Our Teachers
The Yoga Alliance registers
teachers based on their hours of
education and experience.
RYT 200, RYT 500, E-RYT 200, E-RYT 500
www.yogaalliance.org
Ruth Fisk, CIYT, E-RYT 500
Ruth Fisk, certified Iyengar teacher of 22 years, is spirited and passionate in her delivery of this ancient art and science. Ruth has studied long term with some of the most well know Iyengar teachers of the times, has studied in Pune, India with the Iyengars, founded the Center for Yoga 8 years ago and has been instrumental in growing the yoga community in this town. Ruth is dedicated to the teaching of yoga in a traditional and kind way, with abundant humor and self-reflection. (517) 333-9883 ext. 2. or center4yoga@hotmail.com or www.ruthfiskyoga.com
See article about Ruth Beyond the Mat
Amy Noren, RYT 200
Amy Noren has studied yoga for 10+ years, is certified with the Khagaya School of Yoga in East Lansing, Michigan and registered with Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level. Her class focus is to assist the individual in developing a home practice that integrates yoga into daily life. Contact Amy at 517-285-2782 or amynoren@yahoo.com
Ann Lapo, Roger Eischens certified
Ann Lapo has been teaching since 1999 and offers a life-celebrating, joyful approach to yoga with special focus on alignment that honors the uniqueness of the individual. Having studied yoga for over 20 years, Ann’s primary influence has been the yoga techniques of Roger Eischens, from whom she received teacher certification. She has also had Anusara Yoga teachers training and incorporates its Universal Principles of Alignment into her classes. (517) 388-3625 or yogawithann@yahoo.com or www.annlapo.com
Candace Merkel, RYT 200
Candace Merkel is a 2008 graduate of the Khagaya School of Yoga with Ruth Fisk. She is certified to teach Beginning Hatha Yoga with Iyengar emphasis and is nationally registered with Yoga Alliance(RYT200). Yoga has been a big part of her adult life for more than ten years and she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for yoga and helping individuals discover the benefits that yoga can offer them. Contact Candace at (517)337-1807 or email cprettymerk@gmail.com
Clare Collins, E-RYT 500
Clare Collins, RN, Ph.D., Yoga teacher and Yoga Therapist, has been practicing yoga since 1991 and teaching at the Center for Yoga since 2000. She completed the Yoga Teacher Training Program at the American Viniyoga Institute in 2003 and was certified as a Yoga Therapist through AVI in 2005. Clare is registered through the Yoga Alliance at the Experienced Yoga Teacher (ERYT-500) level. She is a consultant to the American Viniyoga Institute and an educator of Yoga teachers and Yoga Therapists at national training programs. She is a registered nurse with a specialization in mental health issues, Professor Emeritus of Nursing at Michigan State University, Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. 517-333-9883 ext 2 or clarecollins52@msn.com
Desiree Williams
Desiree Williams has been practicing yoga for 5+ years, completed her
Yoga Teacher Training through the White Lotus Foundation in Santa
Barbara, California, and is currently working toward her complete
certification. Desiree is trained in White Lotus Flow and is also a
full-time college student, studying Health & Physical Education.
