Teachers

 All of our teachers are educated, trained, and certified in their field!

Stephanie Shepard, RYT 200

I began practicing yoga as a teenager more than twenty years ago, in Southern California. Yoga has transformed my life many times and in many ways, and the purpose of my practice has evolved over the years. When I began practicing in my teens, it was for the sole purpose of physical fitness. A serious, life-threatening injury in my early twenties brought me back to yoga as a means of physical therapy and rehabilitation. In my late twenties, as my adult life took on new responsibilities, and with them new pressures, I found yoga to be a boundless source of renewal and stress relief. Most recently, when my family faced great tragedy and difficulty, yoga became my saving grace. The strength and serenity I found on the mat carried me throughout my day and the arduous journey I faced, and my practice finally reached a spiritual level. I have found this to be the greatest gift of my practice.

Realizing the tangible benefits of yoga, I understood that I was ready to give back and help others to realize the benefits of this age-old method of self transformation. My background in hatha yoga includes Vinyasa, Kundalini, Bikram, and children’s yoga, and I have recently completed Sandra Carden’s phenomenal 200 level Teacher Training Program at Union Yoga in Lake Leelenau, Michigan. I am also insured and registered with Yoga Alliance.

Having gained so much from yoga throughout my life, I am a firm believer that there is no “wrong” reason for coming to the mat. I see yoga as a method for personal transformation in body, mind, and spirit, and I am excited to share it with my students in a positive, open, and energetic atmosphere.

Angela Poneta Dedenbach, CYT 200

Angela Poneta Dedenbach has had a deep love of yoga since she took her first class, more than a decade ago. Throughout the years, she has been blessed to have studied with many gifted teachers throughout Michigan, where she lives with her husband and two sons. Angela also has integrated yoga with her passion for travel, practicing at ashrams and on landscapes around the nation and across the world, always receptive to new methods and teachings.

Angela’s yoga studies include Hatha, Iyenegar, Chakra (Union) Yoga, Bikram, Tantra, along with various styles which gave no name but taught much about strength, gentleness, balance, grace, and vitality. Angela was certified as a 200 Level Yoga Teacher with Sandra Carden at Union/Yoga in April of 2010. This summer, she and some beloved friends worked together to create the “Yoga on the Beach” series at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Valerie Hayes, Certified Zumba Instructor

The Secret to keeping fit is finding the style of exercise that is fun and easy to learn. Zumba is just that! Zumba is dance fitness that incorporates repetitious movements that sculpt your body and burn unwanted calories. The hour just flies by and all you remember is how much fun you had! No dance experience is necessary to learn Zumba so ……. leave all your expectations at the door and come have fun with Valerie.

Lara Ruddy, CYT, Yoga Instructor

Lara is a local native growing up on a farm in Kingsley. She first discovered yoga while attending college. “It was a relief to put aside everything and find a piece of myself.” She continued exploring and found yoga to branch into many aspects of her life. After losing her Grandmother, the 200 level teacher training became her biggest savior. She values her roots and finds comfort with nature and friends. “I always try to see the upside of things, yoga helps tremendously with this. I am able to find peace amongst the craziness.” Lara loves that she can grow everyday on the mat. “There is something new to learn about my practice or myself, and more often than not they are connected.”

Lara proudly studied under Sandra Carden at Union Yoga in Lake Leelanau, and graduated on November 20, 2010 with her 200 level training. She is very excited to be a part of Blooming Lotus and hopes she can share this gift with all.

Nancy Watkins, Certified Personal Trainer

Nancy received her degree from the University of North Dakota, and studied Physical Therapy while living in San Francisco. She is a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Group Fitness Trainer, Certified Older Adult Fitness Educator, Certified Lifestyle and Weight Management Instructor, and Aquatics Instructor. She has worked with a wide variety of populations in a very diverse variety of settings, but particularly enjoys teaching weight training to small groups. She is currently also teaching Senior Fitness in the Interlochen area. Nancy is new to MIchigan. She is married to Mark Watkins, and they have 2 children, Jackson age 11 and Clair, currently a student at Vanderbilt University.