The Heart Behind the Barre
When Heather Ehlers founded The Body Barre, her vision was simple: create a place where women could move their bodies, build confidence, and find a community that feels like home. Today, that vision lives on in every class, every conversation, and every member who walks through our doors. What started as a studio has grown into a family—and everyone is welcome.
Heather Ehlers
Owner, Instructor Extraordinaire
Heather Ehlers is the founder and owner of The Body Barre. She is a wife and mother of three boys. Having been an athlete for most of her life she knew the importance of staying active and moving her body.
She received her Yoga 200 RYT in 2015 and soon followed her barre training and certification. She fell in love with the format and grew passionate about the benefits barre can give to our daily lives.
Heather’s teaching creatively infuses functional fitness with that beautiful barre burn that we love! She is also HEAT and Pilates certified. Once she started teaching she soon discovered that there is so much more to leading a group exercise class. People want to feel safe and like they’re a part of an environment where they are not judged- and can truly work on themselves physically and emotionally.
The Body Barre has given her the community and environment to pursue her passion and love people.
Brittany Jernigan
Manager
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Brittany Jernigan has been a member of The Body Barre and in-house photographer since 2020 and began 2023 as our Studio Manager. After the craziness of 2020, she needed an outlet to connect back to a healthy lifestyle and The Body Barre was a perfect fit. Not only did it provide a place to have fun being active, but also a new creative outlet and a social network of amazing people. She fell in love with the community and wants to help cultivate the amiable atmosphere she loves.
There is a good chance you will see her at the studio with at least 1 of her 3 kids and an even better chance of seeing her behind a camera. She loves reading, dogs, The Office, summer and, of course, photography!
Meet Your Biggest Cheerleaders
The Body Barre Instructors
These are the women who will celebrate your first class, remember your name, encourage you through every challenge, and remind you just how strong you are. Their passion goes beyond teaching—they're here to help you feel confident, connected, and inspired every time you walk through our doors.
Michele Barber
Barre
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Michele Barber is a certified barre instructor with over 6 years experience. A true born Okie, she is a mom to two crazy twins and spends most of her spare time coaching all of their various little league sports.
Michele completed her barre training in Portland, Oregon under amazing mentors and instructors. Prior to becoming an instructor, Michele spent 10 years learning & cultivating her love of barre as a client and lover of fitness. Michele has always had a great love for sports and being part of a team. She spent the majority of her childhood completely absorbed in sports from softball, basketball and cheer. Nowadays you can find her in the studio, it’s her happy place. Being able to meet and cultivate relationships with clients is one of her favorite parts about being an instructor.
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Her classes first and foremost are meant to welcome everyone! No matter where you are in your life, or fitness journey you can walk into Michele’s class and immediately feel that you belong there.
Her playlists are fire and her classes will challenge you while also meeting you exactly where you’re at. Michele prides herself on teaching her clients the beauty of modifications and learning to listen to your body.
You will never know what kind of class you’re walking into but that’s the beauty in Michele’s classes. She will always keep it fun, challenging and you will always walk out feeling happy! She’ll probably hug you a few times too!
Alissa Basse
HEAT
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Alissa Basse joined The Body Barre family in 2018 when she moved to Edmond. As a member she quickly found the studio to be an amazing community that fostered an unknown passion for group fitness! She became certified to teach HEAT in 2019 and began teaching soon after.
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Get ready to sweat! Alissa’s classes are challenging, but always fun. Her classes are fast paced, high energy and full of booty shakin’ music! Outside of the studio you’ll find Alissa with her side kick Pomeranian, Charlie, or baking something new in the kitchen.
Mandi Briggs
Yoga
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Mandi Briggs is a life coach, yoga instructor, and avid speaker whose work inspires women across the globe to live a bold, brave and authentic life. She lives a life of adventure, takes risks based on her intuition, and turns negative self-talk into love + gratitude on the regular.
After 13+ years in corporate America, she set off on a brave adventure to transform her own life. The adventure found her quitting her corporate job and selling every possession she owned to travel the world solo as a yoga instructor.
She completed her 200-hr teacher training through YogaWorks Europe under Anna Zorzou and David Kim before teaching her way around the globe, leading classes and private lessons in Thailand, Bali, New Zealand and Germany before returning home to Oklahoma. She also earned an additional certification in Yin Yoga through David Kim.
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Mandi has taught more than 3500 classes and thousands of students.
From a powerful vinyasa flow to gentle yin yoga, Mandi challenges students to turn inward, get comfortable being uncomfortable, and grow exponentially. Connecting breath work to physical movement, she takes students out of their heads and into the present moment on their mats.
Andrea King
Barre
Erin La’Forge
HEAT
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Erin La’Forge’s fitness love began in college when she worked with a trainer and learned how to properly lift weights and began training to be a long-distance runner. While her fitness loves have changed through the years, HIIT has remained a constant in her routine. She likes to challenge her body and push herself through cardiovascular work and weights.
