I have been attending yoga, meditation, and Reiki sessions with Michelle for several years, including multiple local and international retreats. Her teaching is consistently thoughtful, well-structured, and deeply intuitive. Michelle offers a rare combination of technical knowledge and energetic sensitivity, and her retreats are exceptionally well curated--beautifully balancing cultural exploration with restorative, grounding practice. Every experience with her leaves me feeling renewed, clear, and inspired. I highly recommend Root 2 Rise Yoga to anyone looking to expand their practice in a supportive, enriching, and truly transformative environment. read more

I wanted to say that Michelle provided me with an amazing Reiki session. Her energy is calm and comforting. She provides a very serene space where I feel extremely comfortable and safe. I've done two Reiki's sessions and they've both helped me so much. Her presence is healing and I can't recommend her enough. She is a blessing in my life and I am so immensely grateful that I've found her. Thank you Michelle. read more

Michelle's retreats are always rejuvenating and needed. This is the 4th retreat that I've been on and they are well thought out + intentional. I am always grateful for the time spent, the sharing, and the locations. They are timed well, thoughtful, with added touches of care and fun. Michelle is also a dancer and she always incorporates music and movement to her retreats. You should definitely try one of them or bring some girlfriends the next time you are seeking r&r. read more

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This was my first women's retreat with Michelle. I had attended other outings before, but none that focused exclusively on women. It was refreshing and meaningful to connect with other women in such an intentional space. The itinerary was jam-packed, and I didn't want to miss a single moment. Michelle is incredibly thoughtful in how she curates these retreats--every detail is intentional. She even invited a guest artist whose activity truly unlocked our creativity. I was deeply moved by the experience. I didn't expect the emotional release or the art that would come from it, but it reminded me how unspoken or suppressed emotions can sometimes block our creative flow. Michelle has a unique gift for choosing venues and caterers that create a "home away from home" atmosphere, allowing participants to fully focus on the retreat's theme and purpose. I deeply value Michelle's vision, creativity, and her rare ability to bring people together in a way that nurtures connection, peace, and inner stillness. Looking forward to her next gathering... read more

Peru in 2023 was my first yoga retreat with Michelle, and I loved it. Michelle attracts and brings together a lovely community to her classes, events and retreats. Met new found friends during this yoga retreat. We stayed in Cusco a couple of days to acclimate but majority of our stay was in the Sacred Valley at Willka Tika retreat center: Beautiful gardens and grounds for yoga and bond fire. Delicious vegan meals cooked by friendly staff. From there, we visited a school where the children danced, Moray, Moras, Ollantaytampu, and Machu Picchu. Throughout our excursions we had the beautiful Peruvian blue skies above us while we hiked and practiced yoga at all the sites. Truly a magical experience, and I'm glad it was with the Root 2 Rise yoga community. read more

Root 2 Rise Yoga - Yoga Near Me - LA, California

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I had such a great time at the women's Fall retreat in Ojai. Such a lovely group of people and Michelle's energy is infectious. Being solo and a first-timer, I really enjoyed getting to know a lot of the ladies at the dinner following the retreat. I look forward to joining future trips, hikes, and yoga. read more

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I'm new to yoga & meditation. Michelle is spiritual she is always sharing positive thoughts bringing your peace out . I highly recommend her classes Namaste read more

Great mindfulness hike with Michelle yesterday. Her warmth and calm spirit are contagious. read more

Root 2 Rise Yoga - Yoga Near Me - LA, California

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I have been taking Michelle's classes for 3 years now, first at the East Valley YMCA and now through Zoom, and I can't recommend her highly enough. I love her classes so much that I've continued to take them, even while I've been living in Australia. Michelle personally and individually welcomes me to each class by name and makes me feel like a valued part of her yoga community. She brings a peaceful and joyful energy to every class that never fails to reinvigorate and motivate me. I look forward to hearing her carefully tailored mantra for each class, which she accompanies with an inspirational story to connect us to the theme. Michelle brings such an understanding and purpose to these mantras, that allows me to be challenged and grow - not just physically - by her classes, but mentally as well. Every pose that Michelle instructs is perfectly balanced in terms of both the flow of the sequence and level of difficulty. Michelle provides detailed and descriptive instructions for each pose that starts at the base level and allows you to build upon it until you reach the layer that is right for your body. I have been practicing yoga for more than 10 years now, but - through Michelle's classes - I continue to learn new things about my body and discover more ways to develop my practice further. I'm looking forward to continuing to share my practice with Michelle and hope that you have the chance to experience her energy as well :) read more

