Laura Leonard

Laura began her journey on the yogic path over 15 years ago while living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She knew immediately that the practice of yoga would become a consistent thread weaving throughout the fabric of her life. It didn’t take long for Laura to begin to feel the beautiful difference that yoga was making—physically, spiritually, and emotionally—both on and off the mat. Laura continued to deepen her practice after moving to Roanoke in 2009, as well as through seeking out opportunities to visit different studios while traveling the country. She jumped at the chance to be a part of the first Uttara Yoga Teacher Training, completed in 2014 under the divine guidance of Jill Loftis and Katie Silcox.

In her work supporting individuals with disabilities as well as underrepresented youth, Laura has blended her knowledge and practice of mindfulness, yoga, and psychology, helping others discover and deepen their inner strengths. In addition to teaching in the studio setting, she has taught community-based classes in schools, camps, offices, and outdoor festivals throughout the Roanoke Valley. Laura is grateful for the chance to have learned from a variety of yogis along the way, and fuses these teachings and traditions together to create energetic yet restorative classes, with a focus on mind, body, and breath awareness. With every class Laura brings peace, joy, and a warm smile to the mat and shares it with those whom she guides. She is inspired by each of her students, who have become her greatest teachers.