Finding Your Magic: Creativity and Yoga Classes

Course Descriptions

Practical Magic: Harnessing the Power of Creativity

In alignment with age-old understandings of the “play state” as our natural human condition (meaning chronic stress is actually unnatural, not to mention harmful and no fun!) recent psychological research has revealed creativity as a wellspring of fulfillment, pleasure, and joy and shows happy people enjoy more fulfilling careers and relationships. Through a series of exercises, reflections, and activities, this course offers avenues to increase happiness and its natural byproducts through harnessing our natural inclination for play and creative expression. The role of emotions in decision making, social change, and manifesting positive outcomes is also explored. Offered as either a fully online or a face-to-face class series with a weekly meeting, and can be tailored to be a 2-8 week series depending on clients’ needs and goals.


Yoga

Many options are available for tailored workshops or classes (meeting once or twice a week for 2-8 weeks, for example). A wide range of courses are available, including but not limited to the following:

-an introductory class geared for beginners.

-a flow style (vinyasa) class designed to increase strength and flexibility.

-a class that blends vinyasa yoga with high intensity intervals cardio bursts that gets the heart pumping and builds core strength and flexibility, designed for those wanting more of a physical challenge.

-a class using postures designed for stress relief and relaxation.

-a class designed for trauma survivors using restorative postures that promote feelings of safety and relaxation (can be tailored for specific populations- children, teenagers, those in recovery, veterans, etc).

-Office or “every day” yoga designed with poses to counteract daily stressors such as sitting for long periods of time, commuting, computer work, etc.

Both of these classes can be stand alone, or enhanced with an additional component of yoga philosophy, which introduces the non-physical aspects of yoga and offers interactive discussions of how these ancient principles can apply to our modern lives, as well as opportunities to practice mindfulness and breathing techniques for enhanced focus and calming the mind.


About the Instructor

Laura Toussaint received her Ph.D. in Sociology from American University. She is the author of The Contemporary U.S. Peace Movement and a tenured professor at a local college. She has made four trips to India for reasons ranging from conducting a grant-funded research study to studying yoga and meditation to exploring India solo, the latter which ignited her sense of adventure and innovation along with the chagrin of her mother. Certified in both hatha (through Shiva Yoga Peeth in Rishikesh, India) and vinyasa yoga (through Forces of Good in Kent, Wa), Laura has taught yoga, mindfulness, and yoga philosophy classes at local yoga studios and colleges. Marrying two of her passions-yoga and social justice-she also completed an instructor training through Street Yoga for teaching mindfulness and yoga to trauma survivors.

Laura offers creativity and yoga classes with a social justice emphasis for education and corporate workplaces, yoga teacher trainings, and yoga/meditation retreats.