Therapists

YogaMedics Therapist, Certified in Spine Care and Custom Individualized Program.

Ann Fancy is a full time RYT certified Yoga Teacher who has been teaching yoga for the last 3 years. She completed her initial training with Linda Kay Nathan studying both Ashtanga/Vinyasa and It’s Your Back yoga. Since her initial training she completed Yoga Shelter Teacher Training as well as YogaMedics training. Ann’s educational background includes a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Wayne State University.
Ann teaches all levels and styles of yoga including YogaMedics Spine Care classes. She currently sees many individual clients as a YogaMedics therapist and finds this work challenging, exciting and humbling. She loves the opportunity to help balance and heal the "whole person"– body, mind and spirit. "The resilience of the human body and more importantly the human spirit never ceases to humble and inspire me.

YogaMedics Therapist, Certified in Custome Individualized Program and ETR Addiction and Recovery Program.

Becky Siden has a Masters degree in clinical social work from Wayne State University. Currently, she works for a non-profit agency where she provides advocacy and clinical services to people with developmental disabilities and mental illness. She also teaches yoga at the Yoga Shelter. Becky believes that the power of YogaMedics can change lives from a physical, emotional and spiritual perspective. She enjoys seeing people live there fullest potential.

YogaMedics Therapist, Certified in Spine Care and Custom Individualized Program.

Darcie Brunette is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Body work. She received her RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) training through Namaste Yoga Studio in Royal Oak, MI and teaches Hatha Yoga as well as YogaMedics Therapy. She has been teaching yoga for 10 years in addition to her position as a staff massage therapist at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. Darcie enjoys working with patients incorporating research based YogaMedics therapy. She also enjoys the opportunities to be a part of the clients healing experience. She finds it truly gratifying to see the patients exceed all expectations making their healing process boundless.

YogaMedics Therapist, Certified in Spine Care and Custom Individualized Program.

Elaine Braden is a certified Yoga teacher and YogaMedics therapist. She has been teaching yoga for 6 years and YogaMedics classes since 2008. Her role in teaching YogaMedics classes is to assist the students in taking their health into their own hands. Elaine is passionate about helping students feel empowered, lighter, freer, and experiencing a greater sense of well being on and off the mat.

YogaMedics Therapist, Certified in Spine Care and Custom Individualized Program.

Elizabeth Schafer is a certified YogaMedics therapist and Yoga Shelter yoga teacher. Elizabeth also earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan and a master’s degree from The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services in Washington, D.C. She has been teaching yoga for 3 years and finds working with YogaMedics clients very fulfilling and rewarding. She enjoys seeing her clients improve physically as well as learn new coping skills including deeper breathing techniques to better deal with pain and emotional discomfort.

YogaMedics Therapist, Certified in Spine Care and Custom Individualized Program.

Gail has maintained a strong meditation, pranayama and asana practice since the early 1970s. In 1999 she was certified to teach yoga and meditation from The Center for Yoga in West Bloomfield. After sustaining a severe spinal injury, she began to focus on the biomechanical aspects of posture and studied with several world renowned teachers in the field. With the successful rehabilitation of her back and knee injuries, she was eager to share her knowledge with others.
Gail has extensive experience teaching yoga in both the corporate sector as well as independently. She is delighted to deepen her professional career by teaching with YogaMedics. She believes YogaMedics provides an intelligent, sensitive and well organized approach for professionals to deliver the amazingly effective and comprehensive benefits of yoga to those in need.

YogaMedics Therapist, Certified in Spine Care and Custom Individualized Program.

Jannell has been actively teaching yoga since 2000 and received her RYT 500 yoga certification through the Center for Yoga in 2002. Since then, Jannell has completed several continuing education trainings and workshops in the methods of Pranayama, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Anusara and guided meditation.
Jannell has been involved with YogaMedics and YogaShelter since their inception and continues to assist in the development of personalized yoga. She actively teaches in both the group and private settings. Jannell especially enjoys teaching breath-work, and using it as tool for healing the physical body and mental attitudes. She values her experience with YogaMedics as it furthers her passion to help people find ways to heal themselves.

YogaMedics Therapist, Certified in Spine Care and Custom Individualized Program.

