Lauren’s class invites students of all ages and abilities to explore and deepen the connection to their own bodies, minds, and spirits, as well as to their community and the natural world. In a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment, we will weave together intention setting, mindful movement exploration, active and restorative yoga postures, breath practices, sound, guided meditation, and a splash of fun!
We will explore these practices within the framework of themes ranging from buddhist principles, to the five elements and cycles of the natural world, in a way that is meaningful and relevant to our daily lives.
Rooted in various yoga traditions, as well as taoist qigong and mindfulness/heartfulness practices, this class aims to inspire and empower each individual to live and enjoy their life to the fullest, and to help create the conditions for vibrant health, deep peace, and transformation.
We will continually focus on cultivating an ever deepening understanding of, and kindness towards, ourselves and others, in both easeful and challenging times. Each class will spend considerable time focusing on stress reduction and relaxation techniques, in addition to more active movements and postures.
About Lauren:
Lauren’s love of exploring the body’s potential began in her early childhood years when dancing and standing on her head for fun were among her most favorite activities. The pursuit of dance as a passion and profession throughout college quite naturally led her to the profoundly transformative practice of yoga, which she began practicing intensively in late 2000. Since that time Lauren has completed many immersions, regular classes, self study, and multiple teacher trainings in several styles of yoga, including Ashtanga, Anusara, Restorative, and various hybrid styles.
Her main long term influential yoga teachers and mentors over the years have been Anne Nowell, Katchie Ananda, Sianna Sherman, and the Piedmont Yoga team, including Zubin Shroff and Valerie Jew, among others. Lauren has also studied qigong with Mantak Chia, Tiffiny Fyans and others; chi nei tsang through the Chi Nei Tsang Institute; Reiki at the Wu Wei School of Reiki; nutrition at the Natural Healing Institute; herbology through East West School of Herbology; TCM theory at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Feldenkrais with Augusta Moore; and modern/contemporary dance at the School for New Dance Development Amsterdam, and elsewhere, between 2001 and the present, which have all had a profound impact on her life and teaching.
Lauren is a registered yoga teacher (RYT 200) through Yoga Alliance, a certified Urban Zen Integrative Therapist (Restorative Yoga, Guided Meditation, Reiki, and Essential Oil Therapy), a Level 3 Reiki practitioner, a Chi Nei Tsang practitioner, and holds a BA in visual arts with a minor in dance and environmental studies from UC San Diego.
Lauren is also a longtime student and practitioner of Buddhist philosophy and meditation, and has studied extensively with Sean Feit in the Bay Area, and more recently at East Bay Meditation Center with Spring Washam.
She is currently a participant in the 300 Hour Advanced Teacher Training program at Namaste Yoga under the direction of Nubia Teixera and Ashley Sharp. Lauren holds immense gratitude for ALL of her teachers, and for being exposed to and immersed in these healing traditions that have deeply supported her growth, evolution, and ability navigate life’s ups and downs over the years.
In addition to her yoga and healing practices and offerings, she is an environmental activist with a deep love of the natural world and delicious plant filled fresh air! She is also a musician and photographer who believes in the transformative, healing, and liberatory power of expression.
Lauren hopes to use her experience and healing tools to inspire and support others on their unique journey of life, and in the cultivation of balance, vibrant health, and peace.
