About Laura
My name is Laura Hernandez and I am the founder and owner of Yoga & Movement.
My mission is aligned with my deep desire to offer the place, encouragement, and support necessary for my students to undertake and pursue their own inner journey.
I am a mother, mentor, trainer of teachers and creator of well-being. I share a patient nature, compassion and calmness that I have developed during my studies and over time.
It goes without saying that my teaching and practice are influenced by the richness of the Mayan lineage from which I come, other knowledge that distinguishes and influences my overall approach.
Trained and certified (Ashtanga Studio Montreal, 2002). I have been teaching and practicing yoga for over 23 years. Over the years, I have accumulated more than 1500 hours of training and teaching. Before becoming a studio owner, I had the privilege of teaching at various studios in Montreal (Ashtanga Studio in Montreal, Yoga Yoga and Yoga World) and in the Eastern Townships.
I have received training in aromatherapy, nutrition, various schools of somatic movement such as the Feldenkrais Method and the Franklin Method. I also trained in water massage. My approach is holistic, and thus, I lead my students to increase their strength and flexibility (both physical and mental).
About my trajectory
Before moving to Canada and founding Yoga & Movement, I studied interpretation and translation as well as international business. I worked as an international economic development officer from my homeland in Mexico. It goes without saying that a career of this nature came with great challenges, stress, competition, and pressure to always perform more and better. So, when yoga came into my life in 1995, I quickly felt the physical effects of postures and meditation.
In 2000, at the peak of my career, I decided to move abroad in order to escape an increasingly threatening national insecurity. Being in a welcoming land motivated my desire to pursue the passion that I had. I had discovered the benefits of mind-body approaches, and I wanted to continue studying the body, movement and personal development. It was the beginning of a journey that still inspire me.
In my new life, yoga quickly became the main pillar of my well-being, and as a result, my perception of this discipline changed. I wasn’t “doing Yoga anymore”, I was “living Yoga”.
(Excluding teachings and workshops at the Yoga & Movement studio)
- Oncology yoga teacher trainer for Yoga4Cancer http://www.yoga4cancer.com
- Oncology yoga teacher trainer for Ma Santé Active program (including weekly classes for members), Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation (QBCF)
- Invited as a speaker by: Ovary Canada, le Centre de transmission de yoga (CTY) and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
- Yoga Adjustment Workshops for Yoga Yoga Teacher Training, Montreal
- Teaching beginner and intermediate classes, Ashtanga yoga studio Montreal
- Teaching various classes for Yoga Monde – studio Nicole Bordeleau
- Oncology Yoga Workshop for Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga of Life
- Oncology Yoga Retreat Organizer at the Eastman SPA, Quebec
- Organizer of yoga retreats in Quebec and Mexico
- Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2019, ARTISTRI SUD, Women’s Development Organization, Montreal
- Honoured for creating the Oncology Yoga Program at the Brome Missisquoi Perkins Hospital Foundation by the Yamaska Valley Optimist Club, International Women’s Day, for Community Contribution in 2021
2022 – 2023
Continuing Education in Oncology Yoga, Radika Foundation, Spain. Red Internacional de yoga oncológico
Training in Spiritual Sciences and End of Life, Séminaire de Sherbrooke
Movement Therapist for Lower Back Fascia, Franklin Method
Anatomy Trains body reading, Tom Myers, Halifax Canada
2020
Applied Yoga Mobility Therapist Certification (AWMT), Jory Serota Applied Yoga Integration
Yoga Thrive, Oncology yoga Teacher Training Certification, Health and wellness lab programs / The yoga effect / University of Calgary
2017
Yoga 4 Cancer (Y4C), Teacher Training Certification, Tari Prinster, NYC
Trauma release through yoga & mindfulness meditation, Michael Stone Education
Divine Feminine Yoga, Laura Cornell, Florida USA Mindful business development (continuing education)
2016
Divine Feminine Yoga, Laura Cornell, Florida & California Mindful business development (continuing education)
Awakening & knowledge of the Self, Institut du développement de la personne, Annie Marquier, Brome Lake Quebec
The 7 chakras prana flow & meditation, Institut du développement de la personne, Véronique Dumont, Brome Lake Quebec
2015
JALA – Prana flow, the water element, Institut du développement de la personne, Véronique Dumont, Brome Lake Quebec
Hips & Lower Back Anatomy Yoga, Hart Lazer, United Yoga Montréal
Yoga & Meditation – The inner tradition of yoga, Michael Stone Education, Bromont Quebec
2014
Mouvence Training in aquatic massage and water supported movement, Carole Dion Veechi, École Aquavie Mouvence, Montreal
2013
Functional Anatomy, Ashtanga Yoga Studio, Johanna Abbatt, Montreal
The role of breath throughout the life process, restoring and expanding the sense of self, André Duchesne & Ginette Lépine, Institut de Psychothérapie Corporelle Intégrée, Montreal
2012
Yoga and Hormonal Balance, Carolyne Chantefort, (Dina Rodrigues Method), Quebec
2011
Spinal Awareness, Esalen Institute, Patrick Douce, California
Dare to feel, Training in trauma resolution through Yoga, United Yoga, Hart Lazer, Montreal
Yoga for women, Studios Lynn St-Rock, Leigh Evans, Magog
2005
Backbends & Inversions, Yoga Granby, Hart Lazer, Quebec
2004
Yoga Retreat, Hart Lazer & Mark Darby, Maya Tulum, Mexico
Adjusting students in asana practice, Ashtanga Yoga Studio, Hart Lazer, Montreal
2003
Yoga Retreat, Hart Lazer & Mark Darby, Maya Tulum, Mexico
The principles of backbends, Yoga Monde, Hart Lazer, Quebec
Dancing the body of light, Ashtanga Yoga Studio, Orit Sen Gupta, Montreal
Ageless Yoga, Perle Yoga, Lila Osterman, Montreal
Techniques for teaching yoga, Ashtanga Yoga Studio, Hart Lazer, Montreal
2002
Ashtanga Yoga, Pattabhi Jois, Université du Québec, Montreal
Advanced Training for Yoga Teachers, Ashtanga Yoga Studio, Hart Lazer, Montreal
Pre & Post Natal Yoga, Sophie Desjardins, Montreal
Vipassana 10 Day Retreat, Vipassana Meditation Center, Sutton
Refining: Backbends twists & inversions, Ashtanga Yoga Studio, Hart Lazer, Montreal
Advanced Training for Yoga Teachers, Ashtanga Yoga Studio, Hart Lazer, Montreal
2001 – 2002
Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training (500 HRS), Ashtanga Yoga Studio, Allison Ulan & Mark Darby