Free to be friends

Janae Holmes

co-founder, co-owner & teacher

What makes you laugh? The one liners that come out of my kids' mouths!

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? It is *nearly* impossible for me to say no to a challenge!

When you become famous, what will it be for? Inspiring parents to be the best versions of themselves while raising their kids to be the best versions of themselves.

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? Challenging, playful and real! Like because of how they deliver class, I have no idea what I'm about to get myself into and I can't wait! And while I'm drenched in sweat, and shaking from the work, I'm laughing and loving every second of it because the teacher is being him/herself and inspiring me to take action!

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? "Burning from both ends, huh? Light the f'ing middle on fire too!" -one of my greatest yoga teachers
AND
"If you think it, do it!" - a good friend

What do you inspire in others? Commitment.

What are your yoga teaching credentials?
1200 Hour Tier 3 Certified Baptiste Power Yoga Influencer
Trainings: Baptiste Yoga Levels 1, 2 and 3, FIT To Lead, Art of Assisting and Advanced Art of Assisting, Certified Teachers Summit, Apprenticeship, Being of Power, Power Yoga Teacher Course and the Baptiste Kids Certification. 
The Landmark Forum.
Lululemon Ambassador Summit.
Co-Creator/Facilitator of Free To Be Power Yoga’s 200 Hour Teacher Training
Co-owner and co-founder of Free To Be Power Yoga 

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Kelly Boudreaux

co-founder, co-owner & teacher

What lights you up in your life right now? My kids. From the chaos to the laughter to the temper tantrums to the snuggles.  All of it. Every moment is worth it.

When you become famous, what will it be for? Developing a fortune 500 company.  Free To Be, Inc.

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? Tough. Like really kick my ass tough.  Playful, and authentic.  And it's like they're talking to me like we're having a cup of coffee.

What do you inspire in others? Action.

What is the best advice you've ever received? There is no such thing as balance. To me it's nothing is ever perfect but it's completely beautiful even if its a mess.

What are your yoga teaching credentials? 
Core Power Yoga 200 Hour Training, Core Power Yoga 150 Hour Training. Baptiste Yoga Level 1 and 2, FIT To Lead, Art of Assisting, Foundations in Action, Advanced Art of Assisting, All Day Immersion, and Power Yoga Teacher Course. Marie Forleo's B-School, The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Co-Creator/Facilitator of Free To Be Power Yoga’s 200 Hour Teacher Training.

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Alison Price

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals? 1) Continue more yoga trainings….there’s so many!!!
2) Hike the Grand Canyon
3) Teaching as much yoga as I can

What makes you laugh? My kids, silly TikToks, and my friends.

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? I’m completely goofy and cuss like a sailor.

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? The best advice I’ve received was from my mom when she was terminally ill with cancer. “Have no fear.”

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? Unapologetically themselves, pushing me to my edge while making me laugh.

What do you inspire in others? To show up and being ok with imperfections. Don’t take yourself so seriously!

What are your yoga teaching credentials? Free To Be's 200 Hour Teacher Training.

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AMBER WEBER

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals? 1. Start a greeting card business. 2. Complete a full reconstruction and interior design project for an original New Orleans home. 3. Become a lead UX Researcher/Designer for a successful health tech company

What makes you laugh? Cats! They are so goofy

What is something your best friends would tell us about you?I am a good listener.

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? Ever since I was little, my dad has always told me, "One of the greatest gifts you can give someone is allowing them to love you."

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? Doing a great job of connecting the physical (asana) aspects of the practice to historical, spiritual teachings and lessons.

What do you inspire in others? Vulnerability

What are your yoga teaching credentials? Free To Be Power Yoga 200 hour RYT training

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Heidi Malnar

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals? 1. To read all of the books in my personal library.
2. To write a curriculum for tap dancing.
3. To travel to Italy.

What makes you laugh? The idiosyncrasies of human behavior.

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? That I am "the wart." (fans of Disney's "Sword in the Stone" will understand...).

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? "If there's something in your life that's not working... that's because it doesn't F*#%@!^ work!" -Dana "Trixie" Flynn

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? Pushing me to my personal edge, and inspiring me to cross over. Motivating me to want to stay. Powerful voices that fill the space, and land powerfully in my body.

What do you inspire in others? The confidence to be yourself, take up space, and laugh out loud.

What are your yoga teaching credentials?Free to Be Power Yoga's 200 Hour Teacher Training and 25 Hour Restorative Yoga Training with Laughing Lotus

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Julia Accetta

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals?  Finish dermatology residency, travel to at least one new place every year, and hold a handstand without a wall!

