GET TO KNOW YOUR TEACHERS

Brooke Ellender, Owner

BA, BSN
​Barre Guild Certified
Certified Power Pilates Core Mat I&II, Reformer

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 fourth 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 Core Mats I & II and Reformer and will complete Power Pilates' comprehensive training this winter . Brooke's brainchild l'Essentiel Pilates, offers a classic mat and reformer experience paired with the warmth and fun of our welcoming community. 

Samantha Magee

BA, MBA
​Barre Guild Certified

Having always led an active lifestyle, Samantha began her barre journey after constant knee pain prevented her from running and other high-impact workouts. She loved how the gentle movements made her feel strong and inspired. 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.  

Betsy Royster, Owner

BA, MAT
​​Barre Guild Certified
Certified in the Original by tLm
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 usual 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 Guild Academy and founded Bayou Barre in 2018, joining forces with Brooke Ellender in 2019 to bring her 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 with Kelly and Pam of The London Method in June of 2020, began teaching the Original which she dubbed "Preservation Barre" immediately, and her clients have been filling up classes ever since.  She strives to create seriously fun and challenging classes in a low-stress environment. 

Lisa Spahr

MS, RYT 200
Certified Prenatal Yoga Instructor
​Certified in 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 endorsed by the Esther Fairfax.

She encourages her students to meet themselves where they are in their practice each day, working toward progress, not perfection.

Catherine Morvant

BA, JD
Certified in the Original by tLm
Approved by Esther Fairfax

Catherine was introduced to barre in 2012 while living in Houston and studying for the Texas bar exam.  She was an immediate fan of the low impact exercises blended with effective stretches and became a regular client. When she married and moved back to her hometown of Thibodaux in 2013, she fell out of her regular barre routine until becoming a client at Bayou Barre.  Her love of the workout was revitalized, especially after experiencing the benefits of continuous pre and postnatal barre conditioning.  

She was introduced to the Original Lotte Berk technique through online classes with The London Method and Betsy’s Preservation Barre classes.  She found the exercises were more challenging and more effective than anything she had experienced before. She especially appreciated that the exercises were designed for women and aimed at achieving a strong but feminine result.  After only a few weeks of regular classes, she noticed a decrease in back pain and a significant improvement in her core strength, which she had been working to regain after having her second child.  She decided to train with Kelly and Pam of The London Method and is certified in the Original method, having her certification approved by Esther Fairfax, daughter of Lotte Berk, who has been teaching the technique for over 50 years in England. Catherine is an attorney who practices part time while raising her two daughters, ages one and three. She is excited to add more Preservation Barre classes to the schedule and share her love of this amazing technique with you.

Kasey Gaudet

BSN
Certified in the Original by tLm
Approved by Esther Fairfax
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​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. Then she decided to take her first barre class.  She 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. She's honored to keep Lotte and Esther's work alive in our Preservation Barre classes.