meet the Zion Well team
Aubrey Schupbach, (she/her) founder
Aubrey's mission is to inspire you to believe that you are enough in this world. Aubrey found yoga at a pivotal moment in life. Helping her to break free from repeated patterns dive into the deep curious unknown. With support from this community, Aubrey has chosen to create a life well lived. From a young age, she felt the power of movement. After a challenging weight-loss journey, she understand that radical transformation is possible. She is determined to help you evolve into your highest, most authentic self.
Aubrey curates profound community experiences for people to gather, feel seen, valued, and unlock aspects of who they are. A true self-healer, she doesn't ask anyone to do what she hasn't done. Aubrey and her husband Art have have created a transformative 200hr Yoga Teacher Training course, Continuing Educations, Purposeful Workshops and Retreats. In 2020 they developed a scholarship fund for individuals who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA2+ and single parents in order to elevate and provide access to under represented voices in the wellness community.
Aubrey is finishing up her degree in Social Work, and is a multifaceted teacher. She is a 500-RYT and trauma-informed, certified Meditation + Breath-work coach. She has practiced yoga for over 14 years, taught 3500+ hours of classes and continues to stretch her knowledge by remaining a lifelong student of yoga.
Art Schupbach, (he/him) founder
Art’s mission in this life is to inspire inquiry, empower purpose in and ultimately help people realize their unique potential to give to the world through love. In searching for his own purpose he found yoga and later meditation. This process has led to a complete reinvented of himself, his values and his desire to live an aligned and purposeful life. He enjoys practicing yoga, meditation, creating artwork, DIY home/studio projects, hiking, biking, swimming, surfing and any adventure. Art feels most connected to himself in nature and this is what drives his passion for adventure retreats.
In partnership with his wife, Art opened Zion Well in 2019 and launched the start of Zion Retreats in 2021. In February of 2023 they opened a second Zion Well location in Ann Arbor, MI. Together they have hosted 11 yoga retreats and 7 yoga teacher training groups. He is an ERYT - 200 level yoga instructor, Yoga Nidra Meditation Coach and Forest Bathing Guide with over 2,600+ yoga teaching hours since being certified in 2016.
After the loss of his mother April in 2022, Art dedicated his mission to her. Her ability to love unconditionally is something he wants to continue to show the world and embody. Even if you only meet him once you will feel loved. Art’s classes are challenging, inspiring and loving. You will leave with a good sweat possibly mixed with a few happy tears.
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Yoga Instructor
Lauren started practicing yoga in 2010, and was amazed at the level of discipline and patience that the movement required. Ever since, she felt drawn to yoga and devoured different practice styles. Following a spinal injury, Lauren shifted her movement to Olympic Weightlifting and CrossFit and learned that deep mindfulness is the heart of all physical movement, no matter the outward appearance. She values strong, foundational forms in yoga and believes that asana should always give rather than take away. Lauren is licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, and thrives in collective movement spaces where the practice is responsive + dynamic for all.
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Yoga Instructor
Vanessa discovered yoga more than 10 years ago, and fell in love. She received her 200 hour yoga and meditation teacher training certification from Zion Well in 2021.
Yoga has helped her find connection and love in relationships. She believes that yoga can offer a sense of peaceful wonder and reflection in life. In becoming a yoga instructor, she hopes to bring that same sense of wonder and calm to others.
As a knitting and fiber enthusiast, and a forever crafter, Vanessa also tries to bring a bit of creativity to anything she does.
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Mallory first found yoga in high school, as part of a sports team bonding activity. Since then, yoga has been a constant presence in her life during many seasons of change. Mallory completed her 200 hour teacher training in 2017 and 85-hour prenatal yoga certification in 2018, while living in Washington, D.C. A native Michigander (she and Art share a hometown!), Mallory moved to Ann Arbor in 2022 after more than a decade in D.C.
Mallory teaches a power-inspired class set to upbeat music, to give students the opportunity to find their edge and tap into their strength in a lighthearted way. Off the mat, you can find her wandering a farmers market, trying new restaurants, and exploring the Ann Arbor area with her husband and daughter.
