Laura Downing

Throughout most of my life, I have been expressing myself through movement. Even before I had begun any formal training, I would put on my favorite record, a fancy dress and spin like mad until I fell down dizzy. My mother often describes how I would seem to float on air as I skipped down the street. I dabbled in gymnastics and ice skating but found my true passion in dance. Spending hours a day in classes and rehearsals, I developed my skills an artist and moved to New York City at 17 to pursue my dream of a professional dance career. I was blessed with the opprotunity to perform with The Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Hispanico of New York and various other troupes over the course of 8 years.

Although I was living the life I imagined and wanted, my body began to complain. Suffering various aches, pains and injuries and feeling burnt out from such a demanding lifestyle, I ended my professional career and became a mom to a daughter then a son.  I was very fortunate to be able to stay home full time and raise my children for the first several years of their lives but I began to long for the creative expression I had always known through my dancing. I was taking aerobics classes at my local gym and noticed that they offerd yoga as well. I was very curious and decided to give it a try. As soon as we started breathing deeply, moving our bodies gratcefully from pose to pose and exploring both strength and flexibility I knew I had found my new passion! Not only did I enjoy the yoga on a physical level, but I felt a deep sense of calm and clarity in my mind and peace, joy and radience in my spirit when the class was over.

After several months of practice I decided to enroll in a yoga teacher training course. I was very excited to be able to use my dance background and knowledge of anatomy, alignment and movement to enhance my skill as a yoga instructor. I completed my training in 2002 and have been teaching yoga full time in San Diego since 20003. I teach group classes, private sessions and on-site corporate yoga. You can view my schedule at www.dakiniyoga.com and if you live in San Diego, come by for a class or book a private lesson so I can customize a practice for you! If you're an experienced practitioner, even better; you can download my audio classes at www.yogichocolate.com. This site is all donation based. Pay whatever you like, download the class to keep forever and practice anywhere at anytime.

As a yoga teacher I am able to help people lead healthier lives and improve their physical, mental and emotional well being. I recently beacme a distributor for an amazing product that can support my clients on thier journey toward ultimate health and well-being. Because my business is brand new, I am so greatful to have found this community and it's wealth of information and resources. I look forward to learning about how to achieve true financial freedom and connecting with other like minded individuals who hope to not only improve their own lives but the lives of others as well.