Our Teachers
Ruth Fisk
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 ruth@center4yoga.com
Ann Lapo
Ann Lapo is certified with Roger Eischens’ High Energy Yoga program. Her teaching combines gentleness with attention to alignment and is based on a mindful approach to energetic movement, breathwork, and relaxation to provide a complete yoga experience. (517) 388-3625, yogawithann@yahoo.com or http://www.annlapo.com
Aspen Bernath-Plaisted
Bringing Heaven To Earth has always been my motto. My intention is to assist others on their healing transformational journey and ultimately accumulate the critical mass needed for planetary healing.
Since 1980 I have been using Holistic and Spiritually guided Hypnotherapy as well as Energy practices to facilitate and manifest this intention. I have also been practicing Tai Chi throughout these years.
In 1998 I had the joy and privilege of becoming a Certified Chilel Qigong Instructor under the instruction of Luke and Frank Chan who studied in China directly under the founder, Dr. Pang Ming.
Cathy Stewart
Cathy Stewart has been teaching modified Sun and Yang forms of tai chi since 2002. She is certified by Dr. Paul Lam, MD, to teach Tai Chi for Arthritis, and the Tai Chi for Diabetes programs. She is also preparing a course in tai chi ruler, a system of Taoist Yoga, which employs a special tool, the ruler. Cathy hopes to offer a class in tai chi ruler beginning in the fall of 2008. She welcomes your questions at (517) 882-7821 or tranquilmomentstaichi@yahoo.com
Clare Collins
Clare Collins, RN, PhD, certified Viniyoga teacher, completed her basic yoga teacher training in 1999 at the Esther Myer's Studio in Toronto. In 2003, she completed the Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Program at the American Viniyoga Institute and in 2005, received certification as a Yoga Therapist. Clare is a registered nurse with a specialization in mental health issues and a Professor Emeritus of Nursing at Michigan State University. She is a consultant to the American Viniyoga Institute and an educator of yoga teachers and yoga therapists at national training programs. Clare is registered through the Yoga Alliance at the Experienced Yoga Teacher level (ERYT-500). She is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. (517) 333-9883 ext. 2 or clarecollins52@msn.com (517) 333-9883 ext. 2 or clarecollins52@msn.com
Dan Jones
Dan Jones has over 36 years experience as a martial arts practitioner including 26 years of tai chi chuan and Won Chuen temple boxing and 12 years of combined experience in Japanese karate, tae kwon do, Wing Chun kung fu and Shorin Ryu karate. Dan graduated from the Won Chuen Temple Boxing Internal Kung Fu Academy in 1987 after obtaining the rank of Sifu,(which means teacher in Chinese). Sifu Jones is an experienced teacher in Yang Style, Sun Style, and Chen Style Tai Chi Systems. He is a certified Tai Chi for Arthritis Master Trainer and Tai Chi for Diabetes Master Trainer. He is also certified in Tai Chi for Back Pain, Tai Chi for Osteoporosis, Workplace Tai Chi and Tai Chi for Kids. Tai Chi and Chinese Weaponry are also taught by Sifu Jones. He is the owner and founder of Moving Stillness, a training business that teaches and promotes the fluid and graceful art of tai chi chuan. (517) 229-4208 or djonesdragon@comcast.net
Gabriele Kende
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 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
Joanne Rowe
Joanne Rowe teaches Transformation Yoga, including Stages 1 &2 Hatha Yoga, Meditation Foundation, and Pure Meditation - which includes the highest forms of Raja~Kriya yoga and can lead to Self-Realization in this lifetime - if desired. She has specialist training in Prenatal Transformation Hatha Yoga. She has devoted her life to helping others to find their purpose, joy, health and wellbeing on all levels. Joanne lives and works at the Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre, a 501(c)(3) Public Charity in Bath MI, founded by Mata Yogananda Mahasaya Dharma. She is a teacher, director, retreat and workshop leader, Progressive Counsellor and Natural Spiritual Healer. Private instruction, Getaways, Retreats, workshops and delicious homecooked vegetarian meals are also available. All are welcome to come to the Centre to imbibe the peace and enjoy the gardens and meditation room. 517-641-6201 SRMHCMichigan@cs.com
Kathy Stover
Kathy Stover, RYT 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. (517) 645-2237 or KAS_55@msn.com
Kathy (K.O.) Ornish
Kathy (K.O.) Ornish, RYT 500 and 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. She teaches Mind and Body Yoga, meditation, and offers private instruction. K.O. is dedicated to teaching the breadth of the yoga tradition. (517) 485-5659, ko@kathyornish.com or www.kathyornish.com
Marianne Huebner
Marianne Huebner, RYT, has practiced yoga since 1984 in the Sivananda and Iyengar traditions. She is certified in Radiant Child Yoga, YogaFit, Pilates, and as a track coach. Marianne is currently participating in a Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training (International Kundalini Yoga Teacher Association.
(517) 381 1836, yogapath@gmail.com, or www.myyogapath.com.
Marie Volovsek
Marie Volovsek, MS has practiced Iyengar yoga for the past 10 years and has been teaching for the past 4 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 and is very honored to be a new addition to the Center for Yoga. (517) 332-3282 or mtvolov@hotmail.com
Pam Gower
Pam Gower has practiced Nia since 1999 and has been teaching throughout mid-Michigan since 2004. She is dedicated to helping her students celebrate THEIR OWN BODY’S WAY of moving. She provides a safe and supportive community for students to experiment with sound and movement to express creativity, achieve health and wellness goals, and to heal mind, body, and spirit. The Nia Technique has brought so much Joy to Pam’s life. She invites her community to celebrate the truth, humor, and beauty of the world while studying the art and science of the Nia Technique. She also enjoys learning from her talented and handsome husband Jeff, petting Waylon, the loving lab mix and Charlie, the bold beagle, and playing with her beautiful son Weber.
517-614-2857 or pam_gower@yahoo.com
Randy Dykhuis
Randy Dykhuis has studied yoga for more than 20 years, the last 10 with Ruth Fisk. He is a recent graduate of the Khagaya School of Yoga and is registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level. Randy recognized the special place yoga would have in his life when he took his first class from an Iyengar teacher and is honored to be teaching at the Center for Yoga. He is Executive Director of the Michigan Library Consortium, a nonprofit service agency for Michigan libraries. (517) 927-5121 or randy@dykhuis.net.
Stephanie Francisco
Stephanie Francisco completed her yoga teacher training at the Kagaya 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 franci48@msu.edu for more information.
Sybil Shelton-Ford
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
Tara Scott is certified in Hatha and Vinyasa and nationally registered (RYT 200) with Yoga Alliance. An extension of her long-term studies in human relations and communications, Tara's approach to teaching yoga is deeply inspired by music, nature and her mindfulness practice. She is a member of the Lansing Area Mindfulness Community and the Green Yoga Association. 517-862-6963 dharma_yoga@hotmail.com and www.dharmayogaarts.com
Tina Sarkey
Tina Sarkey, LLC, is a fully certified practitioner of both Polestar Pilates and Stott Pilates. She offers private Pilates training in her studio in addition to teaching group classes at the Center for Yoga. She has been an AFAA-certified personal trainer since 1993. In addition, Tina has 16 years' experience in clinical massage and other bodywork modalities. She has been on the faculty at Lansing Community College's Therapeutic Massage Program since 2001. 372-3437 or tina@tinasarkey.com, www.tinasarkey.com
Wendy Kopitsch
Wendy Kopitsch has practiced yoga for over nine years and has been teaching privately and in group settings for 5+ 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 wkopitsch@hotmail.com