| • Chiropractic • Wellness Coaching • Acupuncture • Counseling • Massage Therapy • Body Movement • Support Team |
“The healthy, the strong individual, is the one who asks for help when he needs it. Whether he has an abscess on his knee or in his soul” — Rona Barrett
With over 100 years of combined experience and varied educational backgrounds, you are assured of finding a practitioner to meet your specific needs. As a team we focus as much on personal growth as we do on professional training in order to serve you in a caring and dedicated way. As experts in wellness, our doctors, practitioners and coaches have received extensive training from state accredited schools, have specialized education in their field, and use their invaluable experience to connect with you and create a personalized plan to meet your needs. |
Chiropractic
Dr. Michelle Robin, DC, FASA, CCSP, CCWP
Founder & CWO
Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Michelle Robin has been passionate about wellness for 26 years. She is the Chief Wellness Officer (CWO) and Founder of Your Wellness Connection, PA in Shawnee, Kansas. Dr. Michelle Robin has been around wellness for 28 years. She is the Chief Wellness Officer (CWO) and Founder of Your Wellness Connection, PA, located in the Kansas City, Missouri Metro area. She graduated Cleveland Chiropractic College in 1991 and opened her own practice shortly thereafter, in 1992. In 2001, her vision to change people’s lives by connecting them to holistic wellness practices and treatments led her to build a state-of-the-art healing facility. She leads a team of 30 members and operates one of the most successful healing centers in the nation, focused on integrative healing disciplines such as chiropractic, Chinese medicine, massage therapy, functional medicine, counseling, nutritional counseling and coaching, wellness coaching and movement arts.
Dr. Robin and her dedication and service to the Kansas City Community has been recognized in a myriad of ways, including national recognition by the Master’s Circle, Chiropractor of the Year (2007); House of Menuha, Community Service Award (2005); designation as one of Kansas City Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business (2003); and named by Kansas City Small Business Monthly as one of the Top 25 Under 25 Small Businesses (2002). She is a regular contributing writer for flourish! magazine, a publication for executive business women, a regular contributor to other community publications focusing on health and wellness and the author of Wellness on a Shoestring, slated for publication in 2010.
Giving back to the community and to the world is very important to Michelle Robin. She has held board positions for a variety of not-for-profit organizations, including KC Free Health Clinic, House of Menuha, an organization dedicated to providing women a quiet space for rest and renewal; and SAFEHOME, an organization hoping to end domestic violence of all persons and providing a home for women and children in crisis. Currently, she serves on the Board of the Menorah Legacy Foundation, Advisory Board for KC Free Health Clinic and Turning Point.
Dr. Robin has been a member of the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program (HEMP), since 2003, an organization, started by Barnett Helzberg Jr. Hemp supports local entrepreneurs through peer-to-peer mentoring. Robin actively seeks ways to share her wellness message through local and national speaking engagements, collaborative efforts with other wellness practitioners and she also works with a myriad of corporations, assisting with the development of wellness programs to keep employees well and thriving. Robin’s other interests include: spirituality, travel, reading, biking and basketball. She recently competed in her third triathlon and is committed and striving to be in the best shape of her life.
Involved with chiropractic care since childhood, Michelle Robin has a vision to enhance wellness in people’s lives by empowering them to connect to themselves and get back to basic wellness practices. Dr. Robin is a passionate and committed international wellness advocate and her personal mission statement reads: I connect and inspire people to live well.
Click here for her complete CV.
Shannon Pishny, DC, FICPA
Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Shannon Pishny earned a degree in Human Biology before attending Cleveland Chiropractic College, graduating in April of 2005. She is certified in Prenatal and Pediatric Chiropractic and has undergone training in Craniosacral Therapy with Dr. Carol Phillips of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. In addition, she has received specialty training in: Diversified , Cox Flexion Distraction , Pro-Adjuster, Logan Basic, and Pediatric Chiropractic .
Dr. Pishny’s philosophy is centered on the wellbeing of the family. To do this, Dr. Pishny informs clients on the options of childbirth and is dedicated to spreading awareness on how to raise healthy children.
She chose chiropractic because of the awesome power the human body possesses to heal itself. Her intention is to help people achieve their optimal health while living life to the fullest potential.
spishny[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Brooks J. Rice, DC
Doctor of Chiropractic
Proud to work with an integrative team of accomplished physicians, Dr. Brooks Rice is passionate to stay on the cutting edge of health care. In 1997, he received a B.S degree in Human Biology from Graceland University and then, attended Cleveland Chiropractic to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic.
