Approachable Asana

Happy Father's Day to those who are blessed with a loving father. I hope you are surrounded by love, family and happiness.

Unfortunately, it's not that way for everyone.

Maybe you've lost a father or father figure.
Perhaps you never knew your father.
You may happen to struggle with the relationship with your father.
There are countless other reasons you may find this day challenging.
Please know that you are not alone.

For me, this day is difficult because my father was my abuser. A PA State Police officer who presented his kind face to the outside world while terrorizing mine.

Despite the memory gaps I have as a CPTSD survivor, thoughts of the Little Miss Pennsylvania pageant 1977 make me smile. I even won Miss Congeniality!

I can finally look at these photos without being triggered and can see the love that he tried to show me if only in these fleeting moments. Sure, I still get a lump in my throat but I now know how to process those somatic signals and feel better.

If you struggle with this day, please be gentle with yourself.
Surround yourself with goodness, kindness and lavish yourself with self love.
Know you can heal.
If you are seeking healing through holistic means, please reach out. I'm here to support you.

Happy Friday everyone!

I don't know about you, but this week has been rough.

I tend to hold tension in my neck when things get busy or stressful.

If you do too or have a headache, check out my short meditation on to help with head & neck discomfort.

You can access this for free on the app.
If you feel moved to do so & find this helpful, please feel free to leave a review or make a donation.

https://insig.ht/uSkVpw4gqKb?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=live_stream_share

Have a wonderful weekend!

Let go.
Be silly.
Have some fun.
Do things that make you laugh, smile & bring you joy.

Isn't that how life's meant to be?

I know I get wrapped up in the "stuff" of life and sometimes forget that I need to play. It's easy to neglect these needs when life gets busy or stressful, but that's when we need it the most.

Join me on July 13 for "Joyful Movement" Schoolhouse Yoga & let yourself be free to have fun.

Register here: https://www.schoolhouseyoga.com/workshops

📸Scrimshaw Media

Join me to embark on a transformative exploration of the profound connection between breath and mindfulness.

June 30th Steel Goat Marketplace 230-330pm

This introductory workshop invites participants to discover the inherent power of their breath as a gateway to anchor themselves in the present moment, release tension and invite deep relaxation and presence.

From simple breath awareness to rhythmic breathing patterns, attendees will learn versatile tools to navigate daily stresses and enhance emotional well-being.
Join us on this journey of self-discovery and harness the innate wisdom of your breath to foster greater peace and clarity in your life.

This workshop is intended for everyone who breathes!

No prior meditation or breathwork experience is necessary.

Register here: https://steelgoatmarket.com/event/breathe-mindfully-a-journey-into-breathwork-basics/

Finding supplements I trust has been a challenging journey for me but thankfully I discovered
Free of additives, gluten, nuts, artificial colors and more.

If you're looking for the same, scan my QR code & save 20%!!!

Your body will thank you!

Looking for a different kind of movement?

Join me on July 13 Schoolhouse Yoga for a class like no other!

Move your body, shake out the stress and have some fun!

We’ll combine familiar yoga shapes with intuitive, creative movements and energy work to help you get out of your head and back into your body.

Let’s come together in a playful space to awaken your inner child and feel free.
Class will conclude with a final relaxation to leave you restored and rejuvenated.

All you need is a mat, an open mind and a desire to have fun.
This class is for EVERYONE and EVERY BODY.

Register Here: https://www.schoolhouseyoga.com/workshops

I decided to go purple again & figured it was a good time to quickly introduce myself.

Hi everyone!
I'm Laura-holistic health coach, Reiki master, yoga & meditation teacher, neuroscience and trauma expert.

My passion is sharing holistic healing modalities to reconnect to your body, free your mind and learn to live, love & be.
I'm so glad you're here.

I've spent decades inside my own mental prison of " I'm not good enough", "I'll look stupid", "People will judge me" as a result of survival patterns developed from childhood trauma.

Through my own healing journey, I'm learning to love myself again and find my vibrancy.

I don't need to stay stuck and neither do you.

Thankfully we can rewire our brains.
Find that self love.
Be confident.
Give less f***** about what people think.
Find what fills our cup and let's us thrive.

Who's in?
Stay tuned for upcoming events!

I used to wake up and immediately start "doing"
My CPTSD led me to believe I always had to stay busy.
It kept me from having to feel, process and heal.
A trauma response that felt normal to me for so many years.

Thankfully I've learned different habits of healing to calm my nervous system and retrain my chaotically wired trauma brain.

Morning stillness.

Just me, my coffee and the warm glow of the salt lamp.
I listen to the sounds around me.
Sometimes I meditate or do breathwork.
Sometimes I just sit.

There's no right or wrong when you are spending time "being" instead of "doing"

Need ideas on how to calm your nervous system and take better care of yourself? Message me!

Last night I met up with these amazing ladies , & .

