Laurie Orlando

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I’ve been in the health and fitness industry for more than 25 years and it was through my own personal journey that I’ve discovered my passion for wellness; to be clear, I wasn’t always fit or healthy. It took a comment from my 4-year-old daughter to point that as she was getting bigger, I was having trouble picking her up. It was then that I realized I wanted and needed to be a better role model and the best mom I can be for her. The more I learned about myself the more I wanted to learn. It was at this time while training for fitness competitions in the mid 90’s I decided to become a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Personal Trainer and Certified in Sports Nutrition. 

As I continued to grow and change I found myself hungry for more knowledge. I was on this fitness high and wanted to share my experience and knowledge with everyone; my family, friends and clients and introduce them to this incredible new healthy lifestyle. 

After moving to Florida from NJ in 2000 I continued learning and received Certifications in Exercise Modification and Rehabilitation, Health Coaching and Reiki while building my wellness business. It was right around this time when I found myself on a mat in my first yoga class (loved it) but I’ll get to that in a moment. In 2009 I drove my beautiful; now grown daughter to Florida State University and decided it was time for me to get my degree too. Four years later I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Hodges University. During my last year at Hodges an opportunity to learn how to teach yoga opened and I went through my first 200 hr. Teacher Training. I was surprise to find that although I loved practicing power yoga I didn’t feel the calling to teach it. I wanted to teach to students that had varying issues; age related or other. Such as injuries, illness, accidents, surgery, cardiovascular, pulmonary, balance, joint replacements, fall prevention and more. In 2013 I went through Duke’s Integrative Medicine Therapeutic Yoga for Seniors program and it was there once again I found my passion. The following year I completed 500-RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher). 

There’s more… in 2015 I was in a car accident. As I was stopped at a traffic light the car behind me was distracted and didn’t see the line of cars stopped at the intersection. She never put the brakes on and hit me from behind. I came away from that accident with 3 slipped disks at C5 C6 and C7; I also had an annular tear between L4, L5. For almost 2 years I had constant migraines and chronic back and neck pain. This accident changed my life. It took me out of the gym, off my yoga mat and out of my massage practice.  I was desperate to find something to give me relief other than the recommended surgery; so I did my research and found Foundation Training. I decided this could be my answer, so I went to this spinal decompression FT Certification last year and I am beyond grateful to say that I am now living without chronic pain. I teach Foundation Training with a whole heart to anyone who is into feeling good, into fitness or into preforming at higher levels. This movement training is an accessory to everything else you do, and I am living moving proof it works.

Favorite pose:  Garudasana – Eagle Pose, not only for the numerous  benefits it provides physically but also the strengthening of my  concentration and focus on getting into the pose and growing.

Where  I am most challenged by my practice:   Getting on my mat these days is  where I am feeling the most challenged at the moment. 

The  one thing I can not live without: My morning coffee. I love starting my  day very early with a hot cup of coffee and snuggling with my pups.

The book I keep on my bed side table: The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle

How I have fun off of my mat:  I love and have fun doing so many things…  training at the gym, hiking with my boyfriend, paddleboarding, beach  time, wine tasting, visiting my daughter, playing with my pups, the list  goes on and on.

What I know for sure:  Life is full of incredible experiences and opportunities that help us grow.

What  I am committed to:  I’m committed to learning and improving then  sharing what I’ve learned to others to help improve their quality of  life.

What I share in my teaching: Movement- physical, mental and spiritual movement.

Hometown: Redbank, NJ