About Michelle
MICHELLE BRINGS OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE STUDYING YOGA, BREATHING, & MEDITATION FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT.
She began teaching in 2005 at Iyengar Yoga Institute of Pittsburgh with a 400-hour certification from Sara Azarius and has offered programs in corporate, military and hospital settings as well as with the general population. Her compassionate, yet direct approach, makes her an energetic teacher that moves clients beyond barriers and into possibility. She is one of only several Level 3 Certified iRest Yoga Nidra teachers in Pennsylvania and is also certified as a Level 2 Warriors at Ease instructor, bringing trauma sensitive yoga & meditation to the military community. As a Certified Lumia Life Coach, who is a working mother of twin toddlers & a teenager, Michelle is keenly aware of the challenge to balance one’s daily life & maintain a wellness practice. She strives to facilitate her classes where students can directly take what they have experienced on the mat, out into their everyday life for a greater sense of ease & wellbeing.
Testimonials
“iRest Yoga Nidra with Michelle helps me to connect to the deepest aspect of my mind/body in a sense of wholeness; thereby healing both body & soul aches. It is the deepest form of relaxation I have experienced and Michelle’s intelligence guides me in a profound way”. -Dr. Tova Tarr, Clinical Psychologist
“I used to have a sore knot in my left shoulder. I’ve had many massages and nothing seemed to work.
Since practicing yoga with Michelle I no longer have the knot in my shoulder, No more pain.
There is an all around improvement within myself. I also feel like the void that was there is being fulfilled, so to speak.” -H. Hunter
“Dear Michelle, iRest Yoga Nidra is making a real difference in the quality of my life experience. I welcome the opportunity to practice everyday and look forward to tomorrow with renewed hope and optimism. I find it much easier to develop, maintain, and sustain relationships both personally and professionally. iRest Yoga Nidra is truly a path of fulfillment.” -Sincerely, Ken H. USAF Veteran
“I have found the practice of iRest Yoga Nidra to be a deeply restful experience. It has equipped me with many tools for monitoring and managing the stress that comes with daily life. I’ve found Michelle’s instruction to be clear, easy to understand, and soothing” -Bob L.
Michelle understands deeply the healing potential of people and is highly skilled in supporting this process and the unique needs of each person. She assisted with teaching a program at UPMC Mercy hospital inpatient rehab brain injury unit that integrated the science of neuroplasticity, yogic breathing, visualization and movement for healing for brain injury. Her skill and compassion were self evident and most welcome. She has an inspiring thirst to do and learn more for the betterment of all beings. -Dr. Neilly Buckalew Physiatrist & Yoga Therapist