Highlights of My Humble Journey into Yoga
Yoga has been a part of my life since the mid 70's. My initial curiosity was sparked in high school, while searching through metaphysical/ spiritual books in a library. I came across Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. "At home" courses were offered through the mail from Self-Realization Fellowship, so I signed up, not realizing this began my unfolding of the fourth Niyama of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: Svadhyaya ; thus my self-study began. Then I discovered PBS was running a weekly TV program, Lilias Yoga and You! Wow! A luminous pioneer... Lilias Folan became my first virtual yoga teacher! I loved practicing with Lilias each week, until I started college and found in person classes in a health food store near the University I attended. Years later, I was honored to meet Lilias, in person, attending her workshop held at Omega Yoga Conference in NYC!
After moving from the Baltimore/Washington DC area to Bethany Beach, DE in the 80's, I enrolled in the only yoga class offered locally at the time, taught at the YMCA by Sharon Rose. Sharon invited me to sub for her one time (before credentials were required) and I fell in love with the "idea" of teaching yoga. I was beginning my professional career as a schoolteacher in the Cape Henlopen School District, at the time. One day, during the summer, Sharon invited me to a class with Sat Kartar Singh, (Sikh Guru, now a member of the famous Guru Ganehsa band) who was offering Kundalini classes in the backroom of a small Crystal Store in downtown Rehoboth. I attended his classes every summer for a few years, and my heart was filled with joyful inspiration through the meditation practices I learned. I attended several White Tantric Workshops led by Yogi Bhajan in Herndon, VA. At the end of one summer, Sat Kartar said he was leaving and wouldn't be returning, I naively asked, who will continue to teach yoga? He answered, "You will!" I blushed and said, "no way!" A few friends encouraged me and I had an offering of a space next to a local health food market, so my real teaching yoga journey began.
For the next several years, I attended as many workshops, trainings, and seminars, as well as accumulating video tapes on as many styles of of yoga as I could afford! While raising 3 children along with my full time career in education - practicing yoga was my saving grace from stress and anxiety, keeping me balanced and healthy. I figured it was time to get certified.
My initial "formal" training was 200-hour certification at Columbia Yoga Center, MD, in 1990, taught by Stan Andrzejewski (we called him Moses) and Bob Goldstein, who focused on postural alignment, sequencing, and precision, based on B.K.S. Iyengar's teachings. One of the most inspirational and profound life changing experiences happened in 2005, when I had the honor to pay homage to Guruji (Mr. Iyengar) in person, at his new book release and signing of Light on Life at Barnes and Noble, NYC. That night, a phenomenal yoga performance was held featuring Patricia Walden and other Senior Iyengar Yoga teachers.
I started sharing yoga at various places in the community, including teaching teachers and kids after school at Cape. I taught yoga at the YMCA for 6 years, planning retreats and workshops. During that time, three of my yoga students went on to become certified teachers. With one of them and another partner, we established Bethany Beach Yoga Center. For a few years, we conducted business in a brick and mortar studio, the only one in Lower Sussex, at the time. In 2002, we began teaching yoga on the bandstand in downtown Bethany, then after Covid, we expanded to the teaching on the beach! We are still going strong, after 23 years, but now operate totally online, offering private classes and yoga at the beach.
My Advanced Teacher Training (RYT500) included a therapeutic approach at Body Balance Yoga in Annapolis, MD with my amazing teacher, Jenny Otto (BodyBalanceYoga) - an innovative, master yoga therapist and structural integrator, who cultivated a deeper knowledge and understanding of anatomy, body structure, and the connection of body, mind, and spirit through advanced yoga techniques. I continued studying with Jenny through an additional 200 hour Therapuetic Yoga Course, introducing me to expert yoga instructors, such as Victor Van Kooten and Linda Howard, (Easing into Yoga).
I continued teaching evening classes at the Y, since I was still teaching at Cape. One evening, after a yoga class, a lovely, charming woman, Patricia who participated in my class introduced herself as a yoga teacher and extended an invitation to attend an Aerial yoga class that she was teaching in Rehoboth! I had never experienced this kind of yoga and was excited to try it out. The atmosphere was euphoric! I absolutely loved the gentleness of the silks in supporting inversions and literally became hooked into developing a new angle in my personal practice. I purchased a silk and rigged it up my home! Eventually, I completed. VaihAyasa Aerial Yoga Training Levels I and II, with Heather Schafer (former owner of Kaya Yoga in Rehoboth Beach, DE). I continue my personal aerial yoga practice and offer private sessions in my home or group sessions at HeartWish Healing.
