| Meet our Instructors - Elizabeth |
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Becoming a yoga teacher has always been one of my dreams since I was 17 years old. My practice began in 1995. Throughout my 20s, I practiced several different types of yoga including Iyengar, Kripalu and Bikram. While living in Denver, there was a Bikram studio right around the corner from our house. It was then that I felt the deep detoxifying benefits of yoga. I loved the heat and sweat of the class. I felt that this was going to be the type of yoga I would settle into and begin teacher training -- until I met Hilaire.
I had never taken a power class. The way we flowed through sequence was exhilarating and Hilaire's voice and spirituality inspired me. I found the same kriya (cleansing) benefits that I did with Bikram, however, it was much more powerful! It was then that I knew I found my teacher. In 2007, I trained one-on-one with Hilaire and obtained my 300-hour certification, which I am still continuing so that I will ultimately reach 500 hours. I graduated in 1999 from the Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy. After years of working for several different establishments I founded Lighthouse Massage Center in May 2003. My passion in life is to facilitate healing and make people feel better through massage and yoga. I have been voted “best massage therapist” within the Grand Ledge community for the past five years and was recognized in Denver’s Top of the Town edition in 2002. Practicing through my pregnancy and having to modify everything for almost a year, then experiencing a traumatic birth that ended up being a c-section, I have new found compassion for where I am on and off my mat. My asana practice is slowly returning, which has taught me humility and patience, but as Hilaire continuously reminds us, your practice will come back, and when it does it will be stronger than ever before. I am now taking on a whole new me and learning the true meaning of being a student. Yoga guides me back to my inner essence. It cleanses the body in only a way that yoga can. It opens up our energy centers and cleans out our garbage mentally, physically and spiritually. You don’t have to be a long time yogi to take a power class. At Hilltop, it is all levels in all classes. Its not about obtaining full posture or looking like anyone else in the room. Its about tuning into your ujjayi, your breath, being you and letting that connection guide you through your asana practice. I encourage you to take my power class to dig deep inside your self, open up your heart, and reach your inner beauty. My intention is to always provide a safe, energizing, healing yoga practice. Come and find your yoga space. Love and Light Namaste |