What makes you laugh? My mini bernedoodle pup named Clio. She brings my life so much joy!

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? That I rarely say "no" and am always down for an adventure and love trying new things.

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? "Always give without the intent of receiving" from my mom, who demonstrates this way more than she says it.

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? Teachers that hold me accountable, push me to my edge and keep me in the work.

What do you inspire in others? 
I believe in manifesting a life that I want, not one that I am settling for. I hope to inspire by leading by example that anything is possible if I put in the time, energy, and work to overcome obstacles to achieve those dreams.

What are your yoga teaching credentials? Free To Be's 200 Hour Teacher Training.

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Liz Olinde

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals?  1. Keep learning.
2. Stay happy.
3. Give back to my community by teaching yoga!

What makes you laugh? So many things make me laugh! Including but not limited to SNL, work memes, Schitt's Creek, and my nephew's dance moves.

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? I'm (almost) always a YES to trying new things!

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? "Things don't have to be perfect to be wonderful." - I'm not sure where I first heard this but it's a great daily reminder for the "Type A" in me. :)

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? Authentic, intuitive, and empowering.

What do you inspire in others? 
I inspire meaningful connections, vulnerability, and growth.

What are your yoga teaching credentials? Free To Be's 200 Hour Teacher Training.

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LIZZIE PERCIFUL

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals? Receive my special education teaching certificate. Get my level one Baptiste certification. Travel more.

What makes you laugh? My one year old preschool students. They are the world's best comedians.

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? That I am a really really talented sleeper.

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? "Don't waste your energy on things that do not serve you." - My momma (AKA the greatest human to walk this green earth)

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? I love when a teacher pushes me to my edge.

What do you inspire in others? I inspire people to be a goofier version of themselves and not take life so seriously.

What are your yoga teaching credentials? Free To Be's 200 Hour Teacher Training, YOD Teacher Training.

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Maddie Arruebarrena

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals? 1. Graduate medical school. 2. Learn how to snowboard. 3. Road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway from Seattle to San Diego.

What makes you laugh? My two puppies, college roommates, and old Spongebob reruns.

How do you take your coffee? I love a matcha latte…special shout out to the pomegranate matcha at Trumpet and Drum Coffee House.

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? I’m a little bit of an old soul. They would tell you that I’m thoughtful, 70s music-loving, and always down to spend time outside.

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? My mom once told me, “The things we fear are often the most worth doing.” The longer I live, the more I realize that she’s right!

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? I love teachers that are grounded and real. They teach from personal experience, encourage me to work, and bring comedy to class, too.

What do you inspire in others? Confidence

What are your yoga teaching credentials? Free To Be Power Yoga 200 hour teacher training

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Maggie Darling

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals? 1. Run a 5k in 25 minutes. 2. Visit the rest of the MLB stadiums on my list. 3. Take my pup on a few road adventures.

What makes you laugh? Sarcasm and dry humor

How do you take or coffee? Black

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? They would tell you that I am a hoot but that I like to be inside before the streetlights come on.

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? "Take up space. Pitch it faster, run harder, put another plate on the bar and never tone it down." - Ilona Maher

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? When someone knows that I could push harder and calls me out. Accountability.

What do you inspire in others? 
That yoga is for anyone and everybody. No matter your age, physical build, fitness level, experience... we are all in the same room doing the same practice. Just show up.

What are your yoga teaching credentials? Free To Be's 200 Hour Teacher Training.

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Margaret Johnson

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals?In 5 years I see myself with more yoga hours got my certification. I want to have more clients or private lessons. I also see myself growing the yoga community in Nola into something bigger than it is. Maybe I’ll build an ashram.

What makes you laugh? Im really goofy I laugh at anything, however I have dark humor so unfortunately I kinda laugh at pain.

How do you take or coffee? I like an americano, light water. Fill it with whip.

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? Beware.

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? "You’ll live." - My dad. He said this every time I hurt myself… kinda made me really tough.

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? I like a teacher that listens and observes. I can’t stand someone blurting out every cue that comes to mind while I’m trying to focus.

What do you inspire in others? 
I want to say I bring that anything is possible energy to the party. I inspire others to do what your heart desire and give 0 cares about what anyone else thinks or the consequences.

What are your yoga teaching credentials? Free To Be's 200 Hour Teacher Training

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Michele Orr

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals?  1. Travel to new a new place (or 2) every year 2. Learn French 3. Volunteer with an animal rescue group.

What makes you laugh? My dogs...and this guy named Mike (my husband).

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? That I've got my ish together (even though really I don't LOL).

