Community has always been my deepest intention in creating Yoga Among Friends.
Each month, I set a calendar not just to fill classes—but to inspire curiosity, courage, and a willingness to explore the many ways yoga can heal.
What often feels unfamiliar is not the practice itself, but the invitation to slow down… to listen… to become present enough to hear the quiet voice within.
In a world filled with noise, we begin by remembering what it feels like to belong—to ourselves, and to one another.
The Practice of Becoming Still
There is a quiet shift that happens when we step away from the outer noise and begin to listen inward.
To be present. To feel. To soften into the moment.
It takes a sense of safety to allow this unfolding. A willingness to pause long enough for the body to release what it has been holding.
Like ice beginning to melt in the warmth of the sun, something within us begins to soften.
What was once frozen begins to move… to flow… to rise.
Water becomes vapor, returning to the sky, only to fall again as rain—reminding us that life is always moving, always renewing, always beginning again.
A moment of balance, shared.
Choosing Love Over Fear
I have made a quiet commitment within myself.
To not feed the mind of fear.
Instead, I ask:
How can I serve today as a messenger of love?
Life is not without hardship. There is always something stirring beneath the surface in each of us.
And yet, the beauty of being alive is the ability to feel—even in the midst of sorrow.
There is a deep trust that the light we are seeking already lives within us. And sometimes, all we need is a space where that light can be felt again.
Why Yoga Among Friends Exists
The word that has been guiding me lately is neighboring.
It brings me back to why I created Yoga Among Friends in the first place.
When I left Los Angeles after the riots and the earthquake, I was searching for something deeper than success. I longed for community. For connection. For a place where I could continue to grow—not just professionally, but as a human being.
So I created a space to gather.
Not just for those who walk through the doors—but for myself as well.
A place to belong. A place to practice. A place to be.
Yoga for the Whole Being
Over the years, I’ve watched yoga evolve.
More and more, we are beginning to understand that yoga is not just physical. It is mental. Emotional. Spiritual.
It is a way of returning to ourselves.
A way of bringing the wandering mind into stillness.
A way of finding steadiness in a world that often feels like it is moving too fast.
Yoga Among Friends is a space that supports the unseen parts of ourselves—the places that need nourishment, compassion, and care.
A space where you are not defined by age, experience, or identity.
A space where you are simply welcome.
A Place to Begin (Again and Again)
Trust that our classes are for everyone.
Whether a class is called beginner, vinyasa, fundamentals, or yoga for stress—it is always a place to begin.
There may be moments of not knowing. Of uncertainty.
And that is part of the practice.
To step into something new.
To be willing.
To stay open.
Coming into Yoga Among Friends is stepping into a space of shared intention.
A place where we soften the grip of tension.
Where we breathe.
Where we feel.
Where we remember that healing is possible.
An Invitation to Explore
This practice is not about perfection.
It is about presence.
It is about choosing—again and again—to move toward connection instead of isolation, toward compassion instead of fear.
We are here to support that journey.
At Yoga Among Friends in Downers Grove, we offer classes and workshops that support both physical and emotional wellbeing.
→ Explore our weekly classes
→ View upcoming workshops and gatherings
Looking Ahead: Retreats & Adventure
I am deeply committed to continuing these adventures of the soul.
In the coming weeks, I will be sharing our 2027 retreats—opportunities to step beyond what is familiar and into something expansive.
In January 2027, we will journey to Patagonia—exploring the beauty of nature while deepening our yoga practice and connection to sustainable living.
And in March 2027, we will return to Jamaica—our beloved Good Hope—after a year of recovery and renewal following last fall’s hurricane.
These journeys remind us of something essential:
We are connected.
To the Earth.
To each other.
To something much greater than ourselves.
This is why we practice.
Thank you for being part of this community.
For showing up.
For being willing.
For continuing to explore what it means to live, feel, and belong.
We look forward to practicing with you.
With love,
Laura Jane
What does belonging feel like for you right now? You’re welcome to share in the comments below—your experience may support someone else on a similar path.
