Hello! I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to you. My name is Laurie Ahlemann and I have been practicing and teaching yoga for over two decades. My goal, since my humble beginnings as a new teacher was to teach in a way that was accessible to everyone and to do it in such a way that everyone would get what they needed whether they were a brand-new practitioner or a seasoned one. I did not succeed with this goal immediately, however, I knew that it was possible. Through trial and error, I was able to create a teaching blueprint that I am able to recreate time and time again – and seeing how effective it was in my students’ practices was so inspiring. I knew I had to share it in a bigger way.

My teacher training career started when the director of Nassau Boces, who had been taking my class at LA Fitness in 2005, asked me to train her PE teachers to sequence a 20-minute yoga class for their fitness curriculum. I was given 6-hours to do this. I succeeded. This got me thinking, if I could do that in 6 hours, what could I do with 200?

The idea for Long Island Yoga School was born!

I started the Long Island Yoga School in 2007 and have been training yoga teachers ever since. I was born to teach and I am very lucky to have the gift of taking complex subjects and breaking them down into their simplest form. Yes – even sequencing an awesome, anatomically & energetically balanced yoga class. Yes – even optimal postural alignment in 6 easy to remember steps.

In 2008, I was approached by a studio owner to become partners and have a permanent home for my teacher training. I became co-owner of Bonda Yoga in Great Neck. Bonda Yoga had been a part of the yoga community for 8 years and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served many people for so long.

Here is a bit about my background & studies so you can get an idea of what is incorporated into my teachings and where it has come from.

I am certified at the 500-hour level in the ISHTA yoga style. I have taken additional certifications in Trauma-Informed Yoga and Yin Yoga. I did an online study program, Bhakti Sashtri, at the Bhaktivedanta College and also studied Raja Yoga Meditation at the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual Center.

As far as anatomy training, I studied Anatomy & Philosophy of Breath at The Breathing Project with Leslie Kaminoff and Anatomy Studies for Yoga Teachers (ASYT) with Jason R. Brown in NYC. I have also taken online anatomy courses with David Keil of Yoganatomy.

I am a Reiki Master and Master/Teacher of Magnified Healing.

My most recent addition is Adjunct Professor at Hofstra University where I teach Postural Alignment, Injury Prevention, Yoga Philosophy and Meditation Techniques for Stress Reduction. I am thrilled to be able to share this magical practice with young adults at a very stressful time in their lives. The transformation from beginning to end of the semester is nothing short of remarkable and a testament to this amazing practice of yoga and all the healing it brings.

I am the luckiest lady in the world to be able to teach what I love! I am inspired every day by this practice and would love nothing more than to share it with you!