Laurie Scott is a certified RYT-500 yoga teacher, meditation teacher, and C-IAYT, who received her training from the Ananda School of Yoga & Meditation. She teaches Ananda style yoga, a spiritual and gentle type of yoga that is done slowly with positive affirmations. It cultivates inner peace and relaxation and helps uplift one's energy. Students remark on how relaxed they feel afterwards and often experience a deep sense of tranquility that lasts for hours.
Laurie hopes yoga will be a relaxed and enjoyable experience for anyone she teaches, and welcomes beginning students of all sizes and ability. She knows many people feel intimidated to do yoga, thinking that yoga classes consist of slender young women in tight leggings who do each yoga perfectly. She herself is older and average looking, and most comfortable wearing loose clothing. The goal of her yoga classes is for people to experience greater peace and tranquility, rather than just for physical exercise, although they are physically benefitted too. She also often includes inspirational reading and a short meditation in her classes. Pets are welcome at her private lessons, who seem to enjoy the atmosphere of yoga class too.
Laurie comes from a spiritual background. As a teenager she questioned the meaning of life and sought inner peace and happiness. She studied yoga and meditation from teachers from India and their senior students. As a young adult, she also lived in a traditional ashram for seven years, four of which were spent living in India. Afterwards, she studied Indian classical music with the great Indian classical musician, Ali Akbar Khan, in California for almost 25 years and plays the instrument sarode (aka sarod). In 1990, she became a devotee of Amma, the hugging saint, who recommends yoga for greater inner peace and well being.
Laurie has written and published an entertaining and candid memoir, "A Spiritual Journey to Now" (on Amazon), and recorded four albums of her music, most of which is on her youtube channel for free. Given the opportunity, she shares her music in institutions where people are isolated and suffering, and helps bring peace to others through music. She has been featured in the Sunday Lifestyles section of the Marin Independent Journal, a prominent Bay Area newspaper, and also been interviewed on a New York radio station.
What students have said about her classes:
"Laurie's class sets the tone for my whole week. In addition to helping me feel much better physically, I am much calmer and more focused." — A.C.
"It's a tranquil journey into health, happiness, and well-being. Laurie's peaceful presence complements a wonderful class filled with inspiration and encouragement." — R.J.N.
"Her yoga class is wonderful! It's not at all intimidating to me as a novice yogi. I appreciate her gentle and calm direction and how she speaks. She accommodates any limited ability by tweaking the poses when necessary. But mostly my mind becomes calm and focused throughout the entire class. I feel euphoric and my body feels so good afterwards. My small dog and I always look forward to the next class!" — J.H.