Dr. Rice’s expertise is chiropractic neurology and through copious training and research has the accreditation to specialize treating learning disorders, Autism, ADHD children, and mood disorders. More specifically, he is DAN certified (Defeat Autism Now) as well as certified in Cox Flexion-Distraction, Pro-Adjuster, and Applied Kinesiology. When treating his clients, Dr. Rice believes the body should be treated from a nutritional and mechanical standpoint, which allows the root of problem to be self-healed by the body.
brice[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Whitney Shoults, DC
Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Whitney Shoults has understood the importance of wellness ever since she began receiving treatment at Your Wellness Connection over 16 years ago. She had received over 8 years of experience working in Chiropractic offices before earning doctorate.
Dr. Shoults started her college career playing volleyball for Johnson County Community College. She went on to receive her BS in Human Biology from Cleveland Chiropractic College and finished with her Doctor of Chiropractic degree in August of 2007. Dr. Shoults’s specialties include: Diversified, Cox-Flexion, Activator, Pro-Adjuster, with a certification in the Webster Technique and Pediatrics. She has special interest in sports Chiropractic.
She gained a love for helping people at a young age and is very passionate about getting people well. Her philosophy deals with teaching people proper spinal health, exercise, and nutrition to allow the body to self-heal.
wshoults[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Melanie A. Smith, DC
Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Melanie Smith graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cleveland Chiropractic College in August 2006 and received the Clinic Excellence Award and the Clinic Service Award. She has additional training in Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP) with over 100 hours in Postgraduate Pediatric, Pregnancy and Craniosacral Therapy and training through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, Diversified, Cox-flexion, Logan Basic, and Pro Adjuster. Additionally, she has certification in the Webster Technique. She also specializes in Crainiosacral and Myofascial Release.
Dr. Smith decided to pursue a career in chiropractic when she experienced how it benefited her four children. Once she made the connection between chiropractic adjustments and nervous system functioning, she realized she wanted to help families develop that same connection. When each family member is healthy the whole family functions better!
In addition, she acknowledges the importance of empowering the client through education and implementation of clear goals. Through this, she enjoys watching her clients regain control of their health.
msmith[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Amanda Toney, DC
Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Amanda Toney received her BA from Kansas State University in 2004 and earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Cleveland Chiropractic College in 2008. She has been a member of Your Wellness Connection’s team for over 4 years.
Dr. Toney is trained in Diversified Technique, Thompson Drop, Sacro-Occipital Technique and ProAdjuster. She is also certified in the Upledger CranioSacral Technique, and is specializing in Cranial Sacral Therapy.
Dr. Toney believes that healing starts from the inside out and that to be truly well, a person must address every aspect of their life. She believes that knowledge is power and that there is nothing more empowering than taking control of one’s own health and one’s own life.
atoney[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Wellness Coaching
Shelly Murray HHC, AADP
Wellness Advocate
Shelly Murray, A Wellness Advocate at Your Wellness Connection, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and is certified by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, which is affiliated with Columbia University in New York, as a certified Health Counselor. Shelly also is a board certified member of The American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She attended the Graduate Counseling Program at IIN earning her certification in Integrative Nutrition and she is also a Certified Swedish Massage Therapist.
Shelly has long been aware of the importance of healthy practices such as yoga, meditation, exercise and especially the inclusion of fresh foods in one’s diet, and has implemented them into her own life for many years. Since she has long held a strong desire to live a healthy life and encourage the same for her family, this field is a natural for her – and when you work with her, that passion and enthusiasm shows!
Her primary focus is on Whole Food Nutrition as it relates to comprehensive health and wellness strategies. She has become a recognized local resource for integrating whole foods in an intuitive and practical manner that fits the active, everyday lifestyle of her clients. Her focus remains keenly on arming her clients with the ability to lead themselves to a more vibrant life through incorporating whole foods in addition to holistic life management.
What really excites Shelly about the wellness field is that she can help make a difference in peoples’ lives. Through motivation and education, she can work with the client to make small changes that will have significant impacts on their health. She believes that by bringing people to awareness about lifestyle changes, she can aid them in remaining healthy, vibrant and able to do the things that are important to them while improving their quality of life.
smurray[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Acupuncture
Shamayne Tate, Dipl. O.M. Lic. Ac.
Acupuncturist
Prior to joining Your Wellness Connection, Shamayne Tate owned a private practice in Colorado Springs. She has a BA in Psychology from the University of Kansas, followed by a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College. In addition, she is a Diplomate for Oriental Medicine, has extensive training in Beijing, China and her acupuncture license. She has received certifications in Facial Rejuvenation and Clean Needle.
