Instructors

Samantha Smigelski – RYT200

Studio Owner, Yoga Teacher, Reiki Practitioner

In 2010, while working in the architecture field, Samantha (Sam) held a second job working at a yoga studio. While there, she fell in love with the teachings, the physical practice, the mental peace, and the personal growth that had been missing in her life prior to yoga. She told herself that someday, when she was ready to retire from architecture, she’d own her own yoga studio.

Since 2010, Sam’s been practicing in different capacities at various studios, eventually finding her home at Spirit Rising Yoga & Meditation after moving to Brighton in 2018. After being laid off during covid, Sam completed her Yoga Teacher Training at SRYM, then began teaching at SRYM, and shortly thereafter, was offered the opportunity to take over studio ownership. While much earlier in life than anticipated, a forced architectural retirement laid the ground work for Sam to start her dream and share the wonderful yogic tools she had learned with others.

Business ownership, while challenging, has been rewarding in so many ways. She’s been able to partner with some amazing like-minded business owners in the area, become a bigger part of the local community and it has allowed her to be home more with her husband, daughter, and pets. Owning the studio has given Sam the opportunity to grow more individually, be more present in the things that mean the most to her, and carry on a studio legacy of community, support, and overall well-being.

SRYM’s history has created a nurturing space with an emphasis on exploring yoga poses and yoga beyond the physical practice. SRYM works with students to safely practice the poses in their body while also incorporating meditation, breathwork, self-discovery, intentional behavioral modifications, energy work, and so much more into the practice. Looking forward, we will continue to build a spiritual community with the intent of bringing all of us closer to a blissful, healthy, and present life through a full class schedule, monthly workshops, special events, book club, and other community activities

Samantha is available for corporate, private, and group yoga sessions as well as private reiki sessions.

Lisa Shumway – E-RYT500

E-RYT 500 Kripalu Yoga Teacher, RYT 500 Kripalu Ayurveda Yoga Teacher, 200 hr. certification in Ayurveda, 500 hrs. of Ayurveda Health Coach Training. Certified Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master/Teacher

Lisa is a 500 hr. registered yoga teacher certified through the Kripalu School of Yoga & Ayurveda in Lenox Massachusetts and will be certified as an Ayurveda Health Counselor in May 2022.

To date, Lisa has over 900 hrs. of training. Through the practice of yoga, ayurveda and meditation, Lisa has developed a passionate belief in our abilities to take control of our own health. Healing our minds and bodies with the benefits of these holistic practices.

Lisa’s classes include pranayama (breathe work), meditation and using the teachings of Ayurveda to offer classes to bring us in balance with nature. You will often be guided into the subtler layers of your being, that which is flowing beneath it all – Life Force pulsing inside. Working in the energy layer helps you connect to your vitality and radiance. In addition to her Yoga certification, Lisa is a Certified Meditation Teacher, Certified Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master & Teacher and is the lead teacher for our 200 hr. Yoga Teacher Training.

Lisa has studied with Shiva Rae, Yoganand Michael Carroll, Larissa Hall Carlson, Dr. John Douillard, Dr. Rosy Mann, Dr. Claudia Welch, Dr. Scott Blossom, Sudha Carolyn Lundeen, Stephen Cope, Noah Maze and Rocky Herron as well as Energy Medicine with Donna Eden.

Lisa has taught over 3500 studio classes as well as multiple teacher trainings, workshops and corporate events/yoga.

Lisa is available for private Reiki, Hypnotherapy and Ayervedic Consultations.

Kim Haas – 200HR-CYT

 Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master

Kim Haas, 200-CYT, has well over 1000 hours of teaching experience, and is also a Reiki Master. After tip-toeing around the edges of yoga for almost twenty years, Kim fully committed to a yoga practice in the Fall of 2012 which quickly led to the Spirit Rising Yoga Immersion program.

It resulted in her teacher certification, just in time to help fill her looming empty nest. Kim enjoys offering unique classes and workshops that sometimes combine yoga with meditation, writing and even Reiki.

