UPDOG YOGA STAFF
 

Duane
 

Duane Utech, Owner, UpDog Yoga
ERYT200, RYT500
Duane (and his late mom, “Babsee”), began studying yoga with his first teacher, Brij Mohandas Chhabra, at the Bharatiya Temple in Troy, in the mid-90’s. Since then, he has traveled and studied extensively, and is proud to include as his “teachers” Michael Johnson, Stephanie Howarth, David Swenson, David Life, Sharon Gannon, Ana Forest, Jonny Kest and Jenna Aviva Lee, among many others. A “drop-out” of the high-pressure automotive corporate world in 2008, Duane now devotes all his time to practicing, teaching, running UpDog, and caring for his adorable yogi-in-training, Clifford.

Tina PautzTina Pautz-Troshynski
RYT500
, General Manager
Tina has been an avid yoga practitioner for over 15 years, taking her first yoga class for physical education college credits in the early 1990’s. In 2009, she left a corporate executive job behind and dove headfirst into yoga. She is a graduate of the UpDog School of Yoga. Tina’s classes encourage growth, spiritual awareness, fellowship, and fun. You might explore what makes you tick. You might laugh. You might cry. You might sit humbly at your edge. Whatever it is you come to yoga to find, experience it in a calming and uplifting environment where you can reflect, rejoice, and play all within the 4 corners of your mat.
Patty Clark
Patty Ellen Clark,
ERYT500, former owner of Dragonfly Yoga in Cleveland, has practiced yoga for over 20 years and has taught for 6 years.
  Her teaching efforts are to provide a holistic approach to yoga which includes asana, pranayama, meditation, philosophy, ayurvedics and nutrition.  She is heavily influenced by contemporary teachers who include Angela Farmer, Erich Schiffmann, Donna Farhi, Judith Lasater, Deepak Chopra and Andrew Weil. 

tracyTracy Flynn, ERYT200, RYT500, has been a yoga enthusiast since 1990 when she walked into the practice room stressed out and with a mind run wild. She walked out a changed person and hasn't stopped practicing since. She began teaching in 1999 when she left the corporate world in order to more fully integrate her passions with her daily life.

Her current favorite practices are viniyoga and kundalini yoga. Viniyoga emphasizes movement following the breath and individual adaptation of yoga postures, and her teaching follows this lineage. Kundalini yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan is called the "yoga of awareness."

Tracy is a certified Yoga Therapist. Working with people individually, she applies yoga tools and lifestyle changes to address health challenges. She sits in awe and wonder as people are empowered to improve their condition. learn more Both her Yoga Therapy certification and 500-hour teacher certification is with the internationally known viniyoga teacher, Gary Kraftsow, with whom she has studied since 2000.

Yvonne Clark
Yvonne Clark
, RYT500, has come a long way from her very first yoga class she attended in order to fulfill a gym credit for college. Since those days, Yvonne found herself in a regular yoga practice beginning in 2005. At first, she felt selfish for taking the time out for herself, then realized the immense benefits yoga had for her own life, and consequently to those around her. She began noticing changes such as reduced reaction to stress, better focus, and heightened senses as just a few. Yvonne fell in love with all styles of hatha yoga which included basic classes, slow flow, ashtanga, vinyasa, yin yoga, and yinyasa.

Yvonne trained to be a teacher in order to deepen her understanding of yoga and its philosophy. She received her certification in 2007 and began teaching many different styles where she focuses on building the strong foundations pertinent to a healthy life practice. Yvonne enjoys the discipline it takes to practice and teach all classes because of the true inspiration and physiological, mental, and emotional clarity and beauty the exercise of yoga builds into her life breath by breath. "Through uniting breath and movement in yoga, we can clear ourselves of toxins, and really begin to FEEL our natural rhythm. Living that light is the ultimate goal."

 

DianaDiana Milne, ERTY200, When I was 16 I worked in a gym teaching women how to work out and obtain their physical goals. I left the company due to not selling enough. I put "too" much emphasis on the members’ needs. This became a pattern in the years following. I found Yoga and was able to give freely. My greatest compliment came recently from a Yogini in a class I was leading. She said "I like myself so much more after having taken your class.”

All beings need to be nurtured, motivated and loved. I provide a fun and safe space for one to Expand, Experience and Explore themselves.

I began listening to Brian Tracey and Anthony Robbins at 19. I knew I wanted to touch people’s lives in the same way. I had no idea then I would be would be leading Yoga classes "when I grew up.”

I began my Yoga Teaching journey in 2000. My personal Yoga journey began in the early 90s. I have had many teachers, read many books and taken many trainings, but my greatest teachers are you. My classes are inspired by my friends, family and everyday beings like you, in real life (relevant) settings and situations. Come Explore, Expand and Experience new ways of being you on your mat.

