Atmadarshan (Laura Santoro) AYT-L2, E-RYT 500, CYT

Atmadarshan means "Vision of the true Self"

Atmadarshan has long had an interest in the movement arts. She was an instructor in the Japanese martial art of Aikido from 1991 - 2006 and is the author of the internationally published book Aikido for Kids. She completed the Atma Center Teacher Training program in 2001 and has completed two other teacher training programs in the Satyananda tradition since then.

Atmadarshan worked in biological psychiatry and co-authored an article on medication response in people with chronic schizophrenia. She has also worked on pediatric and neonatal intensive care units, was an assistant children's librarian, and produced various radio programs (including The Sound of Yoga) for WRUW-FM. She uses this experience to teach Yoga Psychology and the Bhagavad Gita with an enthusiasm that motivates her students.  She is the Assistant Director for the Atma Center and the Course Coordinator for Yoga Academy of North America and teaches a variety of classes, including Yoga for Depression.

Atmadarshan is available for private classes and specializes in

• Satyananda Yoga Nidra™ (she invites you to bring your recorder so you can have a personalized practice for your own use)
• Surya Namaskara (sun salutation), including chakra awareness and the various sets of mantras for each pose
• mudras (gestures) and bandhas (locks)
• yoga eye exercises
• yoga for mood management
• the thunderbolt series (vajrasana practices) & Pawanmuktasana series 1
• various meditations such as Antar Mouna & Kaya Sthairyam
• yoga for skiers

Education Background

• B.A., Biology and Psychology, CWRU
  
• Black belt ranking in Aikido through Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
  
• WRUW-FM Assistant Programmer training for radio broadcast, CWRU

Yoga Education Background

Karma Sannyasin Initiation from Paramahamsa Niranjanananda Saraswati, July, 2005 (Cartegena, Colombia)

Jignasu Sannyasin Initiation from Paramahamsa Niranjanananda Saraswati, December 13, 2002 (Bihar, India)

Certifications, Registrations, Accreditations:

• Accredited Yoga Teacher Level 2, SATYANANDA YOGA ®
• Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance (ERYT - 500 hours)
• Certified Yoga Teacher, Atma Center Teacher Training Program

Workshops, courses and other trainings:

• Yogic Studies 2, SATYANANDA YOGA ®
  
• Sat Chandi Mahayajna and Mantra sadhana course in India
  
• Sanskrit language workshop
  
• SATYANANDA YOGA ® workshops, satsangs, and continuing teacher training