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 27 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 12 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
Angie Jackson
I first discovered yoga in 2004 and have been hooked ever since. Over the past six years, yoga has transformed my life and helped me become a more compassionate person. To me, yoga is a journey, and I look forward to sharing my passion for many years to come. Come join my playful, heart-opening classes and be inspired to find peace for all beings. Namaste!
(248) 838-8597 jacks921@msu.edu
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
Gabriele Kende, RYT 500
Gabriele (Gaby) Kende, MS, RD, is a certified Viniyoga teacher and yoga therapist. 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. In addition, Gaby graduated in 2009 form 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 group classes as well as helping students in private yoga therapy sessions to come up with a yoga practice that will help them deal with various challenges. For more information and registration call (517) 351-6640 or gkende@msu.edu
Jane Gamble
Jane Gamble is certified in GYROKINESIS®, GYROTONIC®, and the LADDER® She is former artistic director of Happendance, a professional modern dance company, and currently serves and an outreach instructor and choreographer.
(517) 282-3303 or email geoffandjane@me.com For more information on GYROKINESIS® go to GYROTONIC.COM
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 userjmn@gmail.com
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 therapeutic instruction as well. She is a certified Viniyoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist and on the staff of the Himalayan Institute. 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. K.O. has practiced Yoga since 1995 and was a Professor of Art from 1990 - 2000.
(517) 485-5659, ko@goodspaceyoga.com or www.goodspaceyoga.com
Kurt Scholler
Kurt teaches meditation in a non-denominational way to both beginners and advanced practitioners. He uses everyday language to help people understand meditation and how they can develop or deepen their practice--either for simple stress reduction or an awakening experience. Kurt started meditating in 1996 and has meditated with experienced yogis and well-known teachers in various traditions and teaches individuals and groups.
734-973-2040. www.kurtscholler.com
Lauren Long
Yoga became a natural part of my life after moving to Charleston, SC in
2006. After completing first my 200 hour training in Vinyasa Flow, then
my 500 hour certification in Integrated Yoga Therapy, I truly feel that
everyone can benefit from the power of yoga. My classes are all about
self-discovery, alignment, and fun. Can't wait to see you on the mat!
yogilaurenlong@gmail.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
Maryann Anandi Concannon trained at the 500 level
Maryann Anandi Concannon is a Certified Integral Yoga Instructor. She
graduated in 2000 as a Beginning Integral Teacher From Satchidananda
Ashram, Yogaville, Virginia and an Intermediate Integral Teacher 2005
from the Integral Yoga Institute in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. She
also has some Iyengar influence from studies with Iyengar teachers for
more than 4 years. Maryann Anandi has been teaching for more than 12
years and is also qualified as a therapeutic yoga practioner and holds
a Master in Social Work. “The easy way is hard enough,” is the quote
from Swami Satchidanada that is the philosophy behind Maryann Anandi’s
classes.
Contact Maryann Anandi at (734)904-6690 or email anandiyogi@sbcglobal.net, www.creatingsilenceyoga.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 twelve years and has been teaching privately, and in group settings for 8+ years. In the last two years, she has been teaching groups yoga in the workplace, in the Greater Lansing Area, as well. 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