She has 2 daughters. Cady is a freshman at KU in Lawrence and Abigail is in 3rd grade in Deer Creek. Erin and her husband love to travel and go to concerts.
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While her heart lies with teaching H.E.A.T.; there are days when the shakes at the barre or a stretch on her mat are just what she needs.
Cindy Keathly
Barre
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Cindy Keathly is a long-time resident of the Edmond/OKC area. She has been a fitness instructor for 6 years with experience in Pilates & Barre as well as overall health and wellness. She has a loving family including her two amazing children, plus a twin sister who joins class occasionally.
As a barre instructor, she has a passion for helping people achieve their fitness goals and lead a healthier lifestyle. Cindy’s classes are designed to challenge and inspire, while also being accessible to all fitness levels. She strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment where her clients can feel comfortable and confident in their abilities.
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With a focus on proper form and alignment, Cindy will guide you through a series of exercises that will strengthen and tone your entire body, while also improving your flexibility and balance.
Cindy believes that fitness should be fun and enjoyable, and she always try to bring a sense of humor and positivity to her classes. She is dedicated to helping her clients improve their physical and mental well-being, and looks forward to sharing her love of barre with you!
Kim Rosen
Barre & Dancewerk
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Kim Rosen has a passion for group fitness and has been teaching since 1995.
When Kim is not at The Body Barre, she owns and works at a salon in Edmond and teaches a lot of other classes because… fun and effective workouts with fun and amazing people- is what she’s most passionate about. Kim has 3 amazing kids and of course her wonderful husband to keep her in check.
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Kim is a certified barre instructor and the energetic force behind Dancewerk, our high-energy cardio dance workout class.
Olya McKee
Barre
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Olya Volotko McKee was born in Germany and raised in Tallinn, Estonia, Olya McKee has called Oklahoma home since she was 18 years old. She earned an Associates Degree in Journalism and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Central Oklahoma.
In her free time, Olya, her husband Chad and son Alekzander absolutely love to travel. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a longer, planned family vacation, traveling is their decompressing downtime that they love and appreciate very much.
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12 years ago, Olya took her first barre class and absolutely fell in love with the practice. She became an instructor 11 years ago and it’s been an incredible life changing experience. Leading people to a healthier life, helping clients to achieve their goals and just to inspire and be inspired every single day is a beautiful blessing, Olya says.
With more than 20 years working in the beauty and fashion industry, Olya has enjoyed developing lasting relationships. Her experience in the boutique fitness as a certified barre instructor has only grown Olya’s desire to connect with clients and help them look and feel their best. This drive for relationships and Olya’s strong community presence translates into her ability to connect clients with their dream home to live their best life. She is a full time realtor.
Rachel Rutherford
Barre
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Rachel Rutherford, born and raised in Oklahoma, walked into her first group fitness class in 2008 and found the spark that would drive her fitness journey. By 2022, she turned her passion into purpose and hit the mic as a certified Barre instructor.
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Rachel brings an energetic, upbeat approach to every class, creating a fun and welcoming space where all fitness levels are encouraged to challenge themselves, feel empowered, and transform. She focuses on building strength, boosting confidence, and helping clients find happiness in movement.
Her style is bold, fun, and unapologetically fierce. Whether you’re new to barre or a seasoned shaker, Rachel’s playlists and choreography will push you to show up strong, feel the barre burn, and leave class feeling proud of what your body can do!
Jessica Berger
HEAT
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Jessica Berger is a certified HEAT instructor with a passion for helping individuals achieve their fitness goals in a supportive and inclusive environment. Jessica fell in love with The Body Barre community in 2018 and quickly found her favorite class to be HEAT. She became a certified HEAT instructor in 2021 and has been teaching ever since.
When she is not in the studio, Jessica can be found in her home pottery studio, playing with her dogs or enjoying time outdoors with her husband. She is dedicated to leading a healthy and active lifestyle, both inside and outside of the studio.
Join Jessica for a HEAT class and experience her passion for fitness and supportiveness for yourself!
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With a goal of creating an inviting space for individuals of all abilities, Jessica's approach is centered on empowering her clients to become confident in their fitness journey. She believes in the power of community and the importance of creating a supportive atmosphere.
Samantha Collier
Barre
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As a stay-at-home mom to two young boys, Sam loves the way teaching allows her to connect with the community and fill her own cup while encouraging others to do the same. She has a special passion for supporting pregnant and postpartum moms, offering thoughtful modifications and encouragement to help them feel strong, confident, and at home in their bodies. You’ll often find her cracking jokes throughout class to help everyone push through the tough spots—and to keep things light, even when the burn gets real.
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Sam has been teaching barre since October 2022 and brings warmth, energy, and a great sense of humor to every class. With a dance background that began in preschool and continued through high school, she blends musicality and movement with the strength and structure of barre—often adding in just the right amount of cardio to get your heart rate up in a healthy, sustainable way.
