TEACHERS
-CERTIFICATIONS-
BARRE & SOUL ACADEMY
ESTHER FAIRFAX
THE LONDON METHOD
POWER PILATES
THE DAILEY METHOD
-AFFILIATIONS-
BARRE FITNESS ALLIANCE
-CERTIFICATIONS-
BARRE & SOUL ACADEMY
ESTHER FAIRFAX
THE LONDON METHOD
POWER PILATES
THE DAILEY METHOD
-AFFILIATIONS-
BARRE FITNESS ALLIANCE
Brooke Ellender
BA, BSN
Certified:
Power Pilates Comprehensive 600 hrs
Barre & Soul Academy
Brooke is a nursing graduate from Nicholls State University who started her health and wellness journey at a young age. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis left her exhausted all the time, and she was determined to feel better. Fast forward a decade and this fitness fanatic stumbled into her first barre class. She quickly saw results like never before, and this new-to-her workout helped heal Brooke's postpartum core. She instantly fell in love with the method which gave her space to gain physical strength and empowerment in every aspect of her life. Brooke's calm demeanor will leave you feeling blissfully challenged. Having recently given birth to her fifth child, Brooke is extra mindful of mamas who are eager for a challenging and safe prenatal workout. In addition to barre, she is certified in Power Pilates' rigorous 600 hour Comprehensive training and is currently training in The Dailey Method's Level 1 Certification. Brooke's brainchild l'Essentiel Pilates, offers a classic mat and reformer experience paired with the warmth and fun of our welcoming community. l'Essential Mat Pilates, l'Essentiel Reformer, Pilates Mixed Apparatus, Bayou Barre Method, Bayou Foundations
Samantha Magee
BA, MBA
Certified:
Barre & Soul Academy
Having always led an active lifestyle, Samantha began her barre journey while living in Houston circa 2015. Knee pain from arthritis prevented her from running and other high-impact workouts she previously enjoyed. She loved how the gentle movements made her feel strong and inspired. Samantha began teaching with Bayou Barre in 2019. Since then, she has had two babies and developed an even greater appreciation for barre, crediting the practice to giving her strength and stamina during pregnancy as well as postpartum.
Samantha enjoys sharing her love of barre with others, which is reflected in her teaching. She keeps classes fun, challenging and upbeat, and will encourage you to do your best through the entire class. Samantha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston. Bayou Barre Method
Samantha enjoys sharing her love of barre with others, which is reflected in her teaching. She keeps classes fun, challenging and upbeat, and will encourage you to do your best through the entire class. Samantha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston. Bayou Barre Method
Betsy Royster
BA, MAT
Certified:
Barre & Soul Academy
the Original by tLm
Power Pilates Core Mat I & Reformer I, 100 Hours
The Dailey Method
Approved by Esther Fairfax
Betsy began her barre journey in Greater Boston in 2015 when she had two toddlers. She instantly loved the welcoming community and effective workout, which was a huge change from her on-again, off-again high-impact workouts. Betsy continued barre throughout her third pregnancy and used the method to strengthen her postpartum body both physically and emotionally. Eager to bring barre to her new town of Thibodaux, LA, she trained with Barre & Soul Academy and founded Bayou Barre in 2018, joining forces with Brooke Ellender in 2019 to bring the Bayou Barre Method to a permanent studio space.
A Clemson University history and teaching graduate, Betsy felt a burning desire to bring the most authentic, original experience to her home studio. She was thrilled to train The London Method in June of 2020, and began teaching the Original which she dubbed "Preservation Barre" immediately. Always a student, she completed Power Pilates' Core Mat 1 training in early 2022, and the 100 hour Reformer I and The Dailey Method Certifications in early Spring 2024, aiming for Power Pilates' Core Mats 2 & 3 this summer. She loves sharing this work at Bayou Barre and beyond as a current TLM teacher trainer.
Navigating a Lupus diagnosis has helped her re-focus on the need for calm and quiet in each class she teaches. She strives to create a seriously fun and challenging class in a low-stress environment. Preservation Barre Technique, Bayou Barre Method, Bayou Balance, l'Essentiel Mat Pilates, l'Essentiel Reformer, Bayou Prenatal, The Saturday Experience
Lisa Spahr
MS
Certified:
RYT 200
Prenatal Yoga Instructor
the Original by tLm
Approved by Esther Fairfax
Lisa has been on a continuous health and wellness journey for most of her adult life. After becoming a mother, she dedicated herself to a consistent yoga practice. She found increased strength, energy, and mental clarity and soon felt inspired to share that with her peers. She appreciates the ways in which yoga and healthy movement practices benefit both mind and body. Her pursuit of pre and postnatal training comes from the joy she has helping expectant mothers ease their way through the changes of pregnancy.
