Meet the Team
Meet the Owners
Jolynn Nelson
Jolynn Nelson graduated with a B.S. in Physical Therapy from University of Michigan - Flint in 1987. She earned her Master's of Science in Kinesiology from MSU in 1997. She spent years teaching for the Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine's Continuing Education Program. Her career as a P.T. began working with acute neurological injuries. Jolynn left that aspect of rehabilitation to enhance her knowledge in the area of musculoskeletal injuries. Immersing herself in biomechanics and the realm of rehab that is involved, she worked for many years in the world of orthopedic rehabilitation. As her professional life evolved, she began to see that the orthopedic patient population had sensorimotor problems, and as this component of their neurology was attended to, they improved. Having had experience with acute neurological patients, she began to draw on her early treatment experience, finding better results occured. Mindful Movement & Physical Therapy is a product of molding neurology into the recovery from a musculoskeletal injury. The "circle of life" Jolynn has gone has returned to seeing that neurology is the source of movement integration. She believes in helping people bring their unconscious habits to conscious awareness; empowering patients to be part of their recovery.
"It's the circle of life and it moves us all through despair and hope, through faith and love, till we find our place, on the path unwinding, in the circle, the circle of life." - Elton John/Tim Rice
Sue Forbes
Sue Forbes graduated with a B.A. in accounting from Michigan State University in 1975. After working as a Certified Public Accountant for several years she followed her passion and travelled 13,000 miles by bicycle for a year and a half around the world. The wonder of this experience created the curiosity that was the springboard to studying the human body and movement. She studied the physical sciences in the University setting and the movement sciences in the world of certifying organizations such as GYROTONIC, Stott and Polestar Pilates, and various Yoga entities. Sue continues to develop an approach that recognizes that all great movement and balance in life suggest that there is a center that we organize ourselves around... she helps you find that centerline and begin...
Meet the Instructors
Julie Dillon: Julie is a certified Personal Trainer and group exercise instructor with AFAA. She is also certified by Stott Pilates in mat, reformer, cadillac, chair and barrels. In addition, Julie has been trained in postural analysis, injuries and special populations through Stott. Julie is passionate about teaching Pilates after experiencing firsthand the benefits by discovering a new level of body awareness and strength.
Daisy Levy: Daisy is certified by The Pilates Center of Boulder, Colorado in mat and equipment Pilates, and has taught individual and group classes in Colorado, New York, Boston, and here at Mindful Movement. She came to Pilates as a dancer and later used the method to rehabilitate first a shoulder operation, and later a knee repair. Daisy's experience with movement and healing continues to inform her practice as a teacher; in the ten years she's been teaching Pilates, she has worked with people trying to improve their performance in sport, as well as those who are recovering from an injury or chronic pain. Above all, Daisy believes in the power of the human body, and that all of us have the potential to be strong, flexible, joyous movers.
Kelly Paquet: Kelly is a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She is also certified by Stott Pilates in the full repertoire of equipment and mat work. She graduated from Central Michigan University and has a Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in Sports Medicine, minor in nutrition. Kelly has been working in rehabilitation and preventative medicine since 1995. Much of her time has been devoted to high school athletes working as the head athletic trainer for several years with various school districts in the Jackson and Lansing areas. The last four years, her focus has been more in the clinical component of physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Kerry Petty: Kerry Petty, B.A. is a certified yoga and advanced level Pilate's instructor (Stott training) as well as licensed sports massage therapist. She believes that yoga and Pilates address the flexibility and core strength that creates a balanced body. Many of Kerry's clients combine all 3 modalities to address their posture, strength and injury issues. As Kerry was raised in a family where exercise was the family business, her passion to build your core strength is in her DNA.
Lisa Hellems: Lisa has been teaching group fitness in the Lansing Area for the past 12 years. She is a certified instructor through the Aerobic & Fitness Association of America (AFAA) as well as a Master Trainer for Enhance Fitness through the University of Seattle, Washington. She teaches a variety of strength, cardio and stretching/flexibility classes. Lisa enjoys motivating people toward a healthy lifestyle through safe and effective exercise. Her hobbies include sewing, biking, camping and cross country skiing. She has recently trained as a Matter of Balance coach through the State of Michigan CDC department.
