Lois Sharp-Schneider was drawn to the practice of yoga in 1986 thanks to Claude Griffin at the Cornerstone Yoga Center on Martin Luther King Ave. and Third Ave. in downtown Flint. After two years of instruction in B. K. S. Iyengar style yoga at Conerstone, Lois was asked to teach classes for Claude so that he could return to General Motors. Claude is now recognized as “America’s Yogi” and operates Lifeworks Yoga which houses The Suncoast Yoga Teachers Association in Clearwater, Florida. Lois’s Iyengar training was further enhanced by studying under internationally known Judith Lasater, a certified physical therapist and a contributing editor of the Yoga Journal. The benefits Lois felt from the practice have been continually shared with students in several locations throughout Genesee, Oakland, and McComb counties. Lois has twelve years teaching experience in the public schools with at-risk and special needs children. Much of the anxiety felt by her special needs students was reduced through the practice of yoga. She is trained in structured learning systems and is a state certified teacher of autism spectrum disorder, vocational education, and marketing. Lois is a graduate of Michigan State University with a BA in Business Administration. Her Masters in Special Education was attained from Oakland University, with a final project on the study of the physiological and social benefits of yoga on anxiety prone children with autism. Lois is capable of working at all levels of functioning, and presumes competency with all of her students. Lois is an experienced registered yoga teacher (ERYT) with Yoga Alliance.

Allore  Sharp graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a minor in Business. She is working as an Exercise Physiologist/Stress Technician for Cardiology Consultants of East Michigan and maintains clients as a Certified Massage Therapist. She is a member of AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) as a Group Fitness Instructor, A Personal Trainer, and has a specialty certification in ZUMBA and competitive dance team experience.

 

The Yoga Loft - Copyright 2008

Student testimonials:

 

“With a slight scoliosis of the spine, yoga has improved that condition, improved my posture as well with noticeable upper body strength, and is a mood enhancer.”  Sue Bolt

 

“Yoga has improved my flexibility, especially for someone that does physical labor.”  Ray Rust

 

“Everyone has already said it all, but yoga has improved my upper body strength, flexibility, and helped my sense of balance.”  Nancy Ernst

 

“I have noticed significant improvement in balance because of using muscles in ways you don’t traditionally use them.”  Nolan McCann

 

“Yoga has given me tremendous improvement in strength and balance.  Holding poses was tough in my early practice; now effort is more psychological than physical.”  Massoud Tavakoli

 

“Initially, I dropped a dress size without losing a pound and my continued practice has resulted in a loss of 35 pounds.”  Dawn Hibbard

 

“Yoga has given me a higher perspective on what it means to get in touch with your inner self, and it has cleared my way of thinking to be more open minded, and a new sense of freedom.”  Christopher Collins

 

“I started yoga early in my pregnancy.  I go to the chiropractor as well, but I don’t get the relief as I do from yoga.  Yoga has given me a sense of well-being and a positive outlook on life.”  Angela Austin

 

“I never felt more whole”.  Jeff Bernard

“Having four kids and working makes me tired, but after doing yoga I noticed that I have a lot more energy.”  Muna Jondy

 

“My body functions better at work which happens to be physically demanding.  I’ve also noticed that I can focus on my breathing when in challenging situations.  It seems I have an enhanced awareness of my feeling since practicing yogas.”  Val

 

“ZUMBA rocks my socks !”  Liz Jones