We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Roy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

A defining moment of my teaching career happened recently when I led a yoga class of about 80 people in a beautiful garden setting. One of my students from a yoga teacher training that I had co-taught many years ago (now a successful teacher in her own right) came up to me after class and introduced me to a half dozen of her students who had just graduated from *her* teacher training. She had specifically invited them to attend my class, and they were all kind and complimentary, saying that they had heard all about me as she had often referred to things she learned from me when she studied with me all those years ago. It was extremely gratifying to witness the continuation of my teaching, and my own teachers’ teachings, flowing outward like a ripple in a pond, in wider and wider circles, impacting more and more people.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a yoga instructor, aromatherapist and energy healer, though my ultimate passion is yoga. I have been aware of yoga since I was young and watching Lilias Folan on tv after school; I went on to explore different yoga styles in my 20’s and ultimately went back to school to study philosophy. I traveled East and never came back. It was really the philosophy of yoga that drew me to commit to the practice and when I received an opportunity to train to teach, I knew I had found my calling.

I started my own wellness business in 2006 and over the years added several massage therapy modalities, Reiki healing and aromatherapy to my repertoire. I have a passion for helping people heal and offering guidance about mindful living. I enjoy sharing the more subtle aspects of yoga with my students as I teach them that it is a practice of awareness – not a workout. I put a big emphasis on various breathing techniques and one of my favorite topics to teach is meditation. I believe what sets me apart from my peers is my emphasis on bringing yoga and mindfulness into every part of our daily living – not just the moments we experience on the mat.

At this point in my career, I’m no longer teaching weekly classes and instead am focusing on my private work, my online presence, and bigger projects like intensives and retreats. I also regularly teach classes in outdoor settings, which I super love. I will be leading my first retreat this year and I look forward to offering more of those in the near future – hopefully even at an international destination. As for my online content, I like to share short segments called Wellness Wednesday from my YouTube channel and other small inspirations.

My other joy is aromatherapy and in 2020 I launched my side business, Dragonfly Wellness Apothecary. This online store is where I feature a few of my own handcrafted aromatherapy products – all 100% organic and sustainable. My #1 best seller is Buzzkill (an insect repellant.) Most orders are direct to consumer but I always welcome wholesale opportunities. I love sharing essential oil remedies; the more people learn about alternatives to chemicals, the safer and healthier we can live.

In conclusion, I guess you could say I’m passionate about mindful living in every aspect!

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Discretion is a huge factor in having a client-based business where I am often working in the client’s home. Practicing discretion means clients are able to trust that I will not gossip about them to other clients, or about things I witness in the home, their furnishings, art or cleanliness. It means I leave my own problems at home, do not discuss controversial subjects or bring outside drama into the session they’ve paid for. Discretion leads to trust and a positive experience for clients, which in turn leads to more clients.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

In addition to training and experience, overall I believe the biggest factor in establishing my reputation as a teacher and healer is creating a positive experience for the client. I learned in my first job as a restaurant server, happy clients equal more tips and a joyful experience for everyone, me included. I enjoy receiving good customer service so I endeavor to provide it for my clients. I always maintain my schedule in such a way that no one ever feels rushed out of the yoga studio or off the massage table. I am fully present with each client, listening intently, and striving to make them feel as if they are the only client I have – because in that moment they are. I will conduct additional research, try new methods and even refer a client to someone else if I feel that therapist has a skill set better suited to helping my client achieve their goal. Clients know they are consulting someone they can trust and that builds a solid reputation.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DragonflyWellnessSRQ.com and www.DragonflyWellnessApothecary.com
• Instagram: @dragonflywellnessSRQ and @dragonflywellnessapothecary
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dragonflywellnessSRQ and https://www.facebook.com/dragonflywellnessapothecary
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@michelleroyatdragonflywellness

Image Credits
Samantha Benoit