Maia Laverty, RYT – Director of Lotus Yoga
Maia is a certified Yoga Alliance teacher as well as a certified Pre & Postnatal yoga teacher. She delights in sharing the practice of yoga with others.
Maia’s classes feel like a “moving meditation” wherein her students are encouraged to approach each practice as a fresh exploration into the deep well of our experience. Generally, classes are centered on a physical or philosophical theme. Themes are often woven through multiple classes, allowing students & teacher alike to deepen our understanding of yoga & what it means in our “real” lives. Physically, Maia’s classes offer slow, flowing movement with a steady focus on healthy physical alignment, strength-building through the attentive holding of poses, options for “levels” of challenge and a meditative focus on our experience in our own bodies (rather than trying to fulfill a “perfect” outward appearance in each pose). Students are encouraged to approach time on the mat with curiosity, compassion, svadhyaya (self-study) and santosha (contentment).
Maia believes that Yoga can be an interesting and compelling life-long practice; it is a physical practice that strengthens and balances our bodies but it is also a life tool that helps us to live more fully in the present and a mindfulness practice that helps us to connect to our most balanced and true selves.
Yoga is the tool that Maia uses to maintain a focus on her commitment to be loving, kind and respectful in her relationships. Maia hopes that you too can find on your yoga mat the perfect laboratory to master and re-master life skills that help you to create a fulfilling life.
Maia’s Yoga Quiz…
What 1st brought you to Yoga?
I always wanted to try it! I guess some of that was growing up in L.A. in the 70’s, but it took me 20 odd years to get on a yoga mat. My 1st class was through the University of Washington extension program. The class was nothing that I expected; it was very gentle and slow and we did not break a sweat, but it made me feel good inside & out and helped me with the stresses of my last few quarters at the U. Immediately, the practice helped me to feel more at home; not only in my “skin”, but also in my mind and emotions, it was revolutionary!
What is your favorite Yoga book?
There are so many, but a few that really stick with me are;
- “Meditations from the Mat” by Rolf Gates & Katrina Kenison
- “Yoga: Poetry of the Body” by Rodney Yee with Nina Zolotow
- “The Heart of Yoga” by T. K. V. Desikachar
- “The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali” by Chip Hartranft
What feeds your soul?
My children, my sweetheart, being outside (even in the Seattle rain), music and
last but not least, Yoga!
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Coffee… & Butter! At my house coffee, butter and blueberries are always in high-demand!
Who or what most influences your teaching?
My personal yoga practice, my students, reading, anatomy study, trainings I
have taken with master yoga teachers; Rolf Gates, Sarah Powers & Rodney Yee
What is on your Yoga playlist? Or What is on your all-time favorite playlist?
When I practice on my own, I play everything from classical to hip hop, but in class I prefer something that feels more like the lighting in the studio; something ambient that fades into the experience…
What is your favorite quote?
Can’t just pick one, dang it!
- “Yoga is like a hammer. Leave it sitting and it will do no good for you, but put it to use and you can build a sturdy house to protect you from the storms that life throws at all of us”
Nzazi Malonga
- “I am at my most sane when I am grateful”
Rolf Gates
- “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
- “The phrase “enlightened” should just be dropped, how hard is that? Instead, how about an end to suffering?”
Rolf Gates
Maia can be reached at maia@lotusyoga.biz