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Yoga Instructor
Cydney started doing yoga in high school to manage chronic pain, and has been using movement as medicine ever since. Yoga helped her learn to live off balance and embrace uncertainty, and how to support her body while exploring the full depth of its capabilities. She graduated from Zion Well’s Teacher Training in 2023 after more than a decade of practice. Her classes incorporate body wisdom, nervous system care, playful disequilibrium, a lot of laughs, and full embodiment of self. You may also hear anecdotes about her time attending clown school in Bigfoot country, her large extended family’s adventures with blowtorches, or her many embarrassing moments onstage. Outside of the studio, Cydney can be found exploring graveyards, dabbling in various dance and circus arts, and napping with her doofy cat, Phineas.
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Meditation Instructor
Vickie is a meditation guide who specializes in iRest Yoga Nidra meditation. Her training was an intense 2 year deep dive into all of the layers of the self. She fell in meditation years ago and has since dedicate her life to sharing these heart opening modalities. Her offerings are relaxing but lead to curious inquiry. She puts so much love into hear teachings and you will feel that right away.
“Imagine feeling grounded and peaceful in every moment. When we’re not bound by limitations, we learn to love ourselves deeply and authentically just as we are and know ourselves as peace.”
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Yoga Instructor
Kelsey grew up as a dancer, eventually turning to yoga as an additional form of mindful body movement. She received her 200 hour training in 2017 at CorePower, followed by Yoga Sculpt training in 2018. Her initial intention was to strengthen her own practice, but soon realized her passion was to share this knowledge and encourage the same growth within others. She has been teaching various forms of vinyasa yoga and fitness classes since then. In 2024, Kelsey went through 85 hour prenatal training, a newfound passion after becoming a mom of two little ones. Her goal when leading a class is to create a safe, healthy space for movement, finding the strength that lies within each of us. She ultimately still loves taking to her mat as a student to learn and grow alongside the community.
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Yoga Instructor
Meret has always been curious about humans and the complexities of life. As a sensitive person
she had to learn how to live in a body that feels deeply – which can be a little overwhelming at
times. Meret found yoga to be a great guide to be at home in her body. She has been practicing
yoga almost daily since 2018, which has become a ritual of self-care and helped her to brave
the adventures and challenges that life presented her with (including immense changes like
immigrating to the US from Switzerland!).
Meret is a proponent of yoga as a habit of self-care rather than a workout or simple physical
practice. Her classes focus on connection to self, creativity, joy and play. She received her 200-
hour yoga and meditation teacher training certification from Zion Well in the spring of 2024. In
her free time, she likes to be outdoors and visit her critter friends.
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Yoga Instructor
Saydi began practicing yoga in November of 2018 after moving to Michigan from Tennessee. Seeking a sense of stability and comfort, yoga encouraged her to adapt to uncertainty, settle into discomfort, and nurture solace in unfamiliar spaces. Saydi obtained her RYT 200 in 2020 and has been instructing consistently since 2021. With a Masters Degree in Social Work, Saydi incorporates Yogic principles and social work ethics into both her professional, personal, and yoga life. Guided by her expertise, Saydi offers therapeutic yoga classes to individuals navigating grief and loss, as well as individuals impacted by substance use disorder. Saydi aspires to invite intentional movement in a playful and safe environment to advance self-expression and exploration. She is honored to share space and breath with those around her and grateful for the precious connection to our global community.
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Yoga Instructor, Coach
Jess is a lifelong athlete on a mission to find balance in: work/play, exercise/recovery, nutrition, wellness. She discovered breathwork and movement as a way to return to herself and her body. Jess believes a physical practice is an opportunity to serve one's Highest Self through gratitude, open-heartedness & presence. Jess graduated for ZW’s Yoga Teacher Training program fall of 2021. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Movement Science and is a certified Strength and Conditioning coach. Jess believes in the constant pursuit of strength and knowledge. She aims to inspire others to recognize their true potential and invest purposeful effort in their own development in order to maximize their life experience.
