Yoga, Michigan

THE LAURA ARMENTA STUDIO —
Grand Rapids

In 1991, Laura Armenta was a young professional dancer in Mexico City with a promising career. Having trained since childhood with masters and later partnered with professionals like Rudolf Nureyev, she was destined for greatness on the world stage.

One day in rehearsals, she fell and injured her left knee. An initial misdiagnosis and subsequent surgery left Armenta in a wheel chair with a chance she may never walk normally or dance again. With her medical benefits nearly exhausted, a physical therapist recommended yoga classes. Armenta began a dedicated yoga practice, initially practicing pranayama and meditation due to the lack of physical mobility. She immediately found the spiritual and emotional benefits life saving and transforming.

For Armenta, yoga provided a profound understanding of the mechanics of movement, benefits of flexibility, and deeper spiritual awareness. These teachings were a seamless extension of the principles she incorporated as a trained dancer.

As life’s twists and turns brought her to West Michigan, Armenta furthered her commitment to her yoga practice by becoming a Certified Yoga Instructor as well as a Yoga-Thai Massage practitioner. A unique type of massage based on ancient yoga and Ayurvedic sciences incorporating yoga positions, yoga therapeutic practices, and Thai foot massage, Yoga-Thai massage has been practiced for over 2500 years.

The practitioner guides the client through a series of stretches and poses designed to increase flexibility. Thai massage combines bodywork styles similar to western massage: stroking and kneading muscles, guiding osseous structures toward better mechanical alignment, and applying deep consistent pressure to specific nerves, tendons, ligaments and muscles.

Recognizing a great demand for hybrid-based fitness classes; Armenta developed her Full Mighty Workout in 2000 and became certified as an American Fitness Professional Association trainer. This fitness class immediately developed a strong, loyal following due to the quick physical results and emphasis on strength and flexibility. It was the Full Mighty students that became the basis for and inspired the opening of The Armenta Studio—Energy in Motion in 2003.

The Armenta Studio offers yoga, dance and fitness classes for all ages, genders and backgrounds: Pre-ballet for children, Modern Dance and Belly Dancing for adults, Fitness hybrids like Yoga-Box or the well-known Full Mighty workout. For those that prefer a stronger yoga based class: Astanga yoga, pre & postnatal yoga; Yoga for children, teens and special needs classes are offered.

The Armenta Studio is Laura’s essence and presence. She has accumulated a diverse knowledge and portfolio of certifications. Armenta envisions herself as a loving mother, carefully watching over her students in an effort to foster growth while preventing injury because she knows what it takes to develop awareness of the body, mind and spirit.

The Armenta Studio is also the new home of Ad Libitum Dance Company, a professional modern dance company also directed by Laura Armenta; and a new performing arts venue in Grand Rapids.

A local celebrity, Armenta can be frequently seen around West Michigan, performing with her Ad Libitum Dance Company, as a “Woman Making a Difference in Grand Rapids” by Grand Rapids Magazine, and at various artistic and cultural events.

For more information on Laura Armenta, or classes at The Armenta Studio,
please visit www.lauraarmenta.com or call (616) 235-YOGA.