Samadhi Staff

Elizabeth dabbled in transcendental meditation and yoga in the 70’s after reading “The Relaxation Response”, by Herbert Benson, M.D. In 2000 she started “practicing” in the mornings with Priscilla Patrick on PBS. She was amazed at how effortlessly and gracefully this lady in her 60’s went into yoga postures. In February of 2002, she went to the Flushing Post Office and to her surprise was a quaint little yoga studio next to the post office. She was instantly drawn to it and the owner, Denise, and has been practicing at the Samadhi Yoga Center ever since. She has attended various workshops through the years as a student of the Samadhi Yoga Center and studied meditation technique with Lorne Dekun from Ananada Michigan.

She embraces the yoga philosophy and not only “practices” the asanas on the mat but brings the yoga philosophy into every aspect of her life. The second limb on the eight-limb path of yoga is called the niyamas, the five observances. Svadhyaya is the observance of self-study. She has included teaching as part of her svadhyaya. By teaching yoga she hopes to become more aware of herself, her surroundings and her community.

Professionally, she is a nurse practitioner with a good understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. In her 25 years of practice she has witnessed numerous anecdotal accounts of the mind/body connection and how anxiety and stress is related to disease states. By nature she is a spiritual soul, knowing that there is something greater than ourselves and we need to trust that greater entity.

My name is Heather Davis and yoga has been my journey for the past seven years of my life it has brought me into teaching for the last three years and close to many people. Having such a strong community of friends who are sharing a common goal health and happiness you can never go wrong. Yoga has brought me to so many areas of my own existence and brought Denise into my life , sharing what I have learned with others allows me to open up to others and share myself with the ones who are here for the journey along side me. Namaste....

Susan was introduced to yoga by a close friend & fellow runner who is also a yoga instructor. She has been practicing yoga with the guidance of Denise Alick since 2008. No matter the season, she loves the outdoors and is an avid runner, kayaker and stargazer. Desiring to learn more about herself and the yoga experience, Susan completed the Ashtanga based teacher training course with Denise in the spring of 2009. She is inspired by her students and is excited to have the opportunity to help others discover the unlimited benefits of yoga.

Peggy was introduced to yoga and meditation in the 70's with Lillias on PBS and transcendental meditation initiation and instruction at MSU. Over the years, she has studied and practiced yoga under the direction of Dorothy Kim, Christopher Baxter, Safi and Rachelle McGary. She has participated in meditation retreats with Jack Kornfield, Sarah Powers and Safi. Peggy is very grateful to Denise Alick for providing the training, encouragement and opportunity to maintain a daily yoga practice and lifestyle since 2003. She completed Denise's ashtanga-based teacher training in May 2006. As Peggy's career with Genesee County Family Court winds down, she hopes to find more time to explore and develop ways to bring yoga to those challenged with mental illness and addiction.

Mary Jane Phillips, 200 hour RYT, is certified, in the Ashtanga Practice, by both Denise Alick, of Samadhi Yoga and Katherine Lucas of Karma Yoga in Bloomfield Hills. Mary Jane continues to explore the different aspects of yoga, drawing inspiration from the many teachers she's met. She believes that yoga offers the opportunity to find balance and growth both on and off the mat and thanks her teachers for showing her the importance of "breathing"

"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you"
- - Jesus Christ
He did not specify, or say if they were the same gender, nationality, race, or even species. He just said others.

Rhonda Straley
	Rhonda began in the fitness industry in 1989. She began teaching step aerobics and body toning classes. After a knee injury and multiple surgeries later she found Pilates and yoga to help re-build strength and endurance. She loved the core strength she found in Pilates and the mental and physical strength she gained from yoga. She has been practicing yoga and Pilates for the past five years. Yoga has brought peace and joy to her life. She was devastated when the knee injury occurred, but if it wasn't for the injury she may not have discovered yoga.