A native of northwestern Ontario, Michael first came to Toronto in search of the thrills and notoriety that the city's nightlife had to offer. After years of living life in excess, he returned to Thunder Bay and began a journey of recovery. Through sobriety and immersion in different forms of exercise, Michael re-discovered his sense of self and later returned to Toronto, where he pursued goals as a bodybuilder and marathon runner, and became a certified personal trainer. In 2002, Michael found his way into a Bikram yoga class and immediately fell in love with the practice and its ability to connect to both the physical and spiritual levels of individual experience. As he developed a daily practice, Michael sought out different schools of yoga, and eventually discovered the Downward Dog Yoga Centre, where his principal teachers, Diane Bruni, Ron Reid and Marla Meenakshi Joy, introduced him to the Ashtanga tradition.

Overtime, Michael began to feel that the other areas of his life - strict workout regimes and a career in corporate communications - failed to provide the type of inspiration he had come to find on his yoga mat. In 2008, he enrolled in the Downward Dog teacher training program, and now dedicates his time to being a full-time instructor. In an effort to continually expand his knowledge and experience, Michael has participated in workshops with Chuck Miller and Maty Ezraty, Seane Corne, Vinnie Marino, Paul Dallaghan and Danny Paradise.

Looking back on the years that led him to discover yoga, Michael can see that his days as a club-kid were marked by a deeper desire to connect to something bigger. Today, he feels fortunate to have found something that provides that connection on a daily basis.

"In practicing yoga, I have found my passion. In teaching yoga, I have found purpose.I believe the practice of yoga can keep our bodies cleansed, healthy and strong; and our minds calm and connected to the present moment. Thus, I am committed to safely guiding my students toward a much healthier body, and a more peaceful mind."

--Michael De Corte 2009