6 Monthes : 24 Weeks : 180 Days

Lisa Alberino teaches one of the many underground classes that were offered free of charge for 4 months as labarre was being founded.

Demolition started in late winter at 1445 The Alameda in the 87th historic building in San Jose.

6 Months. 24 weeks.  180 days.  
 
That's how long ago labarre studios was created. 
 
It was a warm October day in the Bay and I had my in laws in visiting from Connecticut.  They had come back from a day of adventure in The City and I was sitting in our kitchen in College Park at the table, papers scattered everywhere and the blueprints for what I hoped to be an incredible addition to the neighborhood was lying in front of me.  That was the day that labarre was born.
 
Wide eyed, they questioned what I was working on (especially my husband!) as he surely knew this would be our next child... our next big adventure.
 
I started working out and teaching group fitness classes a long time ago (and with my birthday that recently passed it now feels like that time is too long to mention in this update!) However, that passion, fire, love, yearning to work hard and be in the best shape I could led to me getting my Masters Degree in Pedagogy and my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology.  
 
I never stopped learning, dancing, working.  My career path took a very big left turn when I had my first child, Jordan, as I was teaching dance professionally and heavily involved with kids and education.  I entered the financial world and as I was married in 2001.  I was headquartered in Philadelphia at the time and my office which had over two dozen employees was an incredibly fun and exciting place to work.  We were making tracks and on the tails of the largest producing firm in the east coast in just a few years.  I was the vice president of marketing for American Financial and business was skyrocketing.  I loved what I did, but it was missing something all too familiar. 
 
I was missing the element of movement, freedom and expression.
 
To recapture some of the enjoyment dance and fitness always brought me, I regularly held dance parties for my staff and choreographed routines for us to perform at financial conventions. Besides believing I was certifiably crazy, I know my staff saw this next chapter coming before even I did!
 
As I retired from the financial business and my husband's work in the NFL saw the family make several moves across the country, we ended up in the beautiful Bay Area.  I never stopped my fitness journey, but it was about to rise to the next level and even I was unaware.  I began taking barre classes locally and soon realized that I wanted to teach, once again. 
 
The classes were a Godsend. 
 
I lost over 20 pounds in 1 year and grew 3/4 on an inch and felt phenomenal.  I was working out with people I loved and they were benefiting alongside of me.  I felt at home. It felt right, although something dawned on me... I could do this with no boundaries - no rules - and with all of the things I felt were missing in my current workout.  That is when the pencil hit the paper.
 
That was 180 days ago.
 
We are simply weeks away from opening.  Through that time so much hard work and preparation has gone into the vision we had 6 months prior.  We were blessed with an incredible building on an historic corner of The Alameda (1445 The Alameda).  We have successfully certified a talented and multi-disciplined team of radiant instructors.  We have created what we believe to be one of the most stellar studios (that we simply can't wait to show you!) in the South Bay.  And lastly, we have poured our hearts and souls into every detail with dreams that labarre isn't only a wonderfully family owned business, but a fun oasis for those who are looking to achieve their fitness goals in a community atmosphere full of smiles.  We hope you are as excited as us and we will continue to update as the weeks march along and we get closer to our Grand Opening!
 
Happy Days, 
 
Lisa Alberino, Founder

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The doors will open soon for labarre studios and we welcome all guests!