Michigan Yoga Association Officers
President: Wendy Sinicki
After a decade filled with more migraines than memories, Wendy was trying anything for relief. Yoga’s freeing breathwork allowed her to pause in the stillness and discover. She loved how yoga made her feel. The more yoga she practiced, the better she felt. Before she knew it, she had become a registered yoga teacher and felt compelled to help others. She currently teaches beginners in Richland. The migraines? Only when she doesn’t honor her body’s need for movement and breath.
Vice President: Cathy Tucci
Cathy Tucci, Ed. D., E-RYT500, has been teaching yoga since 2011 and practicing since 1997. Cathy began as a member-at-large on MYA's board, moving into the Program Chair position and then on to President. Her love of teaching is evident throughout her life, teaching at both the elementary and college levels. Whether teaching or practicing, yoga is truly a gift encouraging each of us to reflect, adapt and be an integral part of this life on earth.
After a decade filled with more migraines than memories, Wendy was trying anything for relief. Yoga’s freeing breathwork allowed her to pause in the stillness and discover. She loved how yoga made her feel. The more yoga she practiced, the better she felt. Before she knew it, she had become a registered yoga teacher and felt compelled to help others. She currently teaches beginners in Richland. The migraines? Only when she doesn’t honor her body’s need for movement and breath.
Vice President: Cathy Tucci
Cathy Tucci, Ed. D., E-RYT500, has been teaching yoga since 2011 and practicing since 1997. Cathy began as a member-at-large on MYA's board, moving into the Program Chair position and then on to President. Her love of teaching is evident throughout her life, teaching at both the elementary and college levels. Whether teaching or practicing, yoga is truly a gift encouraging each of us to reflect, adapt and be an integral part of this life on earth.
Secretary: Mary Beth Thomas – Looking for co-chair
Mary Beth has been providing meeting minutes as secretary for the last several years and was a member-at-large before that. Her years as a project manager in the Healthcare industry have given her ample opportunity for honing her skills in taking meeting minutes and she welcomes the chance to put that skill to use in the service of her true passion, yoga. Mary Beth would like to work with someone willing to take over the secretary position. Please let us know if you are interested.
Mary Beth has been providing meeting minutes as secretary for the last several years and was a member-at-large before that. Her years as a project manager in the Healthcare industry have given her ample opportunity for honing her skills in taking meeting minutes and she welcomes the chance to put that skill to use in the service of her true passion, yoga. Mary Beth would like to work with someone willing to take over the secretary position. Please let us know if you are interested.
Co-Treasurer: Howard Dembs
Howard took his first yoga class at Western Michigan University as an elective physical education credit in 1976 and has been practicing ever since. He is currently taking a Yoga Teacher Training program in Saugatuck. He recently retired from W. Soule from the position of Chief Financial Officer. I held this position since 2002 and have worked on a variety of corporate tasks including strategy, financial analysis, insight and system integration. “I feel like I am a good fit for the Treasurer position for the Michigan Yoga Association by combining my vast Yoga experience with the skill set as a long time CFO.”
Co-Treasurer/Member-at-Large: Belinda Morgan
Belinda, RYT200, teaches yoga and spinning at Spectrum Pennock Health and Wellness Center in Hastings, MI. She holds the position of Treasurer on the MYA Board and has been a MYA member since 2007. Belinda's certification is from YogaFit, a program best known for its safe and inclusive approach to the practice of yoga. Belinda had been teaching at Pennock Health and Wellness Center since 2005 and recently retired from the U.S. Postal Service.
Howard took his first yoga class at Western Michigan University as an elective physical education credit in 1976 and has been practicing ever since. He is currently taking a Yoga Teacher Training program in Saugatuck. He recently retired from W. Soule from the position of Chief Financial Officer. I held this position since 2002 and have worked on a variety of corporate tasks including strategy, financial analysis, insight and system integration. “I feel like I am a good fit for the Treasurer position for the Michigan Yoga Association by combining my vast Yoga experience with the skill set as a long time CFO.”
Co-Treasurer/Member-at-Large: Belinda Morgan
Belinda, RYT200, teaches yoga and spinning at Spectrum Pennock Health and Wellness Center in Hastings, MI. She holds the position of Treasurer on the MYA Board and has been a MYA member since 2007. Belinda's certification is from YogaFit, a program best known for its safe and inclusive approach to the practice of yoga. Belinda had been teaching at Pennock Health and Wellness Center since 2005 and recently retired from the U.S. Postal Service.
Standing Committee Chairs
Communications: Filled by Wendy Sinicki but looking for help!
Programs: Joan Mudget
Joan is COO and Yoga Guide for MOOXLI, a continuing education retreat corporation supporting human service providers to build the lives they want to have while recovering from compassion fatigue and burnout. After burning out in the fast-paced fashion industry, Joan became an experienced yoga teacher and Reiki Master with advanced certifications in Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Pranayama, and Meditation. Joining the board would give Joan yet another opportunity to use her business skills to facilitate the growth of yoga worldwide and leave a legacy.
Veronique and Cathy Tucci will round out the committee.
Joan is COO and Yoga Guide for MOOXLI, a continuing education retreat corporation supporting human service providers to build the lives they want to have while recovering from compassion fatigue and burnout. After burning out in the fast-paced fashion industry, Joan became an experienced yoga teacher and Reiki Master with advanced certifications in Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Pranayama, and Meditation. Joining the board would give Joan yet another opportunity to use her business skills to facilitate the growth of yoga worldwide and leave a legacy.
Veronique and Cathy Tucci will round out the committee.