Jodi has been practicing yoga for 20 years and teaching yoga fulltime since 2004. She is certified in the NIA technique (neuromuscular integrative technique) a movement form that combines yoga, dance and martial arts. Jodi’s received her Yoga Teacher training certificate through YogaShelter in 2002 and was certified in YogaMedics in 2008. Jodi enjoys teaching the YogaMedics programs in the private and group setting because it is a rewarding experience for her to introduce yoga to people who may not have had the opportunity to discover a yoga practice otherwise.

YogaMedics Therapist Certified in Spine Care.

Lynn is a certified YogaMedics therapist. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan in both dance and Physical Education. She has taught body movement in such capacities as ballet, Physical Education, creative movement, prenatal exercise, and aerobics. Lynn founded the dance department at the Jewish Community Center in Portland, Oregon.
In addition to being a full time realtor, yoga has been a large part of her life for many years. Lynn attends workshops constantly in order to upgrade her skills as a YogaMedics therapist. With her vast experience, knowledge and wisdom, she is profoundly grateful for the ability to give clients possibilities to live their best life by honoring themselves through breath and focus.

YogaMedics Therapist Certified in Spine Care and ETR Addiction and Recovery Program.

Marcy received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Eastern Michigan University, where she had a double major in Psychology and Communications. She earned her Master of Social Work from Wayne State University, with a concentration in clinical therapy. She worked at Woodside Medical Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan as a psychiatric and substance abuse therapist, doing group and individual therapy.
Marcy is a certified personal trainer and has developed and led group programs designed to help people implement regular exercise routines to improve strength and flexibility and enhance self confidence. She has also coached and trained high school sports teams.
Yoga is an important part of Marcy’s personal and professional life. She has completed Yoga Training and is a certified yoga instructor. At the Yoga Shelter, she supervises other staff members, teaches numerous yoga classes and facilitates life training programs for more than 200 students and instructors.
Most recently, Marcy has been an integral part in the creation of the Experiential Therapeutic Recovery (ETR) program, which integrates yoga and traditional therapy for individuals who have struggled with from various kinds of addiction.

YogaMedics Therapist Certified in Spine Care and Custom Individualized Program.

Margie Schuldinger earned a B.S. in Psychology from Wayne State University in 1984 and a B.S. in Physical Therapy from California State University in 1988. She has enjoyed and continues to be passionate about her role as a physical therapist. As an assistant professor at Baker College, Margie taught anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, psychology of injury, and several other classes. She has practiced yoga for over 10 years and took teacher’s training with the focus on Better Backs and Ashtanga Yoga from Body Language in 2002, and began blending yoga philosophy with her clients. She was introduced to YogaMedics in April, 2010 and immediately knew it was the next path to blend her skills and beliefs of yoga, physical therapy, and education.

YogaMedics Therapist Certified in Spine Care.

Mary is a respiratory therapist at a pulmonary rehabilitation center and deeply understands the importance of breath since her patients spend most days struggling for each one. She shares the yoga experience with them which gives her the opportunity to laugh, share life stories, exercise and breathe! Mary considers it a great gift to be a part of their lives.
Mary was originally introduced to yoga as an alternative form of physical exercise after a neck injury. Her passion for yoga grew over the years and inspired her to teach and share yoga with others. Mary found a unique sense of belonging at the Yoga Shelter where she attended her teacher training. Because of her medical background and passion for yoga, Mary was intrigued by YogaMedics. As a YogaMedics therapist, she has the opportunity to integrate both fields of knowledge to help people improve their daily lives by building strength and flexibility while reducing back pain.

YogaMedics Therapist, Certified in Spine Care and Custom Individualized Program.

Molly grew up in Clarklake, Michigan where her mother first taught her about yoga. She would often watch her mom doing yoga in the living room after long days with two active children. Molly discovered the book, Light on Yoga on her parent’s bookshelf and was immediately fascinated. When she was in college and needed to cope with stress, her mom sent her the book and Molly learned the best way of coping with stress…YOGA.

“Yoga opened my eyes to a new way of life,”, she said. “It has taught me to breathe through tough times as well as joyful times. My yoga mat has been my sacred space for learning and connecting with my body, mind, and spirit. I believe that yoga can help us all connect with our body, mind and spirit…this will allow for growth, healing and self awareness.”

