“All life is yoga.” ~Sri Aurobindo
Michelle Margaret Fajkus is the creator of Yoga Freedom, a lifelong yogi, writer, and retreat leader. She has practiced yoga since 1993, taught since 2002, and led retreats since 2010. Her work integrates yoga, mindfulness, and writing, empowering others on their personal journeys. Since 2012, she has lived on Lake Atitlán in the Guatemalan highlands with her family.
Yoga has been my lifeline—guiding me to thrive, teach, and explore.
Born on May 30, 1980, in Texas, I am a Gemini, 6 Kej in the Mayan calendar, and a Metal Monkey in Chinese astrology.
I discovered yoga in 7th grade and never looked back. In 2002, I completed my 200-hour hatha yoga certification at Yoga Yoga in Austin while earning a B.S. in advertising from the University of Texas. A quarter-life crisis led me from Texas to California, to dabble in Zen, work briefly at pre-IPO Google, and launch my yoga teaching career. Life’s twists and turns—see also: “textbook manic episode” slash nervous breakdown slash kundalini awakening in 2005—deepened my understanding of resilience and self-discovery.
In 2009, I moved to Guatemala, where I continued my career in education before fully immersing myself in yoga life. Since 2012, I’ve called Lake Atitlán home and I have led and co-led yoga and mindfulness retreats that blend hatha, dharma, kundalini, slow flow, yin, pranayama, writing, and the sacred Mayan calendar.
Currently, I serve as a retreat manager at Bambu Guest House and a consultant at Villa Sumaya. I also interpret Mayan fire ceremonies (from Spanish into English) and offer personal Mayan day sign readings. My gift is integrating ancient wisdom with clear and modern communication—offering guidance, healing, and connection through movement, breath, and intention.
