Gentle Yoga is a supportive, unhurried practice designed to open the heart and rejuvenate the entire body. Emphasis is on loosening and strengthening the body gradually through a flow of gentle stretches and poses. A delight for those newer to yoga or anyone looking for a less vigorous, more soothing and restorative experience, this class focuses on:

• Breathing and relaxation practices that reduce stress and quiet the mind
• Simple stretches and rhythmic exercises to warm-up the body
• Foundational yoga postures—gently moving into and out of a variety of poses and how to adapt poses to your abilities

Michael Sutton has over 40 years experience teaching the principles and mechanics of mind/body connection through martial arts, yoga, and meditation. He is a yoga teacher, martial artist, facilitator of discussion groups, and spiritual guide. He is also the founder and director of Rising Sun Yoga. His passion is teaching and helping others to experience insights. A certified and registered Hatha and Iyengar-based yoga teacher and a karate instructor, he lives as holistically as he can - contemplating, meditating, visualizing, going within, eating smartly, staying fit, practicing yoga and other movement forms, and having a healthy outlook. Michael believes that thoughts and their attendant feelings are more powerful than anything you put into, or let come out of, you. Those same thoughts and feelings become ultimately your beliefs and perceptions.

He has experienced many injuries including torn ligaments and tendons, ripped muscles, broken bones, fractured ribs, sprains, strains, tears, aches and pains, vertebral problems as a result of engaging in team sports, and kidney challenges. He finds the only benefit to having experienced these injuries is that he understands what others have experienced, can teach people how to move properly, help re-align and balance themselves, and assist them in regaining a healthy lifestyle. He is a proponent of functional movement and mobility and believes this can be achieved by minding the messages you receive.

Formerly a practicing herbalist, Iridologist, and health consultant, Michael has learned to address his challenges himself while continuing his education in key health related areas, conducting research through topic-related books and as a result, has had the privilege of helping others. He also presents health-related topics to organizations and groups.

A large segment of his life was spent studying martial arts (26 years) before being introduced to yoga in 1999. During some of that time, he spent 20 years in the banking and software industries.

Michael founded Rising Sun Yoga to help people change the(ir) paradigm, bring people together in community, and create a center for education. His classes can be slow and even, mindful and steady, or strong and flowing. Usually his classes are a combination of all of them giving you an opportunity to explore and stretch your boundaries. He was a Yoga Alliance (YA) e-RYT 500 hour Certified Yoga Instructor, but no longer subscribes to their system.

He offers both group classes and private sessions. For private classes, he can be reached at Michael@RisingSunYoga.com or Michael @PhiloYoga.com or 716.864-7578. He also offers therapeutic yoga for anyone with injuries or chronic conditions.

Michael has a daughter, Sydney, who is a YA 500 hour certified yoga instructor, adventure seeker, and outdoor wilderness guide.