Instructors
Carol Hendershot
BS, E-RYT 500, Anusara Inspired Yoga Teacher, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction & LifeForce Yoga Level II Practitioner
Carol graciously invites her students to explore their present moment experience with a sense of fun and adventure. Her classes emphasize safety and self-honoring while encouraging students to live to their full potential.
Her love for meditation and eastern philosophy began more than thirty years ago and since 1996 she has immersed herself in the study of Yoga. She is forever grateful to many amazing teachers, especially John Friend, Betsey Downing, Amy Weintraub and Behnje Masson.
Carol recently completed her third intensive Professional Training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as taught at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, under the direction of Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli.
She loves to travel and has wandered through many parts of the world, especially India and Nepal, where she learned much about herself. She lives in Rockford, MI with her husband Tom, two dogs, Zack and Zoey. Her heartfelt goal is to support others in their journey to grow, expand and find joy in their lives.
Katherine Florentine
BS, RYT500, Anusara Inspired Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapy Certification, Yoga of the Heart®, Member IAYT, Lifeforce Yoga Practitioner
Experience your vitality with Katherine in a yoga practice that focuses on supporting you physically, emotionally, energetically, and spiritually.
Katherine weaves the Eastern practices of Ayurveda, the “Sister Science” of yoga, with Western medicine in a unique therapeutic approach to yoga. Because of her background in Respiratory Therapy and health care, she has a deep respect for and understanding of the healing power of the breath.
Katherine loves introducing people to the practice of yoga in classes filled with vivid imagery and touches of humor.
When not on the mat, she enjoys travel, nature, time with family and Ayurveda. She thanks all yoga therapy students for sharing their experiences and deepening her passion for healing through yoga. Her many wellness teachers include Doug Keller, Betsey Downing, John Friend, Todd Norian, Nischala Devi, Gabriel Halpern, Leslie Kaminoff and Richard Miller.
Mimi Ray
Certified Anusara® Yoga Teacher
RYT500
Supportive and heartfelt teaching invites you to explore the connections of body, mind and spirit. With a background in art & design, Mimi’s teaching encourages the creative expression of the Self, and inspires beauty and artistry in action. Visual language woven with her commitment to a steady practice awakens increased freedom and joy on the mat and in life.
As a young designer Mimi traveled the world in search of new ideas, and is inspired by the unique patterns of every culture. Travels to Japan and China sparked an interest in Feng Shui and the harmony of the space that surrounds us, leading to further study & an integration of the principles of sacred space within design, the body & life.
A dedicated teacher and student of Anusara Yoga, Mimi continues her study of Yoga, Philosophy, and Therapeutics.... making the practice ever new, an unfolding joyous path. Lifes’ delights: nature, the open sky, sun, wind, waves, dirt, free time, gardening, art, cooking.... and learning!
Behind every teacher are many teachers: Mimi thanks all her students and teachers. Especially John Friend & Betsey Downing for the teachings and brilliant reflection of the Divine.
Susan Duesbery
Anusara Yoga Teacher Training 2008,
Graduate Certificate: Holistic Healthcare
Holistic Stress Management Facilitator &
Animal Reiki Master
Susan’s soothing voice, skillful teaching and sweet and supportive manner encourages students to nurture their body, open their heart, and live life with increased joy and greater ease. She is inspired to offer the gift of yoga to help people feel more connected, whole and at peace.
She was drawn to yoga 17 years ago in Toronto because of its ability to cultivate a profound sense of self-awareness, balance and well-being and she continues to be awed by yoga’s power to nurture body, mind and spirit.
Susan is grateful to John Friend and Betsey Downing for whole-heartedly sharing their knowledge and she wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to Behnje Masson, Rick Powell and Carol Hendershot for their wonderful teaching and continued support.
Susan is honored to share her life with her wonderfully supportive husband, two beautiful daughters, two big, goofy dogs, two noisy guinea pigs, and numerous foster kittens.
Margo Burian
Mat Science Certification,
Yogafit Certifications I & II,
2007 Anusara Immersion
2008 Anusara Teacher Training
Heartfelt enthusiasm and creativity are the hallmarks of Margo’s teaching style. Her lifelong passion as a Professional Artist is a delightful complement to her enthusiasm for the art of Yoga. She approaches her classes with an openness and encourages her students to embrace their own innate inner beauty while playfully connecting mind, body, and spirit.
