Since I’ve started to practice yoga, the ‘pieces’of my life have gradually come to fit together, like parts of a puzzle, that form a larger, more beautiful picture. From 2004 to 2007 I was lucky enough to teach at Yoga Thailand, a dedicated Ashtanga Yoga Retreat Center, in Koh Samui, Thailand, founded by Paul and Jutima Dallaghan.   It was through Paul that I first met Sri O.P. Tiwari. Tiwariji is one of India’s masters of Pranayama, and head of the Kaivalyadham institute. From him I have learnt that yoga is a complete way of living, not simply something that is practiced for a couple of hours each morning. He has also closely directed my practice of pranayama since 2003. In October of 2007 I relocated to New Orleans, to teach at The Yoga Room, owned by Melanie Fawer. I was happy to be back in my home town and state, and felt like it was the right move for me. After living and teaching in New Orleans for a few months, I was ready to make a permanent commitment to New Orleans. In May of 2008, I took over the running of the studio, and renamed it to Balance Yoga & Wellness, which is inclusivethe studio's offerings of Yoga, Breathwork and Nutrition (based on Ayurveda).

Since 2004, I have made frequent trips to Mysore, to study with Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois, and was given his authorization to teach the Ashtanga Yoga method in 2006.  As I studied and practiced yoga more deeply, I became more acutely aware of the link between the diet and the practices of yoga. I have also completed the practitioner’s training in Ayurveda at the European Institute of Vedic Studies, and am now a membr of NAMA, the national organization which governs and protects Ayurveda as a profession in the USA.

Although I grew up in a small town outside of New Orleans, I’ve lived outside the U.S. from 1998 to 2007.  After graduating from Bryn Mawr College with degrees in Sociology and French, I took a job with Accenture, a large management consultancy.  I knew quickly that a corporate job wasn’t going to be fulfilling long term, however, I didn’t know what else to do.  I got the opportunity to move to Nice, France , which seemed exciting and glamorous, and would distract me from my feeling of lack of fulfillment which kept creeping up.  A few years later, while working in Dublin, a light went on within, and I knew that I needed to take up yoga.

 I started with hatha yoga, but somehow knew that Ashtanga yoga was the asana approach which would most suite.  I knew immediately that I had found a deep and profound practice.  My yoga practice gave me a way to maintain balance and bring inner peace while working at a job which demanded much of my time and energy.

 I looked for knowledge and inspiration wherever I could find it, attending many workshops in Dublin and in other European cities.  I first met Guruji, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and Sharath Rangaswamy in 2002 on the London portion of their world tour.  Guruji’s energy and teaching had an immediate impact on me, and I knew that I wanted to spend more time learning from the source.  Shortly after this I met Paul & Jutima, and decided to attend a Centered Yoga Teacher Training course.  Not only did the training develop my Ashtanga asana approach, it also gave me a firm foundation in pranayma and philosophy. After the training I began teaching yoga part time at the Samastihi studio in Paris enrolled in a four year practitioner’s training at the European Institute of Vedic Studies, with Atreya Smith. 

Over the years I’ve learned that practice is the best foundation for teaching, and having a daily practice of asana, and pranayama deepened my understanding of the limbs of yoga while giving me a way of maintaining sanity in the corporate world.  In 2004 when Paul and Jutima presented me with the opportunity to live and teach in Thailand, I left the office, boarded a flight to Bangkok, and have been on the ‘yoga train’ ever since.

I am eternally grateful to those who have helped me along this path…First and foremost my family, Mom, and Uncle Robin, who have given me unwavering support, and encouraged me to take the road less traveled.  And so much gratitude for having met Paul and Jutima, for being there always, and painting a pure, beautiful and sincere canvas for the yoga community.   And Sri. O. P. Tiwari, for teaching yoga in its purest form, and for being a constant example of a humble soul. 

Thank you to my main teacher of Ayurveda, Atreya Smith, a brilliant and dedicated educator, practitioner and writer.  The West is lucky to have him to bridge this ancient science to modern day life.  Dr. Shantala Priyadarshini and Dr. Sunil Joshi, for taking the time and patience to share your knowledge with me in a  clear, authentic manner. 

Lela Cloud Neff

Lela Cloud Neff began studying hatha yoga with Alvina in 1997, after several years of ballet and modern dance study, and a childhood gymnastics practice. She continued her study of yoga and body awareness with Nina Be Sandot, and finally discovered Astanga Yoga in 2001, when she began a regular practice with Kiran. Her study of Astanga greatly deepened her home practice, and ultimately led her to study with Melanie Fawer at the Yoga Room in early 2006, and Jessica Blanchard at Balance Yoga and Wellness since its conception in early 2008. She has been apprenticing to Jessica since May of 2008 and has been teaching beginers since July of 2008.

In addition to Astanga, Lela has studied and practiced Anusara, Iyengar and Bikram yoga styles and has also attained brown belts in both Kung Fu amd T’ai Chi.Lela loves hatha yoga and believes that everyone in this stress-filled world needs the deep breathing, strengthening and stretching that it provides