Laurel "Astral" Hanson
Laurel Hanson graduated from the inaugural True You Hot Yoga teacher training in 2015 after an extensive 200-hour course on posture, yoga theory, the Eight Limb Paths of Yoga, the history and philosophy of yoga, Sanskrit, anatomy, and the Bishnu Gosh and Hatha Yoga lineage. True You is an Original Hot Yoga Association (OHYA) certified training and Laurel is an OHYA certified teacher. The OHYA is “passionately dedicated to the series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises done in a heated room” and to preserving the integrity of the Hot 26&2 popularized by Bikram Choudury.
Laurel has been a Bikram Yoga practitioner since 2003. She was first drawn to the practice because of job stress and stress-related injuries, like neck strain, migraines, and insomnia. With a regular practice she found lasting relief from such issues along with renewed energy. After nearly a decade in the full-contact sport of Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby, a regular Bikram practice continues to alleviate pain and muscle fatigue and helps her maintain an athletic edge. With a Bachelor’s degree from UCLA and a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago in English/Creative Writing, she uses her writing skills to spread the word on her many passions, including healthy food, recipes, gardening, the female mystique, and of course yoga.
