“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
Yoga + WILD WELLNESS RETREATS 