Megan Fletcher
HEAT
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Megan Fletcher joined The Body Barre in 2018 after embarking on a journey to take better care of herself. She soon fell in love with all of the classes, people and atmosphere. Especially after her first HEAT class, she was hooked! In 2021, Megan became a certified HEAT instructor and worked to build and grow skills around teaching.
Outside of the studio, you’ll find Megan hanging out with her precious dogs and engaging in a variety of creative outlets. Megan loves searching for her next rock show, playing the guitar, and practicing wood working.
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Megan aims to keep her classes challenging and fun, but still accessible for a variety of individuals. She has the goal for you to let go of the stresses from your day and to feel stronger after every work out. Megan welcomes everyone to be their authentic self in classes and to just have FUN!
Ashley Garrett
Barre
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Ashley Garrett is a certified barre instructor and has been teaching classes since 2020. She is a wife and mom to 2 boys and 2 dogs - living in a house full of boys which keeps her busy to say the least. She fell in love with running while in high school, and movement has been her medicine ever since. From running, to lifting heavy weights, to barre, movement is how she loves to start every day. She got her NASM personal training certification back in 2015, but it wasn’t until she found barre in 2019 that she truly found her spot in the fitness world.
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From making playlists and sequencing classes, to connecting with clients and helping them to feel successful in their workout, Jessica found her true passion in barre.
You are sure to get plenty of cardio, a good burn, and some really long holds (that sometimes feel like they will never end) when you take her classes. The body barre has given her the space to continue pursuing her passion, love of music, and community.
Karene Clark
Barre, HEAT
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Karene Clark is a certified fitness trainer specializing in Barre since 2022, and most recently earned certification in HEAT.
Her fitness journey includes competitive bodybuilding, where she has showcased her dedication and discipline in bikini and figure competitions. Outside the studio, she embraces an active lifestyle through hiking, traveling, and exploring a wide range of workout styles.
Deeply grounded in family life, she finds her greatest joy in spending time with her spouse, daughter, and loyal companion, Jeter the Retriever. Whether training clients or enjoying the outdoors, she lives by the belief that fitness is not just a routine—it’s a way of life.
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Karene’s classes are fun, focused, and upbeat. Her experience and passion for health and fitness is evident all the way through – even at 5:45 am.
Margie Owen
Barre Flow, Yoga Flow
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Margie Owen has been teaching fitness for 36 years. Throughout the years, she’s taught a variety of formats, including step, power pump, and kickbox. She has always enjoyed guiding people and helping them attain their strength and fitness goals. While recovering from a back injury in 2015, she realized how healing yoga was and decided she wanted to add yoga to the mix! She completed her 200-hour training at 405 in 2019.
She’s a wife (40 years), mom, Mimi (4 grandkids), and nurse. She loves her family and friends, being outside and challenging herself!
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As a resident member of our early riser club, Margie teaches Yoga Flow and Barre Flow at 5:45 am on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
She brings a warmth to each class that makes yogis feel welcome, relaxed, and at ease. Margie’s love for her practice combined with her lifelong passion of teaching are evident in the guidance she provides through each flow.
Anne Ledbetter
Barre
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Anne's love of movement and exercise began in the ballet studio at a young age. She grew up dancing and carried that with her through college where she obtained a BFA in Dance (Ballet Pedagogy) from the University of Oklahoma in 2004. Anne went on to teach ballet classes (from littles to adults) for several years before she and her husband started their family.
After living away for almost 14 years, Anne, her husband and their three children returned home to Oklahoma at the end of 2020.
In 2024 she found and joined The Body Barre. She loved the classes and the instructors so much, she decided to get her certification to teach!
Outside of the studio, Anne loves being with her family and friends, cheering on her kids at their various sports, a good cup of coffee, music and Thunder Basketball.
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As a barre instructor, Anne believes barre truly checks ALL the boxes and is made for anyone and everyone whether you've been exercising for years or you're just getting started.
Her goal is to provide classes that are both fun and challenging, leaving you smiling and sweating at the end.
Annika Ehlers
Barre
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Annika Ehlers been a certified Barre instructor since 2021, with 16 years of dance experience and a deep love for movement that’s both strong and expressive.
Originally from Norman, Annika has called Edmond home since 2017 & loves being part of this community. She discovered Barre as a Freshman at UCO, craving movement after retiring from dance. Barre just hits the spot, targeting small muscles + building up strength for ease in everyday tasks! Daily movement helped her stay level headed throughout her college years, graduating in 2022 with her Bachelors of Science in Child Development. During Annika’s time at UCO she met her husband Austin & he introduced her to The Body Barre, which quickly became her second home!
When she’s not in the studio, you can find her creating something new with her friends, gardening, reading, or soaking up time outside. She has been married since 2024 & they share a joy-filled life with their four crazy dogs, who are always keeping them on their toes!
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Annika’s background in dance shapes the way she teaches; Focusing on alignment, musicality, and building confidence through movement.
Expect intentional, empowering classes set to playlists that are always fire! Shakes guaranteed.