BE KIND.  BE STRONG.  BE FREE.

About Maia

Teaching Philosophy
  • I enjoy sharing the ancient traditions of yoga and modern movement science in a way that welcomes everyone, just as you are.
    • Maia
Maia Laverty (she / her)
  • E-RYT-500
  • Certificate in Gerontology from the University of Washington
  • Certified Yoga for Healthy Aging Teacher
  • Certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher
  • Over 10,000 hours of teaching experience

    • As a yoga teacher, I blend mindfulness, loving kindness and evidence-based movement research with yoga tradition in my classes, trainings and private sessions. I prioritize meeting each student where they are.

    My general classes include a mindful and accessible approach to stability and strength-building, understanding of the role that the nervous system plays in our comfort and movement, just the right amount of stretching, breathwork and mindfulness. I also teach restorative and yin styles of yoga, and offer soundbaths with my crystal soundbowls. I am trained in prenatal yoga. I teach trainings for yoga teachers and workshops for yoga students in my areas of expertise. In all of my classes, I encourage students to deepen into the moment with a lens of loving-kindness, moving within their own experiences and from a place of curiosity to support their own deep sense of wellbeing.

    I’m a life-long learner and “anatomy geek” and I continue active and ongoing study with my biomechanics teacher, Jules Mitchell. Some of my current study interests include: digging into scientific research in the areas of mindfulness, movement science, the neurology of movement, modern pain science and healthy aging. These more scientific pursuits combine with my deep reverence for the practices of self-study and compassion that traditional yoga philosophy and mindfulness practice include. I find that the more that I learn, the more there is to be curious about!

    I've loved yoga for most of my life. I found my first yoga class in my last year of University. The class was nothing that I expected; very gentle and slow, and yet immediately the practice helped me to feel more at home; not only in my skin, but also in my mind and emotions. It was revolutionary. Since then, I’ve been practicing yoga. Starting in my late 20's, and for 20+ years, I owned and ran a sucessful community-based yoga studio and taught yoga in Seattle, Washington U.S.A. Now, in my 50’s, I’ve moved with my family (2 kids, 2 cats and a husband!) to our new home in wonderful Amsterdam where I am happily building a simplier professional life. As we settle in, I am taking my time to find my best fits for teaching, while I write a book on lifelong yoga practices.

    ~ Yoga is like a hammer. Leave it sitting and it will do no good for you, but put it to use and you can build a sturdy house to protect you from the storms that life throws at all of us” — Nzazi Malonga ~

    Education
    • January 2025-Ongoing: Advanced biomechanically-focused and evidence-based yoga mentorship with Jules Mitchell MS, CMT, E-RYT-500 and author of "Yoga Biomechanics: Stretching Redefined"
    • July 2024-Ongoing: Integral Anatomy for Yogis with Gil Hedley and Rachel Scott
    • 2020-2023: Advanced biomechanically-focused and evidence-based yoga mentorship with Jules Mitchell MS, CMT, E-RYT-500 and author of "Yoga Biomechanics: Stretching Redefined"
    • 2022: 5-day Advanced Anatomy Lab with Jules Mitchell, Colorado Springs, CO U.S.A.
    • 2022: Certificate in Gerontology - University of Washington Seattle WA U.S.A.
    • 2021: Accessible Yoga Teacher Training - Accessible Yoga School with Jivana Heyman (author of:"Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body", "Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage & Compassion" and "The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga: Best Practices for Sharing Yoga with Every Body") and guests U.S.A.
    • 2020: 300-Hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training – Jules Mitchell and guests U.S.A.
    • 2017 & 2020: Yoga for Healthy Aging Teacher Trainings (primary and advanced trainings) with Baxter Bell (co-author of "Yoga for Healthy Aging") and Melina Meza (author of "Art of Sequencing" volumes 1 and 2)
    • 2003-2020: Numerous smaller yoga teacher trainings and related trainings accumulating hundreds of hours of training and professional development / educational hours including trainings and workshops with Rodney Yee, Sarah Powers, Rolf Gates and J.J. Gormeley among others.
    • 2003: Yoga for Pregnancy Certificate – Seattle Holistic Center with Colette Crawford, Seattle WA U.S.A.
    • 2003: Specialized Yoga Teacher Training in Viniyoga tradition – Whole Life Yoga, Seattle WA U.S.A.
    • 2002: 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training – Integral Yoga, Virginia, U.S.A.
    • 1997: Batchelor of Arts in Aesthetics, Art and Architectural History from the University of Washington, Seattle Washington U.S.A.

      • Questions? Email me, I would love to hear from you!

Lifelong Lotus Yoga