• Jody Thomae, R-YFMT 500, YF Director and Yoga Therapist
• Kim Privett, R-YFMT 500
• MaryAnn Sander
• Charla Anderson
• Tiffanie Wingo

Stella Almblade, R-YFT, International Dancer

Stella received her BFA in dance and BA in Spanish linguistics from the University of Arizona, and has just began thr journey of seminary! Stella’s main passion is bringing the love of God and the Good News to everyone, especially dancers of the world and where she resides in New York City. Stella has danced with Ad Deum Dance Company, Footprints Dance Company, Arrows International, Helen Simoneau Danse, Arizona Opera, and in Memoria with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

She has studied at The Ailey School, Steps On Broadway, Peridance, and Gibney Dance Center in New York City as well as with Guadalajara Ballet Folklórico(México), Rimini in Danza (Italy), and Flamenco Don Benito (Spain). Stella is also a trained actress, having studied at The Barrow Group and at world renown VO Edge Studio in New York City. Although Stella’s performance credits include national televised events, music videos, industrials, hospitals, street corners, major motion pictures, premieres, concerts, site specific productions, and on some of the most famous stages all over the world with major companies, her greatest joy is knowing Christ!

Combining her love of Christ, dance, and missions, Stella has had the honor of spreading the Good News through dance in over 40 countries and served with organizations such as Youth With A Mission, Operation Mobilization, Arrows International, Project Dance, European Arts Missions, and Ad Deum summer tours. Stella believes that nothing compares to the presence of God and cannot wait to see what God will do at with YogaFaith Dance! Stella is currently faculty with Dance Revolution and a dance instructor at Ballet Hispánico. Stella is also co-director of Atmosphere Dance Company in New York City, associated with Project Dance. Stella is a YogaFaith certified instructor and a comprehensive certified Pilates teacher. A member of the Pilates Method Alliance, Stella serves as a Pilates Teacher Trainer through Pilates Academy International and at several Pilates training centers in New York City.

You will be beyond blessed by Stella at our Pennsylvania immersion day.

Amy Kuscsik, YF-LT, YF-A, Dancer, Somatic and Embodied Trainer

YogaFaith Lead Trainer, YF-LT, holds certifications in Adaptive, Restorative, Trauma Sensitive, Meditation & Nidra.  She is a Trauma Sensitive Yoga Practitioner with a children’s counseling agency and also holds a private yoga practice. Amy has been part of a creative worship ministry, dance and somatic movement for over 15 years and currently pursuing her yoga therapy certification.

She looks forward to sharing the word of God through movement at our Pennsylvania Immersion day!

Fran Pritchard, R-YFT, R-CYAT, YF-A, Dancer, Somatic and Embodied Trainer

Yogafaith is the miracle I didn’t know I was praying for! He has been so faithful to guide me through this life changing journey. Hallelujah! I have become a new creation. I am transformed and filled with a purpose that blesses me as I passionately serve others!As of 2017 I am R-YFT 200 and look forward to adding more Yogafaith certifications to my tool belt. I will be taking the Christian Meditation Guided Nidra Certification | Feb.4, 2018 I am also a Certified Aromatouch Technician with doTERRA Essential Oils. I love incorporating essential oils as well as other mediums such as art and journaling into my Yogafaith classes. I am available for individual or group sessions as well as retreats. I mainly teach Gentle Yoga while instructing for options of more challenging poses.

We cannot wait for you to meet this amazing YogaFaith sister!

Michelle Thielen, R-CYAMT, Yoga Therapist

Called the Yoga Pastor, Michelle Thielen, R-CYAMT, is a speaker, author of Stretching Your Faith and traveling yogi who has been teaching somatic movement through dance and yoga for over 20 years. She is a former NBA and WNBA dancer, a student of Peter Levine’s Somatic Experience (SE), and Eric Walrabenstein’s therapy for psychological wounds, as well as a certified yoga therapist. Michelle is passionate about helping the world heal from trauma to live a life of purpose.

• R-YFDE Online Materials: YFDE Manual, Videos and Webinars
  • The material is a vast collection of many styles of dance and embodied techniques by numerous trainers and perspectives.
• Contact Hours and CEC/CEU’s R-YFDE Certification
• Choreography in Dance, Somatic and Embodied Movement will be for every level

• Textbooks

• Anyone wanting to learn or advance their dance, somatic or embodied movement
• Dancers
• Somatic practitioners and educators
• Yoga teachers
• Therapists and Counselors
• Youth Counselors and Therapists
• Those interested in teaching at risk populations
• Addiction recovery volunteers seeking a Christ-centered program for teaching embodiment and somatics to at-risk populations who are incarcerated or in recovery
• Those who work with Trauma populations or special populations
• Anyone seeking to receive continued education credits or unit hours, CEC/CEU’s

• The Place of Dance Journey (Daily Embodiment Challenge, Free and Open to the Public)
• Certification is at your own pace, begin anytime and go at your own pace.

• Virtual Webinars, start anytime and go at your own pace – interactive and real time support.

  • Webinar #1

    •  Stretching Your Faith with MaryAnn and Michelle Thielen

    •  Embodied Prayer with Jody Thomae and Kim Privett

    •  Wisdom of the Body with Cheryl Hollinshead

  • Webinar #2

    •  Place of Dance with Charla Anderson and Fran Pritchard

  • Webinar #3

    • Dance Pastor with Kim Privett

    •  Encountering God Through Dance with Fran Pritchard

  • Webinar #4

    • Dancing Through Scripture: Tiffanie Wingo

    • Wisdom of the Body: Jody Thomae
    • Creating Experience: Michelle Thielen
    • Soul Work: MaryAnn Sander

Materials are available immediately and a private fb group to journey with.