new buffalo, michigan
OUR TEAM
CHRISTIE FRISCH
LMT I RYT-200 I BALANCED BODY PILATES
A full-time local resident, Christie founded PRANA/LIFE STUDIO in 2023 out of a clear sense of calling to create the area's first-of-its-kind space for group reformer pilates classes, elevated massage therapy and more diverse movement and wellness modalities than previously available nearby. She designed the environment and curated premium amenities to help make each visit an experience.
Christie's been a devoted practitioner of yoga since 2007, pilates since 2014 and massage therapy and reiki since 2016. In 2020 she relocated with her family from Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood to the New Buffalo area. Few options existed at that time, and she began teaching to continue practicing in the styles she had always enjoyed.
Having completed over 1,100 training hours to date, Christie is a Balanced Body Certified Pilates Teacher, a 200-HR Registered Yoga Teacher, and Licensed Massage Therapist. As a teacher Christie eschews rigid ideas of the traditionally accepted "rights" and "wrongs," instead offering a more intuitive, somatically guided and relational style of instruction, still firmly rooted in first principles. She cues for alignment, maximum engagement and breath-movement connectedness, weaving in challenges alongside self-massage and extra mobilization work to help you feel your best.
Christie sees her work first as service. She personally has experienced the transformational value of everything she offers at PRANA/LIFE, and she endeavors to authentically support each and every member of her studio community while sharing these resources. Wherever you're at on your journey, know that you are welcome here and we so look forward to working with you!
Liz joined the PRANA/LIFE team in Fall 2023 and has been offering Reformer group instruction on Thursday evenings and Friday mornings, and for "pop up" group classes on select weekends. She is a career fitness instructor and massage therapist, practicing in wellness for over two decades. Bringing in-depth experience to her instruction, Liz has an eagle eye for alignment and offers skillful assists and adjusts throughout her classes.
Liz is a STOTT Pilates-certified pilates instructor, as well as a yoga instructor and licensed massage therapist. She has trained at Elements In Motion and SOMA Massage School in Chicago. Liz loves the constant learning involved in her work and regularly observes other instructors and teaching styles to incorporate into her offerings. A native of the Chicago 'burbs, she currently splits her time between Chicago and the New Buffalo area.
LIZ DELL
LMT I STOTT PILATES
Jill was one of our very first instructors to join the PRANA team back in Fall 2023! She's become an invaluable asset to the community and is known for her boundless warmth and positive energy. Teaching yoga came organically to Jill, who first began practicing as a teenager seeking to complement and enhance her performance as a competitive skier. It was then she realized the profound emotional and physical benefits of a regular practice.
Teaching yoga touched off Jill's complementary interest in sound healing. Jill offers meditative private sound baths, and often enjoys incorporating the bowls into her savasana experience at the end of her yoga classes. Currently Jill offers WARM Vinyasa 1/2 on Sunday mornings at 10:30 eastern, and Wednesday evenings at 6:15 PM eastern. Her classes feature an engaging blend of challenge alongside recovery and opportunities to connect with stillness.
A New Jersey native who has spent time traveling all across America before settling in Southwest Michigan, Jill also works at Granor Farm as baker, in the farm store, and teaching kids' yoga during summer camp.
JILL MORGAN
YTT-200 HR CERTIFIED
Mara, an alum of CorePower Yoga, brings a wealth of experience to her teaching. Having completed CPY’s 200-hour teacher training for Yoga Sculpt, C1, and Hot Power Fusion, she previously taught yoga sculpt in Chicago. But her journey didn’t stop there—Mara’s connection to the Southwest Michigan area led her to relocate there full-time in fall 2023. She joined forces with the PRANA/LIFE team, infusing her passion for yoga and strength training into her teaching.
Beyond the mat, Mara wears another hat: she’s a licensed real estate broker in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Recently, she became part of the Dawn McKenna Group (DMG), a leading real estate team nationally and the #1 large team in the Midwest.
Mara’s teaching philosophy centers around inspiring and empowering spiritual and physical balance in everyday life. She believes that life, love, and laughter are the essential ingredients for making each day special. Now, in her new community, she seeks to engage, inspire, and connect through the positive impact of her yoga practice. When she’s not on the mat, you’ll find Mara enjoying cycling, golf, tennis, and quality time with family and friends.
Join Mara for Yoga Sculpt at PRANA/LIFE on Monday and Friday mornings, with weekend pop-up classes as available. ️
MARA WALSH
CorePower YOGA-200 HR CERTIFIED
An Arizona native with roots outside Chicago, Erin found yoga as a complement to competitive dancing in high school. She enjoyed a decade-long Bikram/Sumits practice before earning her Yoga Alliance certification in 2016.
Erin was fortunate to train under brilliant pioneers, leaders of hot yoga, and be a part of the teaching community for several years at studios throughout the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Erin moved back to the region just before the pandemic to be closer to family while raising her two two boys, Noah (5) and Sammy (3).
When she's not on the mat, Erin spends her days taking care of her boys, cooking (mostly Lebanese or Mexican food), styling outfits and costumes, crafting holiday decor, listening to girly pop music a dancing around the house like she's a kid again! Erin believes in the power of the spirituality, history, philosophy and community of yoga. She's grateful for the opportunity to hold space at PRANA/LIFE and we are glad to have her!
ERIN MAHONEY
RYT 200 I YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED
ABBY SCHMIDT
BALANCED BODY PILATES
CERTIFICATES IN
REFORMER 1 & REFORMER 2
Abby is Balanced Body Pilates-trained by Master Instructor Ahme Bovee, and holds certificates for Reformer 1 & Reformer 2 instruction. She was raised in New Buffalo, Michigan, where she grew up playing competitive tennis. After graduating college she moved to Hawaii where her love affair with Pilates began. That discovery reshaped her perspective on fitness and well-being as she realized first-hand the power of a regular Pilates practice to sculpt the body, as well as nurture mental clarity and build resilience.
Back in the Midwest and after continued practice in different styles of Pilates at different studios across the country, Abby's deepening appreciation for the holistic benefits of Pilates led her to pursue instructor training, and begin teaching reformer Pilates at PRANA/LIFE STUDIO. She looks forward to bringing a fun yet challenging environment to each class she teaches, leaving you feeling your very best.
KELLY VORVES
DANCING FEET YOGA 200-HR CERTIFIED
A dedicated yoga instructor with decades of experience in the practice, specializing in Vinyasa flow, Kelly's classes are known for their meditative quality as well as for more active and dynamic sequences that emphasize foundational movements and breath work.
With a passion for yoga that has grown over the years, Kelly enjoys sharing the benefits of this practice with others, helping students find balance, strength and mindfulness through each session.
Kelly currently teaches unheated Vinyasa 1/2 on Wednesdays at 10 AM eastern.
LOLITA ARKUS
LMT
A seasoned career spa clinician with decades of experience and over 1,000 hours of training as a dual licensed massage therapist and esthetician, Lolita first began learning skincare from her mother while growing up in Europe.
Lolita has called Southwest Michigan home for over a decade, and has become a household name in the area for her outstanding, relaxing massage technique.
In her free time, Lolita pursues a holistic lifestyle. She enjoys organic gardening and regularly practices tai chi.
