Lorelei J Helmke

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Yoga has always beckoned me From my early years I felt the energy around me and inside of me Not until adulthood did I begin exploring Yoga It was and I had a beautiful view off my back patio  I began on my own with a yoga app I developed my own practice and went through the eight limbs without even knowing what they were Yoga does what yoga does After years of practicing on my own and attending some classes I made the decision to take a YTT class The perfect opportunity unfolded the summer of Sumukhi was teaching on South Padre Island and I attended her class Sumukhi is a Yoga instructor that studied yoga and the ancient texts for three years at Ananda Ashram in New York I began classes through Yoga Illumin at Laguna Madre Yoga Studio She shared the teachings of her guru Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati She taught traditional yoga complete with chanting all the sutras in Sanskrit and the science of yoga Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati is the name given to Ramamuriti S Mishra MD a prominent physiatrist and neurosurgeon while he walked the earth  His teachings were largely based on the science of yoga in connection to traditions  Aziza Stanton also shared her knowledge She has been teaching yoga for + years  As a massage therapist her knowledge of the human body is extensive She has studied many different styles of yoga and ancient traditions My -hour training was exceptionally well-rounded I completed that course of study July and knew immediately I wanted to continue Yoga was my path I completed a meditation certification and an Ayruveda certification in the months that followed and taught at Laguna Madre Yoga from August through Labor Day that year I found MelMarie Yoga in San Antonio Melissa Aguirre offered a YTT with a specialization in Structural Therapeutic Yoga beginning that November I completed this course of study fi in October certifying my Registered Yoga Instructor designation with Yoga Alliance I began offering private and semi-private classes at the studio I have on my property in January of These classes allow me to teach to individuals and allow for modifications of the practice I maintain a small but consistant group of clients through this studio  I developed a program I refer to as AIM – Adaptive Integrated Movement It is an eight-week program that utilizes the principes of yoga movements with breathwork meditation and somatic exercises This program is designed to teach participants to become aware of themselves while increasing strength balance and overall wellbeing It can be taught in conjunction with physical therapy as I am teaching at an apartment complex for older adults I could also be taught in private sessions  I have spent the past two summers teaching at Laguna Madre Yoga There I had the opportunity to work with students that had mobility issues This experience taught me that everyone can yoga and it should be made available for everyone  Afterall asanas are just one of the eight limbs of yoga We just need to assess how each person moves and make the proper modifications for their asanas Making everyone feel as though they matter and they can participate is very important to me I also want my students to learn to go inside and be able to feel their own bodies their own energy honor their abilities as well as accept that they may not be able to do what they used to be able to do and “Thats OK”I am currently developing a few workshops to introduce at Laguna Madre Yoga I do also love a power yoga class I teach many types of classes – Vinyasa Flow Hatha Do-In self-massage gentle yoga chair yoga power yoga that includes some Pilates moves pranayama somatic exercises and meditation Additionally I teach a little basic Ayruveda the art of self-care I include a little meditation pranayama and ancient teachings in my classes as is appropriate for the venue  My hope is that my students learn from my experience and teachings I hope they find their inner spirit and are able to connect with their bodies I wish to impart what yoga has taught me “you are not your body you are the beautiful spirit that resides within” We find peace and contentment when the body spirit and mind are connected to our prana life force  I want my students to know their own energy and leave my classes with a calm sense of understanding and empowerment.