berk’s influence on modern barre
In the early 70s, a woman named Lydia Bach opened The Lotte Berk Method in New York. Inspired by Lotte’s workout, Lydia purchased the rights to use her name in North America and opened studios in her name, first in Manhatten, followed by Bridgehampton, Los Angeles and eventually via franchise locations throughout Connecticut.
Burr Leonard was a student and eventual owner of those franchise locations throughout Connecticut. After a decade of teaching the Lotte Berk Method, she and her partner decided that the technique they were teaching had diverged so much from the original that they decided to branch out on their own and hence The Bar Method opened their flagship studio in 2000 in San Francisco.
Physique 57’s Jennifer Vaughan Maanavi and Tanya Becker were a teacher and student duo that met while Tanya was teaching at The Lotte Berk Method’s New York City studio. Saddened by the sudden closure of the studio, the pair decided to go into business together. Today you’ll see Lotte’s influence in Tanya’s choreography, which is set to energetic and motivating music. Tanya incorporated cardio, strength training and soothing stretches to the routine, which build off of the Lotte Berk technique she once taught.
The cover of Lydia Bach’s 1971 book about The Lotte Berk Method.
In some way or another, every modern barre class today has either been directly or indirectly influenced by Ms. Berk’s technique. The results that studios hope their clients achieve are really just the same as they were a few decades ago. The goal of a Lotte Berk class is to firm, lengthen and shape the muscles to their optimal form. Today’s classes use the foundation that Lotte created, with a few more gimmicks. Equipment like step-up platforms, straps and balls were never part of the original technique.
You’ll see Lotte’s influence manifest in many different forms in today’s classes. For instance, many franchises including Pure Barre do not allow their clients to wear midriff-baring tops. Exposed skin to cool air make the muscles more prone to injury. Lotte Berk was a big advocate for injury prevention since her methods were created to facilitate her own recovery.
Speaking of injury prevention, the popular “tuck” that we hear so often referred to in class, was simply a pelvic tilt in the early days. It was an exercise based on dance that was meant to protect the spine.
Interested in taking a true Lotte Berk Technique class?
If you want the authentic experience, head to a studio that offers the closest thing to the original technique. If you find yourself in Hungerford, England, you can take a class at the studio owned by Lotte’s daughter, Esther Fairfax. If you happen to find yourself in Switzerland, take a class with Tina Graf, if you’re in the UK stop into Disco Barre Studio or if you’re in the United States, theLONDONmethod in California, LONDON BARRE in New York or Barre Bayou in Louisiana. The Good Barre also offers online classes.
