* Lori and her husband, Ariel, in front of Yoga for Life studio


Yoga for Life is dedicated to the healing of body, mind, and spirit through hatha yoga and yogic principles of harmonious, balanced living.

Hatha yoga postures and principles were created in ancient India and are a part of a larger, comprehensive system called Raja yoga.

Lori Clawson, founder of Yoga for Life in 2001, is committed to a life-time practice and study of hatha yoga, meditation, and the principles of yoga for balanced, harmonious living. She first learned hatha yoga and meditation as a young child from her grandfather and was inspired by his daily practice and the wonderful benefits he received.

Lori began teaching hatha yoga for women in the early eighties. At that time she started leading group meditations for adults, which she continues to do to this day, and teaching the science of yoga to children of all ages. Lori uses an integrated and holistic approach in Yoga for Life classes from her experience in studying various approaches to yoga, and from her extensive background in dancing and teaching. She has been awarded Ford Foundation scholarships and danced at the Julliard School of Performing Arts with New York City Ballet, performed with the Oakland Ballet Company, and also served as a ballet instructor. Later, as a soloist, she performed classical East Indian temple dance (bharatanatyam). Lori has served as a Montessori teacher for 20 years, and directed her own Montessori school in the East Bay. She has also acted as a curator of “mandala art for healing” exhibitions in hospitals and has worked with patients in using art as a healing modality.

Lori is Yoga for Life’s director and sole instructor. Through hatha yoga she has also found healing for some of her own physical injuries, and appreciates the manifold benefits it can bring for every aspect of one’s being. The primary focus in the classes in on the “inner” science of yoga including breathing, energy control (pranayama), visualization, and healing affirmation techniques while practicing the hatha yoga postures (asanas).

The studio is dedicated to the healing of body, mind, and spirit through hatha yoga and yogic principles of living, encouraging the cultivation of a direct experience of inner peace.

Yoga For Life studio is located at:

1226 Solano Avenue
Albany, CA 94706
(cross streets Talbot & Evelyn)
(510) 524-5867