Laurie Ruoti

She soon discovered that the stretching and breathing, along with the feeling of community in the class, helped her cope with the high stress of her career as a special education teacher for Chicago Public Schools. Laurie began to incorporate yoga and mindfulness breaks with her students throughout the day and also started an after school yoga program for children at her school. After retiring from CPS in 2021, Laurie completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. She enjoys teaching active yoga along with a more gentle style. Laurie is also a competitive powerlifter holding 2 Illinois State Records. She finds yoga is the perfect complement to powerlifting. It not only helps with physical mobility, but also calms and centers her mind, preparing her for the mental toughness that the sport requires. Laurie is a passionate nature lover and finds that outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and kayaking can be a form of moving meditation.