Our Team
Katy Joe DeSantis
As the owner of Lovelight Collective, it is an honor and a privilege to steward this space and to teach with and practice amongst some of my favorite yoga instructors. This space has been home to me for many years, and I am thrilled to continue providing intuitive, heart-centered, and empowering yoga and other events for the Lansing community.
I first began training to become a teacher in 2013 with Hilaire Lockwood, ERYT-500, at Hilltop Yoga in Lansing, MI. I received my 200hr Yoga Alliance certification that year, and then went on to complete 500 hours of training in 2015 at this same space at 107 East Cesar Chavez Avenue. I managed Hilltop Yoga for several years, as well as assisted in Hilltop Yoga Teacher Training Programs. Since then, I've taught to a variety of levels and abilities in studios, gyms, at workplaces and festivals, on beaches, in gardens, on the steps of the Michigan State Capitol, and more. I am now an ERYT-500 with over a decade of teaching experience, including at my own self-led retreats (international and local), and a YACEP, accredited to offer trainings, of which my specialization is Yin.
No matter where or how I am teaching, I aim to focus on intuitive, alignment-based, traditional yoga that reminds us how strong and soft we truly are, and of the divine Lovelight that we all carry.
IG: @love_inthedream
Rachel Troisi Sciberras
Coming soon!
Jessie Williams
I first found my mat in my early 20s at a time when I was deeply struggling with trauma and uncertainty. I was living in Colorado and found a lovely studio full of well educated and kind teachers. With their guidance, yoga and meditation became a sort of lifeline for me; practicing kept me busy and sane and allowed my mind and spirit to settle.
About 6 years after that first real practice, struggle and uncertainty made their way back into my life as I found myself in an abusive relationship. Getting back on my feet required relocating from my longtime home in Colorado to my childhood home of Michigan. Shortly after the move, I took a 200 hour teacher training with Hilltop at Muskegon Yoga. I only wanted to deepen my practice and learn more about the guiding principles behind the practice, and I never intended on teaching.
The eight-limbed practice and Ashtanga lineage resonated deeply with my soul; it busted my heart wide wide open, helped me find my voice, blew my mind, made me laugh and cry, and cry and laugh some more. After that first training, I tried teaching, absolutely loved it. I loved it so much that I began teaching regularly and took another teacher training, and then another, and then a 4th, and then a 5th.
As a facilitator of the practice, the safety of students is my highest priority. Beyond that, I hope to help students open and lengthen their breath and bodies and heart and find a little lightness and wholeness.
Joel Mann
Yoga first introduced itself to me during my formal science-based education. Although interesting and mysterious at the time, I wasn’t prepared for the challenge of introspection that the philosophy invites. Eventually I began incorporating pranayama techniques and actions of the mula bandha into my work as an occupational therapist with older adults and the very ill. Witnessing the strength of the mind-body connection, and how brightly the human spirit shines through adversity inspired me to further investigate yoga philosophy and asana practice. I completed my 500 RYT with Hilaire Lockwood at Hilltop Yoga in 2014, and have been teaching a variety of asana classes since.
I look forward to welcoming each student into my room. I strive to challenge the class in a light and loving way, and foster a safe space for every body.
Diane Littleton
I'm a ‘do-er’ and a ‘mover’, always have been. A typical first-born child, I used to find great satisfaction in accomplishing things off of my "lists" during the day. Coming from a competitive athletic background of participation as well as coaching, much of my satisfaction came from achieving "the next level"...even when I first began practicing yoga, it was with the intention of achieving a certain pose, arm balance, etc. Continual practice has led me to an understanding of just how much more yoga can be.
Yoga has taught me that my satisfaction can come in many other forms. Now, I can be satisfied in finding my breath during practice, or in recognizing a new edge during asana. Perhaps most importantly, I now find GREAT satisfaction in slowing my reaction time down with both my children and husband at home. If that is all I ever take away from my practice, then I will count it good! I love yoga. I love how I feel during class and I truly appreciate how I feel as I walk back out the door into the "real world". My intention now is to 'L.O.B.' it out during practice: Lengthen--your mind, body, and spirit; Open--your mind, body, and spirit; and Breathe :) If you do those three things, you are doing yoga!
I practiced yoga elsewhere before finding Hilltop Yoga, which led to 200, 300, 500 and PreNatal teacher training with Hilaire Lockwood. I am honored to have had the opportunity to learn from Hilaire and my fellow Hilltop teachers, to share my love and excitement for the yoga practice, and all that it can be for myself and for others! Join me for a class full of challenge, encouragement, love, light, and laughter! Namaste.
Laura Wise
Coming soon!
Bee Queener
I stumbled upon yoga while in recovery from diet culture in 2012. Dysregulated from even considering having a body let alone feeling at ease in one, I realized when I am consistent in my yoga practice, I find myself more comfortable in all aspects of being human. From balance and strength training on the mat to harnessing the concepts of mindfulness and meditation, we can utilize the tools of this ancient practice and show up in our day-to-day lives as someone we are proud of, no matter the challenges we face.
My practice has helped me locate the building blocks of creating healthy response patterns to stress and anxiety & that allows me to live comfortably in my body at every phase of life. This magic is what I hope to share with every student who comes to my class.
I see it like having the body and mind on the same team- working together to allow us to live harmoniously within ourselves and with each other. When we feel better, we can do better- for ourselves and in turn for our community!
Chelsea Reinbold
From DeWitt MI, I am a mother of 2 young adult boys.
Since I was a little girl I wanted to help others, I honestly wanted to be a therapist and I would say I am living that dream in a more authentic way.
Over the last 10 years I have been diving deep into my own trauma and healing. Finding tools and modalities to help release and process what my body is holding onto.
I will help you make the mind, body, soul connection to uncover the most authentic version of yourself using breath, sound, and movement.
We have many other fabulous teachers on staff as well — stay tuned to learn more about them soon!