WELLBEING with Laura

yoga is a gift to yourself

Welcome to your life in the fullest! Yoga is a powerful tool to help you connect with your true self. So many of us live ‘outside ourselves’ - rarely stopping to listen to our own inner voice and feelings. Practicing yoga offers simple and comprehensive methods for connecting deeply with your inner light and balance, the true building blocks of your Spirit. Sustained practice will move you towards freedom from, and better understanding of, the stresses, attachments and demands of everyday life.

Yoga is a gift to yourself.

WHAT WE DO

THERAPEUTIC YOGA and YOGIC THERAPY

Operating out of a small boutique East Vancouver studio, Maitri Yoga specializes in therapeutic yoga and yogic therapy. These competencies stem for years of certification, training, study, teaching, as well as continuous learning.

Whether your needs are reducing tension in the body, building strength, finding emotional balance, dealing with headaches or sleeping well, there is something for you here. As yoga is not just asana, and it is not about 'getting the pose' - the practice here is meticulous, tailored to your needs and always focuses on how what we do is beneficial to you. You really learn the effects of the practice - so you can do it on your own too.

Yogic therapy is talk counselling that draws from yogic philosophy and wisdom, in particular the role and qualities of the self. Most topics can be looked at through this lens. Many times our bodies react to the issues in our life so it can be helpful to supplement counselling sessions with e.g. breathing and relaxation exercises.

CURRENT - NEW FOR SPRING 2025

evening ASANA / GENTLE CLASS / request your own class

Intermediate level class for existing students will be on Thursdays at 7:00 - 8:15 pm. New clients with previous yoga experience are welcome to inquire about joining this class.

A new one hour gentle and restorative class (level 55+) is at 9:00 am on Sundays - this class is also excellent for newcomers and those who may think that yoga is not for them ;)

Haven’t found the right class for you? For groups of friends, moms, neighbours, seniors, etc. etc. please request a class at a time of your liking. Minorities are encouraged and warmly welcomed.

Five class passes are $119.05 + GST = $125.

MEDITATION COMMUNITY

HEARTFULL MEDITATION

In our meditation the objective is not to 'empty the mind' but to direct our energies and thoughts to more Light and Love, in order for us all to live our life aligned with our Dharma, our Soul's purpose. The Meditation Snacks are a delightful, easy and accessible tool to synchronize one's thoughts, actions and energy to add brilliance to the world and effect both personal and collective transformation.

Laura is pleased to offer a recurring (about every 3-4 weeks) community meditation session for those interested in the rejuvenating and calming effects of gathering together and cultivating silence. These sessions are by donation.

Retreats

Bowen Island CAnada AND ronda andalusia

The fifth all inclusive Purna Yoga Retreat on Bowen Island was cancelled due to COVID. At the moment no retreats are booked, but can be offered upon request. Retreats offer days full of yoga asana, meditation, philosophy, pranayama, yoga nidra, satsang and organic meals. Please click HERE for more info and HERE to get on the mailing list for future retreats.

SPAIN - A private Yoga and Wellbeing retreat in Ronda Andalusia (Spain) can be offered to any group of 6-12 participants who sign up as a group. Please message HERE to inquire about possible dates. All levels of practitioners can be accommodated in this exclusive and fulfilling wellness travel opportunity as the retreat program can be tailored to your wishes.

YOGA THERAPY + counselling

PRIVATE SESSIONS

Private sessions are often the most effective tool for clients with therapeutic needs. Laura is a Certified Professional Yoga Therapist and a full member of the IAYT. Sometimes even one session can bring about substantial relief. Private sessions are also excellent for students who wish to deepen their practice or simply troubleshoot a pose.

Private sessions cost CAD 180 or € 120 / 90 minutes (initial session) and CAD 120 or € 80/ 60 minutes (subsequent sessions). GST is added to session costs.

Yogic counselling is offered either in person or online. Sessions cost CAD 100 + GST / 50 minutes. Yoga philosophy offers a unique perspective to life and can unlock new discoveries of oneness, the self, as well as validation and belonging. Body awareness can form part of counselling through breathing and relaxation exercises.

Please click HERE to book or inquire about privates or counselling.

Meet your instructor

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR.

Laura is a senior yoga instructor and professional yoga therapist who has been teaching for over 20 years in Canada and internationally. She is a huge believer in the transformative power of yoga and encourages everyone to find a deeper connection with their own light and spirit through regular practice and meditation. She is an enthusiastic, encouraging and perceptive teacher who enjoys meeting students of all levels.

Laura is a graduate of the elite professional yoga training program at the College of Purna Yoga in Bellevue: a Certified Purna Yoga Instructor at the 2,000 hour level (only 4 people in Canada, and fewer than 90 people worldwide hold this designation). The college’s focus is creating excellence in the field of yoga instruction. She is also a RYT-500 registered teacher with Yoga Alliance.

As a Certified Yoga Therapist, she is also a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, C-IAYT, and was in a select group of IAYT Subject Matter Experts who created the question bank for the registration exams for upcoming yoga therapists. Laura continues to volunteer in the IAYT leadership.

As a trained teacher trainer, Laura has participated in teacher trainings in Vancouver, Seattle, San Jose, Edmonton and Helsinki, and has served as assistant faculty at the Yoga Journal Conference in Boston, and three times at the Vancouver Yoga Conference. In the 2010’s, Laura was teaching in Mexico at least one week a year, and during her trip around the world she also taught in Japan, Thailand, India, Brazil, Spain and Finland. Laura created the advanced class for teachers at Purna Yoga Helsinki.

Outside of yoga, Laura holds a Masters Degree in Architecture and has a long career as a specialist in all areas of healthcare. She is Professor of Health and Wellbeing Architecture at Aalto University in Helsinki.

Please click HERE to book Laura.

Laura is deeply grateful to her amazing teachers Aadil Palkhivala and Savitri, international yoga and meditation masters and the founders of Purna Yoga.

Much love.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

MAITRI YOGA acknowledges that it is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).

In recognition of the debt we owe to the First Peoples of our land, services rendered to members of Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations are offered at a discount. Kindly inquire through the contact form and present your SCIS at your first visit.