Michelle Dortignac is a life-long movement artist who founded Unnata Aerial Yoga in 2006 from the synthesis of her passion for aerial acrobatics, and deep reverence for Yoga.

She is a Master of Aerial Yoga who has trained many of the Aerialists and Yogis offering teacher trainings today. Through her continued devotion to the evolution of Unnata Yoga, Michelle has grown the method from a playful way to practice Yoga in a spare bedroom in her home (before anyone had even heard of Aerial Yoga!), to a worldwide phenomenon with teachers in over 30 countries. And yet, she remains a dedicated student to the humbling lessons her practice consistently delivers.

In the 20+ years that Michelle has taught Yoga, she has studied with many great Masters, who continue to inform her teaching and personal practice, and the evolution of Unnata Yoga in all its forms (Aerial, Low Hammock, Bed/Sofa and Floor/no equipment). Legendary Sri Dharma Mittra has taught Michelle for over 15 years, and in 2018, she earned 500-hour certification in Dharma's extensive Life of a Yogi TT program. She has also studied regularly with Yogiraj Alan Finger of Ishta Yoga and was initially certified in Vinyasa Yoga in 1998 with Cyndi Lee of OM Yoga studio in NYC. Through all of the books, conferences, workshops and trainings she's absorbed over the years, it's Michelle's personal practice since 1991 that has been a foundation for a life of Yoga.

As a child growing up in Colorado, Michelle hiked and camped and contemplated the silent expanse of the wild Rocky Mountains. In reaching toward those peaks, she ignited the spark of strength, endurance, and flexibility that later led to a lifetime of physical artistry through movement, and she touched into the truth of seeking silence within.

The art of Unnata Yoga emerged from a professional aerialist, and yet it remains pure Yoga at heart. Grounded in Yogic wisdom, and connected to an authentic tradition, Unnata Aerial Yoga inspires a fresh perspective for an ancient practice. It's one of the original methods of Aerial Yoga, but by classic Yogic standards, Unnata Yoga is still in its infancy. Still, Michelle propels the evolution of Unnata Aerial Yoga, both as a method, and as an organization, even as she endeavors in her personal process of Yogic awakening.