Laura Papps

Sat Nam!

I am Yoga Alliance Registered and an E-RYT 500.    17 years experienced in Group and Private Teaching.   My first Yoga training was 200 hours and back in 2000 with Yoga Zone.  Initially trained in ISHTA Yoga.  I feel fortunate and grateful to have been mentored by well known instructors such as Yogi Raj Alan Finger, Carol Silverman and Rachel Zinman.    In the ISHTA tradition I learned the graceful flowing practice of Vinyasa, as well as ISHTA style pranayama, kriya and meditation.   I taught for a few years as an RYT 200 and gained my experience teaching at SatSang Yoga in Garrison, NY as well as several other gyms and studio's of that time in Upper Westchester mostly.  

My second 300 hour training came in 2007, 2 years after the birth of my dear son Jacob.  I trained with Lisa and Charles Matkin in Garrison, N.Y.  Matkin Yoga. Again I was blessed with this opportunity to learn from two highly respected and well known  instructors to the yoga community.  This intense training grounded me in a deeper understanding of how yoga affects our Koshas (the layers of our being) and helps us to peel away the more superficial layers to reveal who we truly are and find our authentic voice.  From Lisa and Charles I’ve learned intensity of practice, the depths of my inner being, my connection to all and mostly, I learned how to not take myself so seriously and to even have fun and be playful when I’m practicing or teaching yoga.  After all, sponteneity, playfulness and laughter are a huge part of who I am.  Bringing that into my class is what makes them enjoyable to my students.

Although I am vinyasa trained, and tend to teach a safe and fun, spontaneous vinyasa class.  I do offer and love to teach gentler, more emotionally healing types of classes too.  I am a Reiki Master and come from the school of Heart Knocks!  My whole lifes journey is about healing myself on all levels.  I often will incorporate Reiki into my gentle classes and offer weekend workshops for Reiki training.

I am also formerly the creator and owner of Sacred Space Yoga,  which was located in Somers NY for 5 years.  Having my own studio has taught me so much about the business end of yoga, but the best part was it connected me to so many wonderful new people I never would have met otherwise.   Fostering a stong community bond through yoga has enriched my life and gave me deeper understandings into the basic yoga teachings that are more tangible now that I have lived and experienced them.  

Encouraging non-judgement and just being your beautiful self.  My philosophy is that yoga if for everybody, not just some bodies!  "The only flexibility requirement is of the mind, not body."  I invite all ages and sizes and levels of ability to participate mindfully.  I will help you choose which class is right for you to begin your yoga journey.   My vibe is relaxed and welcoming to all.   I’m here to teach, I’m here to heal, I am here to laugh,

I am here to love. 

Namaste