tLm Summer Studio Series

An eight-week barre & Pilates exploration - international and national

Welcome to the first installment of our Summer Studio Series. In June, I ventured out into the community of Berlin, Germany. I’m thrilled to share my experience at my very first stop on this adventure.

This summer, during my travels, I will be taking classes at various studios in the cities and countries I visit. My goal is to uncover the most inspiring barre and Pilates studios while I’m out in the world. This eight-week journey features a new studio every first and third Tuesday of the month, sharing a few of my travel stories along with the magic of movement. 

“WHY this series? Why talk about ‘other’ studios?

My purpose in creating this series is to shine a bright, beautiful light on barre and Pilates studios that are doing this work exceptionally well. Studios, owners, and teachers, who like me, are dedicated to serving our community as a whole, who believe in collaboration vs competition, who recognize there is ‘no’ monopoly on these moves and that these techniques belong to ALL OF US! During my travels this summer, I will seek out classes that stay true to the elements that make these practices such a great choice for fitness and strength, and are mindful of theORIGINAL methods of this work and who are making injury prevention a priority, as the founders and originators of this work intended. In doing this, if I can be a beacon for fellow travelers seeking amazing studios in other parts of the world, all the better. 

In addition, it’s my sincere hope that ‘anyone’ reading this, whether you're a student of this work, a fellow teacher (new or seasoned) or a studio owner, this may inspired you if or when when you're out in the world (any where in the world) to find the right studio for yourself. This series is not meant to be just when you’re traveling, but also when you’re looking right in your own backyard. I want you to know that studios like “this” exist. You may need to try a few before finding the one or two that have all the things you’re looking for.

By sharing this series with you, I’m hoping you'll see the magic that other studio owners are creating, and that you won’t need to settle. It really does exist. You should feel at home, wherever you work out, and the studios I’ll be sharing with you certainly made me feel that way. I’d love for you to take away from this an idea of the kind of studio you’d love to find, regardless of the type of workouts you're looking for, and consider the qualities you want in your studio, gym, or dojo. 

No matter where you are in the world, wherever you’re at right now, living or visiting, I’m so happy you’re here. Let’s go! 

Up First - A Gorgeous Discovering: BECYCLE & BEYOND

From its stunning online photos to the light-filled reality, BECYCLE & BEYOND did not disappoint! It felt like a dream come true. Slender greenery accents, crisp white walls, and a warm café corner, I was at once welcomed! I quickly realized that this was a holistic hub for the body, mind, soul, and community.

From the moment I spotted BECYCLE & BEYOND online, I was captivated. Stunning photos displaying a sleek, minimalist spa-like aesthetic. It’s not always the case, but walking through the doors, the studio looked and felt just like the photos promised it would. It was a treat, and the space surpassed every expectation: beautiful high ceilings flooded with light, clean lines, and pops of greenery that spoke of intentional design. It’s clear this space is a labor of love, crafted to welcome both seasoned practitioners and curious first-timers.

BECYCLE & BEYOND offers reformer Pilates, barre, and cycle classes. I knew right away I wanted to take at least two classes - Pilates and Barre. Both were on the list. I was eager to see how this studio would interpret these disciplines, and they were both amazing. A few things I can tell you about this studio are that it’s a triple threat, exceeding expectations in both beauty and function, and it’s big on mindfulness and safety. 

• Triple Threat: Barre, reformer Pilates, and cycle ALL under one roof. Talk about knocking it out of the park. It was clear that they take their work to heart and very seriously (without being even the least bit stuffy). Everything they do is with impeccable detail. It was stunning! 

• Beauty + Function: Every class balanced elegant design with purposeful and thoughtful execution, bringing both form and function.

• Mindfulness + Safety: Love how mindful the classes are. They both begin by taking deep ribcage breaths that are powerful and meditative, if not otherworldly. With sincere intention, the warm‑ups and cooldowns are thoughtful and offer clear technique cues that emphasize their commitment to injury prevention. 

