The Be Free Healing Center: Our Story
Meet Our Owner and Discover Our Vision for Holistic Wellness
The Be Free Healing Center is a yoga and wellness studio that is warm and inviting, uniquely-creative, and community-centered .
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We provide an abundant home for yoga teachers, students, local artisans, craft makers, and community. We are dedicated to creating brave and sacred space for ALL bodies, races, and orientations. We have a regular schedule of yoga and movement classes, Be Free Breathwork, weekly special events and workshops, and monthly gatherings. Look for family movie nights, potlucks, and other conscious connection events that bring community together in fun and joyful ways on our Events page.
OUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
We approach our class schedule with a unique perspective!
We believe that by supporting teachers to bring their individual flavors and create the classes that ignite their OWN flame, they will spread that creativity and love to their students. Each class on our schedule has its own name and flavor.
We invite you to find the classes and teachers that speak to YOU!
We promise to always bring our hearts and creative spark to all that we do at Be Free.
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WELLNESS INSIDE AND OUT
The Be Free Healing Center is a space to come and release all that you've been holding, get re-inspired in your
self-care, and learn something new while connecting with Self, friends, and family.We are home to incredible massage therapists, healers, and other wellness service professionals who are here to support you mind, body, and spirit.
You can find more information about these services by visiting the Wellness Practitioners page. ​
The Space Holder
(aka owner)
Our Roots
Be Free has a long history! In 2007 Melanie opened the FIRST Be Free in Bryson City, NC with her good friend Barb. Back then it was Be Free Yoga & Dance (as Barb was a dance teacher!). That sweet little studio was the only dance & yoga studio in town and flourished for 2 years before Barb decided to move to Chicago! About 6 months later, Melanie opened the second space Be Free Massage & Yoga, which she lovingly tended for another 1.5yrs before making the decision to return to her hometown of Fort Collins! Be Free was Melanies personal brand from 2012-2019 when she partnered with Alexandra Jenkins (her bestie), to open The Be Free Healing Center here in FoCo! The Healing Center was opened in Oct of 2019 and very quickly we rode the wide waves of Covid!! We are SO grateful to ALL the incredible people who supported our space then and NOW!
After 4.5 yrs, Alexandra passed her ownership torch to Bianca (Bee) Myers, who came in and helped refine this studio in so many ways! During this time, Bee was also running her own business with her husband (Prosper Home Building) and had a VERY full plate! At the end of 2025, Bee and Melanie made the decision that Bee would pass her torch to Melanie and Melanie would become the sole owner.
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Melanie is deeply honored to tend and manage the many details that keep Be Free thriving! Although she is the owner, Be Free is a HUGE collective of incredible teachers and facilitators. We, as a collective, strive everyday to make sure that everyone who walks through our doors feels welcome, seen, and valued!
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This is your invitation to Be Free.
Body. Mind. Spirit.
Meet
Melanie Lighthouser
Owner, (retired) Massage Therapist,
Leader of Root To Rise 200hr YTT,
& Co-Creator of Breathe (Be Free Breathwork Facilitator Training)
(she/her)
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I used to describe myself as a "Freedom Catalyst", or someone who helps others to break out of their experiences of limitation. And while I still help people do that, I'm more interested now in just holding the energy of nurturance. It is my intention and purpose to embody a nurturing presence of empathy, compassion, a fearless open heart, and creativity.
I've been teaching yoga and doing massage therapy for the last 20 years, and facilitating breathwork since 2012. I am a Be Free Breathwork (TM) facilitator and teacher, and I am the lead teacher for Root to Rise, our 200hr Yoga Teacher Training program.
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Teaching the power of the breath and union with the present moment is my deepest passion. In 2026 I'm leading two retreats! You can Unwind with me in Ecuador in March, or go on an incredible week-long river adventure in Idaho in September!! (click the link below for details!)
I am so incredibly grateful and proud of what we have created with The Be Free Healing Center. I hope you'll join us for the journey.
For a more detailed description of all my offerings please visit
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