 
NatalieNatalie Mitoraj, ERYT500, loves yoga. Whether you practice in a modern studio in the States or an Ashram in India, it is always about the journey that you take with your breath. In my classes, you will find much focus on the breath. Balanced with music and humor, you will leave the class walking a little lighter and breathing a bit deeper.
tESSA

Tessa Benziger, RYT200, has been a yoga practitioner since 1999, and has developed a deep appreciation for the physical, emotional, and mental benefits of yoga both on and off the mat. Tessa is very grateful to be able to share the gift of yoga. Her classes focus on self-awareness. Whether in a calming, restorative class, or an invigorating, strength-building class, the foundation is finding the internal guide that directs our practice and our lives.
Maria

Maria Lauinger, RYT200, is a 225hr RYT graduate from Updog Yoga. Maria is also a registered nurse by trade for the past 20 years. She comes into teaching yoga with an extensive medical background most of her career in intensive care. Maria also has teaching background in ballet, tap, and jazz dance. Teaching and choreographing dances for children and adults alike for 5 years. Dancing since the age of 5 she is able to create a beautiful flow throughout her classes with emphasis on proper alignment, technique, and adjustments. As a young adult she worked through Bally's Total Fitness as a seller and trainer. She has been physically active her entire life. At the age of 20 she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and was told she would be in a wheelchair by 50; yoga has changed that prognosis. The joy and love she has for teaching comes through every class and her goal is to allow every student the realization to shine in their own unique and beautiful way. You will truly experience some bliss within her classes and lots of hands on attention.

 

EmmaEmma Lippman, RYT200, Upon graduating college in 2010, Emma pursued her dream to become a yoga instructor. The journey was difficult at times, however, proved to be life-changing. She cannot imagine her life without all of the wonderful teachers and students along the way who have molded her practice, mindset, and yoga repertoire. Emma's classes will bring you into a state of deep relaxation and focus on mindful movements, thoughts, words, actions and deeds on and off the mat.

vanessaVanessa Woodman, RYT200 began her yoga journey in 2005 and has been hooked ever since. As an avid runner, Vanessa came to her first yoga class like many others seeking physical strength and flexibility, but walked away with a calm mind and rejuvenated spirit ready to take on the world! She continued to deepen her practice and in 2012 obtained her yoga teacher certification from UpDog Yoga. She encourages her students to personalize their practice, modifying and adapting accordingly, so that one moves with greater purpose and intelligence. Her classes create a focused environment that cultivates growth, nourishes self-discovery and strengthens the mind body connection.

Erica


Erica Hinch E-RYT200, RYT500

Erica’s Yoga Teacher journey started in 2009 with Michael Johnson and has continued to grow through UpDog Yoga ever since. In 2013 she graduated from UpDog’s RYT 500 Program which allowed her to gain a deeper perspective into the philosophy and anatomy of yoga through the guidance of her amazing teachers. The lifestyle that Yoga has unfolded to Erica has changed her life in the most positive and eye-openings ways . She wishes to share with the world the beauty of yoga and the peace and unity that flows from the practice. Erica’s classes will leave you refreshed, peaceful, and ready to share your love with the world.

Stephanie HowardStephanie Howard, RYT500, received her RYT 200 and 500 certification(s) from UpDog Yoga. She has worked in health and wellness for over ten years and teaches a variety of fitness classes. Stephanie’s passion for yoga has helped her in all aspects of her life and believes that yoga is the perfect complement to any activity. She loves to share that passion with others and to work with people of all abilities and help them achieve better body awareness, acceptance, strength, alignment, and connection of the breath, mind, body, and spirit. She considers herself a forever student, constantly learning, experiencing and expanding, on her mat and off. Stephanie finds inspiration from everything around her and believes that a teacher can be anyone and anywhere. Come find your balance in her class.

valarie

 

Valarie Moses, RYT200, practiced yoga regularly as a graduate student. Three children later, she rediscovered yoga when she introduced her family to it. Energized by her newly re-found practice, she graduated from teacher training at Updog in 2013. Valarie particularly enjoys teaching Ashtanga, children, and those just beginning their yoga journey. She challenges her students to experience something new every time they come to the mat.

Nina Saputo

 

Nina Saputo, RYT200
Nina started learning about yoga many years ago. It caught her attention so naturally that she began incorporating it into her life practice. One place it brings her life peace and prosperity is in her career choice; performance art. Nina incorporates yoga concepts and postures as she works to entertain and energize crowds of people. She decided to teach what feels so natural to her and joined the Updog School in 2011 where she learned about the practice more in depth and became a teacher to project her love and learning.

Arti
Arti Macedo, RYT200
"No Yoga No Peace,Know Yoga Know Peace" is her mantra. Initiated to the yoga practice at the Sivananda Yoga Center, India, the seed of yoga was planted in her mind as far back as she could remember, watching her father's daily morning practice. She attributes all of what she is and received in life to her spiritual teacher Sri Sathya Sai Baba whom she was fortunate to have known since her 16th year of life as well as to her parents. A graduate of the Updog Yoga teacher training, she is gratified for her husbands support and for the generosity of all her gurus in India and in Michigan, a place she calls home since 2000. She feels her salvation as a yogic practitioner comes from spreading the ancient discipline in the same universal spirit as she has grown up knowing. Arti's other interests are rowing, pranayama, ayurvedic living,reading, and chanting and hanging upside down.