Owner, Teacher, Therapist, Seeker of Truth - I have been practicing yoga on and off for 30+ years, more off than on until 3 years ago when I met my teacher, Michael Johnson. He inspired me to take teacher training, and when I finished the course, the last thing he said to me was, "Pat, you should open a yoga studio in Mt. Clemens, they could really use one there." So, the "seed" was planted and a little over a year later, The Bodhi Seed Yoga & Wellness Studio came to be.

I have been a massage therapist for 18 years and have enjoyed every minute of it, working to make others feel better, one person at a time. Now yoga has become my newest love because it is a way I can help a room full of people all at once. Getting my students to discover that yoga is more than just a physical experience is my goal. Linking movement with breath, focusing inward and being in the present moment are important aspects of my teaching. Michael taught me that helping others was the most important thing we can do in life. Every person who walks in to my classroom (or my life) is here for a reason. My job is to find that reason and to do my very best to meet their needs.

Being a personal trainer since 1997, I knew that I needed more than just cardiovascular exercise and weight training for optimal health. I became a yoga student in 2002 and grew to love what I did for my body and my mind. I completed a 200 RYT program under my teacher Michael Johnson and have continued to bloom under the teachings of other teachers. Geshe' Michael Roach, and even my friends and family. I want my classes to provide a space where someone can come in and just "breathe" and enjoy the present moment. Whether it be for the physical benefits of the postures or for the positive messages for your mind, I am honored to help others improve the quality of their lives.

June Hayes, E-RYT, has been teaching yoga in the Metro Detroit community for over 9 years. A great supporter of "all things Mount Clemens," she is very excited to help bring yoga to downtown Mount Clemens and the surrounding area. She has studied yoga with Veronica Zador, Richard Freeman, David Swenson, Doug Swenson, Beryl Bender Birch, Manju Jois, Lilias Folan, and many other beloved teachers. June is also certified in Pilates and personal training, and has a degree in holistic nutrition.

Hi and thanks for checking in. My first experience with yoga came in 1991 when I enrolled in an 8 week course of Kundalini yoga. I continued to practice yoga on my own and at other facilities during the next 7 years and found it to be empowering, challinging and enjoyable. I always enjoyed how much better I felt after each class, not only physically but also mentally and spiritually. The practice allowed me to experience relief and feel free. I became more conscious and improved my relationship with myself by making peace with myself through this practice. This came in very handy when dealing with some of the challenges and experiences that I have been through since then. Some of my background includes owning and performing in a world touring dance revue called America's Ultimate V for eleven years.

I have also been a Natural Holistic Health & Spiritual Consultant and personal trainer for several years now as well. I love Michigan summers and do lots of sun bathing and organic gardening during that time of the year. There's nothing better than eating your own home grown food! Delicious and Nutritious.

I began teaching yoga in May of 2000 and have now taught well over 7,000 classes. I enjoy and am thankful for the opportunity to enhance the quality of not only my life but also the lives of others through the practice of yoga. There is nothing else that I would rather be doing with my life right now. I've learned that practicing yoga is not only something that a person can do for physical exercise but is also an avenue of being more conscious and responsible with our total self and utilizing our unlimited potential. Being conscious is not just about being awake from sleeping but it is also about being aware of the thoughts we think, the feelings we have, the actions we do and what is going on right now. My interest, passion and intentions in instructing yoga classes are in assisting us all to evolve to higher states of consciousness, love and connection with all.

How we are and what we do has an impact not only on ourselves but also on the entire universe. (IE) As we become more peaceful, the world and universe has that much more peace existing in it. The purpose of life is to enjoy! When we are more conscious of the feelings we have, the senses we have and in touch with our higher selves, we make better decisions with our lives. When we make better decisions with our lives, we enjoy life more. I'm so pleased to be part of the staff of wonderful teachers at Bodhi Seed Yoga and share more of what I know. I am honored and thankful to have met Pat Hill who is a true warrior of enhancing the lives of others. I look forward to seeing you inspire me with your courage, strength, growth, compassion, joy and love.

Sunny blessings of light and peace, Donnie Koptyra

Ania has a deep passion for the practice. She will create a safe space for you to experience each breath as a sacred blessing and cultivate peace and joy within. In her class, you will become more connected or "present" in your physical body, open your heart, soften your mind and release tensions on a mental, emotional and energetic levels.

Ania is a certified RYT through the Clearlight Yoga Shala directed by Michael Johnson. She is also a teacher of Reiki, a Japanese healing art form used for self and others, Sanskrit Chanting and Healing Through Creativity.

“Practice and all is coming…” The words of our beloved Sri K Pattabhi Jois.  I have been teaching yoga for many years now, practicing even longer. I am a student of the Ashtanga method, and am blessed to have an incredible teacher, Matthew Darling. 

A little bit about ‘me’: I am a sport climber. I love adventure and books, but, generally not at the same time. I am also a student of medical science, so if you can’t find me climbing something or sitting in the poetry section of a bookstore, then I probably have my head in a large book filled with long words that barely resemble the English language while nursing a cup of coffee!

Yoga is a discipline that brings forth the joys of life. I teach only what I practice and teach in a traditional, kind and honest manner. I try my best to bring you good ole’ fashioned and honest yoga.

Whether you are a green beginner or a seasoned yogi, please join me for any of the classes I teach here at Bodhi Seed: Ashtanga in the tradition of Pattabhi Jois and its more playful sister practice, Vinyasa.

Denise completed Yoga Teacher Training in 2004 with admired teacher Michael Johnson. She enjoys teaching basic and Yin classes. She believes that you should "listen to your body" and breath. Having had some back issues over the years, she says nothing has helped more than yoga. Now in her 50's she believes that yoga doesn't have to be physically intense to reap its many benefits.

Graduated from MSU with a Marketing degree that was put to good use in the Hospitality industry for 8 years. Enjoyed the customer service aspect greatly, but got bored with the business, impersonal end of things. Comes from a Holistic family with a grandfather in Chiropractic and a brother in Physical Therapy, so it seemed natural to take my customer service to the healing arts. Began school at Health Enrichment Center with the great Sandy Fritz in Sept. 09. Currently working with the VA hospital in Detroit, the U of M athletic dept and hospice center in Goodrich. Educated in many specialized massages, such as prenatal, deep tissue, sports, swedish, and therapeutic. Finally found my "perfect career" applying therapeutic change to the hard working bodies of Metro Detroit. I love the before and after of watching my clients walk in tight and aggravated and leaving as though they are floating on a cloud.  

Tamara is a licensed massage therapist and has been in practice for 9 years.  Her training was completed at Irene’s School of Myomassology and has taken numerous workshops to increase her knowledge and enhance her massage practice.  She believes that you should do what you love to do and because of her strong desire to take care of others, it comes through with massage.  She understands that every massage is different and yet the outcome, to maintain the balance of your body and mind, is the desired goal. J  Her path to continuing on this journey of doing what you love has led her to work on becoming a yoga teacher as well.  “I am honored to be a part of the Bodhi Seed Yoga and Wellness Center team.”