I love all of Michelle's classes, retreats and reiki sessions. I recently had a transformational experience in her reiki session. I went into the session feeling a little anxious but she quickly guided me to a relaxed state. I felt both relaxing and intense energy and revelations throughout the session. I left feeling calm and renewed. I highly recommend her reiki sessions. read more

Root 2 Rise Yoga - Meditation - Yoga Near Me - LA, California

Michelle's Reiki sessions can be described as pure bliss! Her gentle touches and grounding nature make you feel unconditional love from your higher power! Michelle's humbleness and welcoming aura just immediately make you feel at peace in her beautiful presence. Highly recommend Michelle for reiki, yoga, retreats, basically for everything! read more

I went to Michelle's Forest sound bath, walk, meditation. It was an amazing experience. I reawakened my senses and immersed myself into mindfulness with mother nature. Definitely highly recommend to others. read more

I just came back last week from attending Michelle's Freedom to Flow Yoga retreat in Costa Rica. Wow! What an amazing experience. It was so much more than a yoga retreat. Michelle created a trip truly designed to learn about the culture and have a variety of experiences. We had a daily yoga practice with Michelle, either at sunrise or sunset, and she is the best teacher. She always offers a variety of options and really tailors the class based on the energy of the group. We had many special excursions too. We went zip lining, horse back riding to waterfalls, had a cooking class with a local chef, and ate at Michelle's favorite restaurants. She used to live there so it was special to see this country with someone who spent so much time there and truly loves it and wants to share it with others. I cant believe how much was included in this trip. Such a reasonable price and you get so much. We even took a tour of a national park. The accommodations were excellent with gorgeous views. We stayed in two cities and really experienced rainforest and beach life. We had a nice blend of rural and city experiences. There is certainly free time too where you can add on excursions. I went white water rafting and parasailing too. Michelle is a very special person and creates a loving and kind atmosphere. I highly recommend doing a yoga retreat with Michelle. You won't regret it. read more

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Michelle is an excellent yoga teacher! She is in tune with her students and she provides an amazing yoga experience through breathwork and meditation. I struggle with back issues and prior to class, Michelle asked me what I wanted to focus on. I told her that I wanted to focus on. my back pain and lengthening. She took in my requests and implemented certain poses into the practice. I had a great time at her class and I will certainly be back! read more

If you're thinking about a  yoga retreat (or classes or guided hike) I highly recommend Michelle Chua!! On her retreat, I reconnected with nature or made new friends, ate delicious food, danced my butt off, created some art, or did some yoga and mindfulness and released grief that was holding me back...I also picked up some helpful tools I use in my life to help me navigate through difficult emotions, thoughts and patterns...I would recommend ANYTHING Michelle Chua puts together... Michelle is one of those rare people who really puts her heart into everything she does and is extremely organized and kind.I went on her yoga retreat two weeks ago and I loved all the thoughtful touches from the sweet welcome gifts and journal and all the knowledge she shared, the mini-courses and beautiful yoga and relaxing sound healing--and yes even a DRUM circle with a professional drummer/teacher... Michelle blended a diverse group of women together that was inspiring!! Michelle is one of those people that is able to deeply be present and create a safe, harmonious space that is also super fun. And let's talk about the food for a minute. I literally packed my car in fear! with snacks thinking I would be hungry from a whole vegan weekend and what ended up happening was I not only loved the food, but it help me change my thinking about how I eat.I fell in love with the chefs that Michelle brought on wildLoveVeganFood. Chef Itzel and Chef Drew are not only magical people, but extremely talented and educated chefs who know how to create nutrient rich and fun food that is also delicious! They were the centerpoint of the retreat for me. Thank you Michelle for creating a magical, fun weekend that was extremely healing and safe!! AND read more