Shamayne specializes in acute and chronic pain, Chinese herbal medicine, emotional balancing, digestive disorders, and cosmetic facial rejuvenation acupuncture. With over 12 years of experience in the health care field, she is dedicated to serving by empowering individuals through providing support to clients to make informed decisions. She is passionate about spreading wellness awareness while improving therapeutic avenues inherent in the body. Also, she recognizes the interrelationship of body, mind, and spirit to ensure long-term, result-oriented treatments.
state[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Monica Mild, RN, ND, Lic Ac
Acupuncturist
Monica Mild is a native Missourian, growing up in Chillicothe, MO. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Rockhurst and Research College of Nursing in 1988. She lived in Portland, Oregon from 1996-2006 and in that time she received a Doctorate degree in Naturopathy from National College of Naturopathic Medicine and a Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine from Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. She is very happy to be back in Missouri and practicing at Your Wellness Connection.
mmild[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Counseling
Crystal Jenkins, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Certified Hoffman Instructor
Crystal Jenkins specializes in wellness and behavioral counseling for individuals and groups. She is experienced in treating a wide range of psychological issues with adults and children, with emphasis on anxiety and depression, relationship concerns, life transitions, and grief and loss. She also has a special interest and skill in small-group counseling in the area of women’s health.
Crystal graduated from Emporia State in 1980 with a BS in Education and a Minor in Psychology. She then went on to receive her Masters Degree in School Counseling. Not only is Crystal a counselor at Your Wellness Connection, but she is also a Hoffman Institute Teacher intern.
Twenty years of working with children as a school counselor and sports coach equips her with an in-depth understanding of conflicts and problems facing today’s youth.
She is trained in a multitude of techniques, such as Advanced Enneagram. She also uses collages, art, mission statements, pattern tracing, timelines and roll playing. Furthermore, she works with behavioral patterns and things people do to set them up. Crystal has had additional training in EMDR (Eye Movement De-sensitization and Reprocessing). This is an innovative clinical treatment that has successfully helped many individuals who have experienced and survived traumatic events and life-changing experiences. This special technique helps the brain to heal its psychological problems at the same rate the rest of the body is healing its physical ailments.
Her passion is helping others see their purpose and potential in life through identifying the origin of hurt and understanding the mind/body/spirit connection to inner peace and balance. When it comes to healing the mind and body, Crystal says, “You really can’t look at one area alone; both live in the same house and it’s imperative that they get along!”
Her passion is helping others see their potential in life through identifying the origin of hurt while understanding the mind/body/spirit connection to inner peace: “You can’t look at one area alone; both live in the same house and it is imperative that they get along!”
cjenkins[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Joyce Vancrum, LCPC, NCC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Joyce Vancrum, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, specializes in helping individuals, couples, adolescents and families build self-esteem, improve relationships, and navigate life’s transitions. She has 13 years of experience using cognitive behavioral, solution-focused therapy to guide couples to peaceful co-existence. Highly accomplished, she has a degree from the University of Kansas in Education and a MA in Counseling and Guidance from UMKC. In addition to her work at Your Wellness Connection, she is the President of the Board of Safehome and a member of Johnson County Young Matrons.
Joyce enjoys helping people through life transitions, grief and loss issues, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, caring for aging parents and women’s issues with aging, menopause and intimacy. Her passion is helping others to find the answers that lie within themselves: “Every day brings new possibilities for hope and healing.”
jvancrum[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Massage Therapy
Lisa Carl, NCBTMB
Massage Therapist
Lisa Carl has been a massage therapist for five years, graduating from the Massage Therapy Institute in Decatur, Alabama. She received her National Certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork in December 2003. Lisa is active in the American Massage Therapy Association and is holding the board position of First Vice President for the Kansas Chapter.
Prior to joining YWC, Lisa was an instructor at Massage Therapy Training Institute in Kansas City and practiced massage therapy in Overland Park, Kansas.
Lisa enjoys Swedish massage therapy techniques and trigger point therapy. Her massage goals are to reduce stress and offer pain relief, which in turn has the ability to reduce fatigue, decrease anxiety, and improve energy. Lisa has a special place in her heart for those taking care of a family member with Alzheimer’s disease. She was a caregiver herself, and is familiar with the physical and emotional stresses the disease can have on those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. A massage session can offer a well-deserved and stress-free reprieve, offering a quiet, safe and nurturing environment – where the caregiver is taken care of.
lcarl[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Katie S. Jones, MT
Massage Therapist
Katie Jones, a massage therapist for ten years, graduated from Massage Therapy Training Institute in 1997 and then worked at afacility where she not only performed massage, but also managed the massage staff. Currently, she sits on the Board of the High Tech Massage Institute.
