Sri Lakshmi Devi

Having practiced YOGA since childhood, over 44 years....Sri Lakshmi Devi is the Daughter of a hard working Sicilian Brick Mason and a German/Hungarian stay at home Mom, turned Business Woman. Sri learned early in Life, when you explore what makes your Heart Happy, no matter what it may be...proceed with love, dedication, hard work, consistency, accountability for your own actions, respect and compassion for all. You are capable of achieving a peaceful mind, a purposeful and content life, even if the world around you seems chaotic and unpredictable.Driven by helping others find the light within themselves, Lakshmi ignites in her students a passion to explore their divine purpose of joy in this human existence..Teaching YOGA for over 34 years. Prior to becoming a certified instructor, Sri Devi worked in the Chiropractic, Osteopathic, and Orthopedic medical fields for over 13 years, dedicating her studies to the Human Body, Mind and Spirit. Delving into the Health, Wellness and Fitness industry for the majority of her adult life..After a traumatic accident at the age of 13, suffering numerous long term injuries. Sri Devi's yoga teaching journey began at age 18 after a passenger side impact car accident, which caused severe back, neck and limb injuries. Lakshmi suffered with long term complications: including constant pain, severe osteoarthritis, scoliosis, chronic migraine headaches, depression and anxiety. As a result of her severe injuries, she has since undergone several surgeries; Triple spinal surgery, Abdominal Aneurysm repair, bi-lateral total Hip replacements, left Hand as well as Shoulder Surgery and so on... Choosing the unconventional approach to recovery, she refused pain killers and prescribed medications and choose Homeopathic natural remedies, Forgone traditional Physical Therapy and choose Yoga, Meditation, Pranayam (Breathing Practices) as well as Reiki (energy work) to soothe her pain and aid in recovery. Lakshmi's Physician's attribute her remarkable outcome post surgically to her amazingly positive attitude, along with her many years of study of the Human Body, Mind and Spirit. Most importantly to her dedication to a consistent Yoga & Meditation practice. These challenges inspired Sri to develop a proper Rehabilitative Yoga Therapy program to help in healing her multiple injuries. Integrating unique breathing practices and meditation into her daily routine. Lakshmi states "The most important aspect of my yoga practice, is the practice of Pratipaksha Bhavanam (substituting a Negative thought with a more constructive Positive thought)...Embracing the philosophy of Sri Gurudev ..."As you think So you become." and Proverbs 23.7 "As a Man Thinks, So is He." Sri Devi believes "We manifest our reality by investing energy in our thoughts...Positive thoughts create positive results". In her search for long term peace, contentment, and well being, Lakshmi went on to study Yoga at the Satchidananda Ashram. Trained under the extraordinarily Enlightened Sri Swami Satchidananda* (Sri Gurudev) founder of Integral Yoga Institutes around the world along with The Lotus Shrine's both in the US and India. Obtained her formal Yoga Teacher Training degree at various levels and specialties, Sri Lakshmi Devi was blessed by Sri Gurudev, with her Sanskrit Name. {*Sri Swami Satchidananda is an esteemed spiritual leader honored with the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award; dedicated his life to the cause of Peace, both individual and universal, and to religious harmony among all People. Sri Gurudev was brought to the states by Artist; Peter Max to guide everyone in a peaceful meditation for the opening ceremony at the Historical 1969 Wood Stock Music phenomenon.}.A Member of the International Yoga Association for over 17 years: as well as a long standing member of the IYTA. In the summer of 2004 Lakshmi was Grand fathered into the Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT (Experienced-Registered Yoga Therapist and earned her certification as an R-PYT (Registered Pre-Natal Yoga Teacher) and R-CYT (Registered Children's Yoga Teacher) with the Alliance having over 9200 hours of yoga related education and hands on experience. Deepening her practice by studying with various prominent Yoga/Meditation Masters, Spiritual Teachers, Medical Educators, and Inspirational Lecturers from around the world. Her artistic teaching of classical Hatha Yoga has been enriched by her many years of practice and the study of several yoga traditions including Integral, Iyengar, Sivananda, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Anusara, Kundalini, Tantra, and Viniyoga. Sri Lakshmi Devi has been Certified by Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Functional Anatomy of Movement for Injuries, and obtained her Pilate's Mat certifications from the Kane Institute in NYC.Lakshmi has been awarded grants from The Arthritis Foundation, receiving certifications both as an AFFP; Arthritis Foundation Fitness Professional Exercise Program Leader and Tai Chi Instructor..In 1999, Sri