Michael Stone
Michael began his yoga practice 33 years ago with a French ballet dancer he met in Kashmir who taught him the grace of the basic asana movements. This meeting led to 20 years living and learning the practice of yoga in India. The next stop on his yoga journey was in Rishikesh, India at the Shivananda Ashram and then the well known Yoga Niketan Ashram. At Yoga Niketan he received intense instruction that inspired his passion to become a yoga teacher. Michael then met Clive Sheridan in Manalli who became his main teacher for the next decade, teaching him the fine art of pranayama, the essence of yoga, and Michael continues to use pranayama as the foundation for his personal practice and classes. Michael then began teaching in Goa, India for 14 years until he moved to the Byron Bay area. He also met Simon Borge Oliver during the Goa years and received instruction on bunda practice, anatomy and physiology. In 2000 Michael opened Bangalow Yoga Centre where he teaches a soft vinyasa flow with the focus on spinal alignment, pranayama and the 9 bundas. Michael understands that it is our breath that connects with the flow of life and sense of well being and emphasises the importance of breathing/Pranayama in his classes. "It is the only thing in life and if you don't do it you die, so best to do it very well." For more information, check out Michael's website http://www.bangalowyoga.com.