About
Welcome and thanks for visiting my profile!
Did you know that specific supported yoga poses can regulate blood pressure, enhance the lymphatic system (vital to our health), and significantly reduce the toll that stress puts on our bodies?
As a yoga therapist, C-IAYT, I specialize in therapeutic and restorative yoga to help people with back pain, herniated discs and scoliosis as well as providing post-surgery or post-injury rehab to facilitate the healing process. Clients have come to me for help with back pain, knee pain, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart ailments. Now integrating yoga therapy for transforming grief.
The LoveJOYoga Therapy (LJYT) Method emphasizes the importance of correct alignment based on Iyengar methods and integrates mind, body and spirit using mindfulness, meditation, visualization and the mind-body connection. I offer a personalized program to promote healing on all levels, getting to the root cause of issues and not just treating symptoms. Better care for better living.
Private sessions in the comfort of your home; I come to you.
For helpful yoga therapy and wellbeing tips plus inspirational stories and life lessons that have helped my clients and me, you can subscribe to my YouTube channel "LoveJOYoga Therapy with Michelle":
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyEc2r7gl9ftS5UnMJHCydQ
Yoga has made my life exponentially better and it brings me great joy to share the many incredible benefits, now being recognized and referred by the medical community, that this system provides.
My greatest joy when working one-on-one with private clients is to see the progress they make. I've witnessed miraculous healing when clients are committed to their goals. I'm grateful to be a guide and inspiration to them. At the same time, they teach and inspire me too.
Photos and videos
Reviews
Sara
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I offer a free phone consultation to review your goals, medical history, injuries and needs. During our first session, I give a physical assessment and take into consideration individual lifestyle habits, stressors and mindset to personalize a program that specifically targets your needs.
Depending on those needs, I may also give at-home exercises, meditations, etc. to practice in between our regular sessions to improve results. I only work with those who are committed to their goals as I want my clients to get results.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
While I continue to take various workshops and seminars as well as do ongoing research, my major certifcations are:
2015: 45-hour y4c (Yoga 4 Cancer) teacher training with Tari Prinster
2014: 500-hour Gentle Therapeutics Yoga Teacher Training with Allaine Stricklen
2013: 200-hour 305 University Karma Yoga Teacher Training with Terri Cooper
How did you get started teaching?
I've been practicing yoga since 1999 and have always loved the way it increases my strength and flexibility but it wasn’t until 2012 that yoga become my lifeline.
At the time my mom was diagnosed with metastatic cancer and given 6 months to live. Knowing my heart for helping others and my passion for dance and movement, my mom suggested getting certified in yoga.
Getting on my mat regularly during my years of training gave me the strength, clarity and presence to not only process my grief but to even discover beauty and magic during the biggest heartbreak of my life.
Yoga is not just the physical practice we primarily see in the Western world with various physical postures ("asanas"). It's an entire system integrating mind, body and spirt offering a path that enables us to live as our highest selves. Through all the ups and downs in life, I can't imagine my life without yoga.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students ranging from ages 13 to 84 with various conditions including, but not limited to, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, kyphosis, herniated discs, diabetes, cancer, post cardiac surgery, post knee surgery, epilepsy, autism, Down's syndrome as well as major common concerns like general back pain, neck pain, high blood pressure and stress. Now incorporating yoga therapy for grief.
While there are many variances in the types of issues I've worked with, there is uniformity to my LoveJOYoga Therapy method and that is to help people become active participants in their own health and healing. I've found that, with my clients as well as with myself, our deepest pain can be turned into our greatest gift. Through my method I share tools that people can use for the rest of their lives which leads to better health, happiness and peace of mind.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Interview potential teachers. Not only ask them about their education and credentials but find out if they practice what they preach, meaning do they live using the tools they share with their clients and students? Are they committed to their own personal growth? Make sure you connect with them on a personal level as this is important to facilitate learning and healing. For instance, I wouldn't go to a doctor I don't like as a person. Same thing with a teacher or therapist.
My clients become like family to me. I, too, interview potential clients as the best results will be reached when there's a good fit between both student and teacher.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Be prepared to share what injuries or surgeries you may have had as this helps teachers be able to assist and modify as appropriate (a good teacher will ask you this!). Also consider your mindset--what are your concerns, your fears or apprehensions, if any, with yoga and your health? Why do you want to do yoga or participate in yoga therapy? What do you hope to get out of it?