As a Northern Lower Pennisula native, I first fell in love with yoga in college as an elective class. After graduating college in 2006, I began following local yoga instructors who I still call my mentors. I finally went to yoga teacher training in 2012, and became a yoga instructor with Sandra Carden from Yoga Union. I taught at three local studios for four years then took a break from teaching to become a Nail Technician. After 4 years of that, I’m now back in action and couldn’t be more thrilled to teach again. Yoga makes my stress go away, strengthens my body, keeps me in the moment, and overall makes me a better person. I think yoga connects the mind, body, and soul for each individual. It’s my goal to help others find that connection. My favorite styles of yoga are yin, gentle, outdoor, yoga nidra, and meditation. My passion is to spread the love of yoga to others together. My priority is to make everyone feel comfortable. I enjoy hiking, reading, camping, live music, two tracking, disc golf, and winter sports. The authors I’m digging right now are Oriah, Melody Beattie, and Jim Harrison. I would like to further my education in Reiki. Keep on Groovin’! Peace. Mir

Aleece, a Petoskey native, received her RYT 200 in March 2017 and is currently in her 500-yoga teacher training program. She has an insatiable hunger for knowledge and didn’t stop at yoga. Afterwards, she went on to receive her Buti Yoga teaching certification in December 2017. Aleece began yoga as an irregular exercise class, but the once simple exercise developed over the next six years into a profound connection of the mind, body & soul. Yoga not only improved her way of life and supported Aleece regularly through everyday stresses, it served her in coping with the loss of her parents. Wanting to reciprocate to others what yoga has done for her, becoming a yoga instructor was the next step. Her passion for unity creates classes, teaching to all levels and ages, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and enabling them to try something new. Always wanting to share, Aleece’s insatiable hunger for knowledge feeds into her magnetic generosity. She brings the ‘studio’ to everyday life making yoga easily available and sharing yoga in unusual places. Buti has brought her previous years of dance training and the internal musician to her current yoga practice and has molded a new path. Aleece is a Bodywork Practitioner, Stretch Therapist, Mobility Specialist, Sound Healer and many other modalities in the Healing Arts. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family and friends, being active outdoors connecting with nature, and celebrating life everyday with her husband, Adam, and their dog Jax. Her favorite quote, “how do you know you can’t do something unless you try? – never let something, especially doubt hold you back from the beauty of life of experiencing new things.”

Sara Kessler is a NSCA certified personal trainer and a 2007 graduate of The Professional Fitness Institute in Las Vegas, NV where she was awarded the highly coveted “most motivated trainer” award. Sara’s commitment to all ages exercise extends into the Boyne community where she is involved in children’s and senior citizen fitness. Our class members and other local exercise enthusiasts know Sara as a dedicated and motivating presence promoting all aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Sara’s number one priority is raising respectful, health conscious children and passing along another generation of positive leaders.

Sarah first came to yoga for the physical benefits of the practice after struggling with a chronic running injury; however, she also quickly began to notice the deep spiritual, mental and emotional benefits, as well. As a mental health counselor, Sarah began incorporating components of yoga into her therapeutic practice and has been able to witness the transformational power it has on her clients. As a RYT-200 yoga instructor, she enjoys teaching challenging vinyasa flow balanced with restorative yoga, and focusing on breath work guiding the practice. Sarah loves teaching yoga because it allows her to help others experience the spiritual, mental and emotional healing that can be found through the practice, as well as bringing fun and creativity to each class.

Madison Griffith, RYT 200, LLMSW, is a local mental health practitioner in Charlevoix and East Jordan schools. Madison has a passion for bringing a trauma-informed perspective to her yoga classes to support all yogis to feel loved, safe, supported and seen. Recently graduated from the University of Michigan, Madison moved to the Up North area to build community and experience all the nature that it has to offer! Madison enjoys being active, getting outdoors and hiking, paddleboarding, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She hopes you join her in your practice!

Laura’s yoga journey has been one of self discovery and refinement. Her practice has allowed her to love her body, explore the depths of her mind and navigate her life with more authenticity. Her classes are designed with creative sequencing and a sense of playfulness. She encourages all of her students to tap into their inner sense of play and exploration so that they are able to make their practice truly their own. As a teacher, Laura’s intention is to create space for her students to tune in, connect with their breath, feel good in their bodies and find some mental clarity.

Born and raised in Michigan, my family moved “up north” in 2001 where I graduated in 2004 from Charlevoix High School. Received my Associates Degree in Business Administration from Everett College in 2011. Always more of a bookworm, athletics were never my thing. I tried (and failed to maintain) several different workout routines. Then just over 2 years ago I took my first yoga, and then my first barre classes. In tandem, they changed my outlook on exercise and brought a new realization to my life and body.  I loved how I felt in barre class. It was fun and challenging. Last fall, my instructor made a casual remark that I should get certified because she didn’t always have a sub when she wanted/needed to take time off. So after a little convincing from her and several friends, I decided to go for it. I am now a certified International Ballet Barre Fitness Association Barre Instructor as well  as a NASM/AFAA  Group Fitness Instructor. I love barre because it’s kind of a sneaky workout. Sometimes you don’t feel like you’re doing much, but when you do feel it, oh man! Those fatigued muscle shakes are the goal… so embrace the shake!