LAMORINDA WEEKLY | The War of the Barres


A class at NextBarre, with Diana Pecci La Brecque practicing in the middle. Photo Sophie Braccini

It all starts with ballerina envy, the long sculptured muscles and the elegant, lean and dynamic figure. From it are born the "barre" classes, exercise routines that often draw from the Lotte Berk Method, an exercise conditioning that originated in London almost 50 years ago with a famous German dancer. Lafayette had a Dailey Method studio based on Lotte Berk's method that was opened in 2008 at 3471 Mt. Diablo Blvd. by Diana Pecci La Brecque. Now on March 16 another Dailey Method studio is opening at 3344C Mt. Diablo Blvd.

The original business name has changed to NextBarre, and while it continues to offer Lotte Berk method-based classes, Pecci La Brecque has added her own vision and modifications.

"I wanted to create classes that would be both challenging and safe for my clients," says Pecci La Brecque. "I drew on my 10 years teaching barre classes and 20 years of other fitness training to do so. I added therapy bands and balls, some yoga, so someone who is pregnant and someone who's an athlete can train side by side and both be challenged without risks."

Pecci La Brecque says that she was not a Dailey Method franchise but had a contract to use the method. She did not renew her agreement with the company because she was not authorized to make her modifications under their name, so she changed the name to NextBarre last November.

The war of the barres started when some of Pecci La Brecque's instructors left her studio. One of them, Christine Olson, became the new franchisee for Dailey Method in Lafayette, with partner Kerry Corcoran. "The transition was very sudden and there was some uneasiness," remembers NextBarre instructor Chari Plough. "Some people were concerned whether she (Pecci La Brecque) would be able to make it on her own."

Claudia Ross, who's been a client of Pecci La Brecque since 2011 said she felt pressured by the new business to switch: "Their (the Dailey Method) campaign was unwanted," she said. "This is a small community and we embrace our small business owners."

Dailey Method's Corcoran indicated that if some clients left Pecci La Brecque's studio, it was likely because they did not want the changes and were looking for the same training method they had been enjoying. "There is nothing that's as challenging and gentle for the body at the same time," said Corcoran who is a trained nurse. "The movements focus on alignment; the work strengthens the muscles without impacting the joints."

According to Pecci La Brecque, some clients have left, but most are staying with her.

She believes that there is room for more than one barre method studio in Lamorinda. "There is Starbucks and there is Peet's," says the single mother of a young daughter. "It has been very exciting to develop my own method, but very daunting." She believes that the quality of what she offers will sustain the support from her clients.

Dailey Method is opening its new studio March 16 at 3344C Mt. Diablo Blvd. with a weekend of free classes and a large raffle supported by local businesses. "There are now some 50 Dailey Method studios all over the world," says Corcoran, "and it all started here in San Francisco when Jill Dailey opened her first tiny place 12 years ago."

Maybe there is room for two barre-based studios in Lamorinda after all.

Lamorinda Weekly business articles are intended to inform the community about local business activities, not to endorse a particular company, product or service.