OUR TEACHERS
Yoga Baum's beginnings...
Laurie LeCompte is the owner and founder of Yoga Baum.
Laurie has been teaching or coaching since she was a teenager. She has always been attracted to athletic activities and relished the community that came with being part of a team. Laurie volunteered as a rowing coach and later became an assistant cross country coach. She began to notice that she needed to pay attention to other areas of her wellness and engage in an activity that provided more varied joint movements, caused less repetitive stress, and offered a space for stillness. She took her first group yoga class and quickly realized that yoga was the missing piece she had been seeking. A space to connect with others as well as herself.
After falling in love with the yoga practice and practicing for several years, Laurie completed her 200 hour training in Ashtanga Vinyasa at Infinite Yoga in San Diego, California. Laurie also completed 300 hours in advanced yoga studies at the Asheville Yoga Center. She has specialized training in pre- and post-natal yoga, restorative yoga, yoga for seniors, yoga nidra, trauma sensitive yoga, yoga for cancer, and therapeutic elements of yoga.
Laurie’s love of teaching and sharing yoga with her students inspired her to create Yoga Baum in 2016. Laurie has BAs in both mathematics and German and a MA in German Studies. She has taught both subjects at the college level. Laurie taught German for 10 years before opening the studio space for Yoga Baum and brings her in-depth knowledge of yoga as well as her extensive experience as a teacher to her students. Her expertise in working with students in a variety of settings provides an invaluable insight into the learner’s mind.
Laurie LeCompte
Trained: at Infinite Yoga in San Diego, Asheville Yoga Center, and Shanti Mom; also has a BA in Mathematics and German and an MA in German Studies
From: Louisville, KY
My classes are… alignment-based but not rigid, focusing on body awareness and movement patterns
My favorite yoga pose is… Vasisthasana (Side Plank). It used to be my least favorite, but once I realized all of the amazing benefits it had, I re-built my relationship with it.
My hobbies are… powerlifting, running, and spending time with my husband, Jordan, our ferrets, Lars, Karl, Lucy, and Hilde and parrot, Pete.
My students will notice that…I believe yoga poses should fit you and your body and not the other way around. Alignment is unique to each individual, and I will help you find yours.
I hope for my students…to feel empowered through movement and stillness.
An interesting fact about me: I used to be co-director of a study abroad program in Austria.
Abbey Brooks
Trained: 200 hours in vinyasa style yoga and many hours of training in a diverse range of class style including restorative, gentle, and chair yoga.
From: Louisville, KY
My classes are… Fun and diligent! I encourage all of my students not to take themselves too seriously and want everyone to enjoy the time that they spend on their mat. I also consider my classes to be highly accessible, and love helping people personalize their practice.
My favorite yoga pose is… Savasana. When I was new to yoga it was so hard for me to be still and over the years I have come to deeply appreciate stillness. For me, the sacred minutes of stillness at the end of class gives me a calm and peace like no other pose does. I'm also a huge fan of waterfall and supported fish pose and typically incorporate them into my classes.
My hobbies are… cross training with weight lifting.
My students will notice that… I am always smiling and laughing while teaching classes.
I hope for my students… to make self care a priority.
An interesting fact about me: I hiccup (loudly) at least once per hour and have been doing that for as long as I can remember. I am skilled at remembering peoples' names. I am completely obsessed with my two pugs and their squishy rolls.
Elizabeth Crush
Trained: at Yoga Baum; also has a Bachelors and Masters in Exercise Science
From: Louisville, KY
My classes are…fun and upbeat, as well as mindful and alignment-based. I am traditional in my teaching with non-traditional music to keep you moving and smiling through the challenging flow.
My favorite yoga pose is…Urdhva Dhanurasana (and really any other backbend!)
My hobbies are… lifting weights, and yoga! During the summer I will spend as much time as possible in the sun, on the lake skiing and spending time with my family. I am a nerd at heart; I will read and learn about anything to do with moving the body, and how it relates to cognition or memory.
My students will notice that…I truly believe that any breath with movement is better than no movement, and that falling out of a pose is sometimes the best practice. When you fall, you have found your edge and are growing stronger. I leave ego at the door and encourage my students to do the same by trying new things, falling and failing, and smiling through the challenge. This approach can lead to some of the most rewarding practices and breakthroughs.
