Meet Alyssa Thompson

You may or may not have met a staple at labarre studios but we want you to get to know Alyssa Thompson!  This terrific instructor, wonderful mom, professional and South Bay Native, grew up in San Jose and Campbell and continues to pay it forward for her hometown.  Attending San Jose State to pursue her undergraduate degree in Sociology, Alyssa also minored in Nutrition.  Upon graduation, she added to her wealth of knowledge, focusing on receiving a Master’s degree from UC Berkeley in Social Work.

It was there that she was immersed and learned a great deal about mental health and, more notably, about children’s mental health. This discipline was in line with the path that Alyssa has taken as she is a mom to a “vibrant beautiful fun little girl, who loves to dance and sing and play. Amara (Alyssa’s daughter) is very emotionally intelligent, artistic and creative,” the beaming mom says with a smile.

Alyssa is an expert with children and is a Mental Health Counselor at a middle school in San Jose. Her work with children doesn’t end there as Alyssa is School-Based Mental Health Therapist and has worked in that capacity for over half a decade.  “I’ve always loved working with kids and doing so in a school system.”  To add to her accolades Alyssa has recently become a licensed clinical social worker furthering her value to the people she serves.
 
Above and beyond her work with children, she adores teaching fitness and stumbled into the avocation while at UC Berkeley.
 
“I was taking adult dance classes and tried something new while there.  I did Bikram Yoga and just loved it.” Alyssa also began prenatal yoga and did so when she was recovering from having Amara.  That love for Yoga would lead to barre classes.

“I walked into labarre when they offered a free week and I met Lisa (labarre’s owner and founder) and that was it!”  Alyssa connected with barre and the wonderful studio space at 1445 The Alameda and decided to add that to her already large list of talents.
 
“Teaching is so much fun.  I am already used to being out in front, used to talking and encouraging people.  You get to know everyone who comes to your class and get to know what they are working on in their personal life.”  That gregariousness and familiarity is also met with a great philosophy on how Alyssa classifies her style.  “I have a nice balance in my class of being calm and consistent as well as motivating and high energy.”

Away from the studio, Alyssa loves being with Amara.  Travelling (Costa Rica was one of her most recent trips!) is high on her list of breakaways.  Dancing continues to be a true love for her and when she is not on the dance floor you can find her sharpening her skills as a connoisseur of microbrews and tequila.

We welcome you to spend some time with one of our studio’s finest.  Alyssa’s class is rhythmic and fun, and you will most certainly get the workout that you deserve.  “When you come to my class, we will get into working out parts of your body that are not often used.  I want you to leave everything you have on the barre floor!”
 
Sounds like a challenge to us!  See you at the studio.