a clear, calm mind…

Our Teachers

Kathy Ornish, owner and director, BS, MFA, E-RYT 500, c-IAYT

“…a clear and peaceful mind is the ground for joyful living.” Swami Rama

KOpicKathy Ornish (K.O.), owner and director of Good Space Yoga, was exposed at a young age to yoga through her family’s close association with Swami Satchidananda, the founder of Integral Yoga. She is deeply thankful to her teachers who have guided her, both as a practitioner and as a teacher, on her journey to convey the incredible breadth and beauty of Yoga. Using a broad array of the tools of yoga, her teaching incorporates a mindful approach to all aspects of the practice.

K.O. is a certified Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist through Gary Kraftsow’s American Viniyoga Institute (accredited Yoga Therapy program by the International Association of Yoga Therapists I.A.Y.T.) and a Certified Yoga Therapist by the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Viniyoga evolved out of the teachings transmitted by T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar of Madras, India. It is a style of yoga that emphasizes the appropriate application of the many tools of yoga (asana, pranayama, meditation, relaxation, chanting, mudras, bandhas, ritual, etc.) and adapts them to meet the unique condition and need of the individual. Kraftsow is considered an internationally respected Yoga Therapist and teacher. She also studies with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Spiritual Head of the Himalayan Institute and successor to Swami Rama.

Satchidananda-KOK.O. also studied and trained with Rod Stryker, and was given the honor of Acharya (one who knows and conveys the teachings). Formerly, she also studied Iyengar Yoga (which emphasizes alignment in the poses) for 7 years with Ruth Fisk, and completed the beginner teacher training with Aadil Palkhivala.

This 5000 year old tradition remains an extraordinary transformative tool, and K.O.s hope is that she can help you achieve your highest potential (physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually) by using all the methods of yoga.

Offering group classes, private yoga therapy, and local and national workshops, K.O. is honored to help you get a glimpse into the best that you already are!

Credentials:

  • Teacher of Yoga since 2000 and Yoga Therapist since 2007
  • Certified (c-IAYT) Yoga Therapist through the International Association of Yoga Therapy (I.A.Y.T.)
  • Certified Viniyoga Therapist – 500 hour program with Gary Kraftsow’s American Viniyoga Institute, an accredited yoga therapy program through I.A.Y.T.
  • Certified Viniyoga Teacher – 500 hour program with Gary Kraftsow’s American Viniyoga Institute
  • Certified Para Yoga Teacher – 500 hour program with Rod Stryker’s Para Yoga
  • Registered with the Yoga Alliance at the E-RYT 500 level (has a 500 hr training plus at least 2,000 hours of teaching experience since completing training)
  • Master of Fine Arts from San Diego State University
  • Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Arlington.


Work Experience:

  • Yoga Teacher since 2000
  • Yoga Therapist since 2007
  • Owner and Director of Good Space Yoga since 2010
  • Special Faculty, 2014-present, Viniyoga Foundations Program for Teaching and Yoga Therapy, East and West Coast
  • Faculty, Viniyoga Foundations Program for Teaching and Yoga Therapy East Coast, 2012-2014
  • Faculty, Foundations for Yoga Therapy training at the American Viniyoga Institute, 2009-2001
  • Teacher Training Assistant, Para Yoga Teacher Training 2002-2004
  • Faculty, Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA, 2009-present
  • Consultant at the Preventive Medicine Research Institute
  • Professor of Sculpture and Ceramics for 10 years

To contact K.O. call 517.927.3327 or email K.O.

Donna Cervelli, RYT 200

Donna, RYT 200, has been practicing and studying with Viniyoga Teacher and Therapist, Kathy Ornish (KO), founder of Good Space Yoga, for over 12 years. She continues to study under guidance from KO and has been teaching locally since 2010. She received her 300 Advanced Viniyoga Studies – Viniyoga Foundations Program Certification from the American Viniyoga Institute in 2015. She also completed her 200 hour yoga teacher certification from Sangha Yoga under the guidance of Karina Ayn Mirsky.

Donna holds a bachelors degree in civil engineering, and has worked as a Professional Engineer with the State’s Department of Environmental Quality since 2000.

To contact Donna call 517-899-8820 or email Donna

Marie Volovsek

Marie, a certified Iyengar Yoga instructor, has been studying and practicing Iyengar yoga since 1998. She has been teaching yoga since 2004, with her most recent classes being taught in East Lansing, MI. She continues to study with senior level certified Iyengar instructors – primarily from Michigan.

Marie has over 25 years experience teaching movement – including social dance, university level physical education courses – both general education as well as for physical education majors, elementary physical education, and fitness classes. It is her love of movement and fitness that brought her to yoga, but it is the beauty, complexity, depth, and clarity of Iyengar yoga that has brought her to practicing, exploring, and eventually teaching yoga.

Yoga is splendid, and Marie strives in her teaching to convey its splendor to you.

To contact Marie call 517-648-4056 or email Marie
Marie’s website is: mariesplendidyoga.com

Jess Beckman

Jess received her Bachelors in Psychology in 2008 then worked in the Behavioral Health & Case management fields for almost 10yrs. In 2015 Jess attended her first Ghosh lineage Hatha Yoga class and immediately fell in love with the practice. October of 2016 she graduated from the Raja Yoga Academy, has the 500-RYT Yoga Alliance Credential, and since has taught nearly 1000hrs. During this time Jess also coordinated the Karma Yoga program at BYCA, started a daily meditation practice, became certified in Yin Yoga, and taught Children’s Mindfulness Yoga & Meditation for Woldumar Nature Center’s summer camp program twice a week. Her passion is continuing to learn about the many styles of Hatha yoga and sharing this love with all those interested in her teaching.

To contact Jess call 734-620-1256 or email Jess

I was looking to try a beginner’s yoga class, something low-impact, as I’ve had my hips replaced, with meditation to help alleviate stress. What I got as a student over the last 6 years has exceeded all of my expectations and prayers.
D.N.
I’m continually amazed with the difference yoga is making in my life. Nothing overnight, no quick fixes, but gradual, by degrees, quietly. With KO’s gentle guidance and instruction I’m finding the patience to let changes happen.
P.B.
After giving up on yoga following involvement with several studios where I was getting hurt, K.O. used her deep understanding of human physiology to gently move me towards health.
J.F.
As a student of KO’s for over 15 years, which includes two births, I never had the need to find another practice. My weekly classes at Good Space Yoga are incredibly nourishing and balancing for the mind, body, and spirit.
D.C.