Laura Wheeler

Laura Wheeler, RYT, LMT

I was introduced to Yoga by a very dear friend of mine over 12 years ago. However, I really didn't embrace it until it became a source of healing after a couple of emotionally traumatic life events. I can understand when I hear people say "Yeah, Yoga really isn't my thing." I can say to them with honesty, "I can understand that. It wasn't always for me either." Practicing Yoga helped me to "breathe" again, to "slow down" and to allow healing to be a part of my day. After experiencing the benefits personally, I began utilizing Yoga with my massage clients who needed further aid for their chronic pain beyond the massage therapy that they were receiving. While researching Yoga and its many benefits beyond the mat, I found that Ashtanga was the practice that resonated with me the most. I earned my 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certification in (2013) from the Namaste Institute and continued to practice Ashtanga Yoga under my teacher Heidi Audet at Chill Yoga in Lewiston (where I also teach Ashtanga Yoga). I love the steadiness and dependability of the practice, how my body can just flow while my mind and spirit can move in and out of a meditative state with the breath. I also love that the practice itself promotes a Yogic lifestyle and encourages its practitioners to bring all of the 8 limbs of Yoga into our lives. I love seeing my students who start with a mind set of "I can't ever do that!" and seeing them transform to "Oh my gosh, I just did that!". I believe that anyone can practice Yoga. In fact, I believe that everyone should, especially those who say they don't have the body type or the "flexibility". It is our minds that need to be flexible and open. Our bodies will follow. I encourage my students to have a humbled sense of humor with their practice. Some postures bring out a serious side in us because they require intense focus. We can still unlock our jaws and smile while moving into and within them.
I studied at the Maine School of Massage & Body Work with Donna Kraft-Smith (2007), Namaste Institute (2011 & 2012) and earned my Maine State Massage License and 200 hour Yoga Certification. I am currently studying the 800 hour Yoga Philosophy, History and Literature course with Brenda Feuerstein at the Traditional Yoga Studies school of Yoga. The teachers who have been important and influential in my teaching style and personal practice are K. Pattabhi Jois, David Swenson, Georg Feuerstein, Brenda Feuerstein and Kino McGregor, . Some teachers I have directly studied under and whom I have absolute gratitude for are Brenda Feuerstien, Erika Manning, Heidi Audet & Diane Handler.
I am the owner of Grace Studio in Readfield, ME and practice clinical massage therapy and teach Traditional Ashtanga Yoga and privately guide and consult with students about their Yogic path. In addition to Massage & Yoga my son and I enjoy gardening, hiking, mountain biking and trips to the ocean. We have also spent the last year "downsizing" and designing plans for our tiny home which we expect to build next spring. It has naturally led us to consider being more mindful in our choices and reduce our impact on earth and getting rid of material "clutter". It is truly an honor to bring Ashtanga Yoga to our community. You can personally contact me anytime at [email protected] or call 207-931-8706.