Katie focuses on deep tissue and relaxation massage therapy. Since people’s lives are so stressful, she feels blessed to be able to help them take time to relax. Katie not only wants to help through massage, but also through education, such as promoting self-care. When people understand the importance and benefits of massage and wellness, and then implement them into their lives, it makes a significant difference.
She believes each person is on their own individual journey, and her place as a practitioner is to help them figure out where they are and provide them with the necessary information to set them on a positive road. She encourages clients to start with small steps and work from there.
kjones[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Leigh Rysko, NCBTMB
Massage Therapist
Leigh Rysko has been practicing bodywork for two years upon graduation from The International Professional School of Bodywork in San Diego, CA. Her passion for wellness came from time spent in Peru’s Amazon Basin. In Peru, she studied Reflexology, Yoga, and Reiki which caused her to realize the benefits of the mind-body connection. Leigh specializes in Sensory Repatterning, Circulatory, Reflexology, Trigger-Point, and Neuromuscular therapies.
Prior to her bodywork education, Leigh obtained a BA in Education and Spanish from Denison University in Ohio and a MA in Madrid, Spain for Second Language Acquisition and Linguistics. She then taught Spanish and ESL for eight years in San Diego.
Leigh believes strongly in the power of staying open to complementary healthcare pathways. Following her heart in the pursuit of cultivating inner harmony in an outwardly-focused culture, Leigh feels blessed to proactively partner with clients to increase body awareness through wellness.
lrysko[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Amanda Thome, MT
Massage Therapist
Amanda Thome attended massage school at MTTI (Massage Therapy Training Institute.) From an early age she knew that she wanted a career that would help people physically, spiritually, and emotionally. She is very greatful to have found massage therapy, an area in the health care field that focuses on total body wellness. She enjoys performing Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Hot Stone massage.
Amanda believes that massage is a vital part of the healing process, but its preventative qualities shouldn’t be underestimated.
athome[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Tanya Galusha
Massage Therapist
A graduate of Myotherapy College of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, Tanya has bee practicing the art of massage therapy for 12 years. She received her National Certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork in 1998 and completed an AAS in Massage Therapy in 2004. She taught massage at a two year local college for 4 1/2 years and later owned her own massage therapy business. Tanya enjoys working with clients to improve their quality of life using a combination of deep tissue, Swedish, reflexology, Lastone, trigger point and energy work.
tgalush[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Jennifer Yadon, MT
Massage Therapist
Jennifer graduated from BMSI Institute in Overland Park in 2007 and received her national certification in 2008. Her work includes combining deep tissue, Swedish, reflexology, myofascial release and prenatal massage. She believes that stretching is an integral part of the healing process and incorporates it into her massage sessions as needed. She also teaches her clients a variety of stretching exercises that can be performed at home, so as to continue the healing process.
jyadon[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Linda McIntyre, MT
Massage Therapist
Linda’s passion is energy work, which is a technique that involves working with chakras and auras. Some of the techniques she incorporates into her work include Reiki & Lomi Lomi (ancient Hawaiian massage) which incorporates energy and prayer, along with soothing long strokes. She also is trained in hot stone massage, Swedish, & raindrop therapy, which involves using a high grade of essential oils to help detox, boost the immune system and increase overall wellness.
Linda does energy work that is a combination of working with the chakras and aura called Reiki and Lomi Lomi (ancient Hawaiian) which incorporates energy and prayer with soothing, long strokes. She also does Raindrop Therapy using a high grade of essential oils to help detox, boost the immune system and overall wellness.
Body Movement
Rafael Duran
Certified Yoga Instructor
Rafael Durán has been teaching yoga for over 12 years and is a certified yoga teacher from Yoga Alliance. Through Rafael’s experience he was instrumental in developing the first yoga teachers’ training in the Kansas City area with senior level teachers.
In 1983 he began his studies under Senior Intermediate Level III Iyengar Yoga teacher Laurie Blakeney and today continues his training with senior instructors. In 2000 he traveled to India to study at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune.
He began studying yoga to ease pain associated with Spondylolysthesis and later moved into his specialty of Iyengar Yoga. Iyengar Yoga is a form of Hatha Yoga which focuses on the structural alignment of the physical body through the development of asanas (postures). Practicing the asanas helps to unite the body, mind and spirit for improved health and well being. Iyengar yoga is also known for its use of props, such as cushions, benches, blocks, and straps.
Rafael’s advice on wellness is to remember to breathe.
rafael_yoga[at]yahoo.com
Karim Memi
Certified Yoga Instructor
Karim Memi has been teaching yoga for 20 years. She has traveled to the Iyengar Institute in India twice to study. Her primary teachers are the Iyengars and Aadil Palkhivala.
