My Journey to Getting Certified in The ORIGINAL Lotte Berk Technique: Tips for a Successful Test Out Class

In this series of posts, our Southern US Editor Jennifer Mathieu Henshall shares her POV while on her journey to getting certified by theLONDONmethod in the original Lotte Berk Technique.

Without fail, fall, my favorite season, always flies by in a colorful blur. This past autumn was no exception. In addition to enjoying everything pumpkin spice, I completed my ORIGINAL Lotte Berk Certification.

Since opening my congratulatory email from The London Method’s founders – and my amazing Master Trainers – Kelly Wackerman and Pam Kennedy, having Esther Fairfax approve my test out class and receiving my certificate, with signatures from Kelly, Pam and Esther, I have been making the most out of all that I learned from the ORIGINAL’s best. (You can find virtual versions of my ORIGINAL classes on barrevariations.com — where I am a Guest Teacher — and thebarrelibrary.com – my own site.)

Since Kelly and Pam will be continuing to enlighten other groups of ORIGINAL trainees, I wanted to share some tips to help upcoming troupes pass their test out classes with flying colors.

Preparation is Key

Although somewhat opposite of the intuitive nature that I love so much about The ORIGINAL Technique, I find that being over-prepared just helps to boost my confidence in any given situation. I took this same approach when it came to preparing for my ORIGINAL test out video. Below, are some of the ways that I readied myself for instructing my test out class:

1.      Make an outline of your class based on the ORIGINAL class format. I actually made two outlines for my class – one very-detailed outline with set-up cues, positions and things to watch out for and then a boiled-down version of keywords that I used once I was comfortable enough with the sequence and moves.

When putting your class outline together, be sure to choose the moves that you’re most comfortable performing. For example, Hello Sailor is not one of my strongest moves, so I left it out of my test out class. Now that I’m more familiar with the class format and my confidence in my form and technique has grown, I challenge myself by placing more difficult moves in the classes I instruct.

2.      Choose songs that you like for your playlist. Choreographing, practicing and performing your test out class will be so much more enjoyable if you pick some of your favorite songs for your playlist.

When choosing my playlist, I selected a combination of my favorite current songs, along with some old-time faves, and then matched the songs to the sections of the class that I thought worked best. Be sure to stick to the recommended BPM (found in the tLm Manual) when choosing your tracks.

3.      Watch all of the videos offered in the training. Pam and Kelly give you a unique peek into their time training with Esther in England by providing you with exclusive access to a long list of videos. Log into your online training portal to watch (and re-watch!) step-by-step explanations of the ORIGINAL moves, take a full class with Esther and listen in as Esther narrates while Kelly and Pam demonstrate.

4.      Listen to the videos. Not only did I watch all of the course videos, but I also had them on in the background while I did the dishes, cooked dinner for my family, folded laundry, etc. Listening to the videos reinforced what I was learning during training and when taking Zoom classes, and also taught my brain to connect the words (i.e., “Floor, off, floor, off” or “Lift, bend, stretch,”) to the moves.

5.      Review your notes and the tLm training manual several times. If you read any of the earlier posts that I wrote as I was going through the ORIGINAL training, you may remember that in my typical old-school-style, I printed out the 50-page manual and put it in a three-ring binder. I also took notes via pen and paper during our Zoom training classes.

At the end of each training weekend, I would insert my hand-written notes into my binder, which now serves as one of my most treasured instructional resources. Whether you choose paper and pen or phone and fingertip, it is important to continue to refer back to the tLm Manual, as well as your notes, while planning and choreographing your test out class.

6.      Ask questions. Kelly, Pam, the other tLm Trainers (myself included) and your own training cohort are extremely valuable and knowledgeable resources. Be sure to write down any questions that come to mind and ask them via email, during training, while you’re taking one of your required Zoom classes, etc. Although it is the most effective and enjoyable workout that I’ve ever done, The ORIGINAL Technique does have some nuances – that’s why it’s ORIGINAL! – that may need some additional clarification.

7.      Learn the class format by heart. This may seem daunting at first – it was to me! – but, knowing the class format from the warm-up to the final stretch will further enhance your confidence during the test out video. Not to worry, though. After taking the 15 hours of training, participating in your 10 required virtual classes with other instructors and observing three Master Teacher classes, you will have the entire class easily committed to memory.

