Laura DeFreitas
Yoga & Yoga Nidra Instructor

Websites:

• http://www.lauranidrayoga.com

Laura came to yoga in order to reclaim her body. Fifteen years of disciplined gymnastic training left Laura viewing her body as a tool or object to be manipulated in space. Yoga offered the way back home to her body while unexpectedly opening a door unto a realm of mental and emotional reintegration. In 2002 Laura completed the Pacific Yoga Teacher Training and since has been heavily influenced by the Ashtanga and Universal Styles of Yoga. She specializes in Integrative Restoration (Yoga Nidra), a meditation technique that restores an awareness of True Nature. It is Laura's intention to be a conduit through which the teachings of yoga reveal the student's inner teacher, thereby transcending one's mat to inspire everyday life.

When outside the studio Laura enjoys long walks, reflective writing, experimenting in the kitchen, tropical adventures and consuming large quantities of raw/dark chocolate. Learn more about Laura and her local and international offerings by subscribing to LauraNidra News.

Instruct private and group Yoga & Yoga Nidra classes, workshops and retreats. My classes combine the strength and accuracy of held postures with the grace of breath-directed movement sequences. Build heat through fluid movement and sun salutations while simultaneously developing balance, strength, flexibility and breath awareness. Students are invited to trust in the body's intuition and to move in a way that honors this deep and discerning wisdom.

2009 ~ Certified Integrative Restoration (iRest) Instructor ~ Center For Timeless Being (www.nondual.com)

2003 ~ Registered Yoga Teacher ~ Pacific Yoga Teacher Training Program (www.pacificyoga.com) & 8 Limbs Yoga Centers Advanced Training Program (www.8limbsyoga.com)

2002 ~ University of Washington ~ Seattle, Washington
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish; Minors in Society and Justice & Art History

1999 ~ CIIE Liberal Arts Program ~ Seville, Spain

2003 to Present ~ Owner, LauraNidra Yoga • Instruct private and group Yoga and Yoga Nidra classes, workshops & international retreats. • Maintain strict confidentiality in my alternating role as teacher, healer, therapist and cheerleader. • Create and implement various marketing and advertising strategies. • Use charisma and integrity to build a successful and respected Seattle business.

09/05-09/07 ~ Manager, Yogalife Studio and Store • Co-Creator of class and substitute and workshop/event schedules. • Creator of weekly website updates and monthly E-mail newsletters. • Payroll & administrative functions. • Boutique merchandising • Teacher and work-study program liaison • Art curator

07/03-02/04 ~ Program Assistant, Artist Trust • Facilitated Fellowship and Grants for Artists Projects Programs. • Researched employment, exhibition and residency opportunities for quarterly publications and online listings. • Extensive database entry experience.

07/02-07/03 ~ Admissions Counselor, University of Washington Office of Admissions • Represented the University to prospective students, parents, secondary school counselors and organizations involved in the college selection process. • Planned and implemented recruitment activities for assigned high schools and community colleges, including travel to remote sites and national college fairs. • Counseled prospective freshman, transfer, and postbaccalaureate applicants throughout the admissions process primarily within the context in-person appointments, or via telephone and email correspondence. • Reviewed 1000 applications and supplementary materials submitted by applicants in accordance with admission criteria.

09/01-06/02 ~ Freshman Interest Group (FIG) Program Coordinator, University of Washington • Coordinated FIG Program Community Meetings, a series of events attended by 3000 new students participating in a learning community program. • Participated in the evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the program and facilitated the design and implementation of future program goals. • Organized recruitment, including advertisement, led information sessions, interviewed, selected and trained future FIG Leaders. • Helped develop FIG Leader training rubric.

09/01-12/01 ~ Freshman Interest Group Leader, University of Washington First Year Programs • Instructed and evaluated the performance of twenty-five freshman. • Facilitated weekly discussion based seminars. • Served as a peer advisor, using my knowledge of and experience at the University of Washington to help new students successfully transition, socially and academically, from high school to the university.

02/01-09/01 ~ Orientation Leader, University of Washington First Year Programs • Exercised excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills to advise and interact with freshman and transfer students of diverse backgrounds. • Assisted new students in numerous aspects of academic planning and registration. • Developed and lead workshops pertaining to financial aid, student employment, internship, and research opportunities, foreign study, academic success, and stress and time management.

11/00-06/01 ~ Bilingual Pre-School Teacher, La Escuelita ~ Seattle • Assisted in the curriculum development of a bilingual education program. • Led activities in Spanish that reinforced second language acquisition. • Routinely discussed behavioral management issues and student progress with parents. • Worked in a diverse environment to promote an anti-bias philosophy.

10/97-06/99 ~ Customer Service Representative, Wells Fargo Bank • Provided excellent customer service to private and merchant clients. • Administrative support. • Extensive cash handling experience in a fast paced environment.