Kelly Yoakam: Kelly is a professional harpist, Tai Chi Instructor and Personal Health Facilitator. Her life focus is healing—integrating sound, movement, and simple techniques that work powerfully to integrate mind, body, and spirit. Kelly has advanced practitioner credits from Donna Eden Energy Medicine classes, is certified in Quantum Touch® and Sound Healing—utilizing Harp, Tibetan Healing Bowls, Tuning Forks, Vocal Tones and CDs of healing music. Kelly is a state certified hypnotherapist. She also practices AET (Allergy Elimination Treatment), which is based on the meridian system for clearing allergies of all kinds. Kelly has also been an avid practitioner of Tai Chi for many years. She apprenticed with her instructor Dr. Lawrence Su who studied with two sons of Yang Chenfu. Kelly has been teaching Tai Chi at Lansing Community College for almost 10 years.
Sandy Fields: Sandy is a certified teacher in both Nia and Zumba. She has been teaching Nia (at places like: LCC, Mason Community Education, and Mindful Movement) since 2001. She started teaching Zumba in 2009. What makes all this remarkable is that she had one total hip replacement in 2005 and the other in 2009! Both Sandy and her doctors know that the physical therapy and classes received at Mindful Movement, along with teaching Nia have made her recovery rapid and complete. Aside from her duties as a teacher librarian, and teaching Nia and Zumba, Sandy's life is filled with family, friends, and laughter. Plus there is always time for a good book!
Nicholas Daum: It's an absolute pleasure and privilege to be teaching at Mindful Movement! After studying under Hilaire Lockwood at Hilltop Yoga, I completed my 200 hour teacher training certification in March 2010. Coming from a background of endurance athletics, I have appreciation for anyone willing to expand their horizons and open their body, mind and spirit. In my classes, I draw from a multitude of disciplines to create a holistic, unified yoga experience. My interests are wide and varied – from botany, birding and natural history to gardening and healthy eating to quantum physics and social activism. My students leave class feeling energized, and hopefully with a space opened for contemplation. I love hiking, camping and skiing – and teaching yoga! I welcome you to Mindful Movement and look forward to practicing with you in class. Namaste!
Misty Flahie: Misty began studying yoga over ten years ago. For her, yoga is not just something that she does or teaches a few times a week, but is a way of living. The foundation of yoga is based on non-violence, compassion, loving kindness, honesty, humility and gratitude. Approaching any healing modality with those values as the foundation is bound point us in the right direction. Misty's desire to teach yoga came at an early age while she was completing a multidisciplinary study program in Nepal. After completing a degree at MSU, she took six months off to travel on bicycle with her best friend from Lima, Peru back to the United States. This trip gave her the courage and confidence to move back home and begin studying to become a yoga instructor. Misty has just completed her seventh year of teaching and throughout those years became certified at 500 hours. She believes teaching yoga is one of the best jobs in the world and biggest honors.
Front & Center
Our enthusiastic and friendly front desk staff is happy to help you in any way. They are eager to assist you with making appointments, give you directions to our facility, and counsel you on our many programs to fit your PT and exercise needs. Give them a call today!
Behind the Scenes
Mandy Barnett - After her 3 month trip to SE Asia, Mandy has returned to Mindful Movement as head of marketing/advertising. She works together with the staff to implement new marketing strategies. So far, she loves having a job that enables her creative side!
Debbie Nimphie: After working "front and center" for 25 years in Health Club Management, Debbie joined Sue and Jolynn when the business began, in a different capacity... "behind the scenes." She works hard to keep the business affairs running smoothly and everyone as happy as possible. Her office is the first door on the right, stop in and say Hi!
Tudi Spurgin: Tudi works a few hours each week making sure that all patient medical files are in "tip top" shape. A very important job! As a former patient @ Mindful Movement & Physical Therapy and a Pilates class participant, she has experienced first hand our services and she is a raving fan.