Testimonials

“What a great staff development day we had yesterday here at Brown Library!  You helped us stay centered and focused throughout the day with the wonderful exercises and stress relief techniques that you showed us.  Thank you so much for sharing such a creative and enjoyable workshop!”    – Terry Rollins, Children’s Librarian, Brown Library Washington NC

May  30, 2013  

“Staff still has not talking about how much they enjoy “Yoga for the Office”.  When I did a survey and asked what they liked best about Staff Development Day, the majority of the responses were “the yoga workshop”.  When I asked what they would like to see next year, at least 50% of them wanted more yoga.  Thank you so much for sharing.  I have seen staff doing the exercise and I have been doing some of them as well.  Kim has asked if she can replace her chair with a ball.  Again, thank you for the workshop.  It was quite invigorating and help to get us started on our day.  I would recommend your Office Yoga exercises to any business.”  –  Gloria J. Moore, Director Brown Library  City of Washington NC. 

FULL DAY WORKSHOPS  & WEEKEND RETREATS:

March 31, 2011  

I want to tell you that I have made Yin my yoga practice and how hard that has been for me!  Allowing myself to surrender enough to be able to shut my mind off enough to really go deep has taken me some days. I realize that I have not been giving myself the time and space to release…And so am now making time and giving myself space to do so. Thank you for sharing your gifts!  –  Love,  Brandi Miss

November  16, 2011

“Michelle is a passionate, committed yoga instructor.   Her knowledge and wit, and great attention to her students, enables a calming, balanced and enjoyable practice.  I had the great pleasure of attending two of Michelle’s yoga retreats in North Carolina and a full day yoga workshop in Perth, Ontario Canada.   From the moment I arrived, I instantly felt calmer, more relaxed and extraordinarily welcome.   The retreat weekend was organized with various yoga sessions to promote relaxation on the Friday night, energy on Saturday morning, and restoration on Sunday.   As well, she brought in a wonderful woman (Janice Lane) to lead our group through a fantastic, calming guided meditation.   To fuel the weekend, we were treated to fabulous homemade food options that fit my allergy-sensitive diet, with plenty of delicious vegetarian and vegan options.   I left the weekend blissfully happy….that is the best way I can describe to sum up the balance, energy, laughter, engagement and love that I felt.”  – Sharon Warren, Toronto Ontario, Canada.

November 20, 2011

“Mich, I just wanted to share my intention from yesterday with you… Just because.   When you asked us to think of our intention for the day… I knew right away that it was for a deeper connection with myself, my daughter and my friend.  As the morning progressed, my chosen word of “responsibility” had evolved beyond the tangible thoughts of my responsibilities… I quickly tapped into the reality that I am solely responsible for the energy that I bring into a room, relationship and love that I give myself.  After our morning of yoga, I was “consciously aware” (my second chosen word), of how strong I was. not just because I was able to keep up with all of you fabulously fit women, but because of how far I have come. I honestly felt an energy that made me feel like I could do anything..

Moving forward beyond the wonderful day that we all shared together, I am now consciously aware of the energy that I bring into my life and the lives of others. It is my responsibility to ensure that the energy is loving and positive, which fills up and doesn’t take away:)  So… A heartfelt thank you, for a day that turned out to mean a whole lot. Thanks too, for being so nurturing with my Hannah and loving her the way you do. She looks up to you in a very special way.   It all just makes my heart swell… All of it!!!”  – Your friend Kimmy McCallum Schrader xoxo, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 

March 15, 2013

“I so enjoyed our Yoga retreat and your wonderful food.  It was as good as it looks!!!!  I have already made a deposit for the next retreat.  Had sooooo much fun!!!!! ”   –  Jackie Dean, Washington NC.

March, 15, 2013

“Thank you, Connie and Michelle for pampering us so much this weekend.  I enjoyed every minute, and I especially enjoyed the company.  I can’t wait for the one in October! ” –  Nancy B. Furlough, Washington NC.

