MY STORY
Hello, I’m Laurie, and I’m on a mission to empower individuals throughout their aging journey, assisting them in creating life balance, a sense of agency and wellbeing.
I have a picture of myself at age eight, standing at my child-sized blackboard, imagining I would be a teacher who changed lives.
Now, at the age of 64, I’m thrilled to be guiding older adults through a comprehensive approach to healthy aging.
I consider myself especially fortunate to have had incredible guides on my wellness path.
In the 1990’s I became intrigued by remarkable results of integrative medicine. Having long suffered from anxiety, I wanted a way to create my own sense of agency in healing without medication. I found a doctor who was leading the integrative medicine movement.
MY PRESCRIPTION FOR BETTER HEALTH WAS YOGA AND MINDFUL MEDITATION COMBINED WITH TRADITIONAL THERAPY.
Then came a transformation…
Yoga and meditation helped me regain mental balance and reduced my stress levels. Regular practice renewed my sense of calm. It was life-changing. Through my practices I became more in tune with my mind and body and felt more in control as I navigated life’s highs and lows.
The more I learned, the more I wanted to know! The past thirty years of my life have been a process of learning, self-discovery and ultimately teaching others how to optimize their own well-being through practices of yoga, mindfulness and spirituality.
Yoga is now a mainstream health practice. Medical science continues to support its benefits and more Western doctors prescribe it.
Today & beyond
I WAKE UP FEELING EXCITED TO SHARE WHAT I’VE LEARNED WITH OTHERS!
Leading researchers have proven how yoga can stimulate brain function, reducing cognitive decline and improving balance. I specialize in yoga for the nervous system that incorporates breath focused movement to improve brain health and increase mobility. I love making physical practices accessible with a use of a chair.
Our journeys are best fueled by gathering in community. Each week I guide a group who focuses on the spiritual and emotional aspects of aging. We meditate, learn, discuss and share our experiences. Most of all we support one another!
My students tell me they are excited to have found a wellness package that helps them grow, move, connect and have some fun.
Ten Ways I Find Balance
Animal Therapy
At one time my husband and I had five rescue dogs, all at the same time, in the same house. Crazy? Yes. But, it happened one at a time so it snuck up on us. Does that still count as crazy? We have a respectable number of two now. All have been or are part of the family.
Yoga, of course!
In the early part of my thirty years as a yogi, I tried many styles of yoga. Some styles had almost a boot camp approach! When I found yoga for the subtle body, more innercise than exercise, I was all in – body, mind and spirit.
My morning ritual
Ok, coffee first for me then I reach for my journal, one of more than twenty that I have amassed over many years of writing everyday. I use the Morning Pages’ a meditative approach from The Artist’s Way.
Gardening
After many years of growing vegetables I still find it magical to plant a seed, tend it, watch it grow and eventually become nourishment for me and my family.
Reading
Murder mysteries, preferably without blood, are my favorite guilty pleasure. I usually have two to three books going. Favorite non-fiction topics are spirituality and aging, poetry, and mindfulness.
Meditation
Every week I lead a group of beautiful souls who meditate together and discuss topics that matter deeply to us.
Being in Nature
Besides my garden, my favorite place is the Blue Ridge Mountains. When I get the chance, I get in my camper van and head to the hills for hiking and beautiful sunrise and sunset views!
Singing
I usually have a song in my head. I sing in my car, the shower, church, my yoga and meditation classes at weddings and, well, everywhere!
Being of Service
For the biggest part of a year I lead the coordination of an annual event that raises funds for over 60 charities that represent diverse important causes such as aid to the homeless, suicide awareness and prevention, animal welfare, climate change among others.
Teaching
I have a picture of me at age 8 standing at a small chalkboard teaching my 4 year old brother how to spell. At age 21 I began teaching high school, went on to teach at the college level and for the past twenty years, yoga and mindfulness. Being a teacher is my greatest love and honor.
chair yoga
Seated and chair assisted yoga practices designed for older adults to increase calm, build resilience and joy!
ON-demand
Find a selection of videos that focus on practices of mind and body connection and promote wellbeing.
meditation circle
Connect to a supportive community that shares real talk about aging; the challenges, the joys, & finding meaning on the journey.
Gallery
