{SS}: Can you tell us a bit about your background? How long have you been doing yoga? 
{KM}: Yoga has been a daily practice in my life since the age of 10. A practice as familiar as it is for most people to see a movie, go out to dinner… my family went to yoga. I was an athlete at Cranbrook and Northwestern University so the practice was always an integrated part of increasing skills, flexibility and body awareness. For about the first 15 years, the only practice I had been exposed to was power yoga.It was not until I moved to India to study Vedic philosophy did my perspective and knowledge about the practice drastically shift. I lived in India for almost 3 years studying Vedic philosophy and from my study of this philosophy sprung the pursuit of a more alignment-based, subtle yoga practice.
{SS}: Can you share how you decided to open the studio? Where are the locations? 
{KM}: I started Citizen Yoga to honor the memory of my sister Miya, who practiced and owned her own studio in Colorado. The philosophy of the studio is about building relationships, making people feel seen and helping people understand that positive boundaries generates a greater experience of freedom at all levels of the personality.
Upon moving back from abroad, I recognized that there was a need for a different type of yoga practice in Detroit. A power yoga class blended with the teaching of alignment—a hands-on practice with an emphasis on teaching how, why and when to practice postures. Our efforts are to transition people from a more gross physical practice, to understanding the subtleties of the postures, which results in a more intense physical, emotional and intellectual practice. Aside from the yoga aspect of the business, I personally experienced a lack of overall community. Citizen Yoga is more like a family than a business—that is our culture.Whether you practice yoga or not, you are included. Our staff, teachers and students make those small daily efforts to include others in their lives.That is probably the most contagious part of joining the CY family.
The first studio is at 500 S. Washington in Royal Oak. We opened our doors August 2013. The second location opened a few weeks ago in Detroit at 1224 Library Street. When you come to the Detroit location, you receive 2 hours free parking.
{SS}: What kind of yoga classes do you offer?
{KM}: We offer alignment based Vinyasa, Blend, Slow Burn, YogaMedics Back to Basics and a Slow Burn/Basics. We do not just want you to come 
and go through the postures. We love love love to teach!
{SS}: Best part about your job?
{KM}: Personally, the best part of my job is that I discovered a deep sense of purpose. Something that I feared I would not find as an adult. And it is a purpose that holds me accountable to myself and other people. The strength of that has definitely helped to change the way I experience my internal experience as well as my relationships with other people.I love to teach. Teaching is as natural as breathing. People have often asked me how excited I am to open or how proud I am of the success of the studios, but truth is, it is not in those moments that I find the greatest joy.
I tend not to seek excitement, but more the experience of fulfillment. Those moments usually happen in class, moments of teaching, talking about the philosophy, laughing with the students, reaching small emotional and/or physical breakthroughs. I do not have children, but I can only imagine that the joy a parent feels while watching the children grow is similar to how I experience Citizen students. It is not everyday, but in a Saturday morning Slow Burn when we are sharing space, supporting others in the room and showing up with the willingness to learn.
{SS}: YOUR secret to work / life balance? 
{KM}: I do not think that I really have a secret. According to most people, I work A LOT. But to me, it is not work. My secret is no secret. It is the practice. . I still hear my mom’s voice, “if you practice, you will feel better afterwards.” Not the thing you want to hear in the moment, but so true. The practice of yoga is like a daily journal, a deep reflection that feeds a persons strength, balance and stability for the rest of the day
{SS}: In regards to your personal style, do you have a signature accessory?
{KM}: I love accessories, specifically… I love 
hand jewelry! Definitely the most staple part of my style. I wear a hand piece that a designer (who is also featured in the CY retail section) made for me before opening the Royal Oak location, multiple mid-rings and more! I also wear a necklace, these days one designed by Erica Kleiman. Also, I love hats!
{SS}: A few items in your "Styleshack" A.K.A closet that you can't live without?
{KM}: These days I am usually in Citizen Yoga gear and yoga pants though I really love to dress up. If I had to pick two things that I could not live without at this time, it would be my BB Dakota Jacket and Artzia plaid hoodie flannels.
{SS}: Style Archetype?
{SS}: Favorite local boutiques?
{KM}: Megan Marion (in Royal Oak, Michigan).
{SS}: Favorite local restaurants?
{KM}: Daily: Cacao Tree | Casual: Anita's Kitchen | Take Out: La Feast (Royal Oak) | Night Out: Gold Cash Gold (Detroit) | Dessert: Sweet Earth 
{SS}: Currently listening to…
{KM}: The New Basement Tapes and East Forest
{SS}: Currently reading?
{KM}: Working from 5am-10pm so by the time I get home, I eat and sleep!
{SS}: Words to Live by?"Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings while the dawn is still dark" – Tagore 
Also, I truly live by these words – these words are a good reminder to myself as I continue on my path as a female entrepreneur,
“I live in my own little world. But it’s ok, they know me here.”
STYLESHACK PERK: We've teamed up with Kacee (& Citizen Yoga) to offer Styleshack readers a special promotion for the Studio. Print out or SHOW the promo below for 10% discount! (must be purchased at DETROIT location but can be used at both Citizen Yoga locations)