While she has been an avid barre fan for the past two years, her love of the exercises was ignited during her first Original class. Luckily for us, she trained and was certified with Kelly and Pam of The London Method and is approved by the Esther Fairfax. She's continued to explore barre and is currently training in The Dailey Method's Level 1 Certification.
She encourages her students to meet themselves where they are in their practice each day, working toward progress, not perfection. Preservation Barre Technique, Bayou Beats, Prenatal Yoga, Bayou Balance
While she has been an avid barre fan for the past two years, her love of the exercises was ignited during her first Original class. Luckily for us, she trained and was certified with Kelly and Pam of The London Method and is approved by the Esther Fairfax. She's continued to explore barre and is currently training in The Dailey Method's Level 1 Certification.
She encourages her students to meet themselves where they are in their practice each day, working toward progress, not perfection. Preservation Barre Technique, Bayou Beats, Prenatal Yoga, Bayou Balance
Catherine Morvant
BA, JD
Certified:
the Original by tLm
Approved by Esther Fairfax
Kasey Gaudet
BSN Certified: the Original by tLm Barre & Soul Academy Approved by Esther Fairfax Kasey is a public health nurse, a Nicholls graduate, and mom of 2. She's always had an active lifestyle working out at home or the gym and eagerly started running half-marathons in 2015. After her first full marathon in 2016, she was left with an IT band injury. After spending time in physical therapy and lacing up her running shoes again, she fell a little out of love with the sport, Then after her mom passed away in 2018, she fully lost her desire to workout. She decided to try a barre class and immediately fell in love with the exercises and began feeling more and more like herself again. She loves the small movements of barre and the fun that happens in each and every class, noting that barre is not only good for the body, but also for the soul. Kasey's honored to keep Lotte and Esther's work alive in our Preservation Barre classes, and having recently completed Barre & Soul Academy's training, she loves changing up the method in Bayou Barre on Tuesday nights.. Preservation Barre Technique, Bayou Barre Method Lauren Bordelon
MLIS Certified: Power Pilates Core Mat I&II the Original by tLm Lauren is a librarian from Thibodaux who loves to read, write, and travel with her family. While she has always led an active outdoorsy lifestyle, exercise was never really Lauren's thing, until she was introduced to barre at Bayou Barre. She fell in love with the movements, stretches, and strength-building results. She took her first ever Pilates class at Bayou Barre, and famously hated it. With consistency and practice, Lauren discovered the benefits Pilates provided to her outdoors life: core strength for kayaking; spine strength for biking; and stamina for hiking. Teaching Pilates at Bayou Barre melds Lauren's love of teaching others with her goal of being a life-long learner. Lauren holds an undergrad in English from Nicholls State University and Masters in Library and Information Science from LSU. She is a wife and mother, and her family is her greatest joy. When not outside or exploring a new locale, she can be found curled up in her favorite chair in her sunroom reading a good book. l'Essentiel Mat Pilates, Preservation Barre Rebecca Ledet
MA, CCC-SLP Certified: the Original by tLM Rebecca is a mom of three who works as a speech language pathologist during the day and as a barre teacher in the early hours of the morning. She started going to barre classes in Baton Rouge almost fifteen years ago where the seed of possibility (teaching barre!) was planted. She moved to Thibodaux with her barre DVDs in hand to use when she wasn't running. After her mother-in-law raved about the new barre classes in Thibodaux and a work event brought her into the Bayou Barre studio, she was hooked. She loves the way barre makes her feel healthier, both physically and mentally. The positive atmosphere, wonderful teachers, and "Barre Krewe" community inspired her to finally pursue training with the Barre & Soul Academy and The London Method. She loves a challenging class--both as a student and a teacher--and likes to bring the heat at 6am! Bayou Barre Method, Preservation Barre Technique Sarah Samaha
BSN Certified: the Original by tLM Sarah stepped into her first barre class as a new mom when she’d found herself in a slump both physically and mentally and wanted to try something new. Many of the exercises and graceful stretches reminded her of the precise movements she performed as a former gymnast, and the positive and welcoming environment at Bayou Barre kept her coming back. Sarah’s love for the Original technique (aka Preservation Barre) was immediate. And since 2020, she has had 2 more children and credits the class for all the strength and stamina needed to keep up with her three little ones. Sarah trained with tLM in July 2023, and luckily for us, she is now certified in the Original class. Sarah is a pain management nurse, and when she’s not working, she enjoys traveling with her husband and reading a good book. Most days, she can be found outside playing with her kids or inside the kitchen baking. She is excited to bring a fun, energetic vibe to her classes and strives to accommodate each student’s individual needs. Sarah aims to inspire her students to achieve their fitness goals while fostering a sense of body awareness and confidence. Come join Sarah on the mat! Preservation Barre Technique |