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.
Lauren, (she/they)
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.
Ellie (she/they)
Ellie began practicing yoga and meditation in 2011 after deciding to get sober and start therapy. She found these practices to be transformative as she altered her patterns of numbing emotions and trying to escape the present moment, fundamentally altering her relationship with herself and benefiting her work as a psychologist. She completed her 200-hour certification through Zion Well in Spring 2022. Her meditation practice has been supplemented by one-on-one mentorship and silent retreat practice at Unified Mindfulness traditions. Ellie's classes focus on embodiment, grounding, and loving-kindness. Off the mat, she enjoys hiking, traveling, hearing live music, and spending time with her people.
Jess Buckley (she/her)
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.
Will (he/him)
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.
Katie, (she/her)
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!
Chelsea (she/her)
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.
Vanessa (she/her)
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.
Misty (she/her)
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!
Mallory (she/her)
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, while living in Washington, D.C., and is also certified in prenatal yoga. A native Michigander (she and Art share a hometown!), Mallory moved to Ann Arbor in 2022 after more than a decade in D.C.
She 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, Mallory enjoys figuring out all that the Ann Arbor area has to offer with her husband and toddler, who has recently started joining her mom on the mat ("I do yoga, too!").
Heidi (she/her)
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. Off the mat, Heidi loves spending time in nature with her two kids.
Julie (she/her)
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!
Vinnie (she/her)
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.
Vinnie received her 200 RYT certification through Zion Well in December 2022. In Vinnie’s classes, you can expect to experience intentional and safe movement all while creating alignment with your Self.
Riss (they/them)
Riss moves through the world as a fat, trans, non-binary, storyteller, communications specialist, and joyful movement enthusiast. During the glocal COVID-19 pandemic, they found themselves grasping for community and turned to online asana as a space for grounding during uncertain times. Unfortunately, they quickly found that many traditional yoga spaces were not suited or in the practice of caring for folks that shared their identities - and this was the fire-starter that led them to enrolling in their first 200HR Yoga Teacher Training in Detroit.
Today, after 500+ hours of training, Riss offers the practices of yoga to those who do not typically "fit the mold" and is deeply passionate about assisting them in finding joy in moving their bodies through an accessible, anti-oppressive, inclusive and intersectional lens, with a special interest and focus in supporting larger-bodied, queer, transgender, neurodivergent, and disabled populations. It is their firm-belief and guiding light that the practices we engage in, both individually and in community, are the path to collective liberation for all.
Off the mat, you'll find Riss around Ypsi tearing through a sci-fi novel, complimenting strangers, drinking coffee, working on a cross-stitch project, snuggling up with their cat, Icarus, and/or in pursuit of their certification in American Sign Language Interpretation.
Vickie (she/her)
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.”
Jess C. (she/her)
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.
Sarah (she/they)
Sarah began their yoga journey in 2017 after ten years of dancing, having always enjoyed movement as a form of self expression, and a way for connecting to the strength of mind, body, and spirit. Sarah tried a vinyasa yoga class shortly after and was hooked immediately by the power and endurance of the practice, and intentional linking of breath and movement like a dance. Sarah completed their 200 hour YTT at Invoke Yoga and Pilates in Indianapolis in June 2023. In Sarah’s classes you can expect a grounding, playful space for cultivating intentional exploration of breath and movement. For Sarah, yoga is time for practice, curiosity, self study, and for finding zen amidst the beautiful chaos of everyday life.
Brynne is a nonbinary yoga practitioner and guide. They found yoga to be a place of healing and connection within the community. A 200-hour certified yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance with additional certifications in Yin and Trauma Informed Guiding, Brynne seeks to provide equitable access to a space to explore healing with curiosity through an asana practice.
Classes are a place of grounding and a place to connect with our bodies deeply. Brynne guides this through a lens of patience and kindness towards our bodies while creating space to be curious and playful.
Brynne’s Yin class is grounding and supportive yet encourages finding your subtle edge of sensation.
Brynne (she/they)
Gretchen
Gretchen completed her yoga teacher training at Zion Well in the Fall of 2023. She believes that yoga is for everybody and offers modifications in her classes to meet each student where they are. She loves practicing yoga in community and finds that having a consistent yoga practice increases the quality of her life, both mentally and physically.
Gretchen is a dedicated nurse who believes that everyone should have access to equitable healthcare. She loves to use mindfulness and breathwork tools in her role at the hospital.
Outside of the studio she enjoys reading, baking bread and frequenting her local coffee shop.
Caroline
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.
Cydney
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.
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!