Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Wackerman.
Kelly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Three years ago I read a book that I later found out would change my life. I was a Pilates & Barre instructor and while doing researching for one of the Barre trainings I was conducting I came across a book called, My Improper Mother and me. It was written by a woman named Esther Fairfax, who is the daughter of legendary Barre Technique creator, Lotte Berk. Fascinated by her story I reached out to her via her website. Soon we were chatting away on the phone like a couple of teenage girls, Esther was 81 years young at the time and living in the countryside of England, 1 hour outside of London.
Having never trained an American in the technique she so cherished and had been keeping sacred in her countryside home in Hungerford (no, I had never heard of it either), we both decided after much thought and consideration that I would fly to her to find out what the TRUE work of Lotte Berk was all about. I expected to find a few new cues and a new-found friendship, but what I did not know was that I was about to uncover an almost unrecognizable method that would pull in my waist and inch and a half in just 3.5 weeks’ time. Lotte Berk was a true genius, and her daughter had been teaching the exercises just the way her mother taught her for 54 years now. I was being stretched in new places I had never known in all my barre & Pilates certification courses.
I came home and tried these new-found exercises on my clients and they too began to see their waists pull in just like mine had in my training. It was at that point that I decided to create theLONDONmethod in honor of Lotte, Esther, and the place where it all began. A brand was born out of trust, authenticity and a desire to help other women learn the secrets of keeping fit that Esther shared with me in April of 2015.
Has it been a smooth road?
In the beginning everything seemed to fall into place, it was like every door kept opening in front of us and it felt like someone was saying “come this way!”. I just kept moving forward when opportunities presented themselves and it all felt so right! Did it stay like that? No, unfortunately not. It’s been a challenge these past two years, when people start seeing what you have and they want it. I had to learn the hard way who to trust and who was just out there to get what they want at all costs. It still has been the best experience of my life though, aside from the birth of my identical twin sons, and my marriage to my husband. Something beautiful was born when theLONDONmethod was created. A true sisterhood has been formed between all the teachers we have working for us, as well as the strong bond we see our clients share with one another. It’s an amazing community of women who lift each other up, encourage each other and truly seem to want the best for one another. It’s pretty amazing to witness.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with theLONDONmethod – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
theLONDONmethod is the home of the ORIGiNAL Lotte Berk Ballet Barre class. We teach the ORIGINAL class that was taught to me by Esther Fairfax, Lotte Berk’s only daughter. We use the barre for leverage to strengthen our core, as well as lengthen out our thigh muscles. The exercises we practice will strengthen the deepest layers of your muscles fibers, literally YOU can feel it! Typical results are a loss of 1-2 inches in your waist, hips, and thighs in the first 30 days as long as you can consistently commit to at least two classes/week. We are known for our waist work, our experienced & knowledgeable teachers as well as having a very calm and welcoming environment for new people to learn. I am so proud of all that we have put out and accomplished in the last two years. In the fall, we officially will launch our online program, which will be the first of its kind in the US. It’s the only place you can find these highly effective exercises being performed without a barre.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Well, we are on the outskirts of LA but I would say it’s worth a visit out to our side of LA County. I love the diversity, the outstanding food & variety that is coming around now. I love the support we have for the arts and the unity we have seen recently within our tight knit community. Community gardens, restaurants supporting locally grown foods, all types of people coming together is a fabulous part of living in Long Beach!
Pricing:
- Our Intro package is $125/ Month for 8 classes. It is recommended to come 2x’s a week when starting out for optimal results. 8 classes must be used in 1 month.
- Our online video program is launching in September. To be a part of our Beta Test Group it is just $30 for a video a week for 4 weeks.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2236 East Broadway,
Long Beach, CA 90815 - Website: www.thelondonmethod.net
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: thelondonmethod
- Facebook: thelondonmethod
- Twitter: thelondonmethod
- Yelp: thelondonmethod
Image Credit:
Kelly Wackerman & theLONDONmethod inspiration Esther Fairfax.
Kelly, Brooks, Cash & Miles Wackerman. (Kelly training in England)
Blake Wilson (TLM Teacher, Long Beach studio)
Kelly Wackerman & Pamela Kennedy (Owners, Long Beach Studio)
Kelly Wackerman & Michelle Haner (Collaboration for May 2016)
Stephanie, Rachel, Kelly, Ashley, Pam (Teachers @ TLM Long Beach)
Babies in our “Bring your Baby” class @ Long Beach Studio
Kat IIVER (New Teacher 2 Long Beach Studio) in “Hello Sailor” position
Kelly Wackerman Owner/Founder theLONDONmethod.
Kelly in Hungerford for training in 2015
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
