Finding and maintaining a healthy body weight is a challenge for so many individuals. Our cultural idea of a healthy body/ person is very limited in scope. There are numerous strategies available to assist a person in reaching this image of health and beauty. Unfortunately, these strategies address an incomplete idea of health. True health encompasses the whole person.

A whole person is an energetic event that includes a physical body, a mind with emotions, and a deep essence that is longing for full expression. This expression is completely unique for each individual. Thus, health will look differently for every person and for each person at different times in their life.

The beauty yoga offers us in pursuing true health is that it respects and celebrates the unique expression of each individual. I will teach a workshop series in March that approaches the issues of body weight and body image from this perspective.

Each class will include an oral presentation followed by a yoga practice suitable for beginners and all levels of fitness and flexibility. Those with an existing yoga practice will likely find new insights or perspectives that enhance their practice. Over the course of four weeks the workshop will support you in:

- Developing self-acceptance.

- Discovering a safe way of adding movement into your life even if you have pain that keeps you from other physical activity.

- Learning about some of the physiological issues that interfere with normalization of body weight and provide yoga tools that bring the body physiology to a higher level of function.

- Building strength which helps the body utilize fuel more efficiently.

- Increasing flexibility and improving posture which facilitate a feeling of ease, comfort, and flow in the body.

" ...There is a warmth and compassion to Laura and her teaching style that makes students feel welcome, safe and supported in her classes. Her energy and attitude are contagious and always positive."

"Laura Washington is an exemplary, talented and inspiring yoga teacher....I have benefitted greatly from Laura's keen ability to connect her students both physically and mentally/emotionally to our breath, our core bodies, and the inner energy centers. As we learn from Laura, this guides us through our practice, and in my case through my daily life."

For information and schedule of the next workshop, go to the Movement Center - Yoga For Everyone site or call 503-231-0994. We will meet in The Movement Center's beautifully renovated hatha yoga studio in NE Portland. The cost of the workshop is $100.

If you are unable to attend the workshop but want to explore the benefits of yoga, private sessions are also available.