Desiree is looking forward to sharing her love for yoga! 404-434-7774
or williamsdj@bellsouth.net
Gabriele Kende, RYT 500
Gabriele (Gaby) Kende, MS, RD, is a certified Viniyoga teacher. She completed the Advanced Yoga Teacher Training at the American Viniyoga Institute and has also a teaching certification from the Esther Myers' Studio in Toronto. Gaby is currently in the Yoga Therapist training with Gary Kraftsow at the American Viniyoga Institute. Gaby has been teaching yoga since 1998 and has retired from teaching nutrition at the MSU College of Nursing. She enjoys teaching and sharing her love of yoga. (517) 351-6640 or gkende@msu.edu
Jane Nelson, RYT 200
Jane Nelson is a recent graduate of the Khagaya School of Yoga Teacher Training at the Center for Yoga under the direction of Ruth Fisk. Jane has an extensive background in movement studies, with 17 years of training and teaching in martial arts (karate and aikido), 20 years teaching self-defense and personal safety skills, and a master’s degree in physical education and exercise physiology. Contact Jane at nelsonja@msu.edu
J
Kathy Stover, RYT 500
Kathy Stover, RYT 500, teaches in the Iyengar tradition since 1999. With 20 years of personal practice, two Teacher Trainings with Aadil Palkhivala and eight years assisting Ruth Fisk, Kathy brings her knowledge of yoga from her heart to yours. Private instruction is also available. (517) 645-2237 or KAS_55@msn.com
Kathy (K.O.) Ornish, E-RYT 500
Kathy (K.O.) Ornish is dedicated to teaching the breadth of the yoga tradition to inspire inner transformation. She teaches the Mind and Body Yoga classes, meditation, and offers private instruction as well. She is a certified Viniyoga Teacher and Therapist, has practiced Yoga since 1995 and was a Professor of Art from 1990 - 2000. She completed the 500 hour Advanced Yoga Teacher training and 500 hour Yoga Therapy training through Gary Kraftsow's American Viniyoga Institute. She is also a certified Para Yoga Instructor with Rod Stryker and has also completed the beginning Iyengar teacher training with Aadil Palkhivala. (517) 485-5659, ko@goodspaceyoga.com or www.goodspaceyoga.com
Linda Reiff
Linda Reiff, is a Qualified Teacher and Program Facilitator in the Fletcher Pilates™ Method, as well as certified by the Pilates Method Alliance, the licensing organization for the Pilates community. Ron Fletcher is a Master Teacher of the Pilates Method, having worked with Joseph and Clara Pilates in the 1930’s and has since developed his own method of Pilates, entitled Fletcher Pilates™. The training program is one of the most rigorous and well known programs in the world, and offers 1000 hours of training. Linda's background as a dancer and choreographer for 25 years in New York City and Cincinnati enable her to merge her knowledge of dance with the beneficial aspects of the Pilates work for her students. (517)290-9113 or pilateszone@comcast.net or www.pilateszoneinc.com
Marie Volovsek
Marie Volovsek, MS has practiced Iyengar yoga for the past 11 years and has been teaching for the past 5 years. She has completed the first of two assessments to be fully certified with the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States. Marie brings compassion and joy into her mindful instruction. (517) 332-3282 or mtvolov@hotmail.com
Stephanie Francisco, RYT 200
Stephanie Francisco completed her yoga teacher training at the Khagaya School of Yoga under Ruth Fisk and is registered with Yoga Alliance. Her yoga journey began when she was pregnant with her son in 2000. Since then she has been studying Iyengar yoga with Ruth Fisk. Stephanie is also a certified massage therapist specializing in pregnancy massage since 1997. In 2003, with the birth of her daughter and news of her husband's serious illness, yoga and bodywork gave her strength and peace of mind to persevere. She hopes to offer this same compassion and nurturing to women in all phases of pregnancy though massage as well as after the birth of baby with Mom and Baby yoga. Please contact: 242-1300 or stephfr@comcast.net for more information.
Sybil Shelton-Ford, E-RYT 200
Sybil E-RYT, has practiced various forms of yoga since 1997 and is certified through The Temple of Kriya Yoga and Integrative Yoga Therapy, with additional studies in Yoga for the Special Child (TM), Integrated Movement Therapy(TM), and the Radiant Child Yoga Program(TM). Sybil created the As You Are Yoga Hatha and Vinyasa Teacher's Training Program that is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS). She also trains adults to be children's yoga teachers. She is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, and the League of Yogic Storytellers. Sybil can be reached at 517-282-7662 or sdsford@yahoo.com
Tara Scott, RYT 200
Tara Scott (RYT 200) is certified through As You Are Yoga (Lansing) to teach Hatha, Vinyasa and yoga for adolescents. Tara considers yoga to be an extension of her long-term studies in human relations and communications. She is deeply inspired by music, nature and mindfulness practices, which she has merged into a signature series, The Yoga Journey. Dedicated to nurturing sangha, Tara is a member of the Lansing Area Mindfulness Community, the founder of The Teaching Circle, and coordinator of the Center's special Sunday workshops. Private instruction is also available. Contact Tara at 517-862-6963 or www.dharmayogaarts.com
Wendy Kopitsch, RYT 500
Wendy Kopitsch has practiced yoga for over ten years and has been teaching privately and in group settings for 6+ years including an ongoing contract to instruct the East Lansing High School Hockey program each season. She has YogaFit teacher certification and has also completed the 500-hour, Advanced Teacher Training with the American Viniyoga Institute with Gary and Mirka Kraftsow teaching in the Krishnamacharya tradition of teaching to the individual...even in a group setting. Wendy is available for group and private instruction.517-749-9811 or wendy@wendyoga.com