Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Brandt.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Michele. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My introduction to yoga began over 18 years ago while living in St. Petersburg, FL. I began taking classes regularly and really liked how I was physical. I started to explore different styles of yoga. I very quickly felt a connection to this mind and body lifestyle. With my background studies in X-ray, Elementary Education, gymnastics and various styles of dance, I was inspired to learn more about yoga, how it could help me and then, in turn, how I could help others. As a rule of mine, when I discover something “new”, exciting and worthwhile, I love to share it with my favorite people and others that would appreciate and of course benefit from the information.
In 2013, my curiosity to seek a deeper understanding of yoga combined with life challenges at the time led me to the decision to enroll in teacher training through Kind Yoga School in Centerville, Ma. The experience I had during my training was significant and life changing! We became a family, a new tribe of like-minded people that could relate to one another on so many different levels. I have since continued my education in other areas related such as: mindfulness meditation, Reiki, Chair supported yoga, trauma-sensitive yoga, Yin and SUP ( stand up paddle ) and one of my favorite practices, Aerial Yoga.
I teach my “Soul Happy Yoga” throughout the upper Cape at various locations in the community and privately, and am an avid proponent of the tremendous health benefits of Aerial yoga. It is something that is difficult to describe but must be experienced to truly understand the feeling you get in your entire body and mind after an Aerial Yoga class.
While I am the teacher, who guides my students through their yoga practice, I too, benefit from this mind-body medicine so much on so many levels. I am honored to be of service to my students and my community.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I decided to take my teacher training for several reasons. I was not thinking at the time that I wanted to be an instructor. I was there to find a deeper understanding of Yoga and meditation and how it could help me in other areas of my life. At the time, I was experiencing some anxiety and depression and was told that Yoga would help.
Once I became certified, I figured I might as well try teaching. So, I taught my first class and felt pretty nervous! There were so many things to think about and do when you are teaching. I was always a good multi-tasker, but this was at a different level! It took time to build up confidence and to learn from mistakes, etc. I became more courageous and started advocating for myself. I was encouraged to teach for Yoga Neighborhood, which is a non-profit organization that focuses on trauma-based yoga and offers some community classes as well. As a new teacher, I felt less intimidated and more comfortable teaching for YN. I learned so much and still enjoy sharing my practice with a wide range of students. I have taught women struggling with addiction, children with special needs, chair yoga to seniors, Beach yoga, etc… I would highly recommend new or seasoned teachers to check out Yoganeighborhood.org. I continue to reach out and offer my services to various places that I could be of service to. I plan on teaching Beach yoga at the love Yoga fest which is being held in Falmouth, Ma the weekend of September 20th, 2018.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Soul Happy Yoga – what should we know?
I sometimes laugh because I can’t believe this is what I am doing for work! It is what I enjoy doing and sharing with others. I have always felt I am a healer. I very much enjoy providing a service to people that really appreciate and benefit from what I do. One of the classes I have been teaching is at a fitness center called Blast in Mashpee, Ma. I’ve been teaching there for over 3 years. The class size ranges from 20-30 ppl. During Xmas time, I received cards and gifts from several students, thanking me for the class that I teach and how it has helped them on and off the mat in their daily lives more than they could describe, etc. This was so heartwarming to know that what I was doing was really helping people! This feedback is wonderful to know and is such a reward to know that I am making a difference in other people’s lives. I have developed lifelong skills and I use them daily for myself and to help others. For instance, meditation and breathing techniques. I find myself sharing a breath technique for various different reasons, such as: insomnia, stress and anxiety relief, vertigo, anger management, and the list goes on. My friends and family know to reach out to me in any situation and I will help in any possible way that I can. It might just be placing my hands on them and giving them Reiki (transformational energy).
When preparing for my classes, I try to keep them interesting by changing it weekly and focusing on different parts of the body, energy centers (chakras), offering assists and mindfulness quotes/readings to intrigue my students and keep them thinking and working on themselves even after class.
One quality I have been praised for and have been told is really helpful is my attention to alignment and the breath. I am very specific and continually remind my students throughout the class of various things such as softening their facial muscles, flex or pointing toes, opening their heart, following their breath etc… I know when I am practicing there are so many things to pay attention to and we forget, so it is a really nice reminder.
I am proud of my accomplishments, but also feel I am a work in progress, always open to learning and growing.
Yoga is a lifestyle for me. Once a yogini, always a yogini (female Yoga practitioner. Yogi, is a male practitioner, FYI). I feel I have found my life purpose (in Sanskrit, we call this our Dharma) I will certainly engage in other interests, but, this practice will be a part of my life forever. I feel blessed to have discovered Yoga and meditation.
I felt that “Soul happy Yoga” really resonated with what I do, teach and work on achieving.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
We call Yoga a practice because we are always learning and improving our skills and increasing our knowledge. It’s a lifelong practice. I love my Kind Yoga School manual as a resource, Yoga journal, elephant journal, yoga international.com, alomoves.com, mindbodygreen, Yoga Teachers toolbox by Joseph and Lillian Le Page, Peggy Cappy, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.soulhappyyoga.com
- Phone: 508-989-8507
- Email: mdbrandt65@gmail.com
- Instagram: michelebrandt
- Facebook: soul happy yoga
Image Credit:
Toni Migliore, Cooper brandt, Nancy Costello, Josh Reed
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