As seen in Lipstik Magazine!

Yoga
Yoga is an ancient Indian system that is used to attain optimal health. At Lotus Arts, we teach hatha yoga, the pracitce of physical poses used to strengthen and stretch the body, improve balance and circulation, and improve the ability to find peace and relaxation in the body. Yoga can help you reduce aches and pains, lower blood pressure, build strength and stamina and increase flexibility. Visit the 'classes' page to learn more about our classes or to register.

Click here to see a lovely piece on our yoga program by the Belleville News Democrat!
(select 'lotus arts studio' on the left hand side of the page)

Staff

Instructors

Lauren (Zehara) Haas, RYT
Bellydance & yoga
(owner, Lotus Arts Studio)

Lauren has taught and performed bellydance since 2001. She was formerly a performing member of Sahara Sand Productions dance troupe and has appeared onstage at the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Union Station, the Red Sea restaurant, the Loop in Motion festival, and other area venues and events. She studies primarily Egyptian-style dance and has traveled to Egypt and Morocco in her search for great instructors and a deep understanding of the art form. Currently Lauren performs regularly at Nara Hookah Cafe on Washington Avenue in St. Louis. For upcoming performances, see Bellydance By Lauren.

Lauren has done yoga all her life (as did her mother and grandfather). She trained as a yoga teacher during a monthlong intensive, living in a hut in the desert, at Yandara Yoga Institute in Baja, Mexico and earned a 200 hour RYT certification with Yoga Alliance. She has also earned an ACE Group Fitness Instructor certification and an ACE yoga specialty certification. Lauren was an exercise and wellness major in college.

Lissa Stallings-Boone, Yoga
American College of Sports Medicine, HFS
Licensed Wellness Coach
www.wellcoaches.com/Lissa.Stallings-Boone

From Lissa:

I know my yoga roots began at age 4 with training in classical ballet. Ballet and Yoga share a special likeness as Living-Arts. I continued dance training for 13 years. Moving from young adult to adulthood, I found the need to move my body and maintain my optimal level of health and wellness. I did this through differing forms of physical activity. I dedicated my life energy to helping others stay healthy, happy and fit. It was 1997 when I felt a strong tug to return, in some form, to my ballet/dance roots. I yearned for the fluidity of body and openness of heart I discovered through movement. I have always believed the human body to be an AMAZING work of art. Designed precisely to move and be moved; do and not do; suffer and heal; enjoy and be enjoyed; AND ALWAYS love and be loved. Every BODY is designed with powerful levers (joints) and pulleys (muscles) that must be moved or will become unusable. Each person is uniquely designed and has a individual vibration. So, YOGA was my answer to satisfy the extrinsic and intrinsic yearns and needs (that most people experience.) 1998 unexpectedly found me learning under the graceful heart of Yogi, John Deminico. It was Yogi John who exampled the shedding of ego.....MY EGO! He expressed yoga as a practice for EVERYONE and ALL-ONES. I shed my competitive soul and found an appreciation for what heart, mind and soul will allow me each day. My extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology coupled with a receiving heart, allow me to learn ‘anew’ every moment I practice the living-art of yoga. I never cease learning and sharing a deeper connection with the practice of yoga. The one reward of yoga that never fails is JOY! PURE JOY! May Kindness And Joy, Be Yours To Give, And, Receive. Namaste’

Danielle Jackson, Bellydance

Danielle Jackson is a Belleville native, who has been dancing under Lauren's guidance since 2004. She performs as Dani with the Lotus Arts Dance Company. She is known for her sinuous, strong, isolated technique, creative musicality, and delightful stage presence. Dani is also a painter, visit www.dantasticfaces.com to see her artwork.

Nicki Shanks, RYT Yoga, Zumba,Bellydance

Nicki started learning Bellydance with Lotus Arts Studio in 2008 and is still an active student in the studio and a member of the Hips Afire! Bellydancers. She is certified in Zumba and holds a 200 hour RYT through Yoga Alliance. Nicki loves to have fun when she is working out. She has always been a lover of dance and tried different dance styles throughout here life but bellydance was the one that swept her away. Come dance with Nicki, she loves meeting new people.