Time to PIVOT!

2020 strikes again.  And with every hit this year lands on labarre studios, my equipe, and those around me, I brace for impact and regain my balance only to swing back. 

We have pivoted over and over in the past few months as you already know! 
 
2020 hits: we create a massive virtual library.
2020 hits again: we take our classes outdoors.
2020 hits yet again: we take our wellness providers outdoors.
2020 hits yet again: we add LIVESTREAM to our virtual platform
2020 hits harder, yet again: we find a way to pivot and that is where we are now.
 
Introducing, #OperationPivot!

If we only had a DeLorean, we’d go back to the future, because 2020 has me feeling a little bit like Marty McFly!
 
In 2016, I had a vision of bringing a barre-inspired studio right here in San Jose, specifically in our historic building, and I faced pushback from a few angles including franchised studios.   
 
It didn’t stop me.  
 
With focus and passion I assembled an incredible team of founding instructors and we began building out 1445 The Alameda… but I needed to get labarre studios off the ground as our build-out took almost 9 months and rent had to be paid.  So, I decided to teach classes for free for 5+ months, certify instructors, and start building our community as we were creating our oasis before the drywall was up and the building was completed.

During this time, I needed a space to achieve this lofty goal, and I was lucky enough to connect with Donna Maruoka, Founder and Director of Roundhill Studios.  Donna has been a part of the ballet & dance community for decades and after her studio suffered crippling damage from a fire, she relocated to her space at 1043 Garland Avenue in San Jose, CA.  There she continued on with her work with dancers of all ages.
 
Donna and Roundhill proved to be a great landing spot for labarre to launch, and we created our underground classes which were the foundation of our business!  In under a half of a year we left Roundhill Studios and opened our doors on The Alameda always keeping Donna and her studio in our hearts and our family.  You may notice the photos in the lobby of the ballet dancers around our studio, those photos were gifts from Donna and Roundhill Studios!

Well call Doc Brown and find some plutonium… because we are back at Roundhill! 
 
Thanks to Donna and Roundhill, we have found a way to keep in-person classes alive as the pandemic is forcing our in-studio classes to be shut down for the third time at labarre.  Her open-air studio – which is a safe alternative as we slide into the Purple Tier here in Santa Clara – is ready to roll!  With a huge garage door and open windows to allow for great air flow and safety for the members and instructors, we are returning to where it all began.  We are headed back to the future for the time being!

This movement has been coined, #OperationPivot!  It’s not ideal but neither is anything that 2020 has thrown at you, your family, your friends and your life!
 
We here at labarre are losing sleep so you will have one less thing to worry about.  Assuring that you are doing your very best to feel good physically and mentally is what we strive for.  The good news is that our wellness providers are still at 1445 The Alameda and open for business with safety protocols in full effect.  Even better, ALL of our classes will continue to be livestreamed so you won’t miss a beat!
 
Have questions or thoughts – email us at [email protected] and we will get back to you immediately!
 
It’s time to PIVOT!  So grab your mat, props, and smile and we will see you at Roundhill Studios until further notice!