yoga therapist

Michelle Rubin

speak your truth, follow your heart & live your passion.

michelle

Biography

Michelle Rubin was introduced to Yoga in the early 80’s to alleviate insomnia she had experienced from infancy. This introduction to Yoga Nidra Meditation not only helped Michelle finally get a good night sleep but it opened the door to a life long study of Yoga and therapeutic movement.

By the age of 13, Michelle was introduced to Asana (yoga exercises) as a source of therapy for knee injuries caused from years of downhill ski racing, rugby, running and broomball. From the age of 17 Michelle began to explore the world and it was during one of these trips in Greece when she was 18 that Michelle was introduced to a regular Pranayama practice to control her Asthma. Michelle’s teaching began organically on beaches and parks along the way as she was often approached during her own practice to teach others.

Michelle’s passion is to keep people doing what they love pain and injury free at any age whether that be advanced asana, teaching Yoga, marathon running, gardening, playing an instrument or online poker. Using Yoga as a tool to obtain optimum physically, mentally and emotional health through the good times but more importantly during the challenges life presents.

Some areas in which Michelle has experience and expertise include alleviation and elimination of pain, body structural and mobility challenges, poor digestion and constipation, cancer both during and after treatment, fertility challenges, headaches and migraines, depression and anxiety, balancing mental health, eating disorders, concentration and learning difficulties, memory loss, MS and Parkinson’s dementia and Alzheimer’s, asthma and allergies, arthritis and osteoporosis. Michelle has personal experience in grief and deep loss and has held space and support for students working these stages. Support is also available for individuals with terminal diagnoses.

Michelle has had the great privilege of studying under many teachers and masters around the world. With thousands of hours of intensive study and training, both one on one and in group settings Michelle continues to draw inspiration from Victoria-based teachers Helga Beer, Elizabeth Peckham (Vijnana Yoga) & Shirley Daventry-French ( Iyengar Yoga). Michelle has studied advanced asana with renowned teachers Dharma Mitra in New York City and Lauren Peterson in Malibu.

A foundational source of Michelle’s Yoga education comes from a small school outside of Mysore, Atmavikasa Centre of Yogic Science. It was here in 2007 that Michelle completed a 1500 hour, 4 month Intensive Yoga Therapy Program under the direct supervision of Yogacharia Venkatesha and his wife Hema. Michelle and her senior students continue to study Raja Yoga & Vedanta philosophy under Mr & Mrs Venkatesha when possible.

In 2015 Michelle was introduced to Nevine Michaan founder of Katonah Yoga® and has been a student of Nevine’s method ever since. Michelle became a certified Katonah Yoga® teacher in Spring of 2019 and continues to return to New York to study as often as she can. Michelle is Vancouver Island’s only certified Katonah Yoga® teacher and her classes are influenced by this system and a love of the Taoist magic square.

Michelle has taught yoga full time within the Victoria community since 2005, accumulating over 14,000 hours of teaching experience and 6000 hours of Yoga Therapy experience. She has established two successful boutique studios, founded Energy 4 Orphans, record Planet Nidra a full length guided Meditation album, teaches international and local retreats. Michelle teaches students of all levels and ability’s hosting weekly group classes, monthly workshops, intensive teacher training, apprenticeship-program and privates.

Teaching boutique style, non-drop in yoga allows Michelle to get to know her students and work on individual’s needs to assist students in developing a personal practice specifically designed to rehabilitate body, mind and soul. When she is not standing on her head, Michelle enjoys traveling with her husband Steven, daughter Hudson and son Saul, walking her dogs, skiing, paddle boarding, eating, cooking, good wine and music.

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Testimonials

Michelle is by far the best yoga teacher I have ever trained with. She has a wealth of knowledge to share that is valuable for both students and teachers alike. Her personalized instructions and attention have greatly improved my understanding of body mechanics and allowed me to safely progress with deepening my yoga practice. I am forever grateful to Michelle for her unique teachings which have allowed me to go about my daily activities without any physical pain and with greater ease and body awareness.

Michelle is a compassionate, informed, inspiring yoga teacher. Her knowledge about the human body and human nature, combined with her decades of multi faceted training, make for an effective, extraordinary yoga experience. Clear explanations, humble and simple. Just beautiful! She works with all levels and limitations and makes everyone feel unique and successful on their own personal yoga journey. Her classes have inspired me to embrace yoga in a way I never did before. She is the only yoga teacher for me now, I'm so appreciative of the gifts she bestows during class. Namaste!

I can highly recommend Michelle for people at all levels! I have been blessed to be doing yoga with Michelle since 2013 and am indebted to her for helping me to rebuild my body following extensive treatment for lymphoma, and also for increasing my understanding and awareness of my own body. Michelle is highly knowledgeable, compassionate, and responsive to individual needs. She is vigilant that we do what is appropriate for our own body/ability, instructs in such a way that we learn and progress at our own level, and supports us to reach for the next level. I witness her training teachers beside me and marvel at her ability to meet all of our needs. I am filled with gratitude for her.

I have been doing yoga with Michelle for over 10 years and I just simply love her! I have had a sciatic nerve issue for a few years and when it flairs up all I need to do is a Michelle Yoga class & it seriously helps with the pain & provides me with such relief. I am forever grateful as the pain is sometimes debilitating; even more so now that she is having Zoom yoga classes as I have moved away and haven’t been able to go to her classes. Thank you so much Michelle; so much love for you!

I have been a yoga instructor for nearly 30 years. Michelle is my favourite hatha yoga teacher. Her classes are always right on, fascinating, and challenging at all levels. I feel every movement is guided perfectly, preparing me to go further into my own practice, balancing what i need to balance and healing where i need to heal. She offers something for everyone. I see how her students (including myself) respond. On top of that, she is a lot of fun. I learn continually from her!

A friend told me Michelle was the most personable on line video instructor he has encountered. I would wholeheartedly agree with his assessment. Her chair yoga series for seniors, has helped me to eliminate my shoulder pain, and I have encouraged several of my friends to utilize this great video workout.

I have been steadily taking these classes online since we couldn’t go to class. These classes have been life-saving because of the circumstances but also because they are so restorative. I’ve been practicing hatha yoga for more that 30 years and teaching classes for 15. Michelle’s classes are outstanding and unique, and they seem to cure anything that is not in balance or hurting at the moment! She has a great knowledge of the human body and works with many different techniques, so I find always something that really works for me. And her big heart and wonderful mind feed me with fun metaphors and great messages. Thank you!