Michelle’s practice began as a path of healing after the unexpected loss of her father in 2014, when yoga became a lifeline back to her body, her spirit, and her joy. The practice didn’t just support her through grief—it completely transformed the trajectory of her life and inspired her to share that same profound sense of wholeness with others.
Rooted in a lifelong love of movement through dance and gymnastics, Michelle found a depth in yoga that nothing else had ever given her. After years of immersing herself in retreats and study, her mentors, Marsha Nieland and Betsy Rippentrop, encouraged her to begin teaching. In 2017, she completed an alignment-based, heart-centered 200-hour teacher training, stepping fully into her dharma—and has been teaching ever since.
Michelle loves to teach dynamic blends of Hatha, Vinyasa, and Anusara-inspired yoga—and when the moment calls for it, she also draws on her experience with meditation, restorative practices, and breathwork. Over the years, she has taught just about everyone—from first-timers unrolling their mats to long-time practitioners, teenagers, busy professionals, and even pro athletes—proof that yoga truly is for everyone. With her signature mix of spunk and compassion, Michelle creates space for students to explore both strength and softness. Her greatest joy is reminding students of the wisdom already within, and guiding them home to themselves.
Classes I Teach:
- Fire & Flow Mondays
- Warm Yoga (rotating Wednesdays)
Favorite Asana:
Urdhva Dhanurasana (Full Wheel), Natarajasana (Dancer Pose), and Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (Pigeon Pose)—reminds her that yoga is both empowering and deeply grounding. She believes yoga is a moving meditation, guiding us back to balance and presence on and off the mat.
Favorite Sutra:
Sutra I.33: Maitri karuna muditopekshanam sukha dukha punya apunya vishayanam bhavanatah citta prasadanam
→ By cultivating attitudes of friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the suffering, joy for the virtuous, and equanimity toward the non-virtuous, the mind becomes purified.
Favorite Book:
- The Untethered Soul – Michael A. Singer
- The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle
- The Fifth Agreement – Don Miguel Ruiz
Favorite Quote:
“I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.” – Hafiz
Specialties:
- Hot Yoga (Infrared Heat)
- Power Yoga
- Vinyasa (rooted in Anusara alignment)
- Yoga & Strength
- Slow Flow & Yoga Fundamentals
- Restorative Yoga
- Yoga Nidra
- Trauma-Informed Yoga
- Breathwork (Pranayama)
- Meditation & Mindfulness