Megan Leith, Owner / Head Barretender / Barre Instructor

Megan opened Barretend so that women can come together to share their passions. She wants to create a community where women feel supported at whatever stage of life they’re in. Classes that welcome anyone and fit our busy schedules.

Megan began doing barre as a means to offset running. She was not flexible. She wanted to incorporate some stretching and light weight training into her routine. And barre was the solution. Today, she feels stronger, but still has her days. Barretend isn’t a place for perfection. It’s a place where you don’t have to fear your inability. Not everyone will have their leg up high. In fact, hers will probably be the lowest.

Megan couldn’t have done this without her Dad. He is her inspiration. He taught her a lot about business and life. And Barretend wouldn’t be possible without him. She was so lucky to call him Dad and hopes he would be proud. Outside of Barretend, Megan loves to spend time with her husband and children.

Carol Ann Gleason / Barretender / Yoga Instructor

Carol Ann has always been an athlete, a serious swimmer, surfer, runner, cyclist, etc… though back in 2013 she was hit with a tropical disease that destroyed her body, particularly her joints, to which she could barely move or exist without pain for nearly a year and chronic suffering and stiffness for another year. When the initial fever had passed and she was able enough, Carol Ann began sincerely practicing yoga daily for over three years through to this day, nearly five years later, in which she completely transformed her body as well as experiencing incredible strength in her daily life. During this time, Carol Ann had the privilege to practice and train with some of the most experienced studios and teachers in NYC, Jackson Hole, and one of her favorite studios in Kingston, Jamaica.

Carol Ann began teaching because she felt it was absolutely necessary that she make herself available for those who may be where she was, handicapped, in pain, and discouraged, while also being available to those who have come to maintain their health through yoga. Now as a teacher, she considers it an honor to pass on what has been so generously and determinedly shared with her through this amazing practice of yoga.

Shawnell Tillery / Barretender / Yoga Instructor

With over 200 hundred hours of training through an accredited facility with the Yoga Alliance Association and over four years of personal research and practice, Shawnell has a desire to teach those on every level but especially those who’ve never touched the mat before and transition them to a place of comfortability and understanding of the practice. More than just poses are taught and promoted; she provides basic yoga education, along with yoga tips, nutrition & wellness information and much more, to guide you and help you succeed on the path of ultimate health. Learn more about Shawnell and her business, Afrochick at afrochickyoga.com.

Victoria Abousaid / Barretender / Yoga Instructor

Victoria is currently attending Buffalo State college studying to be a doctorate physical therapist. She worked as a martial arts instructor for several years, which includes working out particular muscles which one wouldn’t normally do at the gym. It’s one of the reasons she is eager to teach barre. The workout style and the muscles targeted are so different from your everyday workout.

Erin Holmes / Barretender / Barre Instructor

Erin is a mom of three, a church choir director, a vocal music teacher and an arbonne consultant. She received her bachelors in music education and has an extensive background in Ballet. Her passions include; heath and fitness, dance, singing and learning about people. In her free time, you might find Erin exploring the city, hiking, kayaking or performing.

Melanie Becker / Barretender / Yoga Instructor

Melanie currently lives in Buffalo with her awesome and supportive husband and two beautiful girls, Calliopeia Love, age 11, and Solana Love, age 8. She is a part-time stay-at-home mom and has been a part-time hair designer at Lion’s Mane in Williamsville for the last 2 years. Melanie received her Kids Yoga Teaching Certification in November of 2012. Teens in 2014 and Adults in 2015. With these certifications, she has been teaching at different studios while also teaching at summer camps, field trips, Birthday Parties and Team Building /Trust Workshops for Tweens, Teens, Kids, and Mommy and Toddler classes and Preschools. She has designed and teaches a yoga program for Girl Scout Troops to help them earn their Health and Fitness Badge. Through yoga, Melanie has discovered the joy in helping people feel good by helping them to heal from the inside out…naturally. Her yoga practice and teaching experience have opened her heart…changing her perspective. She has experienced so much personal growth that she has begun to face her fears and step outside her comfort zone.

Carrie Wert / Barretender / Yoga Instructor

Carrie has taught elementary age children at school for 18 years
and is also a mom of two little girls. In the last 4 years she discovered yoga. Even bigger, she found out that yoga can have a huge positive impact on children. Carrie found herself going to work with a new sense of presence and patience with her students. She learned how to listen and realized that for so many years she had been doing it so wrong…always rushing around caught up in getting the material covered and worrying about getting to the next lesson on time. Carrie learned to slow down and appreciated her students in a new way. Bringing yoga to her classroom changed her students for the better. Through yoga, Carrie has learned that you can’t take care of others until you take care of yourself. She is certified in children’s yoga and has since held many yoga camps and taught many yoga classes to young children. She loves to watch children respond to learning that they can find calm and peace within their bodies and feels lucky to be able to share her love of teaching yoga with children.