About Mimi (me)
Michelle ("Mimi") started practicing yoga in 2001, with her love of yoga growing deeper after noticing the many benefits, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Vinyasa yoga flows are her specialty of training. Her teaching started in January of 2005 by raising money to benefit her childrens’ school in Webster, MA. After teaching for five months and donating all of the money to the school, she started taking teacher-training classes. Her home studio business was established on Mother's Day of 2005 and was officially named "De-Stress with Yoga".
Mimi is Registered with Yoga Alliance as a 200 E-RYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher). She is also certified for Adult, Child and Infant CPR through the American Heart Association. She is also a member of NAMASTA (North American Studio Alliance). Mimi continues to embrace her yoga studies and is currently studying to become a Yoga Therapist. Even though Mimi has her 200 E-RYT through YogaFit, she steps out of the YogaFit practice and enjoys all kinds of branches of yoga, such as Anasura, Integral, Bikram, Ashtanga, Prana Flow, Iyengar, Baron Baptiste, Kripalu, Meridian and Kirtan.
Mimi decided to leave her corporate job of seventeen years in June of 2007, to focus more on her family, to become a full-time Yoga Instructor, build her own business and to share the unlimited benefits that yoga can bring to each person who enters her door. She emphasizes the benefits of building strength, flexibility, and overall improved health through yoga to her students, who desire better health and improved self-image. She believes that movement is life and the importance of taking time to take care of yourself. Sharing this to all of her students brings great joy to her heart.
During the summer of 2007, Mimi became certified as a PiYo Instructor (a blend of yoga & pilates).
She has worked with many inspirational teachers who have transformed her life and teaching style. Many thanks to: Beth Shaw, Shiva Rea, Patricia Walden, Dr. Timothy McCall, Beth Marik, Lara Anderson, Mary Comfort, Kelly McLain, Melanie Redfern, Stuart Rice, Theresa Merz, Chrys Kub, Kristin Mabry, Kathy DeKramer, Jane Vaganek, Taj Harris, Suzie Celentano and Cheryl Sparks.
Mimi feels fortunate to have her home-based studio, De-Stress with Yoga. She has also taught yoga classes and workshops at Auburn Yoga & Pilates Center, schools (for teachers and students), local gyms, professors of Nichols College, staff members of Hubbard Regional Hospital, and Health Fairs. In January of 2010, Mimi taught a yoga class at the Seaport Hotel for the Yankee Dental Congress Convention.
Mimi also teaches Corporate Yoga for the staff of Blue Cross Blue Shield and teaches at State of Grace Yoga & Wellness Center. She also has been teaching Private Yoga for nursing homes, eldercare day programs and individuals with developmental, physical, and emotional disabilities.
Yoga is for every BODY. Mimi’s youngest yoga student: 4 years of age, oldest student: 101 years of age and has taught students from all ages in between.
Mimi also has a unique twist of serenity “yoga parties” for clients, and teaches private sessions with clients to deepen their personal practice.
Mimi enjoys bringing out creativity in any way possible. She loves to be creative in her Moodlifting YogaDance by adding movements from "within".
She has also designed and planned an annual event, YogaDay USA (a nation wide celebration) in January of 2009 & 2010. This event is a fund raiser event, which included yoga classes for all ages.
YogaDay USA is an annual event that Mimi embraces to the community.
Mimi enjoys teaching yoga to children, teens and adults, men and women. The percentage of women to men ratio is approximately 80% women and 20% men. In this class, the women were outnumbered by the men:
Mimi was fortunate to host a Kirtan celebration at her home studio, De-Stress with Yoga during Darmashakti's 2009 tour. This was held on Mother's Day, 2009, which was also the 4th anniversary of the opening of De-Stress with Yoga. We celebrated all mother's, we celebrated the anniversary, we celebrated our bliss. Dharmashakti also facilitated a Hatha Yoga Class the next morning, before he traveled to his next destination.
Thank you Dharmashakti and Christian for making this Mother's Day the best! Here are some photos:
(Seva) Community Service Mission: Mimi enjoys giving back to the community by offering yoga classes to raise money or to give the gift of health by bringing a community together, while allowing each student to feel comfortable with their own body. Some of the community service she has completed:
Conducted Fund-Raiser Yoga Classes for:
- St. Joseph School, Webster, MA
- The Tourette Syndrome Association, Connecticut Chapter
- "Giving Thanks" yoga class to benefit the Interfaith Hospitality Network, held at St. Louis Parish, Webster, MA
- The American Cancer Society (classes held in Auburn - 2007, 2008 & 2009), Dudley (2007) & Webster (2007, 2010)
- YogaDay USA (2009 & 2010), to benefit the Arts Committee for the First Congregational Church in Dudley
Conducted a Free Yoga Class for the Community:
- Chair Yoga Class held at the Memory Walk '09 to benefit The Alzheimer's Association of Central MA
- Chair Yoga for Summit Elder Care, Worcester, MA (June 2009)
- Wheelchair Yoga, held at Life-Skills, Webster, MA (June 2009)
- Wheelchair Yoga, held at Life-Skills, Inc. Dudley, MA (May, 2009)
- Yoga Fusion, Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, Sutton, MA.
- 8th Grade Class at Thompson Middle School, CT
Donated a Full Body Prayer Yoga Class for:
- "Living Faith" Lenten services (the class was taught at St. Anne's Parish location in Sturbridge, MA)
Mimi participates in the Relay for Life to help find a cure for cancer. The bottled water that you purchase at class goes directly her fundraising efforts. If you would like to view her Relay for Life page,
click here.
When not practicing yoga, Mimi enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.
Some of Mimi's favorite hobbies: camping with her family, being at the beach, anything to do with arts & crafts and drum circles.
Mimi believes that her clients' needs are of the utmost importance. She committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of her business is from repeat customers and referrals.
Come try a class - you'll feel so good after your practice.
Location:
141 Sutton Road
Webster, MA 01570