After 33 years, teaching in Education, in 2019, I retired from public education, except for a few extended years teaching for Wilmington University as an adjunct instructor. Now that I have fully resigned from public education, my life has afforded me the grace of full- time commitment to my Yoga practice and teaching. Since Covid days during 2020 - 21, being quarantined to online learning, I was able to re-ingnite my personal practices and studies through Zoom classes with Master teachers I once studied with in DC and other areas around the world!
I actively participate in the study and practice Level 4, Advanced Pranayama, with Senior Iyengar Teacher, Mary Pappas -Sandonas (PoseReposeYoga), a stellar teacher who shares her extensive experiences in yoga, philosophy, pranayama, and the inspired teachings of the Iyengar lineage of Yoga. I continue to learn, practice and live a Yogic lifestyle to the best of my ability.
The joy of Sound and Vibrational Healing has blossomed into my life, and now as a Sound Healing Practioner in Training with Atma Buti©Sound Medicine, I have continued to acquire hours and case studies towards certification in 2025. I have deep gratitude for two truly angelic beings in my life, my sound healing teacher, Suren Shrestha and my sound healing mentor, Julia Abramova, (JYOTI Institute for Integrative Therapies) who has continued to educate and inspire me in the science, art and services of sound healing, somatic healing, integrative therapies, and Ayurvedic lifestyle.
Yoga has become a lifestyle beyond the physical benefits of the practice of asana, including mindfulness, meditation, and acceptance of self and others.
Finally, in addition to my passion for yoga, I enjoy traveling, gardening, and cherishing time with my beautiful family—my husband, whose unwavering support grounds me; my daughter, who enlightens and encourages me; and my two sons, who inspire me and keep me young at heart. And for everyone who I've met on my journey, who have allowed me to share yoga, I am forever grateful.
After moving from the Baltimore/Washington DC area to Bethany Beach, DE in the 80's, I enrolled in the only yoga class offered locally at the time, taught at the YMCA by Sharon Rose. Sharon invited me to sub for her one time (before credentials were required) and I fell in love with the "idea" of teaching yoga. I was beginning my professional career as a schoolteacher in the Cape Henlopen School District, at the time. One day, during the summer, Sharon invited me to a class with Sat Kartar Singh, (Sikh Guru, now a member of the famous Guru Ganehsa band) who was offering Kundalini classes in the backroom of a small Crystal Store in downtown Rehoboth. I attended his classes every summer for a few years, and my heart was filled with joyful inspiration through the meditation practices I learned. I attended several White Tantric Workshops led by Yogi Bhajan in Herndon, VA. At the end of one summer, Sat Kartar said he was leaving and wouldn't be returning, I naively asked, who will continue to teach yoga? He answered, "You will!" I blushed and said, "no way!" A few friends encouraged me and I had an offering of a space next to a local health food market, so my real teaching yoga journey began.
For the next several years, I attended as many workshops, trainings, and seminars, as well as accumulating video tapes on as many styles of of yoga as I could afford! While raising 3 children along with my full time career in education - practicing yoga was my saving grace from stress and anxiety, keeping me balanced and healthy. I figured it was time to get certified.
My initial "formal" training was 200-hour certification at Columbia Yoga Center, MD, in 1990, taught by Stan Andrzejewski (we called him Moses) and Bob Goldstein, who focused on postural alignment, sequencing, and precision, based on B.K.S. Iyengar's teachings. One of the most inspirational and profound life changing experiences happened in 2005, when I had the honor to pay homage to Guruji (Mr. Iyengar) in person, at his new book release and signing of Light on Life at Barnes and Noble, NYC. That night, a phenomenal yoga performance was held featuring Patricia Walden and other Senior Iyengar Yoga teachers.
I started sharing yoga at various places in the community, including teaching teachers and kids after school at Cape. I taught yoga at the YMCA for 6 years, planning retreats and workshops. During that time, three of my yoga students went on to become certified teachers. With one of them and another partner, we established Bethany Beach Yoga Center. For a few years, we conducted business in a brick and mortar studio, the only one in Lower Sussex, at the time. In 2002, we began teaching yoga on the bandstand in downtown Bethany, then after Covid, we expanded to the teaching on the beach! We are still going strong, after 23 years, but now operate totally online, offering private classes and yoga at the beach.