8.      Practice with others. Whether it’s in-person, online or a combination of both, be sure to get in as much practice time with other people as possible. I wasn’t able to practice my test out class with others, but I found that just participating in the Zoom classes and the feedback that I got from the other instructors helped me with my cues and form.

Practice What You Teach

In addition to watching all of the videos from the course (see above), a few more ways to ensure test out class success are:

1.      Take all of your virtual tLm classes. As a trainee, you are given 10 virtual classes to take during the course of training. This amounts to about three classes (give or take) per week. I signed up for my first virtual class on the second day of the first training weekend and found it very beneficial (albeit, slightly tiring) and fun to take Pam’s Sunday morning class prior to that day’s virtual classroom session.

I ended up repeating this little routine for the three consecutive Sundays during my September 2020 training session and was grateful to get some additional advice from Pam while immersed in the training weekends.

2.      Sign up for tLm TV. TLM TV is an online subscription service that contains additional ORIGINAL classes. You can watch and/or take classes that range anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes with a variety of tLm instructors. Even though I was taking my required virtual classes, participating in my observation classes and practicing the Technique during training, I still watched videos offered on tlm TV to reinforce what I was learning both inside and outside of the virtual classroom. Sometimes, when I was feeling extra ambitious, I’d do a 10-minute Quick Fix or 20-minute Mini, just because they always boosted my spirits and energy levels.

3.      Review the Teacher’s Checklist. After you’ve put your test out class outlines together, refer back to the Tenets of a Great Teacher list in the tLm Manual. Be sure that your class satisfies all of the required elements that will be part of your final evaluation.

4.      Practice your own class in front of a mirror. I have several mirrors scattered along the walls of my at-home barre studio and find that they are invaluable when it comes to keeping me honest and in proper form. The ORIGINAL Technique is heavily rooted in feeling the movements, but I felt that I benefited from those occasional glances in the mirror to make sure that my leg really was as straight as possible or that my Happy Foot was facing toward the floor.

Some Final Pointers

*Have fun! Learning The ORIGINAL Technique was the most rewarding and enjoyable training that I’ve ever experienced in my fitness career. Pam, Kelly and the other trainees were so warm, welcoming and genuine and all of these traits were seamlessly communicated through our digital screens.

If you read my previous posts, you’ll learn how quickly and easily our cohort was accepted into the tLm family. So, relax and enjoy the process – it will be over before you know it! 

*Be confident! You’ve taken the 15 hours of training, practiced during your 10 (or more) virtual classes and reviewed all of the materials countless times over.

Remember, I said that over-preparation was key. When I tell you that I lived and breathed The ORIGINAL Technique for over a month, I’m not kidding. I put a lot of time and effort into learning the Technique, which now feels like second nature to me, and am very confident in my ability to instruct classes that are safe, effective and authentic.

*Be yourself. The ORIGINAL Technique encourages self-expression at its highest level. Yes, you’ll learn that the class follows a particular format and that the moves are precise, but the Technique itself allows for your unique individuality to shine through.

If you have ever read any of Esther’s books or listened to her during an interview, she explains how Lotte didn’t apologize for who she was even though she broke all the rules.

Lotte was true to herself and expressed her flair through her beautiful and graceful Technique. As an ORIGINAL trainee, who is more of an athlete than a dancer, I slowly assimilated this mindset into my own work. And now, as a Certified ORIGINAL Trainer, I find that the Technique has enabled me to express my love and appreciation for, not only the work but also myself.

About the Author

Jennifer is a barre instructor, personal trainer, clinical aromatherapist and author who discovered barre — her soul-mate workout — while training for the 2016 Boston Marathon. As a long-time runner, former bodybuilder, and melanoma skin cancer survivor, Jennifer’s recent battle with autoimmune disease has changed her fitness focus to one that incorporates more mindful, purposeful and low-impact movements.

A former communication professor and mother of two daughters, Jennifer is excited to share her thoughts and experiences on ways to create and maintain a strong connection between the mind and body through barre.