Laura's Roots

Laura has been teaching beginners through advanced students since 1995 and holds professional level certifications in Kripalu Yoga as well as Integrative Yoga Therapy. She is author of The Moon Salutation: Expression of the Feminine in Body, Psyche, Spirit. She is also the founder of the Green Yoga Association. Her work has been featured in Yoga Journal, Yogi Times, L.A. Yoga, and Common Ground Magazines.

Laura has led Yoga workshops and given lectures at the Kripalu Center, Quaker Center, the Yoga Philosophy Program of Loyola Marymount University, the Integral Yoga Teachers Conference, and several ashrams and study centers in India. She is adjunct faculty in the Asian and Comparative Studies Department at The California Institute of Integral Studies.

Laura graduated with a degree in physics from Swarthmore College, an MA in East-West psychology and a PhD in Religion and Philosophy from the California Institute of Integral Studiese. Her articles on Yoga have appeared in The International Journal of Yoga Therapy, The Kripalu Yoga Teachers' Association Bulletin, and The Green Yoga Association Newsletter.

Laura draws from training in multiple body-centered modalities including advanced teacher certifications in Kripalu Yoga, Integrative Yoga Therapy, Vinyasa Yoga, Integral Yoga, Circlework, and Hanna Somatics. Her personal spiritual path is deeply rooted in both Eastern and Western traditions and she has been graced by the presence of many important spiritual teachers in her life. Her travels in India in 2006 deepened her personal practice. She has been active in Quaker (Friends) Meetings since 1986.

In addition to her work as a Yoga teacher, Laura has over 16 years' experience working in public and private schools, including work as a Spanish bilingual teacher and conflict resolution program director. Currently she teaches part-time at Berkeley Independent Study, Home School Program, as the K-3 teacher.

About Kripalu Yoga

In a Kripalu Yoga class you will find a safe space that invites you to reconnect with body, breath, and soul. Class time includes breathing practices, warm-ups, classic Yoga postures, posture-flow, relaxation, and meditation. Kripalu Yoga develops compassionate self-awareness. Students become more flexible and strong, peaceful and energized.

Gentle level: a well-rounded class that is also appropriate for special needs. A good starting point for beginners who are physically inactive.

Moderate level: includes full sun and/or moon salutations with a good balance of new and challenging poses each class.

Kripalu grew from the Tantric lineage in India. It is named after Swami Kripalvananda, whose name means the bliss of compassion. Kripalu Yoga awakens the prana (life force) in the body and sensitizes the student to that prana.

Kripalu's main teaching center is located in Lenox, Massachusetts. It is the largest Yoga retreat in the United States, housing over 300 guests. Kripalu is the birthplace of many important innovations, including Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, Integrative Yoga Therapy, the Moon Salutation, Kripalu Danskinetics, Kripalu bodywork, and The Wave Integrational Breathwork, .

Kripalu is unique among American Yogas in its inclusion of time for self-directed posture-flow in its classes. The posture-flow affirms the teacher within and acknowledges the healing that comes from following our own inner guidance.

Dedication Prayer

May our Yoga bear great fruit.
May it bring us health, happiness, and freedom.
May we be gentle, compassionate, and truthful.
May we live at peace with all beings and with the earth.
May we realize our sisterhood and brotherhood with animals, plants, rocks, water, and air.

May all beings and the body of the earth be happy.
May all beings and the body of the earth be peaceful.
May all beings and the body of the earth be free.

-- Laura Cornell

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