All About Free to Be

Creating Free to Be Yoga & Movement is the fulfillment of Danielle’s lifelong dream. She is a Yoga Alliance–certified 500-hour yoga teacher, meditation teacher, Breathwork Facilitator, and Pranayama Teacher. In addition, she is a Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist. Danielle also brings over 30 years of experience teaching modern, ballet & contemporary dance.

Danielle began practicing yoga in 2000 and was inspired to share her passion with others. She graduated from yoga teacher training in 2019 and has been leading practices, workshops, and now offering CEU courses for teachers and students throughout the tri-state area ever since!

Danielle believes our yoga practice is meant to create space where we feel stuck. She believes in finding ways to heal your mind and body with the natural superpowers we carry within us 24 hours a day!

Her class has creative sequencing and modifications to fit anyone. Her goal is to create an inviting space where everyone has a home to be uniquely YOU.

Danielle believes that every practice has a place and a space for everyone. Her classes aim to challenge the body and nourish the soul!

Kristin discovered her love for yoga in 2007 after completing a Brand-New Beginner yoga series. What began as a way to build strength quickly became a consistent practice that supported her whole self—body, mind, and spirit. In 2019, she completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Empowered Yoga in Wilmington.

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With a background as a pediatric physical therapist, Kristin brings a deep understanding of anatomy and movement into her teaching. She holds an advanced certification in injury prevention from MedFlow Yoga and has additional training in adaptive yoga for special populations.

Her classes are known for being supportive and accessible as she enjoys breaking down poses, offering modifications, and helping students experience the heart of each posture while staying safe and confident in their practice.

With over 20 years immersed in yoga, Mary Kate Hall began her journey seeking to augment her running stamina. An enthusiast of life's vast experiences, she found solace in yoga's grounding essence. Originally drawn to its physical benefits, it soon transformed into "her yoga" – a serene blend of heart and mind harmony. In 2015, Mary Kate was certified from Serenity Yoga Studio, immediately diving into teaching there.

By 2020, the pandemic's silver lining allowed her to explore Mindful Yoga Therapy, deepening her understanding of trauma-sensitive practices. A personal setback struck in 2021 with a severe hip injury, reshaping her yoga perspective. Yet, her resilient spirit flourished. She expanded her expertise with certifications in Yin, Restorative, and Chair yoga. Currently, she's on the brink of completing an advanced 300-hour teacher training.

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For Mary Kate, yoga transcends flawless poses; it's about aligning one's current state with mind, body, and breath. Her classes blend the magic of this union, infused with joy and inspiration. She passionately guides others in embracing the grace of their yoga journey, harmonizing life on and off the mat.

I started my yoga journey back in 2017 as a complete beginner and quickly fell in love with how it calmed my mind. For many years I was heavily into weightlifting, but I never found the peace that yoga gave me. In 2023, a friend introduced me to Free to Be Yoga, and it has been my home ever since.

When my husband and I became empty nesters after our youngest son left for college in the fall of 2024, I knew what my next adventure would be. I completed my YTT in June of 2025 and loved every minute of the training. I began teaching right away, and that’s when my passion for sharing yoga really grew.

I want to help everyone discover the calm that can be found in the breath, the movement, and the stillness.

Strongly committed to bringing her genuine self into the room, Rachel Kirk aims to create a focused environment where students can cultivate and grow their practice.

With direct and thoughtful cues, Rachel helps you explore your body's connection to the asanas. Invested in each student, she emphasizes nurturing individual practice and makes it a priority to learn everyone’s name. Rachel’s knowledge of anatomy aids in her ability to offer personal assists and modifications. Discipline and awareness are encouraged so you can notice yourself and your patterns. 

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Rachel grew up as a competitive dancer and went on to teach for 12 years in the dance field.  Needing more strength to complement flexibility, she trained in Tae Kwon Do and Yoga. Completing her YTT in 2014 she began teaching right away and is consistently inspired by people on the mat. 

Rachel will never turn down a discussion about yoga or movement. and hopes to be a driving force for learning and growth in the studio. Rachel loves all forms of explorative and natural movement and is certified in EBFA's Barefoot Training Specialist program, bringing that extensive training into the "why" behind her flow sequences.   In addition, Pre & Postnatal Yoga/ Movement Expert and CES Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist

Mika has been deeply intertwined with the art and essence of yoga for over two decades. My own transformative journey with yoga began 20 years ago, and it's a passion that has only grown stronger with time.

Since 2018, I've been truly blessed to share this passion with others as a dedicated yoga teacher.  One of the joys of leading yoga practices for me is the profound connection I get to establish with each one of you. There's magic in our collective energy, in our shared breath, and in the moments where our spirits synchronize. "I love leading others in their practice for many reasons, but mainly because it's such a wonderful opportunity to connect with people that I wouldn’t ordinarily have. When we practice together, it's my privilege to uplift and remind people how amazing they really are and how deserving they are of love and compassion for themselves."  

Every session with me is a celebration, not just of the asanas and poses but of our shared journey. It's about gratitude for our community, our incredible bodies, and every breath we take. Remember, yoga isn't about how you look but how you feel, and I hope that our time on the mat together leaves you feeling cherished, empowered, and endlessly celebrated for all the wonders your body and spirit can achieve!

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Hello! I am Danielle, aka, Tizzle, Tiz, Tizzy, whatever jives with you works for me! I have been practicing yoga for many years and it has transformed my life in numerous ways. Yoga is part of my daily practice in addition to meditation (still yoga), gratitude practice & sun greeting (still yoga), and writing (reflecting and processing (yes, still yoga).

Completing the YTT 200 was incredibly impactful and it grew my practice, my life and my soul, and I am so grateful to get to teach at free to be, be a part of this amazing community, hang out with my bestie, and share the gift of yoga. I am a therapist and I specialize in grief & trauma, and work with all the highs and lows and everything in between that comes with our lived experiences and being human.    

My goal is to bring peace and light, and provide a supportive space to breathe, grow, and allow this time for you. My purpose in life is to be of service. Embodying yoga philosophy in all I do is essential as someone that serves others. I hope to share some space with you, find a little calm, and feel a bit of light and joy too. ~Namaste~

In her multifaceted role at Free to Be Yoga & Movement, Heather is akin to a Swiss Army knife for wellness, blending her expertise to enhance our community's engagement with yoga and spearhead our studio's marketing initiatives. 

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Heather's journey is one of constant evolution. Originally carving her path in the demanding field of critical care as a respiratory therapist, now in the innovative sphere of medical devices. Her quest for growth didn't stop there; Heather pursued a graduate degree in management and marketing from Wilmington University, further broadening her horizons in 2022.

But it's not all business for Heather; her heart beats in unison with the rhythm of yoga. Since 2009, yoga has been more than a practice for Heather—it's been a sanctuary, a method for managing stress and nurturing resilience amidst life's challenges.

By 2020, her dedication blossomed into a professional passion, as she became a certified 200-hour registered yoga teacher, deepening her commitment to the discipline.