THE PRESENT IS PRECIOUS

ABOUT ME

When I found that every time I moved on my mat, there was an uncontrollable smile beaming across my face and an overwhelming sense of bliss, I knew this was my dharma.

I received my 200hr yoga certification in Hatha Yoga from SOYA (South Okanagen Yoga Academy) during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, and could not have asked for a better year to take a deep dive into the vast studies of Yoga. During the lockdown, my mental health was at an all time low and was losing sight of my self. The study of yoga brought brilliance and love back into my heart, and has been guiding me back home to my true self. I now feel a calling to guide others into their own selves as well through sharing the practice of yoga based in ancient yogic philosophy and teachings. In 2022, I continued my studies at Palo Santo Wellness Boutique, studying Bhakti yoga, trauma in the body, assisting and more. I vow to honor the roots of yoga by moving away from body and ego-centered asana practice, and towards the union of mind, body, soul and spirit. I hope you will join me on this path and find peace and refuge in the beautiful path of yoga.

MUVYU

Check out yogawithlaurenk on MUVYU to stream from home!

“The moment you understand yourself as the true Self, you find such peace and bliss that the impressions of the petty enjoyments you experienced before become as ordinary specks of light in front of the brilliant sun.”

― Swami Satchidananda, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda

STATEMENT OF PRIVILEGE

As a white yoga teacher, I acknowledge that I receive many privileges and opportunities that people of color, specifically people of Indian ancestry, have not had access to in the United States. Because of this privilege, it is my goal to share the practice of Yoga with an immense appreciation for where it originally came from, and to do my part to prevent the white-washing of it in the United States.

I acknowledge that Indian and South Asian people are often not included in the Yoga “industry” due to the co-optation and cultural colonization of the practice of yoga in the United States. I acknowledge that Hatha yoga is only one branch of a richly spiritual way of life, and strive to prioritize the roots of Yoga in my classes. This means I will always do my best to include lessons in philosophy, the history of Yoga, and traditional yogic practices passed down from the Gitananda and Sivananda Lineage through my certification from SOYA. I strive to create a safe, inclusive and respectful space that welcomes every body, culture, religious affiliation, gender-identity, sexuality, and race. I am and forever will be a student of Yoga, which means I will make many mistakes and constantly be adapting my class style and content as I learn and grow.

Lastly, I acknowledge that the Yoga Alliance standardization model NEEDS to do a better job at battling and confronting the harm that white-washing and misappropriation in the Yoga industry does to the living culture in India and South Asia. I urge you to listen to “Let's Talk Yoga” Podcast by Arundhati Baitmangangalkar and “Scintillating Saturdays” Facebook Live streams with Dr Ananda to learn more about this topic and how we can contribute to avoiding cultural appropriation.

Thank you to Arundhati Baitmangalkar and Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani for sharing these important messages and inspiring me to be a better, more compassionate yoga practitioner and teacher. I also want to use this space to honour Dr. Hari Dickman whose wisdom is the source of so much of what I have learned.

Guru Om Guru Om Sadguru Datta Hari Om

FAQ

CAN I ACCESS YOUR ONLINE CLASSES AT ANY TIME?

Occasionally, on my Instagram page, I will upload an IGTV video of a yoga class that can be accessed for free at any time. For my Muvyu online classes, there will be a set date and time in which you can access the virtual "studio", but will not be able to access the class after it ends.

DO YOU TEACH IN PERSON?

I currently teach at Unity Yoga in Chestnut Hill, times differ per week so check out their schedule at https://unityyoga.guru/schedule/!

WHAT IS A PERSONALIZED YOGA VIDEO?

If you choose to book a personalized yoga video from me, I will design a 30 minute-1 hour long class just for you based on your needs that you will be able to access and practice whenever you like. If you want a class that focuses on a specific theme/topic, physical/health concern, or peak pose, this would be a great option for you!

DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS?

I find that it is incredibly important to offer a sliding scale/ "pay what you can" option for yoga classes to make yoga accessible to anyone who feels called to the practice. If you need a more accessible price point, I would be happy to talk privately with you and find a price that works for you.