Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Alexiou.
Hi Lara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My first experience with yoga was back in the late 90’s during my college years. It was part of my physical theatre curriculum and called, “movement.” I loved it. As someone not unfit yet not particularly athletic, poor at team sports, and who was always the last pick in gym class, yoga opened a whole new world to me: a physical activity that challenged me, calmed my anxiety, where no one else was depending on me to block a goal or score a winning point, and actually, where no one else was even watching. Yoga postures aren’t timed and scored like games or races. No spectators. Just me having an experience on my mat. It transformed my entire life.
In my mid 20’s, I experienced some health challenges that resulted in a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. My physical strength, mobility, balance, stamina and more were all under attack, as well am my emotional state and sense of self. Yoga kept me grounded, strong and connected to my body at a time it was unpredictable. Born and raised in Philadelphia PA, I ran off to Los Angeles to complete my first yoga teacher training.
In 2003, I began my yoga teaching career. I knew it was my heart’s calling and it became my life’s work.
Over the last 20 plus years, I immersed myself my in yoga and the Eastern Healing Arts of qigong and meditation. I connected with thousands of students as founder, owner, and operator of an award winning studio in NEPA for 15 years. I’ve taught nationally and internationally at workshops and festivals, and am in internationally published author. I have trained dozens of yoga teachers, many of whom are currently teaching and some who have opening their own yoga and wellness practices. I’ve watched yoga and the eastern healing arts transform from a mysterious and hidden fringe practice, to an acceptable mainstream activity.
Several years ago, I was called to experience yoga, teaching, and student connection in a different way. I sold my studio to my head teacher and founded West Wind Yoga, a studio to support yoga practitioners and teachers who sense that their practice is established, but not finished. We approach yoga as a living discipline that evolves through time, relationship, curiosity, and the realities of modern life. West Wind Yoga is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS) and I am an approved provider of Yoga Alliance Continuing Education (YACEP) credits. In additional to yoga teacher trainings, we offer seasonally inspired workshops based on the Taoist 5 Elements, private mentoring, and international yoga retreats. Allowing my own manifestation of yoga practice, studio space, and teaching to evolve over time keeps me connected to the many dimensions of yoga’s transformative power. I am grateful for the students of the past, present, and future who trust me enough to explore this path together and continue uncovering the enduring magic that yoga has to offer.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The pandemic was our most obvious and possibly biggest struggle. Yoga studios are places where people gather together and breathe in unison. The pandemic hit us at the very heart of what we do. The physical, emotional, and financial hits that we suffered as a bricks and mortar wellness business during this unprecedented time broke my heart every day.
But even beyond something so unexpected like a pandemic, the day to day of studio ownership has unique challenges. Working with the public offering a service that really affects people from the inside out requires you to balance business acumen with compassion, empathy, and clarity. Some challenges are daily: Are people coming to class, is the membership and pricing structure working, is everyone and everything getting paid? How is the product? How is the team? You must keep a daily eye on all of these aspects. Other challenges pop up unexpectedly and can be harder to navigate. Changing city ordinances can affect your location through parking or traffic patterns. Social media algorithms, AI, and other factors outside of your ability to control can have a major effect on your marketing. Entrepreneurs must embrace challenges as visionaries with creative solutions to remain inspired and in business!
We’ve been impressed with West Wind Yoga, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
West Wind Yoga is rooted in the belief that yoga is a lifelong practice rather than a short-term pursuit. While many people first come to yoga seeking flexibility, stress reduction, or physical challenge, the students who stay are often looking for a deeper practice that continues to evolve alongside them through the different seasons of life.
Today, our work focuses on workshops, immersions, retreats, mentorship, meditation, and teacher development. Over the years, I have trained thousands of students, hundreds of yoga teachers and guided dozens more on international retreat experiences. We are now entering our fifteenth year of leading yoga retreats in Greece, a part of my teaching that began long before West Wind Yoga was formally established.
What sets West Wind Yoga apart is our commitment to depth and long-term study. We are not built around drop-in attendance or constantly chasing the newest trend. Instead, we create opportunities for students to refine their understanding, develop skill, and cultivate a meaningful relationship with practice over time that stays relevant in their changing daily lives.
What I am most proud of is the continuity of the community. I still have students practicing with me who attended my classes when I first began teaching more than two decades ago. And new students still continue to find their way into my classes each year. In a culture often driven by fast fashion, fleeting attention, and ever-changing trends, that kind of longevity feels significant. It tells me that the teachings remain relevant, that the practice continues to meet people where they are, and that the relationships I’ve built through years still matter.
More than anything, I want readers to know that West Wind Yoga is a place for people who are interested in yoga as a living practice that supports growth, self-inquiry, resilience, and meaningful connection throughout a lifetime.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If there is one thing I hope readers take away, it is that meaningful practice doesn’t have to be dramatic to be transformative. The most important changes often come from showing up consistently, staying curious, and being willing to learn over time.
Whether someone is completely new to yoga or has been practicing for decades, I believe there is always more to discover. The practice continues to reveal new layers of understanding, and that spirit of curiosity remains at the heart of everything we do at West Wind Yoga.
I would also encourage readers to take the time to find a teacher and a community that truly resonates with them. Yoga is ultimately a personal journey, but it is enriched by practicing alongside others who share a commitment to learning, growth, and exploration. The right environment can challenge you, support you, and inspire you to stay engaged with the practice for years to come.
Looking ahead, I am excited to continue creating opportunities for people to study, practice, travel, and discover the magic of yoga through workshops, retreats, trainings, mentorship, and meditation programs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.westwindretreat.yoga/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westwind_yoga/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestWindYogaRetreat
