Meet Laura

A woman in a pink tank top and black leggings is sitting on a yoga mat in a bright, spacious corridor, smiling at the camera.

My Story

My journey with yoga began in 2001, during a time when I was searching for something I couldn’t quite name—something steady, honest, and healing. What started as a physical practice quickly became a lifeline. Over the years, yoga has helped me meet myself more fully: through grief, anxiety, chronic stress, burnout, and the quiet ache of disconnection that so many of us carry.

Along the way, I discovered the power of not only movement and breath, but of stillness, presence, and returning to the body with gentleness. The practices of yoga and Ayurveda invited me into a new kind of relationship with myself—one that wasn’t based on fixing or striving, but on listening, honoring, and becoming whole.

As I deepened my studies and stepped into community work, I saw how these practices could support others navigating trauma, overwhelm, and life transitions. I began serving as an advocate, and later a yoga therapist, for survivors of interpersonal violence, working with children, teens, and adults. That work continues to shape my understanding of what true healing looks like: relational, patient, and rooted in dignity.

Today, my offerings are grounded in over two decades of study, practice, and teaching. I bring together the ancient wisdom of yoga and Ayurveda with trauma-informed principles and insights from Western psychology. Whether in one-on-one sessions, group classes, or community workshops, my goal is always the same: to hold space where you feel seen, supported, and empowered to move forward at your own pace.

A young woman with long brown hair wearing a bright pink sleeveless top, standing outdoors near a train track with blurred trains in the background. She has her eyes closed, dark lipstick, gold earrings, and a turquoise pendant necklace, and is covered with glitter on her arms and hands, which she is holding together in front of her chest.

My Philosophy

I believe in the power of healing that honors the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. My work blends the ancient wisdom of yoga and Ayurveda with the insights of Western psychology, creating a compassionate and trauma-informed approach to personal transformation.

My practice and teaching are deeply influenced by the wisdom and teachings of T.K.V. Desikachar, Dr. Vasant Lad, Swami Satchidananda Saraswati, Mooji, Dr. Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Dr. Anna Pittman, Sarahjoy Marsh, and Dr. Gabor Maté.

I am committed to the healing and liberation of all people. This commitment includes actively working to dismantle systems of colonization and white supremacy, recognizing that true wellness cannot exist without justice, equity, and collective care.

My Values

My work is grounded in the belief that healing is a human right—not a luxury—and that wellness must be inclusive, accessible, and justice-oriented.

I am committed to trauma-informed, culturally respectful care that honors each person’s lived experience and innate wisdom. My approach is rooted in compassion, consent, and the understanding that true healing unfolds at the pace of trust.

I believe personal healing is inseparable from collective liberation. This means actively working to dismantle systems of colonization, white supremacy, and oppression—while supporting practices that nurture sustainability, community resilience, and deep care for the Earth.

A woman practicing yoga in a parking garage, doing a side bend with one arm reaching overhead and one reaching down, standing on a yoga mat.

Community Work

As a yoga therapist and community advocate, I’ve had the honor of supporting survivors of interpersonal violence—offering trauma-informed care and embodied practices to children, teens, and adults. This work is central to my path and continues to shape the way I hold space with compassion, integrity, and deep respect for each individual’s lived experience.

In addition to my work in victim advocacy, I’m deeply committed to sustainability and climate justice, including growing my own food as a way to reconnect with the natural world. I serve as a Community Advisor and volunteer with SustainFloyd, a rural nonprofit in the Blue Ridge Mountains dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship, local agriculture, renewable energy, and resilient community practices.

I believe healing is not only personal—it’s also relational and ecological. Our care for ourselves must extend to the Earth and to one another.

Training & Credentials

  • Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), The Institute for Living Yoga – Portland, OR (Sarahjoy Marsh)

  • 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Certification, The Breathing Space – Blacksburg, VA (Anna Pittman)

  • E-RYT 200, RYT 500, & YACEP, Registered with Yoga Alliance

  • M.A. in Education, University of Central Florida

  • B.S. in Communication, Radford University

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Person sitting cross-legged on the ground with their hands in a meditation pose next to the word "peace" written on concrete.