Michele Bond has been an athlete her whole life, having competed at the national level in synchronized swimming and attained a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She has trained in jujitsu, arnis, gymnastics, stunt fighting and swordplay, and also enjoys running, weight training and kickboxing.
So when she says yoga is the first of her athletic pursuits she has been passionate enough about to teach, it has plenty of merit.
“Until I found yoga, I just wasn’t a teacher, but it is worth the commitment and devotion of a lifetime,” Bond said, owner of the Yoga House in Ann Arbor. “It teaches us how to unlock the secrets of our bodies, how to move optimally, and it gives you a really cool feeling, like a hit of joy, which is our true nature. You just can’t help but smile.”
Bond has found plenty of joy in practicing Anusara yoga, a phrase which means “stepping into the flow of grace,” aside from the happiness its practice brings her. She also helps brain-injured adolescent girls regain some of their range of motion through yoga.
“It’s really rewarding work, helping these girls,” she said. “A girl in a wheelchair was able to do a full back-bend, with some help of course, and another girl with MS [Multiple Sclerosis] was able to free up her muscles and begin to move more again. It touches hearts in a real way. It’s just amazing.”
There are plenty of reasons to practice yoga for anyone though, Bond said.
“College students really need an outlet for the incredible amount of stress that comes from learning and busy lives,” she said. “That’s just one of the many reasons to do yoga.”
And the list of benefits is very long. Bond claims Anusara yoga helps relieve stress, enhances the immune system, gives you more energy, improves focus and clarity of mind, and reduces or eradicates stiffness, aches and pains—including those caused from sitting at a computer for long amounts of time. She also explained that brain activity suffers from a lack of fitness and exercise, something that seems relevant for many college students.
If you’re interested in finding out more about how yoga can help your life. Whether you’re an athlete looking for a boost to your game, or someone who just wants to get in shape and feel better, you can try yoga with world-renowned yoga trainer Desirée Rumbaugh.
“Desirée came to visit us last year and it was wonderful,” Bond said. “She’s just an amazing and fascinating woman, and she’s so talented and generous with her time. It’s rare that you find someone of her stature who is so compassionate and completely approachable.”
The event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at EMU’s Eagle Crest Resort at the Ypsilanti Marriott. Among the offerings will be a three-hour class for beginners and a two-hour class for mixed-level yogis. Food will be available between classes as well, including vegetarian options. Anyone is welcome to sign up and attend. Discount tickets will be available until Oct. 1.
“Don’t be discouraged by the length of the classes,” Bond said. “Desirée is skilled at working with yogis of every level and there’s no pressure. Breaks are structured into the class and you can feel free to stop as often as you need. It’s about coming together for learning, healing and fun.”
You can find more information about the event or Bond’s classes at yogahouseannarbor.com. Information about Desirée is available at her Web site, desireerumbaugh.com.