Molly Marshall has been practicing yoga since 1999 and teaching yoga since 2001. She studied under Linda Kay at Yoga Chi and completed the Yoga Shelter teacher training with Eric and Lisa Paskel.

Molly received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education from Western Michigan University and her Masters in Arts Education from Wayne State University. She has worked with children as director of art at summer camp, instructor of photography at a summer camp as well as taught many yoga classes to children. She currently teachs high school art and loves working with students on a creative level.

Molly is an avid learner as well as a teacher; you will often find her attending yoga workshops, taking yoga classes and exploring art in any way she can. She loves to learn and truly enjoys sharing her knowledge with others.
 

YogaMedics Therapist, Certified in Spine Care, Custom Individualized Program and ETR Addiction and Recovery Program.

Suzanne has been practicing yoga since 1995 and became a certified Yoga Teacher through The Center for Yoga in 2003 and The Yoga Shelter in 2005. Suzanne is a level two Reiki practitioner as well as a level I & II Yoga Therapist through Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, certified in 1996.
Suzanne teaches Yoga fulltime and has been involved with YogaMedics since its inception. Suzanne works with several individual patients whose diagnoses include TBI, depression, and spinal cord injury. She enjoys working with YogaMedics it gives her clients a sense of empowerment and ability to heal themselves.

YogaMedics Therapist, Certified in Spine Care and Custom Individualized Program.

Laura has been practicing yoga for 6 years. She completed Yoga Shelter Teacher Training in 2008, and has been a certified YogaMedics therapist since 2009. Laura’s background in working with specials needs children has lead her to teaching yoga to JARC and mentally challenged adults. Laura teaches spine care classes as well as working with individual clients. Her sensitivity and passion for helping others lifts the spirits of those she touches. Laura continually works to gain more knowledge to assist her clients.

YogaMedics Therapist, Certified in Performance Sports, Spine Care and Custom Individualized Program.

You might think that the a construction worker would make an unlikely yoga instructor. A far stretch to many, buildings and the body may seem tied together only by that first letter “b”.

But they are closer than you might think.

Without a firm foundation, gravity will bring a structure down.

When I first started looking at foundations it was the foundation of a house that I was checking out. If the foundation is weak, cracked or poorly constructed no matter what you put on top of it you will have problems down the line.

Humans unlike buildings are designed to move. Our core is the body’s foundation. The hips, torso and shoulders form the basis of movement. A strong foundation allows the body to move optimally and be at much less risk of injury.

Life doesn’t stop. Why should we? Let’s keep it moving together.

I began practicing yoga in 2007. At the time, I was feeling very overwhelmed by events in my life. When I left my first class, I felt a little lighter and clearer; I knew immediately I’d be back. As my practice continued to grow, I was struck by a startling realization: it was I who was in control of my life. As I dug below the surface, I started to find my way inside. Yoga offered a way for me to slow down and have greater meaning in my life. My thoughts became clearer, my attitude became better, and my relationships deepened. I know that yoga will be a part of my life forever.

YogaMedics Therapist, Certified in Spine Care and Custom Individualized Program.

Pilar has been practicing yoga for over 10 years. She received her teacher training from The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Quebec. Pilar is a registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance. She received her BA in Psychology from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

Becoming a yoga teacher has been an enormous transformation in Pilar’s life after spending 16 years in Corporate America. It has brought a sense of balance, peacefulness, honoring of the human body, and love for life that she has never before fully experienced. Pilar feels humbled and honored to be able to share these gifts with others through the practice of yoga.

Her training and study of the principals of YogaMedics has been an amazing journey. It has greatly deepened her knowledge and understanding of the science behind yoga; and from a medical perspective, its ability to provide physical and emotional healing to those with medical conditions that have resulted in physical limitations. Moreover, Pilar is excited about YogaMedics’ success in gaining the acceptance of yoga as a valued and complimentary form of physical therapy from Michigan’s traditional medical community, and to be able to be a part of the positive impact that this integration will continue to have on healthcare nationwide.

In her spare time, Pilar also enjoys traveling, camping, kayaking, cooking and reading. Pilar is a daughter, sister, aunt, wife and mom of two beautiful dogs.