About the Directors
Studio Director - Maurissa Stone
“Change is not an event, it’s a process”
Maurissa Stone the founder of Iona Concepts, Inc. an artist whose medium is life fulfills her passion for facilitating individual and community development by creating resource circles for human and community expansion. Maurissa’s artistic expression was formed by responding to the needs of social equity by designing and delivering creative, interactive media based training programs. Her career spans 20 years as a change agent conducting strategic planning, systems change and training initiatives for Federal, State, local governments and non-profit organizations.
Maurissa recently worked as a management consultant for NeighborWorks America conducting community development training and consultation nationally. Her unique niche is working with arts organizations by supporting infrastructure and resource development.
Iona Concepts, Inc., a Training and Change Management Consulting organization, is the umbrella for The Living Well studio. Iona Concepts' mission is to facilitate planned change in systems, organizations and communities. Iona Concepts provides the following change management services.
- Strategic Planning
- Community Development/Organizing
- Non-profit Board Development
- Career/Life Coaching
- Retreat Planning/facilitation
- Motivational Speaking
- Organizational Development Training
- Iona Circles*
*Iona Circles an organizational, systems and personal change management process designed to address work and life conditions that impact the human spirit and energy.
Yoga Director - Michelle Stafford
Michelle Stafford has been in the fitness industry for over 10 years. although Michelle has always been active, after having three kids, she wanted to get her body back into shape. She started with heavy weight lifting and body building. Wanting to help others to reach their fitness goals, she became a nationally certified personal trainer. From there, she expanded her expertise with aquatic fitness (group/one-on-one).
After taking a belly dance course, she then added this ancient art form to her list of passionate ways to be fit and healthy. While playing around in the studio with dance partner Rae "SunShine" Boyd, Michelle constructed a fitness class that incorporates a belly dance base fused with African, Latin, and Hip-Hop dance moves. Thus, Diva Bootcamp & SunShine Belly Fusion were born.
In the meantime, Michelle discovered a more holistic approach to fitness. "Yoga saved my life," says Michelle with a hearty grin. "I used to think that yoga was about stretching, but it is about more than that. It is a lifestyle. Yoga encompasses wellness - mind, body and spirit. I just had to share it with the world!" Michelle's style of teaching takes her playful spirit, and translates it into a relaxing and effective yoga class. A Hatha Yoga Style with a strong Anusara influence, her classes focus on body alignment and heart opening.
When Michelle found yoga, her language moved from "fitness" and became "wellness." Her focus moved from "how do I look" to "how do I feel." While all of this was going on, Michelle and Maurissa Stone crossed paths by "coincidence." Maurissa asked if Michelle would be a part of her vision, and the rest is history!