Thanks for visiting YI4HH. I am Dr. Stacie LeSure, the Executive Director of the Yog Institute for Health and Healing. I created YI4HH because yoga transformed my life. 35 years ago, I attended my first guided meditation when I was a graduate student studying Materials Science and Engineering. The session took place in a large auditorium and was attended by several hundred university students. It was led by a yoga master who guided the attendees into a deep state of meditation. After experiencing this, I was immediately hooked! I needed more. This was my entry into yoga. Since then, I have been a yoga practitioner. Initially, my practice was sporadic. However, for the past 15 years, I have been consistently dedicated to this amazing healing modality. Practicing yoga has made me a better person. It has not only improved my physical strength and flexibility, yoga has greatly enhanced my mood, helped me manage stress & anxiety, and elevated my self-awareness.

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In 2024, I was faced with one of the biggest challenges of my life. I entered into menopause. During this difficult transition, I experienced severe brain fog, short-term memory loss, and debilitating insomnia. I also acquired a new level of courage that prompted me to abandon my engineering career and travel to India to earn my 500-hour yoga teacher training certificate. While studying yoga at Adhiroha in Rishikesh, India, I learned that yoga is comes from the Sanskrit word "yuj" which means 'to join or to unit'. I also witnessed that in India "yoga" is often pronounced "yog", that is yoga without the "a". To honor the place from which yog originates, I decided on the name "The Yog Institute for Health & Healing". With this name, I strive to offer clients a unique experience that brings health and healing from the inside, out; and to share my appreciation for this ancient practice that is much more than exercise and movement.

 

Becoming a trained yoga therapist and continuing my daily practice have helped me to thrive as I conquered the challenges of menopause.  As a mature woman who has survived many setbacks and disappointments, yoga has consistently proven to be the most effective balm to soothe my mental and emotional ails. Trained as a researcher and educator, I am now equipped to incorporate my diverse skills and passion to help others live more healed and healthy lives.

 

At YI4HH, we are more than a "yoga studio" or a place to "do yoga" or "exercise". YI4HH is an institution that incorporates current best practices and conducts research to advance the science of yoga, particularly its ability to help people heal---mentally, emotionally, and physically. Additionally, YI4HH is a mission-driven organization that aims to build a diverse community where individuals can heal together. We work to help clients discover inner peace and to open their hearts to help make the world a more loving and inclusive place where all people can achieve optimal health and experience true healing. If you, your organization, spiritual community, company or school are ready to join us on this inner journey to self-discovery, we look forward to partnering with you.

 

Namaste Ji,

dr stacie