March 20, 2013
“Good yoga, good vibes, good food, good friends (and great room-mate)….many thanks to all particularly to Connie and Michelle.  Cheers,”  –  Barbara Lawrence, Bath NC.

June  12, 2013
“Michelle personifies the notion of MotherShipYoga… because she provides the nurturing that we all need, but rarely receive as adults. Her very presence is calming yet instructive, providing the guidance we need to build the lives we wish to have.”  – Tracy Tuten, Washington NC. 

June 13, 2013
Over the past three years, I have had the privilege of sitting on a yoga mat facing Michelle Shipley.  I have taken many classes from her at two local studios, participated in a “heart opening” workshop under her tutelage, and enjoyed a three day retreat on the Outer Banks of NC with Michelle as our guide.  Each of her classes is creative, challenging (but flexible), and honestly inspirational.  She is an excellent instructor, full of warmth, humor and one quickly senses her love for her craft.
When I attended the beach retreat, I knew few of the attendees and felt a bit awkward and unsure, even though I had studied yoga for some time.  I was on foreign turf.  Michelle greeted us at the door and immediately made everyone feel wanted, appreciated and special.   She was there at the helm of our little world, encouraging us every step of the way.

Michelle is a great cook.  She prepared creative, healthy and delicious vegetarian dishes for her appreciative students.  She is a passionate teacher.  Each class that she teaches is crafted to help us stretch our bodies, open our hearts, and expand our minds.

During the retreat, she taught us to meditate, to visualize throughout the classes, to gain a better sense of ourselves.  We were introduced us to our chakras under the instruction of seasoned yogi Connie Cipriano of Down Dawg Yoga, which was graduate course yoga for many of us.  We were instructed to journal, which encouraged us to explore our inner thoughts and examine our own experience.  Michelle taught us about the OM mantra, which was a stretch for many of us at first, but by the end of the weekend, we were bellowing OMS together.

Michelle has an inner joy that is contagious.  She is witty and funny and helps students learn to laugh at themselves, which is great medicine!  And most of all, she is an inspiration.  She adeptly guides with understanding, reassurance and love with her inner glow shining all the while.  Simply put, she is a lovely person – inside and out.

Michelle will be leaving our community in the Fall, to start a new adventure in a new land.  I have learned so much from her and will miss her but know that she will enrich the lives of others, spreading her light along the way – and that’s good – for Michelle and her family and for the lucky folks whose paths cross hers.”  – Catherine Partrick, Washington NC.

June 17, 2013
” I have practiced yoga for  20 years, the last 5 years with Michelle, and I can say unequivocally she is the very best yoga instructor I have ever known.  Her physical skills and energy alone would make her one of the best.  But when you walk into her class, her presence is so warm and welcoming you are immediately at ease even if it’s your very first time to practice yoga.  Her playfulness and humor add a dimension to the class that is both welcoming and comforting.  Michelle has an uncanny ability to sense a students needs or abilities and be able to adjust her instruction on the spot.  I have lower back issues and Michelle can always find a way to adjust a specific posture so that I can benefit from it.  She really does have the qualities that make her an “ultimate” instructor.” – Kadra Bradford  Washington, NC

PROFESSIONALS WORKING ON RETREATS WITH MOTHER SHIP YOGA:

October 24, 2013
“It was refreshing and easy to work with Michelle on one of her retreats in the Outer Banks if North Carolina. The courtesy and friendliness she bestowed upon me was great!”      –   Pamela Ann Bennion, LMBT   Massage Ocean Style

June 20, 2013
“I have worked with Michelle a number of times leading meditation during one of her lovely retreats.  Michelle creates a space of loving kindness and safety for the participants that makes it easy for me to walk into and lead a meditation.  As a professional partner, she is clear about compensation and expectations, and has always been in integrity in business dealings we have partnered in.  A pleasure to work with in every way.”  – Janice Lane M.Ht.    Seaside Healing