An incredible dinner turned into a night full of laughter and fun that filled my cup to the brim.

If you haven't been to , treat yourself to a mini excursion to Thailand. You won't be disappointed.

I think I'm still buzzing with happy neurotransmitters.

Social connection with your tribe is good for the soul.

How are you supporting yourself this week?

I'm thrilled to be the moderator for the June 10 OMA Center for Mind, Body, and Spirit YANA "You Are Not Alone" webinar.

We'll be discussing the intersectionality of PTSD in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Please join us for what I expect to be a vibrant discussion.

Even if you can't make it live, OMA will send out a recording of the webinar that you can view later.

Sign up here: https://omapittsburgh.org/you-are-not-alone/

I grew this from a single broken leaf.
Waited weeks for tiny roots to form before I could put it in soil.

For the longest time it didn't look like it was going to make it.
The edges of the solitary leaf started to wither.
I didn't have much hope for it.

But then it found its way.
It just needed time and nurturing in order to thrive.

This photo is a reminder to be patient.
That growth takes time.
That beauty is everywhere.
We just need to let things unfold in their own unique way.

Be kind to yourself.
Be nurturing and loving.
Be patient.
Appreciate each step of the journey & get ready to thrive.

Have a wonderful week!

May 13 is our next OMA Center for Mind, Body, and Spirit YANA (You Are Not Alone) Webinar

Join us as we raise awareness for Mental Health Awareness Month and discuss labels, stigma and mental health in the setting of trauma.

I hope you can join us!

📎in bio to sign up

Not so long ago I would have scrutinized this photo to death.
My flabby arms. The rolls of my stomach.
On and on...

Not today.
The photos from this day make me smile, just like making bubbles did tonight.

While this body has its imperfections, it tells the story of a strong woman. A survivor.
This body has kept me going through it all.
Learning to love her more. She deserves it.

Although my day started with a very sick girl , I knew I needed to take time to recharge myself.

I asked myself what I needed and listened.

🏡 Spent time outside. What a beautiful day.
📚 Journaled
🧘 Embodiment practices
😴 Napped
🥦 Cooked a healthy, nourishing meal
🐾Relax, reflect & unwind with my furkids

How did you care for yourself today?

Been going through a rough patch with life and CPTSD so I took a self care day

✨Rested. No rush to my day. Listened to my body
✨Legs up the wall (deck) in the sunshine
✨ Got dog kisses from Frank and Syd put her paw in my hand while I recharged
✨Watched the clouds, listened to the sounds around me
✨Felt grounded and noticed my breath

#

Today was my first day back teaching yoga at Schoolhouse Yoga since Covid knocked me down.

It was the most challenging mental and physical thing I've done in weeks and absolutely worth it.

Not only was so lovely to see so many familiar faces eager to move and breathe with me but I was given this beautiful necklace.

Thank you beautiful yoga community for filling my cup and making me feel so loved.
It was great to be back with everyone.

Healing with Self Love is the theme for this month. Join us for the You Are Not Alone webinar
Feb 12, 630-8pm online

A day of gratitude
Boosting my serotonin, dopamine & oxytocin
Raising my vibrational state
Feeling good

What are you feeling grateful for today?

Last night I had the honor to share the evening with this group of students from
Take Back The Night is an organization whose mission is to end all sexual violence.

I told my story of childhood trauma, sexual assault, domestic violence and shared my healing journey with CPTSD. We then enjoyed some yoga and meditation together to nourish our bodies, minds and souls.

Filled with love for everyone who attended.

Grateful for moments like these. They fill my cup.
Sharing = healing

Back The Night Foundation

I'm honored to be part of this Take Back the Night Pitt event on Friday, January 19 630pm.
I'll be talking about my experiences as a trauma and sexual assault survivor and leading an accessible yoga practice & guided meditation.

Open to any Pitt student and it's FREE!

Sign up on their page


Take Back The Night Foundation

Join us Monday, January 8 at 630 for the OMA Center for Mind, Body, and Spirit monthly webinar: You Are Not Alone. This month we will be discussing Resets and Resolutions

Sign up here: https://omapittsburgh.org/event/resets-and-resolutions/

Happy New Year everyone!

Honor this past year, honor yourself and honor your seasons.
💜

I'm so excited to be part of this special pop up event on December 29.

Join me for a candlelight class to reset & recharge yourself.

You can expect longer holds on cozy props with gentle guidance to help facilitate a relaxing & rejuvenating practice.

Check out this beautiful new yoga studio & give yourself some much deserved self care.

Sign up on their website or 🔗 in my bio.

Take a walk with your senses...

The crunch of leaves underfoot
Cool, crisp air on your face
Trickling water weaving its way downhill
Smells of piney fresh air
Shades of light and shadow mixing with the landscape of winter

You can find beauty anywhere if you take the time to pause & notice.