About

ABOUT

WHAT IS YOGA? Yoga is a spiritual tradition that originated in the Hindu and Buddhist cultures native to India. The word itself has many meanings but the two most relevant are union and discipline. Today modern yogis practice yoga for a bevy of reasons, from physical fitness to feeling whole. Yoga can be practiced in a myriad of ways as a method of removing obstacles that keep us from finding peace and joy mentally, emotionally and physically. My studies of yoga range from on and off the yoga mat - I practice yogic and mindfulness application in every aspect of life: from work-life balance, to mindful choices and skillful action as well as to my surroundings: nature, food, even traffic. I believe that the most basic recipe for a happy life is virtue and values, self-aware mindfulness, non-judgement and above all, practice.

ABOUT LORI GIVENS YOGA
Since 1999, I’ve been studying yoga, from hatha and Raja yoga to many of the various spiritual paths that yoga and mindfulness provide. I have opened two yoga studios successfully, landing in numerous media outlets including Oprah's National Magazine, "O". But I didn't stop there, I've taken yoga out of the classroom and into the Corporate world and apply yoga methodologies as a Registered Corporate Coach (TM). I've tried and failed many times and this vast amount of experience has given me a rich and powerful backdrop from which I not only live my life today, but also I how I coach and train.

My teachers include: Yogi Amrit Desai, Rajashree Choudhury, Eckhart Tolle, Thich Nhat Hanh, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield, Desikachar, Yogananda, Krishnamurti and more. My teachings are derived from these great teachers along with great bodies of work such as a Course in Miracles. I've combined this knowledge with my personal experience of teaching and practicing yoga and mindfulness both in the yoga classroom, as a student of yoga, a yoga studio owner, and also while working in the Corporate World.

WHAT DO I DO?
I provide real tools for real people - tools that you can use today. My methods are vetted and provide you with processes that you can use right now to bring clarity, focus and vitality to your daily life. It' not about giant changes and complete overhauls - it's about starting where you are and working with what you have. With my coaching you'll make small adjustments along the way by applying mindfulness skills with no judgement, just understanding and practical tools that work.

WHY YOU SHOULD SIGN UP!
Because it would be a dream come true to have some real help with all of this from someone who knows what they are talking about, someone with a lot of experience. Because you don't have time to sift and sort and weed through all of the information that is out there today. Because you can't stop everything to dig through the mess and figure out where to start. Because you have forgotten yourself, and are really wanting to find the way back to you.

Because you don't have to stop everything - I can help you right here, right now.

YOU deserve this and I'm here to help you. Now is the time!

2 issues of Oprah's "O" Magazine!

Click the image below to read...

How did I end up in Oprah?

In late 2009 while I was living in Memphis running my yoga studio, I was contacted by a friend and fellow Tennessee transplant named Rebecca Skloot, who happens to be the brilliant Rebecca Skloot, author of the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. She introduced me to her friend and fellow accomplished writer Paige Williams, whose family lives just south of Memphis in Mississippi. Paige and I hit it off immediately... 60 days of consecutive Bikram Yoga later, she wrote these two amazing articles for Oprah Magazine which were published in January and February of 2010! I couldn't be more grateful to these two women for their faith in my expertise and skill as a yoga instructor. Thank you Paige and Rebecca!
January Article
February Article

Certifications:

COACHING
Registered Corporate Coach (TM)

YOGA
Yoga College of India Certification, 2003
E-RYT 200 Certification, Yoga Alliance
YACEP - Continuing Education Provider, Yoga Alliance

NUTRITION
Specialist in Fitness Nutrition, ISSA

EMERGENCY
CPR/AED Certified, Red Cross

FINANCE
Accredited Asset Management Specialist (TM)