Page 188 - Adhiyoga Purana

Lori Hartline – Teacher, California
For over three decades, Lori Hartline dedicated her life to teaching special education students in California. With a master’s in special education and years of classroom experience, she was a respected educator — but she longed for a deeper connection with her students and herself. Yoga became that bridge.
After practicing yoga for 11 years and attempting other teacher trainings without completion, Lori met Dr. Adhiyogi. His sincerity, flexibility, and individualized approach gave her the opportunity to finally complete her 200-hour yoga teacher certification. Despite her demanding schedule, Neel tailored the training around her life, guiding her through in-person meetings, live chats, and a program built on her goals and experience.
Under his mentorship, Lori’s personal yoga practice blossomed. She developed a consistent home practice of asanas, meditation, and breathwork. With this came a sharper focus, calmer mind, and a deeper connection to her body. She realized that by transforming her own practice, she could transform the way she taught yoga to others — especially her students with special needs.
Her training included not only asanas but also philosophy, health, chanting, and meditation, enriched by Neel’s book Adhiyoga Authentic Yoga System. The most profound element was learning how to teach yoga: creating her own teaching scripts, designing 20 detailed asana diagrams with breathwork and timing, and reflecting on every class she taught or attended.
Neel observed Lori’s teaching, offering constructive feedback that helped her refine her approach for different age groups — from middle school children to adults. Today, Lori integrates yoga into her school’s Mental Health Collaborative program and teaches staff members. She calls Neel’s training “invaluable,” praising his knowledge, humor, and authenticity. For her, yoga has become not only a personal sanctuary but also a gift she now passes on to others every week.
OM Shantiḥ.
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