Academia & Research.

Dr. Michelle Renaud.

Dr. Renaud is a native Detroiter, passionate about improving access to quality health education and wellness programming within her community. In 2001, she founded Urban Wellness Group LLC, offering mobile corporate programming and community fitness initiatives to countless clients and students since its inception.

She holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology, an M.S. in Health Education, and a B.S. in Sports Medicine. Her work has focused on stress management, functional aging, mindful movement, and supporting informal caregivers (an often-overlooked demographic in need of self-care resources). As a minority, women-owned founder, and long-time caregiver, she is passionate about developing inclusive programs where everyone can explore mindfulness in a way that feels authentic and welcoming.

As a registered teacher with Yoga Alliance (E-RYT 500), Michelle also has over 25 years of practice on her mat (as a lifelong learner) and over 9000 hours of yoga teaching experience. She became an avid practitioner in 1997 and has integrated yoga and mindfulness into clinical, academic, corporate, and community settings - which spawned the opening of her brick & mortar studio (Urban Solace).

In addition, Dr. Renaud has experience working with patients in spinal cord injury, out-patient orthopedics, oncology, and cardiac rehabilitation.. Her research interests include functional fitness, healthy aging, and the use of yoga and mindfulness strategies to support the needs of frontline workers, caregivers, and special populations.

When Michelle is not on campus or producing events, you can find her exploring Detroit’s local small businesses, biking Belle Isle, walking along the Dequindre Cut, enjoying time with her family, or renovating their vintage Chris Craft.

For more information about speaking engagements, research colaborations, or to connect, please click the link below.

Thank you very much for your interest!

Degrees & Certifications

Ph.D. Kinesiology - Wayne State University

M.S. Community Health - Eastern Michigan University

B.S. Sports Medicine - Eastern Michigan University

E-RYT 500 - Yoga Alliance (9000+ hours of experience)

CPT - National Strength & Conditioning Association

Scholarships & Awards

Doctoral Fellowship - Wayne State University

Emerging Scholar Award - Institute of Gerontology

Curriculum Development Brief

Urban Solace CARES - Mindful Caregiving Program

Mindfulness for College Students

Radiant Shift - Yoga & Mindfulness for Menopause

Adaptive Yoga - Henry Ford Health

The Calm Within - Somatic Practices for Self-Care

Better Backs - Seminar for Back Health

Healthy Hearts - Corporate Wellness Initiative

Yoga for Caregivers - Karmanos Cancer Institute

Mindful Mornings - Community Initiative

The Gentle Reset - Mindfulness Workshop

WSU Courses Taught

HE 6200 Yoga & Mindfulness in Professional Practice (2023 - present)

HE 2310 Dynamics of Personal Health (2022 - 2024)

KHS 1010 Wellness at Wayne (2021 - 2022)

EMU Courses Taught

Family Fitness (2013 - present)

Lifetime Wellness and Fitness (2011 - present)

Yoga: Philosophy and Practice (2011 - 2022)

Weight Control and Fitness (2012 - 2022)

Jogging Techniques and Injury Prevention (2012 - 2020)

Healthy Hearts (2013 - 2022)

Stautzenberger Courses Taught

Sport Psychology (2009 - 2011)

Exercise Physiology (2009 - 2011)

Fitness Lab I and II (2009 - 2011)

Business Management for Wellness Professionals (2009 - 2011)

Nutrition (2009 - 2011)

Externship Coordinator (2009 - 2011)

Publications, Presentations, Posters, & Abstracts

  1. Renaud, M. (2025). Yoga Therapy for Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Presentation. Corewell Health, Royal Oak, MI.

  2. Renaud, M. (2025). Yoga Therapy for Patients Living with Multiple Sclerosis: Presentation. Corewell Health, Royal Oak, MI.

  3. Renaud, M. (2025). Mindfulness Matters: Presentation. Huron Gastroenterology, Ypsilanti, MI.

  4. Neda, R., Barcelona, J.,  Martin, J., Ladanyi, H., Renaud, M.,  Malesky, C.M., Ketcheson, L., Fahlman, M., (2025). Online and In-person Equally Effective for Older Adults’ Functional Fitness. Activities, Adaptation and Aging. DOI:10.1080/01924788.2025.2471708. 

  5. Renaud, M., Ladanyi, H., Neda, R., Fahlman, M., Barcelona, J. (2024, May). Examining the Impact of Yoga and Mindfulness on Perceived Caregiver Stress and Burden. Poster presentation at the annual meeting for American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Boston, MA.   

  6. Renaud, M. (2024, June). In the Moment: Yoga & Mindfulness in Sports. Lecture presentation at the annual meeting for Michigan Athletic Training Society (MATS), Lansing, MI.

  7. Barcelona, J., Neda, R., Ladanyi, H., Renaud, M., Malesky, C.M., Fahlman, M. (2024, May). Comparing Virtual And In-person Delivery Of Functional Fitness Intervention Outcomes In Community Dwelling Seniors. Poster presentation at the annual meeting for American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM), Boston, MA. 

  8. Ladanyi, H., Renaud, M., Neda, R., Fahlman, M., Barcelona, J. (2024, May). Older Adults’ Mindful Reflections on Perceived Health Related Quality of Life. Poster presentation at the annual meeting for American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM), Boston, MA. 

  9. Neda, R., Ladanyi, H., Renaud, M., Malesky, C.M., Fahlman, M., Barcelona, J (2024, May). Assessment of Functional Fitness Outcomes in 12-Week Fitness Program Intervention Based on Age Categories Among Community Dwelling Seniors. Poster presentation at the annual meeting for American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM), Boston, MA. 

  10. Malesky, C. M., Neda, R., Renaud, M., Ladanyi, H., Barcelona, J., Fahlman, M. (2024, May). Piloting A 12-week Nutrition Education Program and Its Influence On Eating Habits Of African American Seniors. Poster presentation at the annual meeting for American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM), Boston, MA.