I recommend Michelle's Root2Rise outdoor yoga activities for anyone, any level. Michelle makes people feel welcomed and comfortable, yet she strives to help every person to achieve the event objectives. You will walk out with a sense of accomplishment and with a clear path for your next goal. read more

Michelle's healing hands touched my body, head to toes, leaving a vibrating sense of blood flow long after her fingers lifted. The chronic pain in my knees and shoulder faded, and long after leaving the session the feeling of transcendence lingered. I recommend her work as a Reiki healer - she is truly exceptional. read more

Michelle is an amazing yoga instructor and person. I've been to multiple sessions and events by her for many years now and just love the energy always. You can't go wrong giving her business a try. read more

Holy Fire Reiki session with Michelle: a time of deep relaxation and recharge, guided by her gentle touch I lost track of time and space, brought back to the five senses dimension by the final soundbath moments... Michelle is a true light, shining for us to experience total and pure owe . Thank you for your dedication to Reiki Michelle read more

Michelle is a wonderful teacher and guide through yoga practice. I have been taking her classes for over a decade now. She is unfailingly kind and considerate. I highly recommend her Zoom and in-person classes. Her meditation guidance is also very helpful and thoughtful. Root 2 Rise Yoga classes are integrated into my weekly schedule, and I would be lost without them. read more

Excursions, classes and retreats are a joy with Michelle!! Have taken a couple outdoor classes, joined her in a celebration of the anniversary of Root 2 Rise and just attended her mini retreat in Ojai. Michelle held the Earth Day Celebration Retreat at the Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve. Immersed in an exotic garden and serenaded with birdsong, Michelle led us to connecting and appreciating mama earth at a whole new level. We also enjoyed outdoor yoga, suitable for all levels, and then were nourished with an array of organic fruits, veggies, chips and dips. The day ended with a jubilant celebration dance! She's beautifully organized and her caring comes through in everything she does. Now that I've experienced her mini retreat, I'm even more thrilled to be going with her to Bali for her Nature, Culture and Yoga Retreat in Bali this October! read more

Michelle is a generous teacher who keeps everything light. She is interested in everyone, wherever they are in their mindfulness practice. She came to At the Birdhouse, to offer a class including a mixture or forest bathing (our beautiful food forest garden calls for it), along with simple yoga poses, as well as an introduction to chakras and how to keep them in balance... We finally ended bathing in a sound bath that she kindly provided for us participants. By the time we ended the course, I promise we were somewhere else, spirits lifted and hearts comforted! After the course was over, she sent links to have more information about what we talked about (chakras, etc) so that people could pursue their interests. I would highly recommend to take her course, and keep it light! read more

Michelle is an incredible teacher, leader, and human overall!! she has such a gift for holding and crafting spaces for individuals to come together in community, introspection, grounding, and joyful celebration of life. I've enjoyed many of her yoga classes and outdoor events, can't recommend her enough. :) read more

Michelle's sense of calm, the selected readings, and physical instruction set me right when nothing else can.

I took my first Root2RiseYoga class yesterday during one of Michelle's monthly outings in nature. It was so magical to have Michelle guide us through yoga as we had our feet rooted in the earth with birds chirping all around us at the Switzer Falls trailhead within the San Gabriel Mountains. She truly embodied the energy and intention behind the name of her yoga business, Root2RiseYoga as she effortlessly guided us through various yoga poses and demonstrated extensive knowledge of yoga psychology. It was an unforgettable experience to literally utilize a tree that had beautiful shadows on it as my anchor during tree pose. What a gift to be able to practice yoga amongst the trees and then to go on a nourishing hike to some waterfalls. I look forward to participating in her future classes and offerings. read more

