WHAT STUDENTS SAY

Attending Lori’s yoga class once or twice a week was transformative for me.  At each class, I felt my spirit lift to lighter and more loving places.  Each week the lingering effects of the class on my mood and energy lasted longer.  Eventually, I felt like I was becoming a better person.  Nicer.  More in tune with my body, and others’ feelings.  More calm.  More grounded.  No other yoga class I had tried prior, or tried since, was as powerful as Lori’s class.  Getting more flexible and tone was appreciated certainly, but for me, the lasting effects on my spirit provided the motivation for me to go back to the class week after week.~ Kelsy A.

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Lori’s class always managed to bring me to wherever I needed to be in life. Her playful music selection invoked spontaneous smiles, giggles, and occasionally much needed tears. She is a true healer of the spirit and a gift to the yoga world. ~ Melissa J.

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Lori’s classes are simply FUN!! She puts together amazing playlists and fosters an environment that encourages playfulness, acceptance, and relaxation. I often find myself laughing and dancing in her classes and I never feel guilty or self-conscience about doing so.

One of the most powerful concepts I took away from Lori’s classes is that yoga is a way to heal the body and the mind so that we can better serve others.

Lori has a gift for presenting yoga in a non-religious, non-dogmatic way that can be appreciated by people of all spiritual (or non-spiritual) pursuits. She intertwines yogic concepts in a way that makes them as accessible to different types of philosophies as I find the “golden rule” is.  I think the sequence of her class largely contributes to this accessibility. She starts class by turning up the music and getting you moving right away.  Very quickly, my body becomes sweaty and my mind quiet. Released by movement and music, my worries drop away.  It is around this time that Lori offers a topic to ponder. It is usually only one word or phrase, but it is always presented in a simple and powerful way. Often it is all I need to hear to come to my own emotional/spiritual breakthrough.

I feel like going to Lori’s class is a lot like going on a road trip with a best friend.  Each class is a wonderful new adventure where I drive but she picks the music. Lori’s been on this journey before, but she isn’t pushy about which road I take or how fast I go.  She delights in every discovery with me and will gently show me the path back if I get too off course. ~ Bethany B.

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One of the most important things about Lori as a teacher is her ability to intuit the needs of her students. When you combine this with her intelligent sequencing of poses and an eclectic playlist that never disappoints, the result is a strong, compassionate, and fun yoga practice. ~ Amelia A.

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Lori Snyder changed my life…seriously. Here’s the story… A good friend of mine urged me to go to this class called “Groove Yoga” with her ….she said that I would love it because the teacher (Lori) plays amazing mixes of music at full blast while the students are flowing in & out of various yoga poses. I was excited but skeptical…yoga with blasting music?? How does that work exactly?? Well, luckily I trusted my friend and went to the class…I was hooked. There was something about the synergy of the music, the breath, the flowing poses, and Lori’s wise interjections that just made my heart chakra open, my armor come off, and that feeling of interconnection increase. There are no words powerful enough for me to explain the transformations that I went through on a weekly basis because of Lori’s class. Nearly every week I had what I call “enlightened moments”…when the world is ONE and all ego dissolves…it’s so blissful that all you can do is cry. Yes, all this in a yoga class, it’s true. And I must not have been the only one because word spread and the class would fill up regularly as people began to learn the power of her class.

The crafting of this class must be an incredibly creative process and it really shows. The intensity of the music goes along with the postures…starting out with beats, funk, “power music” during the sun salutations, warrior poses, etc. then slows down and softens into the concentrated opening of balance  poses and twists… allowing us to move our bodies along with the ebb & flow of the intensity of the music. During a crazy time in my life when I was planning my wedding, I was in Lori’s class, lying in a twist listening to Marc Cohn’s “True Companion”…tears streaming down my head, I realized that was this was going to be our wedding song…I had never heard it before that day. WOW, this is a special class…and it’s not just the music that’s powerful. Lori’s incredibly wise and authentic words go right along with the intensity and power of the class and help to make it the transformational, healing, connected experience that it is. I always try to remember Lori’s wise words and write them down in my journal when I get home. They have seen me through many a difficult time.

