[ ABOUT US ]

Our Mindful Purpose

We hope that this website will lead you to a realm beyond the veil of everyday life as you become increasingly aware of, and attuned to, aspects of your authentic self (spirit). We believe this intuitive movement will revolutionize people's concept of “strength” and will play a crucial role in elevating our collective consciousness*, health, and human potentiality. As you grow stronger in your body and your mind, you will be sure to grow stronger in your understanding of the world around you.

* Collective Consciousness is a mode of awareness, in which we directly experience, through an intuitive felt-sense, our union with the interconnected wholeness of life, and recognize ourselves in others. Our identity extends beyond our individual boundary and embraces the collective, through a free and conscious act of identification, rather than through definition by convention or external authority.

Our Mindful Mantra

• Allow interaction with your higher self and the Universe (or the "G" word)
• Elevate your consciousness to a domain of compassion and intuition
• Unleash your human potential, both physically and spiritually

Our Mindful Philosophy

Mindfulness is about truly seeing the world as it really is, in this moment, experiencing it without expectation and then letting it go. Moment to moment awareness, of this repetition, this kiss, this smile, this beauty, allows us to truly give ourselves to it.

When we meditate on the fact that everything in the universe changes, we are allowed to let go of our attachments and move with the flow of the universe. Life isn’t meant to be permanent, it is meant to be experienced. Love and let go. Laugh and let go.

Our Mindful Story

The seed of Mindful Muscle was planted when Chris (founder of MM) took a life-changing course at the University of Michigan a few years ago called "Psychology and Consciousness" taught by Dr. Richard Mann. Part of this course instructed students to develop their own meditation practice and journal their experiences. Three weeks into the assignment, Chris noticed a great shift in his consciousness and observed a kind of "access" to information/insights that he hadn't had before. He also noticed that all of the moving parts in his fast-paced life suddenly seemed so manageable.

This provoked Chris to explore mindfulness/consciousness further. During this time, he entertained the idea of creating a highly credible website designed to inspire people to craft their own meditation practice and experience this higher level of "being" as he did.

After doing months of research and contemplation, Chris gravitation towards the mind-body movement.. and that methods of building a stronger, healthier body had to be integrated into the project. Shortly thereafter, Chris assembled a team of enthusiasts and experts to help carry out his mission.

Our Mindful Team

Chris Willitts :: Owner and Director

Chris is an entrepreneur, web designer, and a student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. His concentrations are psychology, sociology, and Asian studies, with a few business classes on the side.

Strength training has been a vital part of Chris's life since his teen years. After he discovered meditation, Chris noticed a tremendous sense of strength and connection during his workouts. This higher level of consciousness helped him realize that his old motivation for strength training (nourishing his ego) was incomplete. Today, his practice also nourishes his personal growth and maturity, and serves as a vehicle to his self-cultivated spirituality.

Esther Krohner :: Yoga Research and Development

Esther has a bachelor's degree in psychology, is a yoga therapist, and is currently studying integrative and holistic health practices. Meditation has been a large part of Esther's life, and more recently she has learned many Yogic methods of meditation, which has shifted her depth of experience.

Esther has spent much of her life working with special needs children and the families who support them. Over time she recognized that the people she was working with (and society as a whole) was not acquainted with meditation and its benefits related to the development, and awareness of self. Esther's elemental goal/purpose is to learn, evolve, and teach methods that help people get connected to their authentic selves by focusing on the interrelationship between mind, body, and spirit.

Sam Kolkey :: Research Assistant

Sam studied psychology and women’s studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She discovered the benefits of yoga during her senior year in high school when she decided to take upon a “personal case study” project, practicing various types of yoga up to 10 times per week. During this month-long project, she kept a journal and found herself feeling at peace, living in the present, and finally feeling a drastic decrease in her constant anxiety and stress levels.

From this point on, Sam has been a loyal advocate for yoga and meditation, and has continued to research, learn, and practice mindfulness and other forms of holistic treatments. She is currently working in Chicago, IL as a Residential Counselor at a social welfare agency, working with wards of the state and incorporating mindfulness into her interventions with the clients.

Richard Mann, PhD :: Advisory Panel Member

We really can't say enough nice things about this profoundly wise expert of mindfulness. Dr. Mann is a living legend in Ann Arbor, Michigan, especially on campus. The Michigan Daily published a thoughtful article that illustrates his philosophy of teaching. Dr. Mann is notorious for his uncanny ability to “awaken” students to the nature of their true selves. His other specialty is giving students inspiration to explore the extraordinary phenomena that occurs in everyday life, such as clairvoyance, intuition, and energy healing.

Dr. Mann has degrees from Harvard and the University of Michigan, and has taught psychology at both prestigious schools. In 2001, he co-directed a team of prominent developmental psychologists for the Human Change Project. Its goal was to create an Encyclopedia of Human Development, a detailed and easily accessible catalog of all research on human psychological and spiritual growth.

Mike Schmidt :: Advisory Panel Member

Mike has trained MLB World Series Champions, NHL Stanley Cup Champions, PGA US Open Champions, Collegiate All-Americans and an Olympic gold medalist. He has also trained and educated Navy Seals and soldiers of the US Army to help understand their bodies’ performance. Additionally, Mike held the position of assistant Olympic strength and conditioning coach at the University of Michigan. He is currently a performance specialist consultant with Athletes’ Performance Institute, a world renowned sports performance facility located in Tempe, AZ. Mike is also the owner and director of Gritt Performance, a performance-based training company located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Mike received his Bachelors of Science degree in movement science from the University of Michigan and passionately continues to further his knowledge in mind, body, and sport. While earning his degree, Mike collected four varsity letters as member of the University of Michigan’s baseball team. He helped his team to achieve the Big Ten Conference and Tournament Championships in 2006.

Plus...

Michael Kelmenson :: Research Intern
Rushi Vyas :: Research Intern
Maura Stackpoole :: Managing Editor