My Advanced Teacher Training (RYT500) included a therapeutic approach at Body Balance Yoga in Annapolis, MD with my amazing teacher, Jenny Otto (BodyBalanceYoga) - an innovative, master yoga therapist and structural integrator, who cultivated a deeper knowledge and understanding of anatomy, body structure, and the connection of body, mind, and spirit through advanced yoga techniques. I continued studying with Jenny through an additional 200 hour Therapuetic Yoga Course, introducing me to expert yoga instructors, such as Victor Van Kooten and Linda Howard, (Easing into Yoga).
I continued teaching evening classes at the Y, since I was still teaching at Cape. One evening, after a yoga class, a lovely, charming woman, Patricia who participated in my class introduced herself as a yoga teacher and extended an invitation to attend an Aerial yoga class that she was teaching in Rehoboth! I had never experienced this kind of yoga and was excited to try it out. The atmosphere was euphoric! I absolutely loved the gentleness of the silks in supporting inversions and literally became hooked into developing a new angle in my personal practice. I purchased a silk and rigged it up my home! Eventually, I completed. VaihAyasa Aerial Yoga Training Levels I and II, with Heather Schafer (former owner of Kaya Yoga in Rehoboth Beach, DE). I continue my personal aerial yoga practice and offer private sessions in my home or group sessions at HeartWish Healing.
After 33 years, teaching in Education, in 2019, I retired from public education, except for a few extended years teaching for Wilmington University as an adjunct instructor. Now that I have fully resigned from public education, my life has afforded me the grace of full- time commitment to my Yoga practice and teaching. Since Covid days during 2020 - 21, being quarantined to online learning, I was able to re-ingnite my personal practices and studies through Zoom classes with Master teachers I once studied with in DC and other areas around the world!
I actively participate in the study and practice Level 4, Advanced Pranayama, with Senior Iyengar Teacher, Mary Pappas -Sandonas (PoseReposeYoga), a stellar teacher who shares her extensive experiences in yoga, philosophy, pranayama, and the inspired teachings of the Iyengar lineage of Yoga. I continue to learn, practice and live a Yogic lifestyle to the best of my ability.
The joy of Sound and Vibrational Healing has blossomed into my life, and now as a Sound Healing Practioner in Training with Atma Buti©Sound Medicine, I have continued to acquire hours and case studies towards certification in 2025. I have deep gratitude for two truly angelic beings in my life, my sound healing teacher, Suren Shrestha and my sound healing mentor, Julia Abramova, (JYOTI Institute for Integrative Therapies) who has continued to educate and inspire me in the science, art and services of sound healing, somatic healing, integrative therapies, and Ayurvedic lifestyle.
Yoga has become a lifestyle beyond the physical benefits of the practice of asana, including mindfulness, meditation, and acceptance of self and others.
Finally, in addition to my passion for yoga, I enjoy traveling, gardening, and cherishing time with my beautiful family—my husband, whose unwavering support grounds me; my daughter, who enlightens and encourages me; and my two sons, who inspire me and keep me young at heart. And for everyone who I've met on my journey, who have allowed me to share yoga, I am forever grateful.
“Enlightenment is nothing more and nothing less than a change of perspective
~ Judith Lassiter
~ Judith Lassiter
Yoga Training/Certifications /Accreditations
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For an extensive and specific list of training and experience, refer to my Yoga Vitae.
Professor Emeritus, M.Ed.
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Beyond the mat, I have served as a professional educator in K-12 public schools for over thirty years. I retired in 2019 from my position as districtwide instructional technology specialist in the Cape Henlopen School District. I designed and instructed online courses for the Applied Technology Master's Degree program at Wilmington University for 20 years, until my recent retirement in 2023. My passion for technology and global collaboration has given me recognition as an Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Teacher and Governor's Award for GIS in Education. I enjoy worldwide travel and have integrated my work in education and technology as a leader for global collaboration programs. I am an advocate for cultural literacy and have facilitated international collaboration between students in countries around the world, such as Rock Our World Project, Facing the Worlds Challenges/Peace Corp Project, and the Delaware's Dept. of Education LinCs Program, organizing and leading high school students in summer travel abroad programs to study Language, Culture, and STEM, 2014 through 2019. For more information about my work and projects, visit me on LinkedIn. |