Margo became a practioner/teacher of Yoga 10 years ago as a way of rehabbing her body from a variety of sports injuries. When she discovered Anusara Yoga with its heart centered philosphy in 2006, it was as if a spark had been ignited. As a dedicated Anusara student, she considers it a great honor to be able to share her passion for this ancient art.
Margo is extremely grateful to the teachers in her life; especially to Behnje Masson & Rick Powell. She looks forward to deepening her studies with them as well as; John Friend, Moses Brown and Jamie Allison.
When not practicing Yoga, Margo can usually be found painting, hiking, cooking, knitting, chasing cats, or just spending some quality “dog time” with dog Bodhi and her husband Craig!
Marti DeLong
MA Education, RYT 200
Marti has a BA in Special Education and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a long time student of Expressions of Grace. In 2009 she completed yoga teacher training. For over 30 years Marti was a special education teacher and consultant in the Grand Rapids area. In recent years she taught yoga to children in school settings. September 2009 brought an opportunity for Marti to become trained in the Get Ready to Learn Program. This method brings the gift of yoga to all children, including those with special needs. Marti is committed to offering yoga as a time for sharing the joy of movement, the art of quieting and the power of positive thoughts.
Marti lives in the Rockford area with her husband, Ron. Mattie and Willow, her canine girls, also share her Cannonsburg home. Gardening, travel, and any new learning experience are favorite past times.
Sue Dilsworth,
PhD
RYT-500, LFYP -2, Certified Yoga Therapist
Sue is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Yoga Therapist working in the Greater Grand Rapids area. Sue has worked as a psychologist in university settings, non-profit agencies and private practice for the past 20 years. Sue has trained extensively with Amy Weintraub (author of Yoga for Depression and founder of the LifeForce Yoga Institute) and has served as a faculty member for Amy’s LifeForce Yoga Training Institute. Sue incorporates the LifeForce philosophy along with Iyengar principles in her yoga practice. Clinically, Sue is a holistic health practitioner that establishes treatment protocols that are specifically designed to meet individual needs. Sue supports and encourages her clients to open their hearts to new opportunities and grow as they move through their personal journey
EMELINE TOLOD-KEMP
MS Anatomy and Neurobiology
Anusara Yoga Teacher Training 2010 and 2011
Emeline welcomes you to her classes, which are guaranteed to make you smile and open your heart. Eleven years ago, she was inspired by the spark of Anusara yoga and its life-affirming benefits to the body, mind and soul. She wishes to ignite this same spark of light for each of her students. Because of her background in anatomy and as a working scientist, Emeline approaches yoga with a deep awareness of the mechanics of the body and how therapeutic this practice can be.
Emeline honors her teachers, Shalini Latour, Rosanna Juncos, Wendy Andersen, Sianna Sherman, and John Friend for their profound teaching and inspiration. She continues to learn always, and is grateful for the support and teaching from Behnje Masson, Rick Powell and Carol Hendershot.
Off the mat, Emeline shares this amazing life with her two beautiful sons and a loving husband, loves travel and a good glass of wine, and graciously serves the scientific community through her research in Parkinson's disease with Michigan State University.
Sandy Stevens
Anusara-Inspired© Yoga Instructor
Sandy is an Anusara-Inspired© yoga instructor who masterfully weaves the Universal Principles of Alignment™ with an uplifting heart theme to bring you deeper into the space of your own heart. Her soothing voice and clear guidance will help you stay focused on proper alignment and breathing techniques as you strengthen, tone, align and balance your body and mind.
She has been teaching yoga and pilates in and around the Grand Rapids area since 2006 when she completed PiYo™ certification. Her longing for a more in-depth understanding of yoga asana and philosophy brought her to her wonderful teachers Behnje Masson and Rick Powell in 2008 where she started on her Anusara Yoga© journey completing the requirements and becoming an Anusara-Inspired yoga teacher in 2010. She is thankful for all of the teachers who she has been fortunate enough to study with including John Friend, Behnje Masson, Rick Powell, Katherine Schaefer, Jamie Allison, Desiree Rumbaugh, Moses Brown and Douglas Brooks to name a few.
When she is not practicing or teaching yoga she enjoys biking, camping, baking, reading and spending time with her wonderful family and friends.