Massage 

Laurie is a state licensed massage therapist with a degree from the Stillpoint Theraputic Massage Program and a certificate in oncology massage from Tracy Walton.  Laurie practices an integrative massage, which includes Sweedish massage, deep tissue, and myofacial release.  She works with clients through The Cancer Connection, The Healing Zone, and Hospice with the Overlook Visiting Nurses Association, as well as her home studio. 

Yoga

A veteran Yoga teacher, Laurie is certified by two nationally known Yoga Therapists, Mukunda Tom Stiles (Structural Yoga) and Gary Kraftstow at the American Viniyoga Institute, and continues her education with courses such as Leslie Kaminoff’s Yoga Anatomy.  Laurie teaches a blend of these two techniques with an emphasis on Viniyoga for its therapeutic value and an approach that adapts to the unique condition, needs, and interests of the individual.  She brings these skills not only to her studio classes but also to cancer patients at The Breast Center at Milford Regional Medical Center and students at Mount Holyoke College. 

Clients

In addition to serving clients at her studio, Laurie offers massage and yoga to colleges, hospitals and other businesses.  These are some of her current and past business clients:

Current Clients:

• Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley Ma
• The Breast Center at Milford Regional Medical Center, Milford Ma
• Overlook Visiting Nurses Association, Hospice, Greenfield Ma
• The Healing Zone, Hadley Ma
• The Cancer Connection, Northampton Ma

Past Clients:

• Solutia, Inc., Springfield Ma
• Ludlow Senior Center, Ludlow Ma
• Episcopal Divinity School, Pastoral Resource Group, Cambridge Ma
• Dean Ornish Reversing Heart Disease Program, Boston Ma
• Yoga Therapy Center, Brookline Ma
• Harvard Alumni Club, Cambridge Ma

My Story

My personal yoga journey began after the birth of my first child in 1985.  As a first time working mom, I was searching for personal time and connection with my body.  I began by attending yoga classes at the local adult education center where my body became strong and relaxed, but it was the quieting of the mind yoga practice brings that kept me coming back; I felt like I’d arrived home.  This deep connection led me to find an experienced Yoga teacher and to pursue my teaching certification.

In 1994, I was certified in a 200 hour program in Structural Yoga and began teaching.  Wanting to expand my knowledge of Yoga and its healing potential, I began to seek out and experience different styles of yoga such as Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kripalu, and Bhikram, and also to start attending retreats with visiting teachers at Kripalu’s Yoga Center.  There, I was introduced to Viniyoga and I instantly knew that this was what I had been looking for; an intelligent, non-dogmatic approach to Yoga that I could do for the rest of my life.  I began studying at the American Viniyoga Institute in Maui Hawaii.  In 2003 I received my diploma for the 500 hour certification program.  I continue to deepen my understanding of the body and yoga with courses such as Yoga Anatomy with Leslie Kaminoff and conferences throughout the country.  Over the past 27 years I have taught and continue to teach a diverse group of people – heart disease patients, cancer patients, college students, working professionals, the elderly – and I still love witnessing how intentional breath with movement, properly adapted to each individual, can bring such relief and profound change in my students.

Building on my interest in healing modalities, in 2008 I became a licensed massage therapist.  I practice massage for private clients at my home studio and outside of the studio for various organizations serving hospice patients, cancer patients, and others.  I have found that my understanding of the body through yoga has deepened my massage practice and likewise, my ability to help my students through yoga has benefited from my massage experience.