Karim believes that yoga is a magnificent tool for life because it helps us discover the fullest of our potential. The yoga practice opens the heart, the master center and gives the opportunity for love, peace, and wisdom to come.
kMemi[at]kc.rr.com
Karen Lewis
Certified Yoga Instructor
Karen began yoga in 1982. She is registered with Yoga Alliance (RYT 500) and has taught in the South Kansas City area since 2004. She continues to take teachers’ training from a variety of nationally and internationally recognized teacher trainers with an emphasis in therapy and anatomy. Her classes blend elements of Anusara and other Iyengar-influenced styles. She has trained with Max Strom, Aadil Palkhivala, and local favorites.
She is passionate about improved quality of life, believing we are interconnected. Students can find relief from stress while developing mental and physical stamina for life’s challenges. Surrendering one’s awareness to listening and responding to the body’s needs and abilities deepens the benefits of practice.
kkarlis[at]kcnet.com
Sidney Sutton
Certified Yoga Instructor
Sidney, a yoga instructor for 10 years, is registered with Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level. She has been practicing yoga since 1990 and has studied a variety of yoga styles. In Chicago she took classes with Joan Budilovsky, co-author to The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Yoga and with Laura Jane Mellencamp, owner of the Yoga Among Friends Studio.
Since moving to Lawrence, she started taking Iyengar classes with Rafael Duran. She has participated in workshops with Mary Obendorfer, Eddie Marks, George Purvis, Laurie Blakeney, Judith Lasater and several others. A training highlight was the Yoga Journal’s Conference in 2005 at Estes Park, CO with BKS Iyengar.
Sidney’s philosophy is to introduce yoga to people in a manner that piques their curiosity to learn. Yoga has been a lifesaver for her. Sidney likes to share the experience with her students and help them connect to their mind, body and spirit.
Sidney has a bachelor’s degree from Avila University in x-ray technology. Besides yoga Sidney loves the outdoors – kayaking the local lakes, playing golf, walking, and occasionally biking. She is married with two grown sons.
sjs007[at]sunflower.com
Jackie Leary
Zumba Instructor
Support Team
Janet Vogt
Operations Director
Janet Vogt, the Operations Director at Your Wellness Connection, has fifteen years of experience in managing health care and has worked in physician offices. In addition, she is certified as a Chiropractic Assistant from The Masters Circle, where she developed stronger skills in caring for people, processes, nervous system anatomy, billing, payment plans, and client flow.
She enjoys the energy and excitement of a progressive wellness center, which Your Wellness Connection provides. In her role, she facilitates wellness care through team leadership and operational efficiencies. Also, Janet understands wellness as a continuum, where improvement can always be found. However, she believes one unhealthy decision does not mean it is time to give up. Instead, we have the option to choose health and wellness on a daily basis.
jvogt[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
Elizabeth Farmer
Billing Director
Elizabeth Farmer has been part of the Your Wellness Connection team for over 6 years. In addition, she is certified as a Chiropractic Assistant from The Masters Circle, where she developed stronger skills in caring for people, processes, nervous system anatomy, billing, payment plans, and client flow.
Elizabeth grew up in the Kansas City area and graduated from Shawnee Mission West. Elizabeth’s pride and joy is her three sons. Even at the tender ages of 7, 4, and 2 she teaches them the importance of wellness. She believes that you should use wellness in the daily nutrition of your family through chiropractic, diet and supplementation.
efarmer[at]yourwellnessconnection.com
OUR ON-SITE COLLEAGUES
Life Coaching and Energy Practitioner
Jill Tupper
Body | Mind | Soul
We are excited to have Jill Tupper, Life Coach and Energy Practitioner sharing office space and working with the team at YWC. Jill is a Life Coach certified with Martha Beck Inc., Jin Shin Jyutsu Practitioner and Resonance Repatterner with her BS in Occupational Therapy and MA from Seminary in Leadership.
As a Life Coach, Jill’s focus and passion is to help you reach your fullest potential professionally and personally by focusing on your Body*Mind*& Soul*. Your sessions will be individualized with a series of assessments, exercises and tools specific to achieving life to the fullest. Jill’s Life Coaching sessions are unique in that she incorporates many of her “Tools for Life” to enhance growth and support change.
Jill is honored to be a part of what we collectively strive for at Your Wellness Connection, working with her own clients and assisting ours as well, focusing on the Energetic, Psychological & Spiritual Quadrants of the YWC Wellness Model. She is a welcome addition to the family of services that we offer at YWC and us in our enthusiastic commitment to health and well being.
jill[at]jilltupper.com
