FOUNDERS
Britni Serou, ERYT-500, YACEP
Brenna Barzenick, PT, DPT, CIDN, ERYT-500, YACEP
Brenna Barzenick, PT, DPT, CIDN, ERYT-500, YACEP
Britni's love for yoga began in college, and she has now been teaching in the local community for 20+ years. She completed her 500-hour yoga teacher training certification with Annie Carpenter in California, studying SmartFLOW, a Vinyasa Flow style of yoga that focuses on safe alignment. In 2017, Britni became one of only five Certified SmartFLOW Teacher Trainers internationally, and has now led several 200-Hour Teacher Trainings, and created a 100-hour Mentorship Program. She has additional training in Pre/Post-Natal Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Restorative Yoga. Graduating from SLU with a BA in Visual Arts, Britni is a very creative person, light-hearted and fun, and she likes her yoga that way too! She believes in the power of a deeply transformative yoga practice and is inspired by taking lessons learned on the mat and applying them to everyday life.
Brenna Barzenick, PT, DPT, CIDN, ERYT-500, YACEP
Brenna Barzenick, PT, DPT, CIDN, ERYT-500, YACEP
Brenna Barzenick, PT, DPT, CIDN, ERYT-500, YACEP
Brenna is a graduate of LSU School of Allied Health Professions in New Orleans (1994) and is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (2016). She is certified in integrative dry needling (CIDN). Brenna is one of Annie Carpenter's certified SmartFLOW teachers. From 2014-2017, Brenna was an instructor of Anatomy and Kinesiology at Southeastern Louisiana University. In 2023, Brenna wrote, Integrating Yoga In Healthcare, a 15 hour evidence based course that offers continuing education for Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists. The course has been approved by the governing boards of PT and OT in Louisiana.
In addition to her professional career, she authored the book, Tsumommy! Riding the Wave of Motherhood.
She also serves on the Board for Land Trust for Louisiana.
OUR TEAM
Morgan Somerville, RYT500, YACEP
Morgan Somerville is a Certified SmartFLOW and Hatha yoga teacher with additional training in Yin, Restorative, and Ayurveda. She is working on completing the clinical training in Ayurveda at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.
Morgan views yoga as an accessible and transformative path toward knowing oneself. She understands the practice as an ongoing process of inquiry that extends into daily life, offering continual opportunities for self-reflection and growth. Dedicated to sharing this approach, Morgan guides students through a variety of practices that inspire self-awareness, resilience, and the joy of being. She is available for private sessions upon request.
Jo Ziller, RYT-200
Jo completed Annie Carpenter’s 200 hour SmartFlow Yoga Teaching Training under the guidance of master teachers Britni Serou, E-RYT 500, YACEP and Janet Katz, E-RYT 500, YACEP. She has been teaching yoga since 2017. Jo’s additional training includes completing Yoga For Scoliosis with Elise Browning Miller, C-IAYT, CIYT and Yoga for Osteoporosis with Loren Fishman, MD, PhD, Columbia University and Manhattan Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation.
Jo’s yoga journey began years ago to find pain relief from scoliosis. When she began Britni Serou’s SmartFlow classes, she found exactly what shehad been needing. SmartFlow’s emphasis on alignment and breathing made such a difference.
Because she sees most things with humor, Jo invites her students to have fun and not worry about what they can or cannot do. She finds most students surprise themselves.
Off the mat, Jo is a graduate of LSU. She is a fiber artist, has a weaving studio and is the owner of far too many weaving looms. She is also a photographer who prefers to capture motion instead of stillness.
Jazzmin Coates, RYT 200 and Front Desk
Jazzmin's journey with yoga began early in life, influenced by a background in sports and athleticism. Her deepening interest in yoga took root a few years ago as she sought a path to stay active and embrace self-care. Since then, her passion for yoga has only deepened. Initially drawn to the physical practice, she has also developed a profound interest in yoga philosophy. Yoga played a transformative role in her life, particularly during challenging times, and she is eager to share the benefits she has experienced with others. Jazzmin is a proud graduate of Annie Carpenter’s 200-hour SmartFlow Yoga Teacher Training, where she studied under esteemed master teachers, Britni Serou and Brenna Barzenick. Her commitment to continuous learning and growth is evident in her practice and teaching, where she blends her athletic background with a deep appreciation for yoga's transformative power. Off the mat, she enjoys painting, traveling, playing outside, and trying new things!
Madalyn Duncan, Front Desk
Madalyn has been a part of the Downtown Yoga community for years as a dedicated student, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to the front desk team. You can find her smiling face Behind the desk Monday and Wednesday mornings! She is currently pursuing her masters in mental health counseling at Southeastern and is passionate about bridging the worlds of mental health and yoga.
Sandy Daniels, RYT-200
Sandy’s journey with yoga began as a quest to stay healthy and flexible in her aging body. The fact that yoga is for every body and modifications can and should be made was most appealing. Sandy earned a BA in Elementary Education from Southeastern. And in 2023 was able to check off completion of her 200 hour SmartFLOW yoga teacher training under the guidance of master teachers Britni Serou and Brenna Barzenick. Sandy believes yoga is a practice. Come and practice!
Geri O'Krepki, RYT-500
Geri starting practicing yoga five years ago to complement her many years of long distance running. She completed Annie Carpenter’s 200-hour SmartFLOW yoga teacher training certification with Tiffany Russo in 2018. She has also completed Yin Yoga teacher trainings with Paul Grilley, Bernie Clark and Sarah Powers. Geri graduated from SLU, likes to cook weird food for her family and take long walks with her dogs.
Melissa LeBlanc, RYT-200
Melissa began practicing Yoga in 2005 and fell in love with it during her first class. Immediately hooked on Yoga, Melissa has explored different techniques and lineages, learning to love something in each class or text. Ultimately, she found joy and self-care were common threads through every school of Yoga thought. Melissa teaches every class with a light heart and a smiling face, hoping to guide every student through the class to a sense of fulfillment. Melissa and her husband, Mark, have been married since 1997. They live in Madisonville, where they enjoy the outdoors, family, pets, and friends as much as much as possible. They have a love of animals, the arts, and travel. In 2018, Melissa completed Annie Carpenter's SmartFLOW 200 hour teacher training at Downtown Yoga and under the instruction of Britni Serou, E-RYT 500, YACEP. Melissa is also a licensed aesthetician.
