Laila Deardorff, PT
As a physical therapist (PT), Laila focuses on incorporating yoga into an individual patient's PT program. She believes that Iyengar yoga with its roots in alignment, coupled with yoga's emphasis on breath work and relaxation, truly allows the body, mind and soul to heal.

Laila was guided to Julie while rehabilitating a chronic low back injury. After spending two years mentoring with Julie, Laila adopted Julie's approach to healing by integrating Iyengar yoga with her physical therapy. With a teaching style that is relaxed and supportive, Laila merges her knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics with specific yoga poses, creating an effective atmosphere for healing.

Laila received her Master's degree in physical therapy from Pacific University in 1998. Her group's Master thesis, entitled "The Edema of Pregnancy: A Comparison of Water Aerobics to Static Immersion," was published in the November 1999 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Prior to this career change, Laila enjoyed all the stresses and postural faults a CPA in corporate America could experience. A former competitive swimmer, Laila also enjoys biking, running, and snowboarding.