Heartfelt Yoga – Lake Orion, MI
My 1st introduction to Yoga was when I was 8 years old, my mother (Marion) practiced yoga in our house and she even brought an instructor to the house. I always felt like she was ahead of her time, as this was in the early 1960’s. Marion found yoga to be very helpful in many ways, and especially with her scoliosis. When I had problems sleeping at night, she would talk me through what I now know as a Yoga Nidra practice.
Years went by, I went to college in Santa Barbara, California, and studied Photography. I returned home to Michigan and after 10 years, I took up practicing yoga. I started practicing in Lake Orion through the Community Schools adult evening programs. I enjoyed the classes very much, and after 1-2 years, my teacher asked me if I was interested in taking over her classes. I also had been studying yoga with another teacher, Dorothy (Inara) Kim of Peaceful Places Yoga, whom I had met at a Yoga Day. I enjoyed her classes very much. She was teaching Kripalu yoga at the time. I decided I needed more education to teach, and traveled to Sedona, Arizona and studied with Joseph Lepage, Integrative Yoga Therapy. This helped me immensely. I also am thankful for meeting Michael Johnson of Clearlight Yoga Shala, and completed a teacher training with him.
Style of Yoga: I teach Gentle Hatha Yoga classes. Some weeks we focus more on alignment and other weeks flowing. I also teach Yin and Restorative Yoga during certain times of the year. I have studied with many different teachers over the years. My style is influenced by Kripalu and Iyengar yoga. I enjoy Iyengar yoga with the use of props and alignment, and Kripalu: the free flowing style along with press points and breathing techniques.
Favorite Yoga Pose: This has changed over the years. Currently, meditation and pranayama, along with asanas that help me move with ease and prepare for meditation.
What brings you to the mat: Ease of movement and meditation.
Where do you teach? I have a private practice, Heartfelt Yoga and I teach at the Orion Community Center in Lake Orion. Classes are held on Mondays’ at 5:45 pm & 7:00 pm, and Thursdays at 10:00 am. And our 1:00 pm class is Yoga with Ease (chair yoga).
How has YAGD helped you in your career? Networking and being able to study with different Yoga teachers that have come into town. Judith Lasater, Jason Crandell, Erich Schiffman, and Doug Keller to name a few.
In my yoga classes I like how we have formed a community, and friendships are built. I love noticing how yoga helps people to bring self care and ease of movement to their life, and relaxation to their minds. This then extends to others.
Family Info, Hobbies, etc: I have been married to my husband for 32 years. He also enjoys yoga. We both were professional photographer’s and continue to enjoy photography. In 2008, I went back to school for Massage Therapy. I am a licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Healing Touch Practitioner with practices in Lake Orion, Rochester and Farmington Hill.