– Reformer Class Highlights | Taught by Ale

A Breath-Centered Beginning

My reformer session kicked off with a nod to traditional Pilates, a technique I love and have not practiced in a while. I was reminded of how incredible it is and how it elevates the workout to a new level. I will be adapting into tLm classes also. It’s to breathe into our ribs, holding our ribcages gently as we inhale, just as Joseph Pilates intended. This foundational practice wasn’t a quick “breathe deeply” but rather a mindful tutorial, guiding us to feel and engage with the breath and grounding us even further in the body‑mind connection.

Roll Downs & Core Connection

Next came the classic roll-down series, where we articulated our spines from “core to floor” and back up with precision. It was yet another reminder of Pilates’ elegant simplicity. Our instructor Ale wove in evolved variations, expanding the repertoire without losing the discipline’s essence. I loved it.

“Around the World” Flow

A standout was their take on what some studios call the “around the world” format, completing a full sequence of exercises on one side before switching to the other. This approach deepened the mind–body connection and underscored BECYCLE & BEYOND’s commitment to balanced and intentional movement.

Top-to-Bottom Attention

We moved seamlessly through upper-body work, a dedicated core segment, a glute series, and back extensions, finishing with a final roll-down to ground us. Everyone benefited from Ale’s keen eye. She circled the room, offering hands-on adjustments and personalized cues to ensure we felt each movement in exactly the right place.

Warm-Ups and Cool Downs

As essential as any part of the workout portion of class, at BECYCLE and BEYOND, these two components are viewed as being fundamental to nervous‑system regulation and a vital part of every class. By the end, I was delightfully sore and really, profoundly cared for. 

– Barre Class Highlights | Led by Zoe

A True Barre Immersion

Some barre classes don't rely on the barre and use it only occasionally during class, while others use it upwards of 70-75% of the time during class. I'm in that latter group. BECYCLE and BEYOND also utilizes the bar like we do at tLm. During my barre class taught by Ale, we were at the bar more than we weren't for most of the workout, striking what I think was the perfect balance between support and challenge. Again, the way the technique was designed. 

Barre Centered - Breath Driven 

Rather than default to generic cues, the instructor reintroduced Pilates-style rib-cage breathing, weaving breath awareness into every plié and extension. It may not be “OG” barre protocol, but it enriched the experience, making each movement feel more rooted.

Full-Body Focus

Deliberate attention is given through comprehensive sequencing. From upper-body toning and glute work to floor-based abs, the class is designed to help sculpt every muscle group. Although I missed some of the side-body emphasis that is so classic to Lotte Berk’s original method, the overall flow was cohesive and invigorating. 

Personalized Corrections

Just as in the reformer class, Zoe, our barre instructor, was attentive to each individual's form, giving hands-on guidance so every participant could access the full benefit of each exercise at the peak of their own potential. There is no wasted time or missed opportunities for deep connection and sincere work with oneself. Form and community are clearly a priority at BECYCLE and BEYOND. Zoe’s expert cueing and friendly energy made every participant feel supported, seen, and heard, and isn’t that what everyone needs… no exceptions. 

Kelly’s Snapshot Take-Aways

• Breathe First Grounding: Reinforce diaphragmatic, rib-cage breathing in every class and mindful roll-downs to frame the movement practice.

• Balanced Sequencing and Intention: Experiment with full-side flows (“around the world”) for deeper engagement and full‑body flows that honor both classical roots and thoughtful innovations. There’s room for BOTH!

• Personalized Corrections: Prioritize and invest in individualized verbal cues to enhance the student experience.

• Community Hubs That Anchor: Consider a small café or lounge space to extend connections beyond the barre, or a collaborative community hub where you can gather and connect, and continue expanding meaningful work beyond the barre.

In closing… why BECYCLE and BEYOND Left A Mark On Me 

I think if I started this by saying, “a Café, a Community, and a Lifestyle walk into a barre!” you’d get an immediate sense of what I mean. I won’t leave it there, but I could. The American TV show, Cheers, had a theme of “where everybody knows your name.” BECYCLE and BEYOND have that kind of feel. It feels incredibly comfortable, making you want to stay a while. 