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Yoga Instructor
Chelsea first encountered yoga in 2013 while living in Chicago and was immediately drawn to the quiet strength and focus of the practice. Shortly after, she moved to Seattle where she had access to nearly every style of yoga, from Ashtanga to Kundalini to Viniyoga. In the end, Chelsea found her home in Vinyasa studios and completed her RYT 200 in March 2020 at Seattle Yoga Lounge. Having since returned to her home state of Michigan, she's excited to share all that she's learned and offer classes that guide students back into their bodies and expand their understanding of themselves. Outside of yoga, Chelsea loves playing any sport, reading, and being outdoors with her pup, Nova.
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Yoga Instructor
For Katie, yoga is more than just a physical and mental practice, it has allowed her to embrace her body while cultivating confidence and self-acceptance. Influenced by the diverse yoga community, teachers, and peers Katie brings empowerment to every class, showing students that yoga is for everybody and every body. Her classes are encouraging and challenging, allowing students to learn about yoga and the yogic lifestyle while experiencing it. By incorporating meditation, pranayama, asana, she aims to have every student leave reinvigorated and renewed. When she’s not teaching yoga, you can find her hanging with my Hubby, rescue pup, and toddler!
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Yoga Instructor
Heidi began practicing yoga simply to take a pause from balancing work and mom life, but she found and continues to find much more along the journey– presence, creativity, connection, community, the list goes on! Without realizing it initially, graduating from the 200-hour Zion Well Teacher Training in Spring of 2023 was a perfect melding of her experiences, identities and hopes. Heidi spent many childhood years in China and was immersed in holistic health and wellness practices from a young age. She holds a Bachelor's in Psychology where she first formally learned about mental health and the mind body connection. She’s always dreamed of being a teacher. She’s amazed how all of these are coming together through yoga. Heidi is excited to share this practice and give back all that it’s given her. She also enjoys teaching kids yoga of all ages. Off the mat, Heidi loves spending time in nature with her two kids.
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Yoga Instructor
Coming soon.
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Yoga and Meditation Instructor
Will has had active yoga and meditation practices for many years. Over time he has become fascinated by the interconnection of the mind, body and breath, and the symbiotic relationship of asana and meditation practices. He's grateful and excited to be able to share both practices with the Zion Well community. He has been a Vipassana meditation practitioner since 2016 and has served as a board member of Insight Meditation Ann Arbor. He graduated from Zion Well's Yoga Teacher Training program in 2022 and is currently working toward his Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center.
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Yoga Instructor
Vinnie started practicing yoga in her early childhood years as her mother is also a yoga instructor. Throughout a decade of competitive swimming, she always managed to find her way to her yoga mat because it helped to create balance in her body and to prevent injury. Vinnie has a passion for education and has been teaching high school + middle school Spanish since 2018. Upon entering into the adult world, she noticed the lack of connection and attention to Self that she and her colleagues felt. She began implementing yoga and breath work practices for co-workers to strengthen this connection.
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Yoga Instructor
Jess is a passionate yogi and movement enthusiast whose transformative yoga journey began in 2016, while living in San Francisco. She grew up in Michigan as a dancer and cheerleader, and always sensed that movement was more than just physical exercise; it was a remedy for her soul. Yoga provided a sanctuary of peace, both on and off the yoga mat.
During the pandemic, Jess decided to delve deeper into her yoga journey. Shortly after returning to her Michigan roots, she completed a 200-hour YTT program in 2022. Throughout this transformative experience, she knew she had found her true calling. Her journey serves as a testament that the power of yoga can heal, uplift, and transform lives. Jess provides a space that embodies playfulness, creativity and the beautiful connection between mind, body, and soul.
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Yoga Instructor
Sarah began their yoga journey in 2017 after ten years of dancing. After trying vinyasa, Hatha, and yin-style classes in college, she got hooked on the power of the practice. Sarah enjoys movement as a form of self-expression, and a way to connect to and find the strength of the mind, body, and spirit. Sarah completed their 200-hour YTT at Invoke Yoga and Pilates in Indianapolis in June 2023. She also completed a 10-hour Yin + Restorative movement training with Zion Well in July 2024.