As a writer, she discovered so many connections between the practices of yoga and writing that she designed a class that combines both, creating space for her students to dive deep into their practice and their lives. She firmly believes in the power of yoga to transform on levels well beyond the physical.

Living her yoga both on and off the mat is a daily practice that helps her to create a life of depth filled with clarity, grace and ease and her intention is to offer that same opportunity to her students.

Kim is available for private group yoga and private Reiki.

Laura Deierlein, RYT-200

Yoga Teacher

Most importantly, Laura is inspired by the creativity of her mentors and enjoys teaching joyful and mindful classes that offer a deeper and more harmonized relationship with our physical and energetic bodies. She has taught hundreds of yoga classes, including at Spirit Rising. She has continued to develop her yoga methodology with unique training opportunities, including an immersion in Kundalini-style practices at a yoga ashram in northern India, Partner Yoga and Energy Medicine practices through the Kripalu Center for Yoga, and a certification for leading Laughter Yoga from Laughter University in Bangalore. Laura is a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance and she received her 200-hour teacher certification in 2012 from Stacey (original founder of Spirit Rising). One of her favorite things to do is catching photos of her doing yoga poses everywhere she travels. This pic is doing yoga on a camel! She is excited to reacquaint with the space at Spirit Rising!!!

Becky McVey, RYT-200

Yoga Teacher

If you want to ground and soothe both your mind and body on a daily basis, Rebecca’s instruction will fill your soul. She first got into yoga nearly 30 years ago, when she received an ashtanga yoga video from her mom, a longtime practitioner. For the next several weeks, Rebecca did it every day and felt amazing. For the past six years, she has taught adaptive yoga, completing her RYT 200 in June under Kelli McMullin. Her classes feature a variety of themes and music, seasoned by her creative spirit and bold intention. Students will learn to trust their bodies, enjoying all of the movement and the stillness that class brings. If you are a student in her class, your time and energy will be treated with the deepest honor and respect. Rebecca lives in Brighton; and her loving home is blessed to include her spouse, children and many friendly pets. When she’s not teaching or practicing yoga, she loves to spend time in her extended family’s home away from home near Traverse City, reading and relaxing by the river.

Shawn Archer, MA, LPC, RYT-500, TCTSY-F

Private Yoga Instructor

Shawn Archer (she/her) is a therapist, certified RYT-500 yoga teacher, Trauma Center – Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator, and founder of Gentle Spirit Yoga, LLC. In addition, she is currently enrolled as a Clinical Extern at the International Institute of Yoga Therapy and will be certified as a Yoga Therapist in January 2025.

As a therapist, Shawn has 20 years of experience with individuals who have a history of complex trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Her clinical experience and training have fostered a deep understanding of how trauma disrupted an individual’s sense of safety, not only out in the world but also within the body.

Shawn is dedicated to guiding people on their healing journey and compassionately assisting them in exploring the healing aspects of yoga movement while incorporating mindfulness, breathwork, and body awareness into each session.

If you’re struggling with complex trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, or loss either individual or private small-group trauma-sensitive yoga sessions are available. For more information or to schedule a trauma-sensitive yoga session, contact Shawn by email at gentlespirit.sa@gmail.com.

Ina Stacy

Customer Experience Concierge

Hi, everyone! I am so excited to be joining the team! I’ve been the office manager for Hands on Health Chiropractic for almost 5 years. It is my passion to help, heal, and be of service to the people and world around me. My goal is to learn and practice reiki and cupping. Also, I have an interest in life and wellness coaching. Coming from a very difficult background, I have a unique understanding of trauma and an uncanny ability to connect to others. I hope to use my natural talents and gifts to help, heal, and fulfill my life’s purpose. I am very spiritual and love to be in nature whenever possible. Originally from Indiana, I moved here about 6 years ago. With so many cool places to visit and beautiful sights in Michigan, I have a very long list of must sees and future trips. I look forward to getting to know everyone as I come to classes and expand my role in the studio. Thank you for the opportunity to join your team!