During the two short days I got to spend there, I had the pleasure of connecting with its founder Gundula Cöllen‑Sorger, who is completely lovely. It’s a place where ‘global meets local. It’s led by Gundula and supported by her American training heads, Shirah Perry and Katherine LaPlant, The studio bridges borders with shared passion and expertise.

A couple of things that make BECYCLE and BEYOND stand out to me are how they begin with the integration of mindfulness and breath tutorials and conclude with connective roll-downs, further taking us to a deeper presence within ourselves. The two workouts I did there invited me to synchronize my mind and body. The mindfulness framework fosters a warm and connected environment. Students chatted easily before and after class, and instructors took genuine interest in each person’s journey with ease and sincerity.  

An ecosystem requires that a certain balance is maintained, and when done well, it works really beautifully. Managing that balance is clearly something BECYCLE and BEYOND is doing incredibly well. This studio has so much heart that when you walk in, you don’t just see, but you actually feel it. From the holistic Café to the studio layout, the entire space moves, breathes, and lives as a single entity. You feel the cohesiveness at once. It's genuinely an interconnected ecosystem of wellness.

The community high-vibe conversations continue long after the workout ends. From nourishing bites perfect for a post-workout refuel to the friendships and bonds formed, they have thought of everything and have found a way of making it all flow seamlessly. It’s not just a place to exercise; it’s a holistic hub for wellness, community, and connection. Something I think we’d all love to have access to.

As if it needed to be mentioned again, it’s stunning. It’s the kind of place you want to take home with you when you leave.  The mindfulness of the community, a welcoming atmosphere where students chat, connect, and return again and again and again, reminding us that movement is as much about people as it is about technique. That could not be more true here. 

I hope you’ll continue to seek studios that honor tradition, inspire innovation, and foster a sense of community. If you EVER find yourself in Berlin, I really do hope you’ll treat yourself to a class (or two) at BECYCLE and BEYOND. Between Zoe’s challenging sessions, Ale’s deep connection, and that delightful café, they really do have it all.

Stay inspired. Keep going. I see you. I hear you. I’m here for all of it. Next stop… Barcelona. 

See you soon. 

Kelly xo 

A tLm Q&A with BECYCLE & BEYOND

Below, Kelly sits down with Gundula Cöllen‑Sorger (Founder & CEO) and Claire Bathgate Petersen (Team Lead) to dig deeper into their mindful approach.

– On Reformer Pilates

Q1: Why roll‑downs & rib‑cage breathing before and after class?

Gundula: “All of our classes begin with mindfulness because warm‑ups/cooldowns are essential to nervous‑system regulation and presence. They set the tone—so clients leave grounded, centered, and recharged.”

Q2: Do you follow a format to hit every muscle group?

Claire: “Teachers have freedom in sequencing, but we encourage a 360° full‑body experience. Our intention: physical challenge plus mental centering.”

Q3: How do you balance classical vs. evolved Pilates?

Gundula: “Each instructor brings a unique flair—some stay classical, others blend contemporary moves. But foundational principles remain at the heart of every session.”

– On Barre

Q1: Is Pilates‑style breathing standard in Barre, too?

Claire: “Yes—breath is fundamental to all movement here. Every class begins with breath connection to anchor form and engagement.”

Q2: What informs your Barre technique?

Gundula: “We train both internally and with external programs, but all teachers prioritize functional movement, technique, and alignment above all.”

Q3: How do you ensure balanced muscle targeting?

Claire: “While teachers design their own classes, each follows an intentional structure to promote muscular balance, functional strength, and sustainable patterns.”

Q4: How do you train teachers on cueing & corrections?

Gundula: “Form is everything. We emphasize verbal, tactile, and visual cueing so teachers can read bodies in real time and transform workouts into deep learning experiences.”