Lori is not “just” a yoga instructor, but a true spiritual teacher, shining light onto a higher path for you to follow. I am beyond grateful to Lori and her classes, for much of the spiritual work that I have done in the past few years has been through–or because of–her teaching. Thank you Lori, from my heart center…I am so grateful for you. ~ Holly S.

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I have followed Lori from studio to studio, as she is my favorite yoga teacher. She has a way of making her classes fun and joyous, even though you end up drenched in sweat. With a few thoughtful words, she also connects the energetic, flowing physical practice to the spiritual and emotional dimensions of yoga, leaving body and mind feeling stretched and refreshed. ~ Annette M.

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I took my first class from Lori when I was in high school and was hooked. I had already been doing yoga, but Lori introduced me to the heart of it! Now, many years later and a teacher myself, I am still inspired every day by her generosity, honesty and spirit. ~ Suzanne D.

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Lori’s classes are incredible. I love her music and her attention to the breath. One of my mantras now is from her…”breathe as if you are breathing for the whole world.” The music in her class is fun and invigorating and unlike anything you have ever experienced in a yoga class. Her Vinyasa flow leaves you pumped and sweaty and uplifted! ~ Stephanie P.  [Note from Lori: credit where credit is due. I’m pretty sure that Max Strom, my teacher, is the originator of “Breathe as though you are breathing for the whole world.” Thank you, Max!]

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Lori is the BEST! As a dancer, movement instructor, and student of all sorts, I can say that I have never been to a class more lovingly and perfectly prepared and presented. Lori’s knowledge of her subject is outstanding, but her ability to convey her material is what puts her above the rest. I can’t recommend her highly enough. I always come away from her class feeling like I’ve treated myself to some incredible luxury. ~ Sarah C.

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Lori reintroduced me to yoga after, perhaps, twenty years of absence from practice. Her choice of music for Groove Yoga, her warm spirit, and her insightful thoughts all kept me coming back many times a week to take her class. My life is transformed. ~ Joan D.

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I consider Lori a teacher, friend, and mentor. She understood the wholism of our practice and never ceased to drive us towards our better selves in her uniquely gentle, affirming, yet incredibly courageous way. The strength of her presence only added to the power of her teaching, and I could not have asked for anything more in a yoga teacher. Thank you! ~ Roger T.

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I thought I could not stand yoga…until I had Lori’s Groove Yoga class. Then I finally understood what was so amazing and inspiring about it. ~ Tiana BA.

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Lori is my favorite yoga instructor because of her warm energy, soothing voice, words of inspiration… and let’s not forget all her amazing soundtracks! ~ Holly BA.

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Lori isn’t just my yoga teacher, she’s my muse. She taught me how to modify my practice after a surgery left me completely out of balance and out of shape, but further, she taught me how to be okay with myself where I was and how to bring my practice to a level beyond where I thought I could get it. She inspires me in and out of class, directly and even just by happenstance; Lori has this uncanny ability to see through peoples’ skin, to their inner selves, and greet them there with joy and acceptance. She has a magnetic presence, a pure heart, and the best beats you’ll ever practice yoga to. ~ Sita T.

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I was always blown away by how much of herself Lori gives and shares with her students during her classes. It’s so wonderful and pretty rare to feel such genuine presence from a yoga instructor, and I really appreciate this openness. It’s yoga teachers like Lori that inspire us to trust in ourselves and in our practice and to grow past boundaries we never thought passible. Thank you Lori! ~ Laura L.

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Lori… Love! Love! Love! I have had many good instructors over the decade I have been practicing yoga regularly, but only a few great teachers. Lori belongs to the latter and much more difficult-to-find category. She was the first teacher that really made it tangible that yoga is not about the poses but about the breath, that the most important muscle to stretch and open is your heart, and that the benefits of your practice can truly extend far beyond your mat. She is also the first (and only) teacher that showed me there was a place for the singing of Kermit the Frog and Krishna Das! The musical “scores” she puts together are fantastic and wonderfully crafted for the flow of each class. If you have the opportunity to practice with her and to “take the deepest breath you have taken all year,” don’t miss it! ~ Jennifer C.

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“I hate yoga.”

