( alphabetical order )
 | ANNA Anna began practicing yoga in 2007 in order to relieve daily college stresses. After a few months of a daily practice she was hooked on the physical, mental, and emotional benefits. She could not wait to participate in a yoga teacher training in order to share the gift of yoga with anyone looking for a change. After studying with Jonny Kest, she is now a 200-hour RYT through Yoga Alliance. She has also recently graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in exercise physiology, and is an ACSM certified Health Fitness Specialist. She enjoys teaching upbeat and challenging classes while her main goal as a teacher is for her students to be present, have fun, and find their edge; encouraging them to use their breath as their guide. She believes anyone can benefit from practicing yoga, regardless of their health background or fitness level: wherever you are is exactly where you are supposed to be.. | |
   | CHERI I never dreamed I would teach when I attended YTT 200 on the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula in May of 2010. I had practice yoga with some regularity for 10 years prior to that time and wanted to study with a wise and respected teacher; Sandra Carden YTT 500 of Union Yoga to find growth in my practice. Teacher Training and subsequent studies, workshops and retreats have stimulated my curiosity and need for additional growth and exploration. Teaching, I found, is a vehicle for continued growth in understanding and the ability to share this beautiful practice. I am a student of the interpretations of the asana, yoga philosophies and writings of the great BSK Iyengar and the Universal Principals of Alignment of Anusara Yoga created by John Friend. I look for grace as I practice. I believe that the center of gravity of the body and mind as well as the emotional and intellectual centers should remain aligned. CHRISTY Co-owner of Practice Yoga by day – lover of exploring all things fun by night! Whether in the studio, running through the streets of Grosse Pointe or cycling around Detroit, Christy can be found living her life with passion and mindfulness. Christy began her yoga journey voraciously in 1999, soon after receiving her teacher training with Veronica Zador of Namaste Yoga in Royal Oak. An enthusiastic student and serious teacher of both yoga and pilates; Christy enjoys watching her students transform physically and mentally through their practice. She has an eclectic style that approaches alignment and increased flexibility through core strength in an energetic, challenging and peaceful way. Since opening Practice Yoga in May of 2006, Christy has contributed each day of her life giving back to the Practice Yoga community what they have unknowingly given her - strength, inspiration, balance, dedication, support and guidance. “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.” - unknown COLLEEN Colleen have been practicing and studying the Ashtanga Vinyasa method since 2000, under Matthew Darling of Royal Oak, MI. She had the privilege of being one of Practice Yoga's original instructors in 2006, before leaving to give my full attention to medical school and residency. In September 2011, she returned to a daily yoga practice and to teaching. Her years of medical training have provided her with an in-depth knowledge of the human body which has enhanced her understanding of the practice tremendously. It is her intent to share that knowledge with her students, as well as a sense of playfulness and joy. Life is hard enough; yoga shouldn't be! | |
 | DARCIE My perspective is simple. Life is a balancing act. When your needs are met you feel a sense of well-being. When your needs are not met, the balancing act continues. We all like feeling good. We all want peace of mind. We all enjoy being joyful, peaceful, energized and relaxed. One of the most obvious things about having a body is that it tends to stiffen and tighten with age. As your body tightens, not only is it less comfortable to be in, it actually becomes less efficient and more prone to disease and degeneration. I believe you can actually bring the suppleness of youth back into your life and be more flexible, durable and stronger. As you learn to focus your physical and mental energy more effectively, you will become more vital, creative and efficient in all your activities, and even reverse the tendency to stiffen as you age. | |
 | DENISE Denise completed Yoga Teacher Training in 2004.She studied with her admired teacher, Michael Johnson. She enjoys teaching basic yoga classes, which focus on the spine and listening intently to one's body and breath. With back issues of her own,nothing has helped more than practicing yoga regularly. Now in her 50's she believes yoga does not have to be physically intense to reap its' many benefits. | |
 | JEFF "I can tell you all the different teachers I've studied with, but I'd like to say that my struggles on that 6-foot piece of rubber has been my biggest teacher. I started practicing on a thin purple mat with Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar in my hands. Ashtanga was my first love, but I love it all. I have taught nearly all types of classes at studios throughout the area. I have made a study of yoga in my daily practice, leaving sweat and correct effort in pre-dawn practice halls. I am finishing my doctorate in clinical psychology and psychology is so like yoga, I wrote my master's thesis on the process of becoming through the practice of ashtanga yoga, and created a research study on the effects of mindfulness and yoga combined with substance abuse therapy. Often more questions than answers, but that's alright, in the end it's pleasure, or struggle, stirham and sukkam, strong and light, and that is the yoga I teach." | |
   | JEN Jen first experienced yoga at the age of 19, but became serious about a home practice 4 years ago. She had never experienced moving meditation before and her yoga practice continues to surprise and humble her daily. Jen became a certified yoga instructor to share her love for the practice with everyone she could. Her belief is that the more people practicing the more conscious the human race becomes. Jen combines yoga philosophy, mudras, and the basics of the breath to guide her classes. She tailors her classes to the energy of the class that day knowing that every time on your mat you can experience something new by cultivating awareness and gratitude. "I want students to physically, mentally, and spritually feel lighter, and more gracious after my classes." MOLLIE Mollie began practicing Yoga in 2002 while living in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It was there that she was inspired by her teacher to complete teacher training herself upon moving back to Michigan. She loves having the honor of being the first person able to introduce new students to the practice of Yoga, and truly believes in the power of positive living. NANCY Nancy's love for yoga stems from her background in dance & musical theatre. She started out teaching pilates and personal training in chicago in 2003 before completing yoga teacher training in 2010. Nancy's teaching style combines traditional vinyasa with a focus on posture. She believes yoga should be fun and we all make it our own! | |
 | SHANNON Shannon has been practicing yoga since 2003. Her classes offer an opportunity to slow down… becoming more aware of body alignment and how breath works with movement. For her, yoga works by strengthening and stretching one’s body into alignment, breathing more comfortably in challenging postures, and by practicing the courage of moving away from one’s unhealthy habits and towards one’s potential for grace, joy and greatness. | |