Practioners

Beth Hope
(www.beth-hope.com)

Beth Hope started out her yoga journey studying Indian culture and philosophy at the age of 17. She has owned and managed yoga studies across the country and is a devout yoga teacher and student. Beth gives her students the tools, knowledge, inspiration, motivation and confidence needed to help transform their lives.

As a yoga teacher committed to helping others discover and create their full potential as a human being, Beth uses many methods such as affirmations, pranayama exercises, concentration methods, mantras and sacred songs to facilitate transformation with her students.

Beth has taught nationwide in California, Washington, Missouri, Florida, Arizona, Colorado and currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Beth works with a variety of clients including; stress management, sports training, arthritis, infertility, cancer, cerebral palsy, spinal injuries, multiple sclerosis and scoliosis.

She also works with individuals with neck, back and other acute chronic physical and psychological injuries. Beth loves to spend a lot of time outdoors. She is blessed with two beautiful children Skyler and Rheya. Beth studied Simplified Kundalini Yoga (SKY), Meditation and Indian Philosophy with Indian Yoga master Sri Govida Swami.

Beth briefly studied Ashtanga Yoga with the late Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India, who is the founder of Ashtanga Yoga. Initiated into Level 1, Level 2 and the Master Levels of the Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki System by Shri Harshad Sadashiv Dave of Mumbai, India. Beth is also a seasoned Reiki Teacher, offering Reiki Training at Yoga Studio's and Alternative Healing schools.

Beth studied Thai Yoga Massage with Thailand native Pom Cayeiro and Yogic Arts creator Duncan Wong and is certified as a Thai Yoga Massage Therapist Level One. She has studied Yoga, Pranayama, Trance Dance and Meditation under the following teachers; Rod Stryker, Mona Winston, Duncan Wong, Michelle Mauve, Shiva Rea, Lisa Adkins, David Swensen and Sean Corne. Beth is certified as a Experienced Yoga Instructor though Yoga Alliance at 200 hours.

Larry Birkett

Larry Birkett discovered the many benefits of yoga, meditation and Reiki healing in the prime of his life. Initially looking solely for a form of physical exercise, Larry took his first private yoga class at the age of 44. He quickly experienced measurable improvements in his physical well-being. However, more striking and influential in his yogic journey were the body-mind-spirit connection awakening in him and the transformational effects manifesting themselves in his everyday life off of the mat.

Larry has studied Hatha, Iyengar, Tantric, Vinyasa, and Viniyoga Yoga styles with Jim Bennitt, Jason Crandell, Seane Corn, Dean Farrell, Gary Kraftsow, and Sri Dharma Mittra. He has studied meditation with David Nichtern, a Senior Teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Larry is currently studying Nataraja Yoga with Ryan Hader and Beth Hope.

Larry has been initiated into Level 1 and Level 2 in the Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki System by Ryan Hader through Beth Hope and the lineage of Shri Harshad Sadashiv Dave of Mumbai, India. Larry offers his Reiki clients energy therapy as a means to remove obstacles to improved overall wellness by healing body, mind and spirit. Larry is also a certified Level One Thai Massage Therapist, certified under Beth Hope.

Michelle Warren

As my admiration for the human form deepens so too does my knowledge of yoga and all its intricacies. Throughout the 15 years of my practice I have continued education in the field of health and wellness. Allowing me to deepen my own personal practice and teacher training in order to share with others.

My practice is inspired by the Alignment principles of Anusara, the Core Strength principles of Forrest Yoga and most influenced by Duncan Wong, creator of the Yogic Arts System. "Inner Harmony through true self expression" a form of yoga integrating the core strengthening and joint conditioning elements of martial arts, fluidity and purification of Ashtanga and the healing touch of adjustments and massage.

I am eternally grateful for the amazing influence that many teachers and students have had on me. Allowing me to cultivate a space wherein I can guide others when practicing yoga as a tool to deal with the stress of a busy lifestyle, to remain connected to one's breath, one's bodies, one's mind while harnessing creativity. This is the driving force of my art. As well as conveying the message that strength can be found by exploring weakness. My awareness of and appreciation for anatomy guides my intellect of the body, which serves as the foundation of my teaching style.

Michelle has been initiated into Level 1 in the Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki System by Beth Hope and the lineage of Shri Harshad Sadashiv Dave of Mumbai, India. Michelle is also a certified Level One Thai Massage Therapist, certified under Beth Hope.

Nick Sweet

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Nick Sweet recently returned home to continue his journey with Yoga & Reiki. He began with Bikram Yoga and has now found himself focusing on Ashtanga Yoga. He is thrilled to be trained in and performing Reiki energy healing under the tutelage of Samana's founder, Beth Hope, and is happy to work on healing any bodily issue you may have. He also is very passionate about rejuvenating people's bodies through Thai Massage. Nick is certified as a Level One Thai Massage Therapist and Reiki Level One.

Nick is a firm believer in the healing power of touch and a massage designed to detox, relax & align your body's Qi (energy) is the perfect way to share this belief. He is available for Reiki, Thai Massage & Couples Thai Massage at Samana Wellness, which can be booked online right here through our website, as well as house calls, which can be booked via email. Please feel free to email him at POBoxSweet@gmail.com for anything.

Betsy Schumann

Betsy Schumann has been a student of the human body and healing for many years. She has studied holistic healing with Beth Hope including Reiki (attuned to levels one and two) and Thai Massage for one year. She recently completed her bachelor's degree in nursing - this background adds a great depth of knowledge and skill to her holistic healing practice. She has worked with a very diverse clientele including hospitalized individuals (medical, surgical, orthopedic, oncology, emergency department) and those in long-term and acute long-term care. These experiences help her to tailor her healing methods for each client to meet their needs and optimize healing outcomes. Having studied yoga on and off for more than ten years also adds to her knowledge of body mechanics and function.

Betsy is originally from Salt Lake City, Utah but has lived in the Milwaukee area for the last 22 years. She loves Milwaukee's people, culture, and ecology and also looks forward to traveling in coming years. Betsy's primary focus in life is to become her happiest, healthiest, truest self while helping others to do the same.