I began my own yoga journey when I boarded a plane to Mexico for three weeks in 2014. Although I successfully completed my 200-hour yoga teaching certification, teaching yoga wasn't my priority, but rather I used the experience as an instrument in search of spiritual and personal growth. It was an amazing experience and one that continues to impact my life today. Once home, I did begin teaching yoga to some amazing students living with autism. Thirsting for more yoga knowledge, I headed back home to Massachusetts for a week long training, Yoga for the Special Child in 2015. In 2016. I came upon Shawnee Thornton Hardy’s Asanas for Autism and Special Needs and knew I had found “IT.”

Fast forward to fall 2017, I completed my 95-hour children’s certification by attending both level 1 & 2 Asanas for Autism and Special Needs trainings in San Diego. After 4 years of teaching within a classroom setting, I am excited to launch Exceptional Yogis!

Lastly,  I am a mom to a special child. Nicholas, now 18, was diagnosed with autism at 2 1/2. He is the inspiration behind so many of my decisions and he continues to teach me, without spoken words, so much about life, true purpose and myself.  I know, first hand, how challenging this can be. I found that yoga gives me an opportunity to go inwards, reset, worry less and be grateful for this journey. I have found that yoga gives Nicholas the ability to quiet his mind, provide a break to his sensory system, try something new and challenging, and best of all...be successful!

With gratitude,

Michelle