Michael Lear is an internationally recognized Trager® Approach Movement Education Instructor and Ashtanga Yoga Instructor with a client base spanning five continents and including a few Academy Award, Grammy and Emmy winners as well as many figures prominent in business and industry. Michael is also a professional drummer with the band Mystik Fool.
For over 30 years, Lear has been at the forefront of mind-body medicine, yoga and meditation. He has studied Yoga with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois during his New York visits as well as with many of Ashtanga's foremost instructors. Holding a Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500 Certification, he teaches Yoga Anatomy for Yoga Alliance Teacher Certification courses and conducts workshops internationally. He also conducts Mysore classes and adjustment clinics based through the lens of a therapeutic bodyworker based on The Trager® Approach.
He was recognized with a cover article in Massage Therapy Journal for his work introducing Trager® to physical therapists in post-tsunami Sri Lanka, which he has also done in Japan. Lear serves an advisor for the United States Trager® Association board and has served on the management team for Instructors for Trager® International. Michael is a seasoned Vipassana Meditator in the tradition of Sayagi U Ba Kin as taught by S. N. Goenka which serves as the keystone of his personal practices. He also holds a Plant Based Nutrition certification through Cornell University, taught by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, author of “The China Study” and “Whole,” and emphasizes whole body nutrition.
While working as Director of International Relations for Real Medicine Foundation and negotiating closely with UN Agencies, The WHO, and foreign government ministries, Lear was an integral part of many international relief programs to improve primary health care services, including introducing alternative approaches such as acupuncture, therapeutic bodywork, and homeopathic malaria treatment protocols in disadvantaged areas of post-conflict, disaster affected, and poverty-stricken countries, including Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Armenia and post-earthquake Haiti. South Sudan’s Medical Journal/JubaLink has cited Lear as a principal in establishing the country’s first College of Nursing and Midwifery.
In addition to his international service, Lear served locally for 10 years as a founding board member and Director of Court-Involved and Recovery Programs for The Shanthi Project, a 501c3 non-profit organization which conducts yoga and mindfulness classes at the county prison, juvenile center and throughout the area's school districts. In addition to developing and overseeing the criminal justice programming, Lear also served as a trauma recovery yoga instructor and lead teacher trainer. He has worked extensively within the prison and juvenile justice system. Lear was responsible for Shanti Project being awarded PA's first Federal Victims Of Crime Act (VOCA) grant for Mindfulness and Trauma informed yoga in a Residential Juvenile Treatment Center.
A life-long musician playing drums, Lear feeds his soul behind the kit. He has many years experience playing professionally and in a variety of genres and currently drums for MystikFool
In addition to playing professionally, he’s developed an entire on-line yoga and mindfulness program specifically for drummers to help them access their full potential. The program now is offered by one of the leading On-Line drum education platforms, Drum Channel. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and International Management from Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J. and has worked extensively in the corporate world. A native of Easton, PA, Lear makes his home on the East Coast when he is in the United States where he enjoys visiting with family, friends and his cat Sayagyi.
Michael is available for recording, touring, private yoga instruction, therapeutic bodywork sessions, or motivational speaking engagements. Additionally, Michael can embed on tour as both a musician and therapist working with lead talent and keeping the band and staff high vibe. Book Michael Now!
I've played nearly every genre of music over the past 30 years, Rock, New Wave, Dance, Grunge, Alternative, Pop, Country, Blues, Reggae and a little Jazz. Being part of the collective expression of a group and supporting the other musicians, produces a synergy that allows the music to transcend the individuals themselves. Playing for the song is the best feeling on the planet!
Influences include masters of the groove specialists that continue to fascinate me with their ease, style, feel and patience include: Jeff Porcaro, Bernard Purdie, Shannon Forrest, Matt Chamberlain, Manu Katche', Steve Jordon, Paul Liem, Stewart Copeland, , Abe Laboriel Jr. etc. and power players like Kenny Aronoff (also a groove master) , Dave Grohl, John Bonham, Chad Smith, Travis Barker to name a few.
Presently playing a Red Yamaha Recording Custom two up two down, with a Weckl 5x13” signature snare. Paiste Signature Series Cymbals, 13” Dark Crisp Hi-hats, Remote hats - 1981 14” Paiste Sound Edge (my first real pair) . Cymbals - 14”, 16” 17” 18” Full and or Fast Crashes and 20” Full Ride. Accents by Zildjian - 8”/10”splashes, 21” China, Remo Heads, DW and TAMA Pedals, Meinel Shakers, Vic Firth and Vater Sticks, Roland KP-4 Electronic Kit and Roc-n-Soc throne.