Woke up today with the terrible neck cramp. It wouldn't go away from taking a shower or even from some light stretching. I then decided that I needed to do some yoga. So I did my research and I found this yoga teacher was quite close to me so I decided to drop in for her 11 a.m. class on Saturday at LA fitness. It was fantastic I had such a good experience. My neck cramp is almost gone. Also it was just such a soothing atmosphere. It was amazing music. Highly recommend. read more

Michelle is an amazing yoga instructor. I've been practicing yoga for over 25 years and she is one of the best!! Her classes are always well planned. I just came back from her yoga retreat to Ojai, which was an amazing experience, filled with spirituality, great food (thank you Paula), relaxation yoga and meditation. Highly recommend. read more

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After following along the Root 2 Rise YouTube channel to ease back into my yoga and mindfulness practice at home, I finally made it out to a mini retreat this January! I immediately clicked with Michelle's teaching style in person and with the kind people in her orbit. I love the variety of outdoor offerings Michelle has on a monthly basis and feel like there is something for everyone in search of encouragement or support in their journey of physical and spiritual well-being. Michelle - you are such a blessing to our community! So glad to have found your yoga offerings online and in person :) read more

I'm so grateful to have met Michelle! Her kind energy opened up my interest in pursuing yoga and meditation. She is such an incredibly light and soul. She starts with grounding ourselves through mindfulness and breathing exercise. She brings the most authentic energy to the class by sharing the history and understanding behind poses, names, and techniques. I truly appreciate her work and impact on my well-being! read more

Michelle is a wonderful teacher and person! It has been a joy to find a yoga teacher who balances the physical, meditative, and community aspects of yoga so well. Her indoor and outdoor classes offer a little something different and both are well-grounded. She also finds a variety of beautiful locations to do yoga comfortably and safely outdoors which I love. You can tell that she cares about the teachings of yoga and her students. I highly recommend her classes...and if you can, her yoga retreats! read more

I took Michelle's classes at a Northridge studio years ago. I remembered I enjoyed them! Fast forward to today I saw she offers yoga at a park and I took advantage. It was a great class! She gives clear instruction and I like that she's doing everything with us so I can have a visual reference. It was also nice to be in the park - a good spot that's kind of secluded. Happy to take her classes again! read more

Michelle is a kind, loving and generous soul that never stops smiling. I had the pleasure of attending a women's retreat with her and her passion for yoga and all that it encompasses shines through. Michelle makes space for all beings and was able to build a community through asana practice, guided meditations, sound baths, creative art, walking in nature and dance. Her knowledge runs deep and she happily shares with everyone. The retreat was very well organized, the food, prepared by Wild Love Vegan was amazing, and the retreat center Ojas was perfect for a weekend away. If you have a chance to attend a retreat organized by Michelle or attend a yoga class or workshop do so!!! You will come away smiling. read more

My bridesmaids found Michelle to lead us through a private yoga session for my bachelorette weekend. There were 6 of us total with all different experience levels and Michelle did a beautiful job of appealing to everyone in the group. She was able to customize the practice to exactly what I wanted, and it was the perfect way to kick off the weekend feeling both grounded and energized! I would definitely recommend Michelle for any yoga class or private session! read more

Michelle teaches with her soulful self; she incorporates her heart, mind and higher self into practice. Her yoga, meditation classes, day hikes, and day retreats make me feel grounded and elevated at the same time. I am filled with gratitude and all is well. She is a blessing with her friendly smile and coaching skill. She is living her purpose in life to the fullest and is constantly growing and giving back to our community. Thank you Michelle!!! read more

Thrive Women's Retreat May 2022 As a teacher and retreat facilitator Michelle is truly talented, she has an authentic approach and her teachings are genuine forms of loving kindness. During the Thrive retreat Michelle thought of everything. We had an amazing food and a cooking class by Wild Love Vegan, every dish not only a work of art but also a lesson in self care based on nutrition. Music, play and creativity were part of the curriculum, we danced and were treated to a guided drum circle which was so much fun. Michelle thoughtfully crafted every yoga class to suit all levels of experience, some classes were uplifting and energetic while later in the evening more relaxed to wind down and reflect on our day. We explored the natural beauty surrounding us with a wonderful hike. Being in nature was certainly a must for me. I would highly recommend any retreat or class Michelle Chua has to offer. See you there. Rose Moran read more

