Community Highlights: Meet Laura Waldrop of Laura Waldrop Yoga

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Waldrop.  

Hi Laura, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Laura, and I am a Yoga Therapist. Before we get into what the heck that is, I thought I’d share a little about how I got here. In truth, I took a non-linear path. 

When I use the word non-linear, I picture a line on a graph that isn’t straight. This image comes from my years of studying and working as an engineer. As a kid, I loved math and problem-solving. I was good at it too. My dad was an entrepreneur, and I felt the stress of never really knowing whether his business ventures would be financially successful. So, I made a choice to get a really practical degree and work for a really big, stable company. 

But then I discovered I had inherited my dad’s entrepreneurial spirit. I found my career terribly unfulfilling. I wanted to, somehow, contribute to the world in a significant way. 

When my older daughter was born, I took a year and a half off from work. My plan was to use this time to (I guess) “find myself”. Instead, I was blindsided by a severe postpartum mood disorder. 

What followed was a period of unraveling and rebirth. I did a lot of running, yoga, and therapy during this season. I processed emotion through my physical body because I couldn’t really rely on my intellect. It was a surprising and curious revelation. 

I also came to recognize how much a fear of failure and a desire for affirmation and validation had held me back in life. A mission began to take shape – to live life vulnerably and authentically, to help others feel less alone in their messy humanity. 

And yet… I still went back to work as an engineer. What can I say? Change is hard. 

When my younger daughter was born, I left work with the same game plan. Fortunately, there was a lot less mental illness the second time around. Unfortunately, it was during this period that my mom, my safe place and support, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. 

My husband and I made the abrupt decision to move back home to Colorado, and I decided, “If not now, when? What am I waiting for?” 

The last six years have been a whirlwind of grief and love and dharma. I left engineering for good. I became a running coach and then a yoga teacher. My dad died and then my mom. I started my own business and then there was a pandemic. The ground keeps falling out from beneath my feet. 

Yet, I feel more grounded than ever. I’m learning lots in this season of life about time and presence and healing. As Glennon Doyle says, it’s brutal and beautiful, a beautiful life. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
As a Yoga Therapist, I help people get out of pain and get back to doing the things they love. Yoga Therapy is an alternative or complement to things like physical therapy, chiropractor, etc. In fact, the movement we practice often looks more like what you would find in physical therapy than in a yoga class. But I teach with a focus on awareness, or interoception. I teach my clients to feel and understand what’s happening in their bodies, their minds, and the connection between the two, so they can get to the root of the pain and transform their pain and healing experience. 

I also teach regular people of all shapes and sizes how to start running without getting burnt out or injured in my online group program Start Running with Yoga. This may be the offering I’m most proud of. I’ve brought all my experience as a running coach and yoga therapist, as well as an engineer’s understanding of physics and biomechanics, into this program. 

I specialize in working with clients on balance and gait. This could mean a senior who has pain walking and struggles with stairs, an ultramarathon runner, or anyone in between. 

I’m known for staying present, listening, and offering my clients my full focused attention. Words they have used to describe me are: compassionate, insightful, friendly, honest, supportive, loving, and empowering. 

My clients who have had the most transformational experiences have a few things in common. They are interested in more than just getting out of pain. They have a desire to live a deeply fulfilling life and want to discover what’s possible. They recognize that they will benefit from support and believe they deserve it. 

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I see the alternative health and wellness industry growth over the next 5-10 years, as people continue to search for ways to transform their lives. This is great, and I don’t see myself in competition with other practitioners. The demand for healing isn’t going anywhere, and the more people are aware of their options, the better! 

Contact Info:

• Email: laurawaldropyoga@gmail.com
• Website: https://waldroplaura.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurawaldro/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurawaldropyoga 

Image Credits
Katie Lehr