This is what went through my mind when I tried to go to yoga classes before Lori’s. I’m not flexible and often felt like yoga teachers were pushing me to do things that my body and person didn’t enjoy. Lori’s classes are different. She encourages her students with messages like “Try to not compete with anyone, even yourself.” She focuses on breathing and intention. Also, Lori’s classes are fun. She plays music that makes me shake my butt in Downward Dog. I come out of her classes feeling affirmed, supported, and open physically and emotionally. ~ James B.

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I haven’t really found another teacher that inspires me as much as Lori does. I remember the first yoga class I took from her. It spoke straight to my heart and changed me! I was going through a lot of personal changes in my life and was feeling completely ungrounded. I was unsure of what my next step was or where I was going. I decided to try out Lori’s yoga class and, to this day I feel like it saved me–or, rather, helped me find myself again. She was kind, gentle, welcoming, and provided a safe place for everyone to practice yoga. Lori talked about, in that first class, a willingness to surrender and lay down your sword, and I did exactly that. I let everything go and opened up to whatever life had to offer me and things seemed to work themselves out. From that first moment on I knew that Lori was someone special.

Words can’t explain how amazing of a person Lori is, and reading this doesn’t even give the story justice. I feel so lucky to have gotten to know and practice yoga with her. ~ Patti G.

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When I first began practicing yoga at Lori’s studio I was taking classes from other teachers. I observed that when there was a sub for one of Lori’s classes, the students got upset and some would even leave the studio. I thought to myself, how un-yogic. A few months later when I had been taking classes from Lori, I found myself being upset when she had a sub and I had to laugh–because she really is that great.

Lori’s teaching provides a perfect blend of energy and compassion. She has an amazing ability to pace her classes impeccably with her ever-changing music selections. ~ Anne H.

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Lori’s class is like clicking the refresh button on a busy day. Her music is uplifting, her words are authentic, and her teaching is genuine. ~ Diann L.

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Lori’s classes are the best.

I first arrived into Lori’s class with a friend, not knowing a single thing about yoga. Seriously, not even a clue on what Downward Dog was, let alone warriors, pigeons or tree. It was all a wild experiment and it took off with flying colors. With Lori’s gentle guidance my normally extremely stiff, sore body became more limber and flexible than ever. Hips loosened, body toned, and my heart slowly eased opened enough to let more light in. I was, at the time, allergic to all things chanting or “God” related. Lori offers a class that makes your heart and spirit feel amazing, that is free from the preaching of any religion, god/s or dogma, and just brings forth true loving bliss.

Lori’s class is a joy I love sharing with all my friends and family; whether it their first time in a class or they are an experienced yogi, everyone falls a bit in love and everyone is set a little free. Lori has the amazing capacity to build the most supportive Ojas container for her students; having been to many classes now, I have yet to find an instructor that is so present with her students along the entire practice. She is always by your side. From eye-opening adjustments while in poses to gentle nourishment during savasana, her grace flows and weaves throughout. ~ Angela C.

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It is hard to put into words what Lori and her class does for me. It’s more of a feeling that I get in her classes; a feeling that moves through me and lets me express or release things that I didn’t even know wanted to come out or that I could let out. I do know that I was able to heal in a multitude of ways by practicing with Lori as my teacher! I feel very fortunate to find her when I did and have her as a teacher for about five years, which really isn’t long enough! Through her classes I was able to really find peace within, be all right with my life, and not get bogged down with all the other stuff that doesn’t matter. Lori is a true gem and I feel so lucky to have had her for a teacher and a friend! ~ Jennifer W.

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Lori Snyder is a very nurturing and inspiring teacher. Her classes are a beautiful blend of challenging your limits while creating a flow of movement. You can expect to work up a sweat and rock out to some sweet jams! I took a downward dog workshop with Lori because i have issues with my wrists. I wanted to find out how to protect and strengthen them, and it has greatly helped move my practice forward. Lori is great at adjusting you when you need it but also giving you space to get into your yoga zone. Nothing but love for this amazing teacher!!! ~ Terra K

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Groove Yoga classes with Lori are full of outstanding music, and great rhythms, as well as heartfelt nuggets of wisdom that touch one deeply. These two aspects are like two ends of a spectrum which are drawn together to create an amazing yoga experience. ~ Tracy F.