Life Moves Through
Yoga for Any Body
So long as you can breathe, you can do yoga. It may not feel that way when some asana classes appear quite athletic. As beautiful as athleticism is, it can also be confusing for those who are needing something else, or something deeper. "Yoga" means "to yoke" and can refer to the union of many things: join the body with the spirit, the movement with the breath, yourself with community. All of these point to the primary yoga is the connection to what is called the Self. This is the part of you deeper than your name, face, age, or ability. It is the part that remains untouched by any experience or challenge and that is always whole and complete. It is clear that–for this yoga–no physical ability is needed and yet we can’t jump over the body. Each person must find a way to more and breathe in the way that works for them. If the body is asking you to slow down for any reason, it can be an initiation to deeper practice.
In a fast-paced, externally oriented world, a yoga of receiving and remembering how supported you are by the universe is essential medicine. In a world that is ready to heal, strength and participation while rooted in the Self is needed as well. Your participation in your own healing and evolution is needed and it begins with healing and recharging yourself so that you can spread that to the world in whatever way you do. The practices of yoga are designed to restore the body so that you can go do the work that needs to be done while grounded in a deeper knowing.
Some joke that yoga poses look like contortions. But the practice of yoga is actually of is de-contortion. It is getting yourself un-twisted to rest in your true nature and to the place where life breathes you. While there certainly is healing of the physical, mental, and emotional bodies, on a spiritual level, there is no where to get to and nothing to be attained or earned. Yoga is remembering this, participating, and resting deep within the wisdom of the universe in every cell.
Gentle Yoga Online
Mondays 5:45 - 6:45 pm Pacific
Please join us from the comfort of your home, from anywhere the time works. If you are interested, please email Laura at lifemovesthrough@gmail.com to receive the links and be added to the list.
Though online (and perhaps even more deeply because of it), these classes reclaim the individualized engagement and community support that may have been missing for too long. It is my belief that it is time to go for the deeper teachings and experiences of yoga and these live classes will let you find the right way for you. In the commercialization of yoga over the past 30 years or so, it seems to me that three essential elements of yoga were obscured: 1. That yoga is a spiritual practice, 2. That yoga can work with physical health of all body systems, and 3. Yoga is a personally engaged process that unfolds within supportive relationships. These classes bring all of these back and the third one is especially key. While there are definitely benefits to practice with pre-recorded classes, we also need spaces where we can ask questions, be asked questions, and share in experience with others. I would love to get to have you in this circle.
Drop-ins are welcome but sessions run because of supporters that enroll ahead of time. If you would like to be a supporter of the upcoming session, please read more here.
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Laura is really invested in not only teaching but learning about her students in her classes. She truly wants to get to the root of what you are feeling. The beginning yoga class was a great back to basics and check in with myself. Many of times I didn’t want to come to class because of some reason or another but everytime I showed up, Laura was there with a welcoming smile and I immediately felt glad I showed up. ”
“I have been taking yoga from Laura (off & on) for over 15 years. Laura brings a deep understanding of yoga & a unique spiritual wisdom to her classes that I have not found in other yoga classes. She is passionate about helping people increase their awareness of their bodies both physically & mentally. Laura’s classes are very welcoming, filled with people of different ages & different levels of experience. Her style is one of an open, non-judgmental instructor who sincerely wants her “students” to experience yoga on many levels. Because she has such a broad knowledge of yoga including breathing & meditation, her classes never feel boring. Instead, a sense of accomplishment is felt in just “looking within” oneself while attempting to embrace life with a more peaceful outlook. I definitely feel a sense of calmness after doing Laura’s yoga classes & feel fortunate to be part of her yoga community.”