Michael Sutton

Michael Sutton is the owner of Philosophy and Yoga. After having operated a studio, Rising Sun Yoga, for 14 years, the 'shutdown' force closed his studio location. After 4 years of online classes, seminars, and workshops, he has re-branded his studio naming it 'Reflections and Yoga.'  

He has over 40 years experience teaching the principles and mechanics of movement and the mind/body connection through martial arts, yoga, meditation, and philosophy. He is a facilitator of discussion groups and a presenter of many topics ranging from yoga, meditation, breathing, and various philosophies. His passion is teaching and helping others to experience insights. 

"I have been interested in the metaphysical for most of my life. This interest has guided me in my education of martial arts and chi, yoga and prana, health of the body via an understanding and changing of one's thoughts, and finally, pursuing philosophical studies of a few select cultures. To that end, I have narrowed my focus and devoted my life to studying non-dualistic philosophies of the East (Advaita Vedanta) and the West ( A Course in Miracles) plus movement systems mainly from the East. My biggest enjoyment comes from the depths reached by teaching philosophy to those who have an interest, and engaging in discussions of different beliefs."

Formerly a practicing herbalist, iridologist, and health consultant, he continues his education and has expanded his studies in the field of law, codes, and statutes.

A large segment of his life was spent studying martial arts (27 years) before his introduction to yoga in 1999. During some of that time, he spent 20 years in the banking and software industries. He was a Yoga Alliance  e-RYT 500 hour Certified Yoga Instructor, but no longer subscribes to that system.

He offers both group classes and private sessions and can be reached at Michael@PhiloYoga.com or at 716-864-7578. He also offers therapeutic yoga for anyone with injuries or chronic conditions.

In his free time, Michael develops and designs websites, edits articles for periodicals, studies the laws, codes, and statutes, and is a father of one daughter, Sydney, who is also a YA 500 hour certified yoga instructor, an adventure seeker, and an outdoor wilderness guide.

Stefanie has had the pleasure of teaching and interacting with students of all ages. After having spent 32 years in the classroom teaching French and 15+ years teaching body toning classes, it opened the door for Stefanie to find yoga.

A recently retired high school French teacher, she had the pleasure of taking students, family and friends to Europe with her. There they recognized the shared human experience with those of other cultures and realized that there are other ways in addition to the American Way. The exposure opened the eyes of many students as she witnessed a shift in attitude, a desire to explore more, and the possibility of creating change.

When her mother was diagnosed with early on-set Alzheirmer's, she was devastated. She was a new mother faced with losing her own mother. Anxiety and depression became part of her world. She had tremendous support but finding personal strength and determination was very challenging. However, her teaching career and her two passions, an interest in healthy foods and daily exercise, provided the focus and the physical strength to continue. To this day, she has remained steadfast about health and wellness, but has added the study of philosophy to her daily rituals.

"Practicing Yoga as a way of life seems very natural to me. I see myself as connected to the philosophy of yoga and I am drawn to its guidance for living a joyful life."

Certified as a 200-hour teacher, she continues to share her experiences with her students.

John Davis is a longtime practitioner of the Asian modalities Jin Shin Jyutsu, Qigong and the martial arts. Like other non-Western approaches to wellness, these practices and therapies take an integrative approach, seeking to balance body, mind and spirit - the interconnected physical, mental and emotional systems that are present in all persons.

Davis, who has practiced Qigong and martial arts for over 35 years and Jin Shin Jyutsu for 15, has completed the training as required by the modality's governing body, including seminars and classes in Toronto and New York City. He has also studied Native American healing arts in consultation with the spiritual adviser to the Six Nations on the Tuscarora reservation.

Davis received a grant in 2019 to work with combat veterans. He was awarded the grant from the Veterans Advocacy Center, a national organization whose intent is to make complementary and alternative therapies available to veterans.

He is a member of the trade group, Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals.

Sonam successfully treated tens of thousands of patients in a clinical setting for over 30 years. His training was in ancient Asian medical modalities including Ayurveda, Tai Chi (traditional Chinese medicine), Chi Gong, and Yoga. In addition, his expertise in sacred music, sound healing and the spiritual arts gave him a diverse palate of healing modalities from which to choose and to impart. Sonam performed regularly as a musician both for local audiences and with internationally renowned personalities. His favorite was leading groups in Kirtan (sacred chanting).

Sonam was born in Kodaikanal, India to Christian Missionary parents. His early years in India acted as a springboard for his future studies, immersing himself in the study of meditation, sacred music and the healing arts as a young boy. He had the good fortune to study with many well-known spiritual teachers as well as renowned teachers of Asian styles of medicine including; Dr. Lad, Dr. Svoboda, Dr. Mahadevan, His Holiness The 16th Karmapa, Master Mantak Chia, Baba Muktananda, Dr. David R. Hawkins, and Yeshe Donden (personal physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama). Sonam studied the Medicine Buddha ritual with Trangu Rinpoche. He also studied mridangum with Guru N.V. Venkatraman in Chennai and New Delhi, India.

Sonam held a degree in Ethno-Musicology from Empire State College. He had a Master’s degree in Chinese Medicine from the New England School of Acupuncture, and was a certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

In addition to his clinical practice, Sonam offered classes in Ayurvedic healing techniques and various other Asian healing systems. His intention was simply to pass along the profound information that had been taught to him to help alleviate suffering and bring about healing in all living beings.

Sonam transitioned in April of 2022. But, he seems to be, to this day, still with us as we hear his voice, his song, and his wisdom echoing throughout our lives. Yes, he is missed, for sure, by his clients, and by his friends and family. And although each of us have moved on in our lives, there are moments when, invariably, Sonam suddenly pops into our thoughts, and we are silenced into the tranquility of a few moments with him.  After an indeterminate amount of time, a smile invariably comes to our faces as we remember his lightness, his depth, his counsel, and, of course, his jokes!

Although he is not here physically, he is in every other way. He left an impact on many. With me, a huge one! He is on my altar and I keep him on this website as he remains, still, my teacher. 

~Michael