Devi embarked on a lifelong path of loving kindness with His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso as a practicing Bodhisattva. Education involving extensive studies on Depression, Human Behavior and social interaction, Kinesiology, the Anatomy of Movement along with academic work in Psychiatry and Physiology. In October of 2013 Lakshmi traveled to the home of His Holiness in McLeod Ganj; Dharamsala, India. Received her initiation into Thupa Damtsik Sumk; The Buddha Establishing the Three Pledges...a Tantric Buddhist practice employing powerful means for eliminating negative karma and its underlying afflicted mental states and tendencies, ultimately leading to the attainment of the state of a fully enlightened Buddha. Studied Advanced Inversions and Tantric Meditation @ The Himalayan Gurukul in RIshikesh, India.. Continually enhances her knowledge by taking accredited courses with concentrated research toward the management of Common Muscular skeletal and psychological disorders. Integrating the importance of Mind/Body/Spirit connection for Optimal Health and Wellbeing; is the foundation of her practice..In 2003, Lakshmi developed The SUPATHA Yoga Method a trademarked 1/4 series, 13 posture Sun Salutation (which is offered at various levels} Supatha Therapeutic Chair Yoga plus numerous Yoga Therapy specialty classes and workshops. Sri Devi is a Reiki Master in the Usui System certified at The Loving Touch Center in Boulder Colorado, in May of 2004 was Ordained an Interfaith Minister performing; Marriages Ceremonies, Last Rites, Birth Blessings and Sacred Rituals...Bringing the gift of Reiki healing and Energy Touch Therapy to various hospitals and hospices. Sri Lakshmi continues to instruct and educate many on the Anatomy of the Human Body while teaching Personalized Yoga and Personal Fitness classes. Utilizing her years of knowledge and education, offering sessions for Spiritual Counseling and is a practicing Inspirational Personal Coach....Lakshmi feels her greatest achievement has been working with children and young adults for the past 29 years... After receiving the artistic achievement award at the early age of 11, led her to develop instruct an Educational Art program at St. Anthony of Padua grammar school for grades 1 thru 8. Lakshmi then went on to Stella Maris High School, where she organized a Leadership forum for young adults who found it difficult to cope with stress, pressure and the negative influences around being a teenager. Some of who had turned to Drug or Alcohol addiction to escape their lives. Sri Devi instructed them on The Art of Mindful Communication. Offering tools to develop better listening skills in a non-threatening, welcoming environment. This program gave them the confidence to create self-awareness and inner strength. Which in turn helped to ease their fear, anger and frustration, building self-confidence and empowerment over their lives. Her Studies in Early Childhood development and Psychology, lead her to create a home schooling program; coaching Parents and Caregivers thru a structured home base learning curriculum. Since then, Lakshmi has integrated her knowledge, expertise and hands on experience with children to create Supatha Story time Yoga in 1997, My Buddy & Me Partner Yoga, Yoga Warriors and Teen Empowerment Yoga as well as FunArts an educational art class geared for kids ages 4 and up. These classes were originally developed as an after school program for children who suffer from ADD/ADHD, and found it difficult to focus and listen in school.  Yoga gives children the tools to build self-confidence and learn mindful interaction giving them ability to overcome peer pressure..Lakshmi's Restorative Yoga Therapy class was Chosen as Chelsea Piers Sports Center NYC's Fitness class of the Month; featured in February 2005, and Supatha's Therapeutic Chair Yoga class was featured Fitness class of the Month in 2008; In acknowledgement of developing their Yoga KidZ, FunArts, Therapeutic Chair Yoga and Pre-Natal programs. Lakshmi was given a 5 year achievement award in October of 2007 and a 10 year outstanding recognition Award in October 31st. 2012. June 2006 and August 2009 Sri Devi was NATURAL AWAKENINGS magazine's Practitioner of the month for July 2009 with a TV appearance and interview. She also was featured on Time Warner Cable, Cable vision performing yoga postures and voice narration on TV commercials for Natural Balance in Brooklyn NY and Yoga Spot NYC through the years, Lakshmi has been highlighted in a monthly fitness article translated into Russian for the health section of METPO Magazine; with published articles in The New Jersey Woman's News and Time Out NYC 2010 thru 2013. March of 2008 Adidas Sports Apparel opened a new yoga line Adi Libria and choose Lakshmi as one of Chelsea Piers Top Yoga Instructors and has outfitted her to promote their line for the Month of April as well as Under Armor and Reebok. In November 2013, Sri Devi was interviewed as one of the top Yoga Instructors of the 2013 International Yoga Festival, in Rishikesh, India.