In Sarah’s classes, you can expect a grounding and playful space for cultivating intentional exploration of breath and movement, good tunes and fun playlists, and themes that connect the practice to the more than human world. For Sarah, yoga is a time for practice, curiosity, self-study, and finding moments of zen amidst the beautiful chaos of everyday life. Sarah encourages her students to test their boundaries, find their strength and power, and invoke curiosity by trying something new. Ultimately, Sarah loves sharing tools and knowledge with her students that they can integrate into their daily lives so they can ultimately feel better and stronger.
Outside of yoga, Sarah works in the sustainability field and loves designing events and programming that encourages folks to reconnect with the natural world around them. She enjoys reading, anything food related [cooking, baking, gardening], being outside, hiking, camping, traveling, and spending time with her family and fur babies.
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Yoga/Sculpt Instructor
Kate began her yoga journey in 2019 after moving away from family & wanting to find a sense of community. Through yoga she discovered the importance of how the smallest movement can have a lasting impact on the body & soul. Yoga has been one of the most important pillars in Kate’s life, and has found that when she feels the most lost in life, her mat will offer the balance she needs to find stability. After moving to Michigan & finding Zion Well, Kate felt a strong calling to join the YTT Program and graduated in 2023. Kate believes in creating a safe, fun, & comfortable environment that not only challenges one but inspires them to feel their own personal strengths!
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Yoga Instructor
Misty has been practicing yoga on and off for 10 years. It wasn't until the pandemic that she found that consistent yoga was a way to remain mindful and connected during a hard time.
She completed her 200-hour Teacher Training through Zion Well in Fall of 2022. Since completing training she has been a part of many mentorship programs so she can continue to expand her knowledge of the yogic path.
Yoga has been a constant in the ever-changing world and offers peace of mind and grounding when life gets hard. She offers inclusive classes for all. Her teaching is calm, grounding but pushes you outside of your comfort zone in a kind and nourishing way. Outside of yoga, Misty loves spending time in her garden, reading, or with her pup and husband!
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Yoga Instructor
Julie graduated from Zion Well Yoga Teacher Training school in the spring of 2023. Prior to falling in love with yoga she trained in the Alexander Method and has taught it for many years. Julie is from England originally but now calls Ann Arbor home. She loves knitting, her dog, her kids and learning about new movement practices.
Julie’s classes are grounded with a large emphasis on anatomy and spinal alignment. The Alexander Method is a form of movement that promotes spinal and postural alignment. She always provides a lot of awareness of breath and even practical pranayama. Check out Julie at both Zion Well studios!
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Yoga Instructor
When Caroline came to yoga in 2013 she deeply resonated with the balance between movement and mindfulness. As someone who has long struggled with anxiety, yoga became a way to get out of her head and ground into her body. Caroline has practiced different styles of yoga from Iyengar and Kundalini to Ashtanga and Rocket with teachers from around the world, giving her a unique perspective on the practice. Over the years her practice expanded as she learned about the other limbs of yoga and from yogic texts. A desire to deepen her personal practice blossomed into a desire to return to teaching when she completed her 200-hour training with Zion Well in 2023. Caroline hopes to bring a playfulness to her classes that allows you to connect with your body from a place of curiosity and compassion.
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Yoga Instructor
Madeline found yoga in 2020 as a way to keep moving during the pandemic and then spent the next few years practicing on and off. In 2023, while navigating a grief journey, Madeline was searching for a way to move her body that would bring her joy and some inner peace. She then joined the Zion Well community and has since found not only a regular yoga practice, but a way to slow down and speed up, be with community or be with herself, and find happiness in movement and mindfulness once again. She decided to take Zion Well's Yoga Teacher Training in 2024 to learn more about herself and what her yoga practice could look like and found a joy in teaching along the way. She's eager to keep learning and growing as both a yoga student and teacher. Madeline hopes to share her gratitude for yoga with others through practice and provide opportunities for people to find their own joy in her classes. Outside of her yoga practice, she enjoys spending time with her two cats, reading, and being outdoors.
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Yoga Instructor
Bio Coming Soon!
Interested in joining the team?
We would love to hear from you! Please allow 48-72 hours for a reply from the hiring team. Thank you for your interest!