★ 5

I feel at home in my body for the first time in my life. I can be present in the moment and feel joy and closeness with loved ones free from the constant felt sense of fear and shame I had always known.

Two years of talk therapy had helped me understand a great deal about myself and my trauma. But I still could not connect with others. I couldn’t cope with how it felt to even be with myself. Much of my time was spent trying to distract myself from feeling fear and shame that was still ever present.

My therapist suggested that I try yoga as a way to practice being more present in my body. I felt afraid most of the time. I had been to yoga classes before and they generally left me feeling frustrated with myself and ashamed of my inability to follow along. I worried I wasn’t doing things correctly. I’ve never felt that way in Laura’s yoga class. She is the most skilled and responsive yoga teacher I’ve worked with. Her approach to yoga is truly designed for trauma survivors. I never feel like I have to do something that isn’t working for me. I can do something different and still feel valued and cared for.

Somatic Experience work with Laura has been like the missing piece I needed to finally be at peace.

What’s Somatic Experiencing work with Laura like? Sometimes it’s like talking with a trusted friend. Sometimes it’s like being held safely in my vulnerability. Sometimes it’s like being guided through my pain to a place where I can see and make use of my own strength.

My life is transformed in ways I couldn’t imagine only 6 months ago. My trauma no longer rules me.

Source: Google

★ 5

Laura is an outstanding teacher and somatic practitioner. Her online yoga classes were absolutely essential to my mental and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Laura's classes are tailored to the unique needs of the group, and they promote both community and individual empowerment. Laura's approach is truly trauma-informed and deeply impactful for mind, body, and spirit. I cannot recommend Laura enough!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Laura's yoga program is awesome. Her approach and the group are so welcoming. The way she instructs and her prompts ensure the mind body connection is constant for the session. I feel fully refreshed and restored after every session.

Source: Google

★ 5

I'm so grateful for Warrior Pose Yoga and Laura Phoenix! She is incredibly informative and her instructions are always clear. Her classes toggle between reverent and fun - which I love.

I go to her yoga classes to build strength, flexibility, relax and also to relax. These classes were the highlight of the early days of the pandemic.

When classes were in person, she always started class by having everyone chat with other people in the class - that was so fun!

Source: Google

★ 5

I am so grateful for the experience of both yoga and somatic experiencing with Laura.

I'm a certified yoga practitioner, and a professional performing artist who has had to deal with a plethora of dance injuries over the years. During the pandemic, I could feel my body attempting to unwind old physical and emotional trauma patterns within my body, and I needed additional support- beyond physical therapy, and my mindfulness practices- in attending to my needs for healing.

While I could absolutely take myself through my own "flow", and though there are many free yoga videos out there, there is just no substitution for the live, kind, loving, communicative space that Laura creates for growth and healing. I had doubts about the effectiveness of a virtual space, but I am so glad that I chose to give it a chance- I gave myself a one month "trial" to see how it would be, and over a year later, I know I wouldn't have made it through this pandemic and a lot of loss and challenges without Laura and this community.

We all need accountability and community; I get that with Laura and the folks who show up each week. I've been able to slow down from the go-go-go pace of New York City, and get support in listening to my body on an even deeper level than I already had access to. I've also experienced the joy, surprise, and delight of the other students- who are not performing athletes like I am- who share gratitude in noticing their balance and strength and flexibility improving, and who feel more grounded and less anxious from showing up and flowing together in our separate spaces- and it's a joy to be able to celebrate the small and large victories in a community, and to share and normalize that we all can get anxious and feel "off" from time to time- this truly has a positive impact, even virtually!

In addition, I've been able to work with Laura and her skills as a somatic experiencing practitioner. She is skilled with assisting in the release of old trauma patterns, and is a kind and loving witness to whatever needs help moving through the body/nervous system- she is someone who feels safe enough to be "messy" with, in order to heal.

I hope that you get the chance to work with her in your healing journey, whether through weekly or daily yoga, or somatic experiencing. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to work with Laura virtually, since we're in different states, and that the virtual work has a positive impact, and is more powerful than I expected it could be!

I'm glad that I made the investment in myself and my own healing and expansion by working with Laura and the Warrior Pose Yoga & Healing community!

Source: Google

★ 5

This is being written and posted by Jane Howard, spouse of Stephen.
I (Jane) have been practicing with Laura since 2018. During COVID I have attended Zoom classes 6 days per week. Laura is an excellent teacher, organized, warm, gives clear instructions, is sensitive to participant needs, always respectful. I frequently recommend her to my friends.

Source: Google

★ 5

I have practiced yoga with Laura Phoenix for quite a few years, and the past year and a half, I have practiced 3 - 4 times a week with her. So, I can guarantee that she is consistently responsive to the needs of her students and clear in her communication. And she has a gentle sense of humor. A pleasure to work with!

Source: Google