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? "Don't worry. Be happy." - Bob Marley

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? That they're tough, but out of love. They want me (us) to be stronger/better!

What do you inspire in others? 
That anything is possible, as long as you practice, have patience, and believe.

What are your yoga teaching credentials? Free To Be's 200 Hour Teacher Training.

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Michelle LaCaze

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals? Learn how to dive, learn how to sail , travel to Northern Europe and Bali, and live a simple life. 

What makes you laugh? My husbands laugh .... it’s infectious. 

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? That I am fiercely loyal and passionate about my health and wellness. 

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? My father said, “Don’t let anyone ever dim your big bright light“ ... I never knew how much this would mean to me.

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? That they can make you laugh and cry all in one minute.

What do you inspire in others? Passion about yoga and mindfulness.

What are your yoga teaching credentials? Free To Be Teacher Training, Baptiste Yoga Level 1 and 2, Baptiste Yoga Art of Assisting.

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monica endejan

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals? 1. Continue building a business that gives me freedom and creativity. 2. Travel more—especially for fun, not just work. 3. Create more space for rest and things that nourish me outside of my career.

What makes you laugh? Painfully accurate memes, group chats with my besties and the collective silence when the teacher says “just one more breath” and then keeps us there for ten more.

How do you take or coffee? I try to not drink it, but when I do, it's with my sweet cream protein shake as my creamer.

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? That I’ll always show up when it counts. I keep it real, I love hard, and I have a way of making people feel at ease even when things are chaotic.

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? “Don’t wait to feel ready.” A friend told me that during a season when I was holding myself back, and it helped me shift out of fear and into action.

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? They don’t just lead—they hold space. They meet people where they are, teach from experience, and make you feel both grounded and inspired without trying too hard.

What do you inspire in others? 
Permission to be imperfect. I think people feel more comfortable being themselves around me—and hopefully a little more brave about trying something new or doing things their own way.

What are your yoga teaching credentials? Free To Be's 200 Hour Teacher Training and Lasater Yoga 10 Hour Restorative

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Sofia Murillo

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals? 1. Move out of my hometown (Louisiana) 2. Solo travel the PNW 3. Teach yoga at a music festival

What makes you laugh? my dog Benny :)

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? I am the "mother/nurturer" of the group and any space I walk into

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional" - Dalai Lama

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? Speaks from personal experiences to motivate and empower, upbeat & energizing.

What do you inspire in others? To take action towards the things that light you up and bring you joy!

What are your yoga teaching credentials? Free To Be's 200 Hour Teacher Training.

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TAYLOR BEWERS

teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals?
1. My fiancé and I own a small landscape architecture firm - My goal is to grow the business and be one of the top design firms in the state.
2. Renovate a historic home in New Orleans.
3. Teach more yoga!

What makes you laugh? My fiancé and the group chat with my longtime high school friends

How do you take or coffee? Usually a hot, medium roast with a splash of half and half OR an iced oat milk latte especially during Nola summer time!

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? That I’m genuine and supportive. Also that I have a huge sweet tooth!

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? Get comfortable being uncomfortable and learn to sit in your discomfort - said by my amazing FTB yoga teachers. This reminder has helped me on and off my mat more times than I can count!

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? They are authentic, playful, and listen to the room. They push me to my edge while making me feel safe.

What do you inspire in others? 
Self-compassion

What are your yoga teaching credentials? Free To Be's 200 Hour Teacher Training

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Zoë thibeault-stone

director of teachers and teacher training & teacher

What are your top 3 five year goals?
1. Deepen my meditation and pranayama practice.
2. Lead at least 4 more retreats in 5 years.
3. Go back to India at least once.

What makes you laugh? Dry humor. Fail videos. And those little ironic life jokes the universe sends our way.

How do you take your coffee?
Always iced. Even when it's cold outside. Unless I'm drinking a traditional macchiato.

What is something your best friends would tell us about you? I'm loud. And stubborn.

What is the best advice you've ever received (and by whom)? "Always be of service to your community and it's our responsibility to leave this Earth better than how we found it." -Mom.
"Stop being scared and live your f*cking life." -Dad.

What are the characteristics or qualities of your favorite teacher(s)? Authentic, humorous, and deep.

What do you inspire in others? Hopefully it's that we are all connected and that yoga is a practice to move away from a mind of isolation and towards that deeper connection.

What are your yoga teaching credentials? 
Free To Be Power Yoga 200hr YTT (2017)
Love Your Brain (2019)
Sattva Yoga Academy 500hr YTT (2024)
Yoga For Arthritis (2024)