Instructors

Yoga has been at the center of Laura’s life for the last 20 years. She has studied and taught multiple styles of Yoga ranging from Yoga Nidrā to Aṣhṭāṅga Yoga. She is grateful for a career highlighted by international retreats, a teacher training and the Tahoe Yoga Shala community, which closed suddenly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Laura’s dedication and curiosity leads her to continuously further her knowledge of the body-mind traditions of Yoga. In September 2021 she completed a Sanskrit Teacher Training with Zoe Mai and the American Sanskrit Institute. Her affinity for the language and philosophy of Yoga draws her toward an intimate understanding of source texts such as the Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali and the Bhagavad Gītā.

Join for Yoga Philosophy + Chanting. Deepen your understanding of Yoga philosophy and connect with Sanskrit’s timeless sounds. This harmonium supported class weaves together call-and-response chanting and discussion of the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali. No previous chanting experience required.

Hey there, I wanted to give y'all a little background on my yoga journey so far. 

I began practicing regularly at Mountain Yoga back in 2010. From there, I just became more curious and Intrigued by the practice. From reading books to asking my teachers questions, it became evident that my next step was to train as an instructor. 2013, I completed a 200-hour training in Raja Hatha through Lake Tahoe Yoga. Initially, I had no plan to teach, but with some encouragement and the opportunity presented, I began teaching at Moutain Yoga. From there, I took shorter pieces of training in Yin and Trauma Informed Yoga through Zuda and Firefly Yoga, respectively. 

I was continuing my self-growth and working with many ups and downs. Next, I took a 200-hr Tibetan Heart Yoga with my longtime teacher, Scott Nanamura. This beautiful training enriched my understanding of the philosophy behind the practice and how it weaves its way into all aspects of our lives. I'd also been practicing Ashtanga regularly for about seven years and had begun assisting and apprenticing in the Mysore setting. Laura Josephy, my studio manager, teacher, and friend, developed a 200-hour Ashtanga training with Kacey Davy, another fellow teacher and friend, in 2019. That training was a great experience for me as a student and teacher. 

Bringing all these teachings together in my practice has allowed me to develop my classes into an authentic expression of everything I've learned. My classes focus on using the tangibles of breath and body to help us dig deeper into the more subtle layers of ourselves, using choice and intuition to heal ourselves in the manner that we need. Through responsibility and self-realization, we can all look to enrich the lives of those around us. Moving with the breath and trusting yourself can be just what you need to continue to grow.

Hello, Tahoe Mountain Yoga community. I’m happy to share a little about me with you. I’m a full-time firefighter, husband, and father of two girls. My yoga journey began in 2015 after I sustained a lower back injury at work, and my then chiropractor suggested I do Warrior 1 to relieve my pain. I spent a year seeking more postures and building a practice with CDs and online videos. In 2016, I won a ten-class card to Tahoe Yoga Shala. I was hooked! I remember never wanting to miss Friday's class at the Shala with Audrey Villanueva. I began to attending Laura's Mysore classes, and Ashtanga became my thing. I learned that when focusing on Tristhana (breath, posture, and gazing point), yoga is more than just a little stretching and exercise. I believe that my yoga practice helped me heal from work-related trauma that I suffered in 2013. I wanted to learn more and teach others about yoga. 

I completed my 200 RYT in the Ashtanga Primary Series with Laura and Kacey in 2020. They were instrumental in my yoga development, and I am grateful for their presence in my life. In 2021, I completed a 50-hour Hatha Module with Johann and Candace. They helped me to focus, develop, and create a complete Hatha yoga sequence and style incorporating my love for Ashtanga. In 2022, I completed a 75-hour Yin training with Troy at Peak Beings Yoga. My yoga training continues with private coaching from Kristen at Sacred Circles Teaching. As I have discovered, our bodies are our best teachers, and when you take the time to listen, you will learn what you need to know. 

I look forward to practicing with you and discovering what we can learn together.

Hello, fellow Yogi! 

My life's mission is to live and leave a legacy of love while supporting others to do the same. I am a former wildland firefighter of 13 years. That journey was an immensely empowering experience during which my yoga practice became the centerpiece of my life. I left my firefighting career to be of service to the local and global communities on a much more personal level.  I have a broad background of education and experience relating to trauma, healing, and personal growth. 

My sense of spirituality, consciousness, emotional intelligence, and the inner world was bestowed upon me by my mother while she embarked on her spiritual journey through meditation. I remember I was four when she first sat me down to "turn inward" and meditate. I was raised in Nevada City and thus steeped in an eclectic, multicultural, creative, and spiritual community. I was gifted a general sense of openness, trust, and acceptance toward the grand experience we know as life.

Since becoming an adult, I have taken responsibility for my well-being into my own hands and continued to immerse myself in studies and practices that support the expansion of my capacity to be with the entirety of this life experience and serve humanity in an impactful way. In 2017, I completed my 200-hr YTT in Bali with my beloved friend and teacher, Scott Nanamura of Diamond Heart Yoga School, and also became ordained as a minister through the Universal Life Church. Shortly after, I acquired a  40-hr Trauma Informed Yoga training with Firefly Yoga International. Via ISICF, I am certified in Critical Incident Stress Management. Due to my relational challenges, I completed three years of study and continue to receive mentorship via The Relationship School as a Certified Individual and Couple Relationship Coach.

Today, I am living a joyfully empowered life through my heart with purpose as I serve our community in many capacities: I am, of course, a yoga instructor, a professional wedding officiant, a relationship coach, and the leader of Sierra Men's Circle, a local men's group I host here at the dojo. To discover more about me and my services, please visit Legacies of Love.