Michelle’s Yoga journey began in 2001 as a curious exploration of asanas (physical poses), after her colleague in their dance company persisted in inviting her to the practice. For several years, she fluctuated in and out of different Yoga classes throughout Los Angeles, until a dance injury forced her to slow down. She had been constantly on the go, juggling rigorous hours of weekly dance rehearsals and performances, trail-running and working late hours as a teacher, her passion since childhood. During about a year of rehabilitation, a more consistent Yoga practice awakened deep insight and inspiration to pursue learning about the art of natural healing and thriving.
Addressing her fear of the unknown, she later answered a persistent inner calling to volunteer teach in Ghana and Costa Rica for over a year. During her minimalist life abroad, Yoga became a daily necessity that evoked self-compassion and loving presence, when challenges threw her far from her comfort zone. With gratitude for the healing and transformation Yoga gifted her, she realized her passion to share the practice with diverse people, especially with those who may not have easy access to it. This would later inspire her to offer donation-based Yoga classes.
Upon her return to Los Angeles, California, Michelle earned her first Yoga Teacher certification in 2010 with Kia Miller at YogaWorks. She gradually dove deeper into Yoga’s subtler practices and began meditating daily. She then trained with and studied from various teachers of meditation, mindfulness, conscious dance and nature connection. Her most influential teachers have been Thich Nhat Hahn, Pema Chodron, Tara Brach, Qi Gong Master Chungliang Al Huang and many more. Drawn to inner work for personal healing and expanding consciousness, she then earned her 300-hour certification in Yoga Psychology with Ashley Turner, LMFT, in 2021 and later immersed in the Shipibo's indigenous healing practices in the Peruvian Amazon. Inspired by her growing reverence for nature and intuitive wisdom, she then earned certifications in Usui Reiki Energy Healing and continues to practice Reiki daily.
Michelle’s Yoga classes integrate mindful presence, meditation, skillful breathwork, clear physical alignment in asanas and accessibility for different bodies and experience levels. She nurtures self-inquiry and insights on ways to personally integrate Yoga philosophy in daily life, beyond physical poses. Michelle’s passion for mindful movement, nature, creative flow, and conscious community inspired her to start Root 2 Rise Yoga in 2010, through which she continues to guide wellness retreats, Yoga, mindfulness and meditation in nature and arts-infused play-shops in California and abroad. As a certified Reiki energy healing practitioner, Michelle also offers private Yoga and Reiki sessions.
During her free time, find Michelle trail-running, playing in nature, dancing, savoring a meal at one of her favorite vegan restaurants, immersing in world cultures through travel or meditating in stillness. Her Yoga and energy healing practices continue to teach her the value of balanced living.