Michael Giaimo

He did it for a more or less a year, enjoying it as a support exercise but never fully committing to the practice. After a few years of being out of the practice for other reasons, Michael got back into the practice in in 2015 and this time decided to take it further. Although he did not anticipate it to be anything more than an exercise, Michael found that the practice was doing something for him more than just sweat, stretching, and building strength. Yoga helped Michael in working through his own personal struggles of anxiety and seeing the glass of life half full while also strengthening his spirituality to the strongest he ever had it. The practice was so profound for Mike he wanted to ultimately find a way to make it his vocation & service to others, so he got certified to instruct in 2017. Michael primarily teaches Vinyasa yoga with emphasis on structure, balance, and breath as is quite the case in the Pattabhi Jois "Ashtanga" system although with adaptations to be more inclusive to more body types such as the case with B.K.S Iyegar's approach as well as in modern fitness modalities. In 2021 Michael did his 300 Hour training under the guidance of Jason Crandell, which was a natural fit to the type of style Michael preferred practicing and teaching, and who's system is a great blend of the systems of Jois, Iyenga, & modern sports medicine. Now as a RYT500 Michael's philosophy involves opening doors for people for not only Vinyasa and the capabilities of one's one body, but the subtler parts of the practice which adds the "spirit" element to a mind & body practice. He tries to keep balance and a fun atmosphere in the sangha but also with respect and discipline to the traditions and cultures these practices come from. Michael has also studied texts such as the Patanjali yoga sutra, Bhagavad Gita, & Ramayana. All of which have played a role in acknowledging "living Yoga" (Karma) which he uses in life and shares with practitioners in sangha. As of 2020 Michael also has dabbled into the realm of Bhakti, learning some shloka & devotional chants which on occasion he will lead with harmonium.