Michelle Chua

For several years, she fluctuated in and out of different Yoga classes throughout Los Angeles, until a dance injury forced her to slow down. She had been constantly on the go, juggling rigorous hours of weekly dance rehearsals and performances, trail-running and working late hours as a teacher, her passion since childhood. During about a year of rehabilitation, a more consistent Yoga practice awakened deep insight and inspiration to pursue learning about the art of natural healing and thriving. Addressing her fear of the unknown, she later answered a persistent inner calling to volunteer teach in Ghana and Costa Rica for over a year. During her minimalist life abroad, Yoga became a daily necessity that evoked self-compassion and loving presence, when challenges threw her far from her comfort zone. With gratitude for the healing and transformation Yoga gifted her, she realized her passion to share the practice with diverse people, especially with those who may not have easy access to it. This would later inspire her to offer donation-based Yoga classes. Upon her return to Los Angeles, California, Michelle earned her first Yoga Teacher certification in 2010 with Kia Miller at YogaWorks. She gradually dove deeper into Yoga’s subtler practices and began meditating daily. She then trained with and studied from various teachers of meditation, mindfulness, conscious dance and nature connection. Her most influential teachers have been Thich Nhat Hahn, Pema Chodron, Tara Brach, Qi Gong Master Chungliang Al Huang and many more. Drawn to inner work for personal healing and expanding consciousness, she then earned her 300-hour certification in Yoga Psychology with Ashley Turner, LMFT, in 2021 and later immersed in the Shipibo's indigenous healing practices in the Peruvian Amazon. Inspired by her growing reverence for nature and intuitive wisdom, she then earned certifications in Usui Reiki Energy Healing and continues to practice Reiki daily. Michelle’s Yoga classes integrate mindful presence, meditation, skillful breathwork, clear physical alignment in asanas and accessibility for different bodies and experience levels. She nurtures self-inquiry and insights on ways to personally integrate Yoga philosophy in daily life, beyond physical poses. Michelle’s passion for mindful movement, nature, creative flow, and conscious community inspired her to start Root 2 Rise Yoga in 2010, through which she continues to guide wellness retreats, Yoga, mindfulness and meditation in nature and arts-infused play-shops in California and abroad. As a certified Reiki energy healing practitioner, Michelle also offers private Yoga and Reiki sessions. During her free time, find Michelle trail-running, playing in nature, dancing, savoring a meal at one of her favorite vegan restaurants, immersing in world cultures through travel or meditating in stillness. Her Yoga and energy healing practices continue to teach her the value of balanced living. Education & Training: 500-hour Yoga Teacher Certification E-RYT & YACEP Registered with Yoga Alliance 300-hour in Yoga Psychology with Ashley Turner, LMFT 200-hour YogaWorks Yoga Foundations with Kia Miller Mindful Leadership Esalen Institute with Ronald Alexander, PhD, MFT Soundbath Facilitation Mind Body Music Center with Andrea Cortez, Board Certified Music Therapist ​ Trauma-Informed Yoga, Yoga Teacher Training Off the Mat with Hala Khouri 75-hour Yoga as Lifestyle, Yoga Teacher Training Radiant Body Yoga with Kia Miller, Los Angeles, CA 75-hour Skillful Yoga Asana Sequencing, Yoga Teacher Training Wanderlust Yoga with Schuyler Grant and Chad Dennis Master Degree Usui Reiki Energy Healing Practitioner Certification Alignment Healing with Reiki Master Lepeng Li 2nd Degree Usui Reiki Energy Healing Practitioner Certification Reiki Master Akiko Hoshihara 1st Degree Usui Reiki Energy Healing Practitioner Certification Standing Stones Healing with Christian Stone Professional Clear California Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential With Cross-Cultural CLAD Emphasis California State University, Northridge Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies With Art Concentration California State University, Northridge Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies LA Valley College, Los Angeles, CA Multicultural Dance (Performing Member) Raiz Brazil Dance Company with Jonia McClenney Martin Dancers (Afro-Latin-influenced Modern Dance) with Shirley Martin