Michael Miracles Yoga

Folks, great news… I’ll be guiding Yoga ShapeShifting classes on a regular basis at Metta! Starting this Sunday 8/17 at 9am and continuing every third Sunday. The Original Life Changing Transformational Practice Created by Mary Jarvis. Accept no imitations… or limitations.

Don’t psych yourself out and think that’s it’s too hard for you. You’re stronger than you realize. And besides, Yoga ShapeShifting is a universal constant, so almost anybody with a spine can do it. We have modifications for anyone no matter how old or young you are or if you’re coming back from an injury or trying to get into shape. For those with regular yoga practices or other consistent fitness routines, it will improve everything else you do with increased strength, flexibility, and stamina.

It was developed by Mary Jarvis, a devoted Bikram Yoga Practitioner of 41 years, in the early 1990’s to get her out of pain and help her become whole again after spine injuries caused by a debilitating car accident. I’ve personally seen it work wonders for many people, and attribute much of the success I’ve had in the USA Yoga Asana Competitions to it.

Classes at Metta (Unity Vinyasa and now Yoga ShapeShifting) are by donation. Let me know if you have any questions. I love to share what I know about YSS and Yoga in general.

It’s game day. I’m excited and feeling very grateful to be here again at the 2025 USA Yoga nationals competition. Here’s a little bit of the inside scoop about what it’s like leading up to the 3 mins on stage. All of this training, preparation, travel, to demonstrate our abilities to find stillness in unorthodox body positions. I’ve had a lot of people ask me, isn’t competing the opposite of yoga? It is actually or at least potentially the opposite of the opposite of yoga. It can be a deepening and sometimes it is.

and I decided to take our yoga to the streets in front of last night before heading up to Penn State University for the 2025 National Championships.

Hey yogis, are you on your way to compete in or watch the USA Yoga national championship at Penn State University this weekend? Are you passing through/flying into Pittsburgh on your way? If so, catch a fantastic, hot yoga class at one of the Yoga Factory locations. Or I am holding drop in, donation based, Yoga ShapeShifting classes at my place, Metta 12 PM, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. YSS, has been my primary means of preparing for competition, particularly since I started placing in the top 2 every year in 2021. Jake Wilson, will be here as well during these classes so it’s gonna be an incredible vibe. Please let me know if you want any more information. If I don’t see you in Pittsburgh, I hope to see you doing the weekend at Penn State. Oh, by the way, this is open for anybody Yoga ShapeShifting, like the Original Hot Yoga class is a universal constant, so almost anybody with a spine can do it. We have modifications for anyone no matter how old or young you are or if you’re coming back from an injury or trying to get into shape… Things do shift in this class and it is an amazing companion practice to the Hot Yoga class. That said, who’s driving up from Pittsburgh to watch the competition? It’s only 2 1/2 hours if you’re curious about Yoga sport, and especially if you’re fancying the idea of competing. This is a fantastic opportunity and it’s going to be so much fun!

Look at those beautiful wheel poses! I am a wheel watcher :-) Don’t have a wheel yet? No problem. I’ll show you what you need to focus on to get your shoulders up off of the mat and start moving more and more of your spine into a powerful arching backbend. It’s the crescendo of the core Unity Vinyasa sequence. Come drop in for a class (it’s donation based, all are welcome:). I’ll be teaching it this week at Metta - Monday (that’s today :-) & Thursday at 6:30 PM. IFYKYK that Unity Vinyasa is centered around breath awareness mindfulness meditation, and the precise use of breathing to create a true sense of flow while moving between postures. When, even in a low level of true flow state, the body works more efficiently, and you’ll find yourself in better alignment, going deeper, accessing more advanced poses, and finding a sense of ease during the entire practice… Not to mention the increase in peace of mind, after.

Maybe you’ve heard your teacher quote her in class. I did during my very first class back in 2009. Since then, my yoga journey and life have been positively affected by Mary’s teachings and the time spent training alongside awesome people. I’ve met some of the most amazing friends through taking Mary’s workshops. I’ve personally watched her help dozens of people feel better in their bodies and more at peace in their minds. Not to mention, I’ve experienced how her methods can also create yoga champions. Her teachings have made an enduring impact on so many people and the Original Hot Yoga practice throughout the world.

Perhaps you’ve been waiting for “the right time” to try a Mary Jarvis workshop. Now is the time. From July 17 to 20, Mary Jarvis returns to Chicago Hot Yoga for four days of Original Hot Yoga, Yoga ShapeShifting, and fresh pressed juices.

Come for it all: new insights on your postures, the stories and laughs, the high-energy vibes, and the community. Register now at yogashapeshifting.com. It’s $380 for all four days or $99 for a single day.

Roll call: Who’s coming that I know?

I’ve sure had some wild times and some unforgettable memories. Here’s some photographic evidence. It’s gonna be another one of those tonight :-) if you’re in Pittsburgh, stop by for a guaranteed fun time. 4/4 8pm during the gallery crawl on Penn Avenue . If you can’t make it please consider checking out the album. Legends of the Party (link in bio)