I hope for my students…to step out of their comfort zone, try new things, and to not take their yoga too seriously. The yoga mat is a place to feel good, and I hope for my students to leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
An interesting fact about me: I failed out of dance and gymnastics when I was little. It was not until I began my yoga journey that any kind of flexibility, and strength through flexibility, became a part of my life.
Olivia DeLong
Trained: at Yoga Baum in Louisville, KY; also have a BS in Psychology and will graduate in May with my Doctorate of Physical Therapy.
From: Louisville, KY
My classes are… strength building with a focus on body awareness
My favorite yoga pose is… Virabhadrasana 3 (Warrior 3). I love the challenge this pose brings physically and mentally. It helps me tune my focus, concentrate on alignment, and improves my confidence in my balance.
My hobbies are… playing with my cat, going on walks with friends, and discovering local restaurants & bars. I also like to read, so give me your book recommendations!
My students will notice that… mindfulness plays a big role in my classes, because I want people to be aware of how each posture makes them feel, and notice which muscle groups are being targeted in each pose.
I hope for my students… to feel confident in their abilities, in and outside of yoga
An interesting fact about me… my name is on a plaque in the Lynn Family Stadium for being a founding member of the Racing Louisville professional soccer team!
Harley Gilman
Trained: at Yoga Baum and Barre3.
From: I grew up as an Army brat but Louisville is my home now.
My classes are… fun, balanced, and full of energy!
My favorite yoga pose is... supported bridge for releasing tension and feeling grounded.
My hobbies are... gardening, reading and journaling, art (including music and cinema), cooking delicious food to share with my loved ones, and exploring Louisville.
My students will notice that... I absolutely love music. I tend to let the tone of the music influence the flow of our class. There’s something special about getting lost in the music while we move and breathe together.
I hope for my students... to take what they need from our time together.
An interesting fact about me... I moved 13 times before I turned 18!
Brandi Leslie
Trained: at Yoga Baum for 200-Hour YTT. I am also in my 300-Hour YTT at Yoga Baum. I am certified in Barre, TRX, and Yoga with HIIT.
From: Louisville, KY
My classes are… fun and playful. I encourage my students not to take themselves too seriously, to have fun, and explore poses without judgement.
My favorite yoga pose is… crow. It is fun and playful with multiple modifications, accessible to all levels.
My hobbies are… yoga, strength training, and CrossFit. I also love reading, spending time with family and friends, and my two doggies, Sammy and Gus.
My students will notice that… I love smiling and laughing (usually laughing at myself)! I have been known to mix up a phrase or a sayin and my family and friends call that a Brandi-ism!
I hope for my students… to leave class feeling stronger (mind and body) and relaxed.
An interesting fact about me: I used to ride motocross until I flipped on a jump and had to have surgery on my foot. I am also a closet Justin Bieber fan and usually I will have at least one of his songs on my playlist…
Sara McDaris
Trained: at Yoga Baum, Asheville Yoga Center and Bend & Zen. Also a Reiki master with a BA in French, BBA in International Business, MA in teaching French as well as a MA in Teacher Leadership.
From: Louisville, KY
My classes are… centered around linking breath and movement together with a sense of playfulness and exploration.
My favorite yoga pose is…Natarajasana (Dancer’s Pose). I love how much focus and effort it requires to stay in the pose. No matter how much I practice the pose I am always a half second away from falling out of it.
My hobbies are… rock climbing, hiking, roller blading and being outdoors in general as well as spending time with my family.
My students will notice that… I encourage students to make their practice their own by moving in ways that feel good to them.
I hope for my students to…find an opportunity for a moving meditation in class; to get out of their heads and into their bodies.
An interesting fact about me…I have lived in France twice.
Jackie Priest
Trained at: Yoga Baum, Louisville, KY. Advanced Prenatal and Postnatal yoga teacher training, Blooma, Nashville, TN. Spinning Babies Optimal Fetal Positioning training with Tammy Ryan, in Bowling Green, KY.
From: Louisville Ky
My classes are… focused on connecting with your breath and body and baby using yoga to create space and relaxation.
My favorite yoga pose is… goddess pose.
My hobbies are… traveling and gardening.
My students will notice that… I trust their intuition as budding mamas (I teach prenatal yoga :) ) and am flattered they are here.
An interesting fact about me: I met my husband in the Bahamas on vacation!!
Erin Quinlan
Trained: at Yoga Baum & Bend and Zen; Reiki Master and TRX certified. I also have a BA in Humanities and an MA in Arts Management
From: Louisville, KY
My classes are… moving meditation. I focus on sequences that are accessible with lots of options that seamlessly flow from one pose to the next.
