Laura Schmalzl, PhD

Laura Schmalzl is a Clinical Neuropsychologist, Cognitive Neuroscientist and Yoga Therapist. Her work over the past decade has largely been motivated by an interest in combining her clinical and academic training with her passion for practicing and teaching yoga. From a research perspective, Laura’s interests lie in furthering an understanding of the mechanisms through which yoga-based practices impact body awareness, emotional self-regulation and cognitive functioning. In educational settings, she has implemented yoga as an experiential learning tool within the neuroscience curriculum for medical students. She also served as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy for six years, and for three years has been part of the contemplative faculty for the Mind & Life Institute.

Laura’s vocational trajectory took a turn, largely influenced by the experience of assisting her mother in her journey of dying from cancer, and by how her own yoga practice helped her through that process. After two decades in academia, she decided to devote herself to further clinical training in yoga therapy, with a particular interest in assisting individuals as they navigate major life transitions, including the death of a loved one. In her work with clients, privately and on retreats, her purpose is to empower individuals to take an active part in their healing journey, and find renewed purpose in their lives, through specifically targeted yoga practices. The practices are informed by a neuroscience and yoga therapy framework, and aimed at restoring balance within the physical, mental and emotional “layers” of the human system.

In a joint collaboration with her husband, Dave Thomason,  Laura also hosts retreats at their home in Santa Barbara, California. Their offering, Coming Home, is an immersive experience for individuals and couples that includes body and energy work, personalized yoga and integration practices, mentoring and life coaching. In their work together, Laura and Dave combine their respective areas of expertise and interests in a venture of service that assists individuals navigating major life transitions and creating the life they want to experience.

 Laura provided instruction and guidance on our first Moving through Grief retreat.