Citizen is a yoga & philosophy studio for those looking for something more.
It’s a community built on socialization, and our door is open to everyone. Together, we believe in moving to learn, unlearn, and relearn. The struggle with mental health in our culture is at a level of crisis, and we believe that self-discovery through the practice of asana, and integration of insight, is an antidote.
Citizen goes beyond maintenance for the body. We are committed to the practice of yoga as a lens to go inward. With a mission to improve mental health through practice, each person coming to Citizen will feel a sense of belonging, and leave knowing they are better equipped to handle the stresses of life. Our radically welcoming community offers a space to find unexpected friends, and build confidence to express yourself in an authentic way.
Our mission is to improve mental health and prevent suicide through personal growth and transformation.
Miya Jo Must, 1979-2007
Kacee Must - Founder
“Life is just a procession of joy and sorrow. Our life is a continuous stream of moving from impossible to possible.”
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After struggling with her own mental health, coupled with the loss of her sister who took her own life, Citizen founder Kacee Must began a search for meaning. Seeking answers and purpose, Kacee packed up and went to India to spend 3 years living at a formal academy studying Vedanta philosophy. A lifelong practitioner of Yoga, it wasn’t until the academy needed someone to lead the daily 30-minute Yoga session that Kacee stepped into the role of the teacher, and discovered she was born to teach. Upon returning to Detroit, Kacee started Citizen Yoga in 2013 with a mission to improve mental health and prevent suicide, offering yoga as a tool for handling the stresses of life, as inspired by her sister, Miya.
Citizen is grounded in tradition, and is focused on alignment of body, mind and intellect. Always a student, Kacee embraces all schools of yoga, building upon her deep Vedanta foundation finding truth in different traditions, methodologies, and lenses such as Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Kacee brings to Citizen, and her teaching, the unique gift of helping you redirect your mind to gain insight through asana.
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A former TEDx Talk speaker, graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program, member of Crain’s Detroit 40 Under 40 Class of 2018, lead trainer of the 200 hr CYTT, and accomplished instructor who has lead classes with 100-2,000 people in attendance, Kacee is most passionate about mental health as it relates to yoga philosophy and life. She strives to fulfill the CY mission in any way possible, and is willing to coordinate with you:
Guest teach workshops outside of the Metro Detroit area
Lead off-site private yoga classes for weddings, businesses, etc.
Guest lecture on Vedic Philosophy for Teacher Training programs
Lead large group classes at specialty venues, festivals, or retreat centers
Participate as a guest speaker on podcasts
Lead business seminars
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Certified 500-hr E-RYT
Certified 200-hr RYT, YogaMedics 2010
Certified 300-hr RYT, with Todd Tesen
Logged over 5,000 hours of teaching experience
108 Training hours with Tias Little
Certified in Katonah Yoga
Studied at Vedanta Academy (vedantaworld.org) for over 2.5 yrs
Our core values
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What does alignment mean? It means there is a deeply integrated reason when and why you are doing a pose that generates a great impact on your physical and energetic body. A thoughtful and educated relationship with the body promotes a student to start experiencing the freedom that is felt when applying the optimal amount of boundary and discipline, like a parent to a child.
At the most basic level, a yoga practice is a physical practice. Just like an athlete in the weight room knows to track a safe depth when squatting, you must apply discipline while practicing yoga. We focus on helping students learn principle, rather than just posture. Students find alignment in their bodies so that they can build the foundation of a life-long practice.
The practice of yoga is about aligning not only your physical body in yoga, but aligning action outside of class with a higher ideal. Just like we have to practice yoga to master our physical form, we must also practice the art of focusing the mind and directing action rightly toward greater self-transformation.
Alignment helps strengthen the already existing relationship between our body and the mind as well as keeping us safe within the practice of yoga. When we place our bodies into any pose, even the smallest shift in thought can greatly enhance our physical experience.
An aligned practice provides a self-reflective space where one can see how each pose is similar to an experience or relationship they have off the mat. In practice, we strive to refine our actions and reactions in poses. In life, we use our gained perspective and skill to approach similar experiences and relationships with a deeper level of understanding and intimacy.
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Integrity upholds Alignment. It is imperative for the direction and commitment to the whole, not just the individual, though the individual is always taken care of within the whole (Karma Yoga). Integrity is the opposite of insincerity and we strive to be transparent, but confidential. We respect each other’s limitations and boundaries. Integrity eliminates drama and insecurity.
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Community is created as a result of Alignment and Integrity. We strive to create a sense of inclusion and feelings of home. Without alignment of an ideal that serves more than self, there is no integrity, no community and no support.
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We feel the call of action to be of service. When done with the right attitude, this service becomes energizing.
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We seek out opportunities to diversify the demographics of students who practice, train, and teach at Citizen. We continue to challenge our blindspots and make physical and mental health more accessible and approachable to everyone.