My favorite yoga pose is… supported child’s pose. If I could sleep that way every night I would!
My hobbies are… cooking, crafting, and hanging with my husband, Shane, and 2 kiddos.
My students will notice that… my classes keep your mind engaged and your body happy. I like to say if you’re breathing and on your mat you’re doing in right.
I hope for my students…to enhance their brain/body connection through my classes.
An interesting fact about me: I also attend births as a birth doula!
Amanda Sapata
Trained: 200 RYT from Yoga Baum in 2018. I also have a BSBA in International Business and Marketing as well as a certification in Plant Based Nutrition.
From: Louisville, KY
My classes are… a safe space for mindful movement.
My favorite yoga pose is… Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana). I love any variation of this deep hip stretch; upright, supine, restorative, figure 4, etc. I typically do some variant of this pose before bed each night.
My hobbies are… concert going, cooking, crafting, geo-caching, hiking, reading, and stand up paddle boarding to name a few. I also spend a lot of time with my family and my beagle/dachshund mix, Rory.
My students will notice that… everything I offer is a suggestion and I encourage students to move in a way that feels good.
I hope for my students to…feel good in their bodies through movement and breath.
An interesting fact about me… I was an extra in a Lifetime movie that was filmed at the Mellwood Arts Center.
Helene Trager-Kusman
Trained: Yoga Baum 200 hr YTT, YoKid in DC for Kids Yoga Certification and The Intuitive Connection for Reiki I + II Certification. Also has a BS in Early Childhood Education and M.Ed. in Elementary Literacy Education
From: Olney, Maryland
My classes are… designed to align the mind, body and spirit through intentional, mindful movement and breath
My favorite yoga pose is… reclined butterfly- I love to end practice with it!
My hobbies are… being outside, traveling, cooking and spending time with my husband, toddler and dog
My students will notice that… I believe physical and emotional well-being go hand in hand. Yoga helps us connect our mind and body to truly feel our best inside and out
I hope for my students…to make their practice on and off the mat about what serves them best. I will always encourage and support tuning in with your body and honoring whatever you need
An interesting fact about me: I used to be a Kindergarten and First Grade teacher when I lived in DC before moving to Louisville
Ann Walthall
Trained: Completed 200-hour teacher training in 2018, and currently working on my 300-hour certification with Laurie at Yoga Baum. Also, went to UNC for a B.A. in Business Information Technology and Bellarmine for my M.B.A.
From: Grew up in Jackson, Mississippi and lived in Chapel Hill, NC before making Louisville my home in 1978.
My classes are… accessible and fulfilling and designed to enhance health, well-being and peace of mind as we age. My private and small group classes are customized to meet students’ specific goals and allow them to adjust the intensity and difficulty of their practice.
My favorite yoga poses are… Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon) and Natarajasana (Dancers) and Tittibhasana (Firefly)
My hobbies are… golf, snow skiing, cardio/strength training, oil painting, creative writing and, of course, enjoying my 2 grandchildren and 2 dogs.
My students will notice that… I enjoy trying new things in life and in yoga. I am not able to do some of the poses I teach (especially arm balances) but I keep trying and laughing when I fall out of them.
I hope for my students… to feel comfortable and safe to try new poses and movements, and that they become mindful and loving of their personal yoga practice.
An interesting fact about me: I was on my college gymnastics team and practiced 3 hours a day! (That was a long time ago but I still love a good, sweaty workout.)
Megh Zahrndt
Trained: My first teacher training was a 500-hour Modo training in Nicaragua. Modo is a style of hot yoga developed in Canada that focuses on therapeutic and holistic practices. My second teacher training is a 200-hour Anusara training. Anusara means “flow with grace” and is a heart centered, alignment-based style of Hatha.
From: I was an Army Brat, so I moved around quite a bit. I was born in Wisconsin but have lived in Louisiana and Germany before settling here in Kentucky.
My classes are… creative and flowy. I love to tell stories both with my words and then in our practice.
My favorite yoga pose is…Mermaid.
My hobbies are… taking photos, reading, writing, and petting my many animals.
My students will notice that…my stories, my voice, and my dedication to yoga are a journey through mind and body.
I hope for my students…to feel better at the end of class than they did when the first walked in the door.
An interesting fact about me: Once in Japan, I was mistaken for someone famous and mobbed by school children (no idea what famous person I was supposed to be!).