Without the ancient practice of yoga, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Yoga has changed my life immensely and been a lifeline for me for the past 16 years. In a country that has contributed to my spiritual growth, it was hard for me to forget about those suffering. In a country that has contributed to my spiritual growth, it was hard for me to come home and forget about those suffering. Recently I visited India and saw the suffering amongst the women and children. I felt compassion and since my trip, I found Yoga Gives Back and finally found a way where I can help women and children build sustainable livelihoods.
Brieanne K. Tanner, Trauma informed E-RYT 200, B.A. Psychology,
Brieanne infuses her knowledge of trauma informed best practices, psychology and spirituality into her teachings. A Bhakta and Ashtangi yogi, she has been practicing yoga for sixteen years and teaching for thirteen. Prior to moving to Michigan in 2012, she worked for Yoga Alliance in Arlington, Virginia. She was a devoted student and teacher at Hamsa Yoga-a Vedanta Bhakti Yoga Shala in Lake Orion prior to the pandemic. Brieanne has a passion for helping those most affected by trauma and sharing the intrinsic benefits of yoga.
In 2019, she organized the first Prison Yoga Project gathering in Michigan.She recruited forty-five mental health practitioners, yoga teachers and other service oriented people to learn how to teach yoga by the trauma informed method: Yoga and Mindfulness in the Criminal Justice System. Additionally, Brieanne authored a book entitled PurgeAtory, that focuses on a character who endures trauma. Most recently, Brieanne earned her Silver Sneakers certification so that she can teach yoga to the older adult population.
At the end of 2022, Brieanne made her first pilgrimage to India and felt the healing powers of the motherland of yoga. Brieanne has a B.A in Psychology from George Mason University, and a Master’s Certificate in Human Resources Management from Marymount University. However, recently she changed her focus to Social Work; she is enrolled at Madonna University’s Social Work Program. Brieanne is passionate about helping others heal through the modalities she has learned in this lifetime. Brieanne teaches at the YMCA in Milford 3-5 times a week and privates as requested. Additionally she has recently become a Reiki ! & 2 level practictioner and is in the process of learning how to teach Tai Chi. She is also a volunteer at Hospice of Michigan with her dog, Samuel, who was recently approved for Pet Therapy visits.
