YOUR GYPSY INSTRUCTORS
Dee Schillinger
Owner & Operator
(479) 721-7645
Step out of the shadows and into the light! Dee has transformed her life by shifting into love and happiness. Overweight and battling anxiety & depression, Dee decided to take up yoga in the hopes of distracting herself from her current state of being, but what she discovered was something much more profound.
Instead of running or avoiding pain, she gained the courage to turn and face her fears head-on. As her practice evolved, she could feel her heart open freely, her mind become more disciplined and focused, her body become stronger, and her spirit soar to new depths of existence.
Dee is current owner of YogaGypsy and has completed her 500-hour certification for yoga instruction; loves to teach about human anatomy, the physiological benefits of breathing, as well as share tools for living and practicing yoga off of the mat! She has a Bachelors' degree from the University of Arkansas, with double majors in Criminal Justice & Sociology, and minors in Spanish & Social Work.
Dee is a firm believer that education never ends because when we listen to our body, we learn that we are always changing and growing whether we want to or not. Becoming part of that process empowers us to live life to the fullest!
"Energy speaks louder than words -- Your body speaks to you in energy.
Yoga can give anyone the tools they need to learn how to listen to your body & change your life for the better." ~Dee
With over 13 years of teaching experience, she is able to guide you safely on your mat, while challenging you to step outside your comfort zone!
Benja Shurtleff
"I’m creative and I like to bring that creativity to a yoga practice as well. I enjoy connecting with the space and guiding by what’s being called to me in a way that feels like were all part of a dance."
My flows are integrative and I try my best to keep you connected with the breath as we move into every shape as we grow stronger and more flexible together. The main goal is to have you leaving your mat feeling relaxed and energized.
My classes incorporate a warm up with breathe work, yogic eye exercise, vagus nerve stimulation, followed by a flexibility flow that powers you up, strengthens the core and helps relieve tension in the lower back and hips. Ending with a yoga Nidra body scan a bit of silence to take in all that amazing you and a wave good bye to let it all go.
Over the past 6 years I’ve been cultivating what’s known as BehnDōJa YBMM (yoga, breathwork, meditation, and movement). It's an integrated style of holistic/therapeutic/athletic yoga that I take with me everywhere. Its purpose is to build that pathway of peace internally for a stronger, healthier you with a well balanced mindset. It’s more than a practice--it's a journey. It helps with creating a good self defense from our tendency to criticize or badger ourselves with our own ideas.
I upload weekly videos on social media as a way to help encourage others to just love and appreciate themselves grow confidence and to get a bit more flexible. It’s one of my most supportive growing communities!
Well, that’s a little bit of me &I look forward to meeting you and growing with you on the mat,
Benja
Michelle Wise Gendusa
Michelle has been practicing and teaching yoga for over 20 years, earning her 200-hour RYT certification with YogaFit. Her journey with yoga has evolved over time, transitioning from a focus on power and physical strength to cultivating mindfulness, calm, and inner resilience. For Michelle, yoga is a practice that shifts attention inward, instead of the external world with influences of judgment and comparison. Yoga offers a sanctuary where, the moment you come to your mat, the noise of the outside world fades away.
Through her yoga practice, Michelle continues to learn how to tap into her own inner wisdom, peace and strength. Her personal journey on the mat sparked her passion to create a space where others can experience the same transformative growth. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and owner of Rooted Therapy and Wellness, Michelle combines her expertise in guiding individuals through anxiety, depression, grief, and loss with her deep appreciation for the mind-body connection cultivated through her yoga practice.
Michelle hobbies include; hanging out with her hubby, walking her dog, Kyah, cooking, spending time with friends, and staying active.
Anna Martin
Anna is a certified 200-hour trauma-informed Yoga Teacher. She first discovered yoga in 2017, initially seeking a way to calm her nervous system, and quickly found that it offered a deeper sense of connection, grounding, and healing within her own body. Her practice has since evolved into an ongoing journey of self-awareness and emotional integration.
Anna is passionate about guiding others to experience the physical and mental benefits of yoga, and restoring balance to the nervous system. She believes in yoga's profound ability to create harmony between mind and body, fostering a sense of safety, strength, and emotional well-being.
Through her teachings, she strives to help others cultivate inner peace, resilience, and a deep connection to themselves.
