Michal started taking yoga classes in 1994 and immediately fell in love with it. In 1997, she became a Certified Yoga Instructor and began teaching. What fascinated her about the art and practice of yoga, was the way in which her mind could become “still” by the end of class and how the breath could be directed to different parts of the body. Soon after teaching classes at Woman’s Fitness Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she began teaching a Multiple Sclerosis yoga class which allowed her to bring her healing practice into the yoga classroom. At the 1st MS yoga class, Michal told the students that they were not their diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. She told them that, “you are more than that. You are a Spirit Being manifest in a physical body. So you can actually expand out into your Whole Self and have infinite possibilities or choices for your Healling.”
Michal ‘s yoga classes is a mix of Hatha, Raja, Iyengar, Kundalini yoga traditions and Chi gong. These tools include asanas (yoga poses), breathwork, imaging, and the practice of the Observer Self and remembering you can choose how to respond to break up old patterns and to be Present. Michal soon realized that she uses the tools of Yoga to teach Conscious Awareness. Her teaching is also unique by creating a safe environment to explore the body, mind, breath patterns. “This is your Journey, not your neighbors or mine. How are you choosing to be Present now?”
At Santa Fe Soul Health and Healing Center, Michal teaches a weekly Gently Yoga-Chi class and a stress/trauma relief yoga class. She also teaches private yoga classes. Michal travels in the United States teaching yoga and also in England.
Yoga means union of mind, body, breath.
“In our Western society we have a tendency to be only in the mind, only in the body or only in our emotions. This separation causes a lot of stress. The art and practice of Yoga is a tool you can play with On and Off the Mat.”
Testimonials:
“Yoga is a discipline and a practice. You must have discipline to practice it. And, you must practice at your discipline. Although this sounds arduous Michael has made it attainable – and even fun. Michal allows the student or practitioner to approach at their comfort level. The technique which aided me the most is her Breathing sequences. It calms the body, mind and spirit to allow you to respond to the session in an enlightened way. By slowing down the internal race of beating heart, chattering mind and bruised or busied spirit, I am then ready to open up to all the possibilities that are there for me. It has been my pleasure and honor to partake this trip with Michal. I look forward to many years to come.”
- Susan Marshall
“I have been taking yoga from Michal for the past 5 years. One of the hardest things for me to learn has been to Breath. But it has also been the thing that has saved me. I recently suffered a huge loss in my life, and what has sustained me is the Breath. Early on, when the pain of loss was getting stuck in me, she taught me to Breath In Love, Breath Out Sorrow. More recently, I have learned to Breath In Acceptance, and Breath Out Love. This has been a huge step in my healing, along with my weekly yoga practice with Michal.” In addition to the Breath, Michal has also taught me about:
- Living in Intention
- Energy, and how to keep it moving
- Yoga as a Spiritual Practice
- Being IN my Body
- The value of Water, Water, Water.
“I have tremendous respect for Michal. She is an excellent teacher, a knowledgeable and caring guide, and somehow manages to make it all FUN.”
- Cathy Higgins
“What a great adjunct to the PTSD clinic! Michael’s gentle and playful approach to yoga is the perfect way to unwind after a stressful workweek.”
–D. Ceres
