Since I was a young child I wanted to heal people. I started my journey into helping people first through exercise. I began teaching FITNESS classes at the age of 15 (I am now in my 40’s) and went onto University to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from the University of Iowa. I then worked as a fitness specialist, trainer and teacher for NBC studios and various studios in NYC. This is also where my in-depth YOGA journey started, studying with David Life(Jivamukti), Rodney Yee (Iyengar/Hatha), and John Friend (Anusara). I then went onto Graduate school at NYU to obtain a Doctrine in Physical Therapy, but could not complete the degree due to health reasons.
At the age of 20 I started to develop CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS. (Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Yeast, endometriosis, Infections, Mood Swings and Irregular Menses (Later I realized these were the result of a prescribed anti-nausea trial drug “bendectine” which my mother took while pregnant with me in 1977, this drug was taken off the market in 1982 due to the extensive reproductive damage it had done to the girls who were born during this time. For 10 years I saw multiple specialist, tried multiple medications, spent thousands of dollars, nothing helped and my conditions were getting worse year after year.
After moving to South East Asia in 2007, I wanted to study traditional YOGA so I went to India and studied at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram https://www.kym.org/ in Chennai and obtained my Diploma in Advanced Yogic Studies from the Yoga Vidya Gurukul Ashram https://www.yogapoint.com/ in Nasik. I also became a full time yoga teacher and yoga teacher trainer for Pure Yoga https://www.pure-yoga.com/singapore , plus teaching workshops and teacher trainings throughout South East Asia and opened my own Yoga Academy, called AVANI ASIA YOGA ACADEMY accredited with Yoga Alliance.
During my time in Singapore, I was still suffering with chronic health problems, it had been 10 years now and for days I could not leave the house. I was desperate so I started to search for alternative treatments, anything to help me. I came across a free homeopathy clinic. I had never heard of HOMEOPATHY so first I did a google search and what I found was “Homeopathy is fake” “it doesn’t work” it’s only water” “don’t waste your time and money” etc.. I thought what do I have to loose, it’s a free clinic. I booked an appointment the Homeopathic Doctor spent over an hour with me asking me lots of strange questions, she prescribed one remedy for me called - Sepia 30c. After 2 weeks I was around 60% better and after 3 months I was 100% better. IT WAS MAGIC! ALL OF MY CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUES DISSAPEARED!
I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!! I had to study this amazing medicine and went back to school to obtain a Diploma plus a Post Graduate Diploma in Classical Homeopathy from the British Institute of Homeopathy and worked in free clinics across Singapore.
After completing my 3rd degree in Homeopathy, my husband and I adopted 2 boys in Singapore. Understanding how important food is for a child’s brain and body development I went on to obtain a 4th degree in CLINICAL NUTRITION to ensure my children were getting the proper nutrition, later adding that nutrition knowledge to my homeopathy CONSULTATIONS. Later we moved to Hong Kong where I worked in a Alternative Medical Clinic https://www.theroundclinic.com/ as a Homeopath and Nutritionist plus teaching yoga, workshops and yoga TT’s at https://flexhk.com/ . After 6 years we moved to London where I continued to practice as a homeopath, nutritionist, and yoga instructor at https://triyoga.co.uk/ and once again I returned back to school to obtain, a 5th degree in NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE from the College of Naturopathic Medicine https://www.naturopathy-uk.com/ in London.
My goal is to help bring people back to good health, a happy mind and a loving heart. Michelle Ricaille
I am now residing in Zurich, Switzerland where I teach yoga classes and see clients at https://www.be.life/ and online.