Jock Smith

I have been practicing holistic health care in the West Michigan area since 1987. My practice consists of Zen Shiatsu massage, Oriental Assessment, Macrobiotic cooking, Nutritional, and Herbal Counseling as well as Reflexology and Reiki stress reduction and relaxation techniques. I received my training in Western Medicine as a U.S. Naval medical corpsman, and Eastern medicine from the Kushi Institute, a school of oriental health and philosophy. When I meet someone I respectfully listen, offer self-empowering information and treatment designed to create balance, facilitating a natural healing process.

Desiree Rumbaugh

Desiree Rumbaugh is an internationally recognized yoga teacher with unquenchable enthusiasm for life, love and healing. She blends playful humor with an authentic inquiry into the nature of being to help her students discover their own power, courage and beauty.

For Desiree, yoga has been a life-saver emotionally as well as physically. With longtime studies in Iyengar and Anusara yoga, she brings 25 years of experience, experimentation and creativity to her ever-evolving, outside-of-the-box style of teaching.

Desiree travels the world full time sharing her compassion and her joy with others interested in the transformational power of yoga.

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Douglas Brooks

Douglas Brooks is a scholar of Hinduism, south Asian languages, and the comparative study of religions. He lived in India with his teacher, Dr. Gopala Aiyar Sundaramoorthy, for many years studying and practicing Srividya, Auspicious Wisdom, and the modern traditions of goddess-centered Tantra.  Currently Professor of Religion at the University of Rochester, he holds both Masters and his doctoral degrees from Harvard University.

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Sifu Lee Hoa Yen

Sifu Lee Hoa Yen was born in Fujien province in China.When he was 14 he immigrated south to Saigon with a large portion of the Chinese population from his state. It is in Saigon( Ho Chi Min City) that he met Sigong Chiu Chuk Kai and began his studies of Chuk Kai’s Tai Chi Praying Mantis System. After many years of intense daily training with the Chiu Chuk Kai, Sifu Lee inherited the complete Tai Chi Praying Mantis System. The complete system includes internal and external training, hand routines, and the 18 classical weapons of Kung Fu. In addition Sifu Lee is known for his expertise in Tai Chi Praying Mantis and Tai Chi Jeung Techniques, Iron Shirt , Iron Palm, and Exotic Weapons. Sifu Lee was selected as one of the 12 disciples of Grandmaster Chiu. These disciples became known as “The 12 Guardians” in Vietnam’s Martial Arts History. Sifu Lee was the first president of the Chuk Kai Tai Chi Praying Mantis Federation and moved to Grand Rapids in 1980. He still actively teaches at his own school in Grand Rapids . We are blessed and fortunate to have him visit the classes here on a monthly basis.

Benjy and Heather Wertheimer lead kirtan (sacred chanting) worldwide as the duo Shantala, with soul-stirring vocals, sacred lyrics and exotic instrumentation. The weaving of Benjy’s Indian classical singing and instrumentation with Heather’s soaring vocals is freshly original and profoundly moving. Together they create music with beauty, passion, and reverence. Shantala has performed and recorded internationally with such sacred music luminaries as Krishna Das, Deva Premal & Miten, and Jai Uttal. In summer 2008, they were named as one of the top “Wallahs to Watch” by Yoga + Joyful Living. Kirtan is a celebration of spirit through the chanting of sacred names, carrying the audience into a state of heightened awareness, bliss, and devotion. The audience is invited to participate fully through call-and-response chanting, dance, and meditation.

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