Here And Now Yoga / Michelle Cavanagh
About
Dance, Fitness, Martial Arts, Yoga...
I began my Yoga practice in 1996 in New York City and have studied with world-renowned teachers on both coasts. I have been working with private clients since the mid-1990s on increasing physical awareness and strength, overall wellness and connecting the body, mind and breath. I come to Yoga teaching with a background in modern dance and martial arts, graduating from New York University in 1994. Techniques and bodywork studied: Dance: Ballet, Modern, African, Jazz, Butoh; Alexander Technique, Meditation and Massage. In 1997, I became an American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Fitness Trainer. In 2001, I achieved my first of two Black Belts (Hwa Rang Do and Shotokan Karate) and began teaching Martial Arts in 2002 in Los Angeles. After the birth of my son, I began my Yoga teacher training, becoming 200 hr certified with Yoga Alliance in 2010. In 2011, while pregnant with my daughter, I began teaching Pre-natal Yoga. I currently see clients in their home or in my home studio, privately/semi-privately for 45, 60 or 90-minute sessions.
I believe everyone has more physical and mental potential than they readily realize. My goa is to help you achieve your goals, guiding you one small step at a time, in a safe, supportive and healthy manner
Add'l reviews on Yelp.
I love helping people feel better about themselves physically and mentally. I believe everyone has more power to unlock within themselves. I enjoy making others stronger and becoming closer to who they truly want to be.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I ask questions to find out what my client's goals are, what experience or injuries they've had, and what reservations or concerns there might be. I assess my client's individual physical abilities: range of motion, alignment, and ease or difficulty of various types of movement.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
1994: Dance Education, New York University: Ballet, Modern, Alexander Technique, African, Jazz, Japanese Butoh and massage.
1997: American Council on Exercise, Certified Personal Fitness Trainer.
2001: Black Belt, Hwa Rang Do.
2004: Black Belt, Shotokan Karate.
2010: 200-hour Yoga Alliance - Yoga Instruction.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I have a flat rate per 45, 60 or 90 minutes. I offer discounts for packs of 6-sessions.
How did you get started teaching?
After spending six years as a martial arts instructor, my husband and I decided to start a family. As a pregnant instructor, I thought it wise to not continue teaching martial arts (kicks to the abdomen, leg sweeps, falls to ground?... maybe not the safest for baby!) So I turned my attention to my 20-year yoga practice and became certified with Yoga Alliance in 2010. I fell in love with teaching yoga and empowering people in a nurturing, deep and focused way.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with all levels, ages and backgrounds of clients: elderly, injured, pre-natal, children, and advanced (inversions and arm balances).
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I recently taught a two-hour Inversions Workshop to intermediate level students where at the beginning of the class, I ask everyone's level of fear on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being very little fear and 10 being extremely high fear. Every single participant went down at least 2 to 3 numbers in fear factor by the end of the two hours, and achieved some type of inverted feat they'd never done before. Big smiles on every face, elated emotions throughout.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
If you're new to yoga, or an experienced practitioner, we can work together to create a practice that works best for you and where you are in your life right now.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Customers should think about what they would like to achieve and what obstacles they believe are in the way.