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Michael Lee, the Founder of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, has a background in education, psychology and holistic health. He developed Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy in 1986. Lee first became interested in the transformative power of yoga when he moved to the United States from Australia to live and teach at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Lee directed several of Kripalu’s professional training programs in the mid to late 1980s including Yoga Teacher Training and Holistic Health Educator Training. Combining his yoga experience with his background in education and psychology he completed a dissertation on the therapeutic benefits of yoga for life-related issues and gained a Masters degree in Holistic Health Education from Norwich University in Vermont.

Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, an intensely experiential modality, emerged from Lee’s own inner explorations. One day, while practicing yoga with a senior colleague, he had the breakthrough that would lead him to what became his life’s work. Up to that point “yoga therapy” was primarily physical. Although this approach was physically effective and clearly supported each client’s individual yoga practice, Lee became fascinated by the prospect of using hatha yoga to facilitate a wider range of benefits: the deep relaxation and sense of well being provided by body-work; the catharsis of therapy; the mindfulness of meditation; and the integration of body, mind and spirit available through yoga.

Lee’s commitment to returning to clients the responsibility for their own healing, and ultimately, their own transformation, led him to originate an approach to yoga therapy that empowers clients. He named his system Phoenix Rising, after the mythical bird of beauty and immortality.

Practiced by yoga teachers, body workers, physical therapists, healing arts practitioners and psychologists, today Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy is widely recognized as a powerfully effective, leading edge body-mind healing modality.

In late 2006 Michael Lee made the decision to focus his time on writing and speaking. He is the author of Turn Stress Into Bliss: The Proven 8-Week Yoga Program for Health, Relaxation and Stress Relief and of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy – Bridge from Body to Soul.

Karen Hasskarl and Elissa Cobb form the new team of co-directors for Phoenix Rising.

Karen began her study of yoga and meditation as a teenager, entering the field professionally in 1988 as a Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher. A few years later she began her training in Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. Karen was initially appointed Program Assistants' manager and, after a few years of working alongside Michael Lee, she stepped from co-teaching to leading programs herself. Karen has provided support and training for over 150 mentors and 900 students.

Elissa Cobb, M.A., A.C.E., A.C.S.M. has been practicing and teaching Yoga and other movement modalities for more than 20 years. She has a Master's Degree in Embodiment Studies and is a Certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Practitioner, Group Facilitator, and Yoga Teacher. She is also an A.C.E. and A.C.S.M. Certified Personal Trainer. Elissa studied with Michael Lee for several years and now leads Phoenix Rising training programs nationwide. She is also an active speaker at mind/body industry conferences. Her first book, The Forgotten Body, will be published by Satya House Publications in April 2008.

The Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Training Center is located in the picturesque village of Bristol, Vermont, nestled in the heart of Vermont’s inspiring Green Mountains. Bristol is an eclectic mix of galleries, lodgings, eateries and New England charm. Our Center is only 30 minutes from the Burlington International Airport.