Membership: Ann Ross
Ann first learned about yoga when visiting her “weird Aunt Virginia“ in San Francisco in 1973. Ann has practiced yoga on and off since then, but became a more serious student when Sanctuary Yoga was built next door to her home! Ann finds that yoga helps her reach places both physically and spiritually, that other practices or therapies cannot. Ann enjoys the MYA retreats, and looks forward to working with the MYA board.
Ann first learned about yoga when visiting her “weird Aunt Virginia“ in San Francisco in 1973. Ann has practiced yoga on and off since then, but became a more serious student when Sanctuary Yoga was built next door to her home! Ann finds that yoga helps her reach places both physically and spiritually, that other practices or therapies cannot. Ann enjoys the MYA retreats, and looks forward to working with the MYA board.
Members-at-Large
Member-at-Large: John Brady
John volunteers his time to assist the board with technical concerns and creations. He first experienced Hatha Yoga in 1985 in upstate NY after college and has taken classes ever since. In Kalamazoo, he has landed at Sanctuary Yoga where he also volunteers behind the scenes. John is a runner (5K's to short ultra-marathons), has attended lots of MYA workshops and considers his yoga practice, teacher and community to be at the core of his well being.
John volunteers his time to assist the board with technical concerns and creations. He first experienced Hatha Yoga in 1985 in upstate NY after college and has taken classes ever since. In Kalamazoo, he has landed at Sanctuary Yoga where he also volunteers behind the scenes. John is a runner (5K's to short ultra-marathons), has attended lots of MYA workshops and considers his yoga practice, teacher and community to be at the core of his well being.
Member-at-Large: Neena Marion
Neena was introduced to yoga as a child; but she discovered yoga as part of a workplace wellness program much later as an adult. Desiring to learn more, she attended a number of yoga retreats and followed local yoga instructors. She then started to attend workshops through MYA and joined as a member in 2019. She looks forward to supporting and strengthening the offerings of MYA.
Neena was introduced to yoga as a child; but she discovered yoga as part of a workplace wellness program much later as an adult. Desiring to learn more, she attended a number of yoga retreats and followed local yoga instructors. She then started to attend workshops through MYA and joined as a member in 2019. She looks forward to supporting and strengthening the offerings of MYA.
Member-at-Large: Marin Heinritz
Marin, PhD, E-RYT 500 is new to the MYA Board but has been a lifelong practitioner and longtime teacher of yoga, having studied with Karina Mirsky and earned her certifications through Sangha Yoga Institute. She specializes in Writing from the Body, a contemplative practice that combines yoga and writing, and offers classes, workshops, as well as private sessions in addition to teaching writing full time at Kalamazoo College.
Marin, PhD, E-RYT 500 is new to the MYA Board but has been a lifelong practitioner and longtime teacher of yoga, having studied with Karina Mirsky and earned her certifications through Sangha Yoga Institute. She specializes in Writing from the Body, a contemplative practice that combines yoga and writing, and offers classes, workshops, as well as private sessions in addition to teaching writing full time at Kalamazoo College.
Co-Treasurer/Member-at-Large: Belinda Morgan
Belinda, RYT200, teaches yoga and spinning at Spectrum Pennock Health and Wellness Center in Hastings, MI. She holds the position of Treasurer on the MYA Board and has been a MYA member since 2007. Belinda's certification is from YogaFit, a program best known for its safe and inclusive approach to the practice of yoga. Belinda had been teaching at Pennock Health and Wellness Center since 2005 and recently retired from the U.S. Postal Service.
Member-at-Large: Véronique Jewell
Véronique, RYT500, has attended workshops with MYA for many years. Born in France, she practiced nursing for 10 years before moving to the US in 1991 with her daughter. She has practiced yoga on and off since the age of 17 and was excited when studios and teachers become accessible. She completed her teacher training with Melissa Spamer and now owns her own studio, Sanctuary Yoga, in Kalamazoo, MI. Veronique looks forward to making great teachers accessible to you!
Belinda, RYT200, teaches yoga and spinning at Spectrum Pennock Health and Wellness Center in Hastings, MI. She holds the position of Treasurer on the MYA Board and has been a MYA member since 2007. Belinda's certification is from YogaFit, a program best known for its safe and inclusive approach to the practice of yoga. Belinda had been teaching at Pennock Health and Wellness Center since 2005 and recently retired from the U.S. Postal Service.
Member-at-Large: Véronique Jewell
Véronique, RYT500, has attended workshops with MYA for many years. Born in France, she practiced nursing for 10 years before moving to the US in 1991 with her daughter. She has practiced yoga on and off since the age of 17 and was excited when studios and teachers become accessible. She completed her teacher training with Melissa Spamer and now owns her own studio, Sanctuary Yoga, in Kalamazoo, MI. Veronique looks forward to making great teachers accessible to you!
A big thank you to Sue Pollard!
Sue has been a member of MYA since the early 80's, soon after "finding" yoga with her first teacher, Janet Bhuyan. During her tenure, she has held several positions and is always willing to help out at the workshops, and provide history and her expertise. Having served on the board over the years, she's looking forward again to just attending the workshops. We are so grateful for all she has done, the wisdom she has shared, and she is still willing to help as we go forward (More about that soon). Thank you so much, Sue, for making this world a more peaceful place through yoga!
Sue has been a member of MYA since the early 80's, soon after "finding" yoga with her first teacher, Janet Bhuyan. During her tenure, she has held several positions and is always willing to help out at the workshops, and provide history and her expertise. Having served on the board over the years, she's looking forward again to just attending the workshops. We are so grateful for all she has done, the wisdom she has shared, and she is still willing to help as we go forward (More about that soon). Thank you so much, Sue, for making this world a more peaceful place through yoga!