Michelle truly lives out what she teaches. She is so much more than a yoga teacher - I learned this when I went on her exquisitely curated trip that she organized to Costa Rica this past June 2018. It was so wonderful to see this country, which she considers her "second home" through her eyes. She was able to bring a group of 11 people together, most of whom did not know each other before, and unite us as one family by the end of the trip. If you are up for a wonderful adventure, I highly recommend you consider going on one of her retreats in the future. Otherwise, you should at least go to one of the many yoga classes that she teaches all over LA, and/or one of her organized hike/yoga day trips. Hopefully like me, you'll be delighted by her effervescent love of movement, nature, and all people! read more

My adult daughter and I just completed a 21-day morning yoga program (via video) with Michelle, and I'm brimming with gratitude! Every day, Michelle led us through some basics on yoga's principles (yamas and niyamas), detailed breathing techniques (pranayama), and guided meditations. I completed my 200 hour Yoga Alliance certified training in 2008, and am an ERYT 500, and despite me having 20+ years of practice under my belt, I learned a lot from Michelle during the 21-day program. She is a gifted teacher with an amazing grace and dynamism that's infectious even coming across a computer screen. I highly recommend her for anyone interested in developing or deepening a personal yoga practice. read more

Michelle is my favorite yoga instructor by far! Even though I'm trained in yoga and physical therapy, I still learn so much from her classes because she infuses her gatherings with a quality that transcends the physical benefits of the practice. She is determined to bring the scriptures to life by embodying them and providing an exemplary model of a true yogini. It is an honor to learn from her teachings and take part of this community of wholesome beings read more

Oh thank geezus Root 2 Rise has a Yelp page because I can't hold in my excitement about how GREAT she is! I used to take dance classes with Michelle a few years ago. She would occasionally invite me to one of her yoga classes, to which I could never attend. The past few months as I've turned over my new fitness leaf, I decided I wanted to bring yoga into my routine and finally made the time to take one of her classes. I hadn't taken a yoga class in about 10 years so I guess you could call me a pseudo-yoga-virgin. Holy effin moly. Whoever said yoga "isn't a workout" or that all you do is "lay there and breath" needs take Michelle's class today. First off, her body is SICK!!! I kept telling myself if yoga does a body that good then I'm sold! 5 mins into my first class, I (and the other black man next to me LOL) was sweating torpedo-sized bullets! This wasn't hot yoga either, but boy we were working. Michelle specializes in Vinyasa flow combining Ashtanga & Iyengar. I'm no yogi so not too familiar with all the different types, but this was definitely more of a strength-building yoga. The next day, the sides of my back, shoulders, and abs were nice and sore, but in a good way. The way that made it clear I worked my body. As a newbie I was very much able to keep up and complete the entire class, but challenging enough to thoroughly prove that yoga is a workout damnit! Michelle is by far one of the best instructors I've ever had, period. Patient, clear in her explanations and demos, and so encouraging. I've taken a few more of her classes since and each one has been different but just as fun and challenging. Check her website for her schedule. I know she does weekly classes at LA Fitness and Total Body Women gyms, but I also think she teaches at the YMCA and a few other places. She sometimes also hosts donation-based classes at the park. If you are a beginner like me or a stand on your head super yogi, young or mature, fit or out of shape, I highly encourage you to take one of Michelle's yoga classes. Because of her, I'm motivated to continue my practice! read more

Michelle is a wonderful yoga teacher, her classes vary from gentle to strong and all the ones i have followed and joined have delivered a joyful nourishing experience. While there is a rich focus and attention to the physical component imbued in her teaching, which makes sense as we are in bodies, Michelle also tends to & feeds the mental and spiritual aspects of our Beingness, too, which really completed the Practice and can be equally nourishing as well. It is great to experience practice with Michelle. read more