We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Chua and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
World peace begins within.

This came to me during my morning meditation many years ago, and it encapsulates the WHY behind the work I do.

First, it’s a reminder that in order for me to support others in nurturing peace through the services I offer, my personal practices of cultivating inner peace must be daily and throughout the day. And these practices are not only when I sit to meditate or practice Yoga or Reiki, but also in the mindfulness I integrate into moments and interactions.

Secondly, it’s imperative that I communicate to the community that I serve how necessary it is to do the personal work of building peace (in the body-mind, heart, energy and our presence) in order for us to see that peace reflected in our relationships, households, cities, state, country and planet.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is sharing my love for learning, creative flow, peace, vitality and a harmonious life, through designing and offering international and local Yoga, Nature and Culture Retreats, facilitating Yoga classes, Soundbaths and Somatic Dance play*shops, guiding nature-loving practices such as forest-bathing (or, Shinrin-Yoku from Japan), gathering diverse people to connect through their shared interest in whole well-being and offering private Reiki and Yoga sessions.

Currently, I’m most excited about supporting healthy shifts in perspective that comes from people’s dissolution of limiting beliefs and realizing their true nature. I support this through the introspective climate and philosophy I integrate into our Yoga classes and through the energy work that happens during Reiki sessions with clients. Our retreats aim to create the atmosphere and experiences to promote loving awareness and transformative insight as well.

My path to where I am today professionally has been challenging, fun, demanding, adventurous and deeply fulfilling. It’s been a journey of personal growth through facing my fears, surrendering to the flow of life and learning more bit by bit. My journey continues to teach me to trust myself and continue to expand my heart, even when it’s difficult to. I’ve also learned that balance is key to thriving joyfully, amid whatever outer circumstances.

Root 2 Rise Yoga & Reiki stems from a soulful connection to nature, especially trees, who are upholders of harmony, serve the greater community in the spirit of reciprocity and are deeply rooted to their source. May we all root in pure love (source) to rise in peace, vitality and consciousness together.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles is rich with diversity, nature, delicious food and creative events.

I love Griffith Park and the Angeles National Forest, so forest-bathing and hiking there would be a must.

Some of my favorite places I appreciate as a vegan who favors organic healthy meals are Cafe Gratitude, Au Lac, Pura Vita and HOPE Organic.

Ecstatic Dance at Venice Beach is a fun experience on a sunny warm day.

The Music Center in DTLA has fun free community dance events throughout the summer.
KCRW hosts eclectic dance and music events in the summer too.

I also enjoy visiting international cultural communities, like Little India, for festivals, food, interesting people and to expand my perspective.

Root 2 Rise Yoga & Reiki has amazing community gatherings throughout LA and nearby nature for Yoga, retreats and forest-bathing, too!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I believe that every being comes into our lives for a reason, even if for a short period.

I want to thank my former dance colleague and friend, Shana Torok, for persisting in convincing me to try Yoga even after my first impression back in 2001 left me uninterested.

I appreciate my family, especially my mom, Edna Chua, for their support for my nontraditional life path, even when it went against the grain of their expectations and comfort.

I appreciate the teachers who have impacted my life from afar during significant times, through the content they shared with the world: Thich Nhat Hahn, Pema Chodron, the Yogic Sage Patanjali, Louise Hay, Chogyam Trungpa, Anita Moorjani, Don Miguel Ruiz, Tara Brach, Abraham-Hicks, Bashar, Michael Singer, Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra and Marshall Rosenberg, to name just a few.

I thank my Yoga Teachers, who at some point in my Yoga teaching path, inspired my practice and thus influenced my offerings: Kia Miller, Ashley Turner and the myriad teachers I’ve studied with during different chapters of my journey in workshops, modules and retreats.

I thank my Reiki Teachers: Takako Fukazawa, Lepeng Li, Akiko Hoshihara and Christian Stone.

I appreciate the dedicated indigenous healers, such as the Shipibo in Peruvian Amazon, the Q’ero Pakkos in the Andes, the Ryukyans in Japan, around the world who courageously and generously share their ancestral medicine with non-members of their community, such as myself, for the sake of rebuilding harmony and loving relationship with all beings on Mother Earth.

I deeply appreciate the more-than-human natural world that is always reflecting back to us the nature within us, and for my daily nourishment and inspiration–especially to do the work I do.

Thank you to our Root 2 Rise Yoga & Reiki community and supporters for your presence, trust and collaboration.

I could go on with gratitude, but for all those not mentioned here, I appreciate you.

Website: https://www.Root2RiseYoga.org

Instagram: @root2riseyoga

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/root2riseyoga

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/root-2-rise-yoga-la-2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Root2RiseYoga

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.