The Center for Vital Living offers yoga as a practice to become physically and mentally balanced. Our focus is the individual needs of each student. We offer a non-competitive and encouraging environment where people from all walks of life have the opportunity to alleviate the stress from day to day life and live with vitality. Yoga poses are just one aspect of the wisdom that Yoga offers and our instructors are continuing to learn and share those deeper meanings of Yoga!
Our Teachers
Yvette Racines McLaughlin -
Studio Owner, Certified Yoga Therapy Teacher, 500 hr ERYT The Center for Vital Living was created by Yvette & her husband, Kevin. Their intention is to provide a space where people can come and reunite with their health & happiness. Yvette is a certified Yoga therapist with special interest in Individualized Yoga (Yoga Therapy), knowing that every body is different and has different needs. Regardless of injuries, illness, or disease, Yvette understands Yoga can bring a sense of peace & well-being back to the body and the mind. Yvette is trained at the 500 Hr level and has completed additional hours toward her 800 Hour Yoga Therapy certification which is in process. She is also a continuing education provider for Yoga teachers. GIVING BACK- Yvette believes that everyone should have access to a safe & compassionate Yoga class. She has volunteered teaching Yoga classes at a local homeless shelter, local public schools, and has helped to raise money for the Veteran's Yoga Project, Petaluma's COTS Family Housing, and other local non-profits assisting people in need . Future plans include sharing Yoga with those who are incarcerated. PRENATAL - Because of her own profound experience with Yoga & Pregnancy, Yvette has a strong love for teaching prenatal Yoga. She teaches advanced level Yoga training including prenatal to Yoga teachers in training. Yvette's teachings are compassionate, inspiring and informative. She encourages her students to uncover their inner strengths using the ancient practices of Yoga. 
Elizabeth Renold - 200 hr RYT, Lizzy first fell in love with the physicality and the sense of peace and awareness that Yoga gave her. During difficult times she found herself turning to Yoga more and more for the healing and peace. In 2016 she completed a 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training at P.O.S.T. Wellness in Petaluma. After certification Lizzy moved to the Pacific Northwest and taught Gentle flow and Chair Yoga. She has recently returned to Sonoma County where she continues to learn through classes, workshops and from generous mentors, Jean, Baxter Bell, and Yvette Racines. Her teaching style is mindful, breath-centered, and compassionate. Lizzy believes the essence of Yoga is about transformation - anybody, at any age, can be healthier, happier, and at peace by practicing Yoga.
Whitney Lindsley - 200 hr RYT. Whitney found Yoga in college as a way to shift aside the stress of life and draw her focus inward. She completed her RYT-200 training at the Center for Vital Living in 2019 under the tutelage of Yvette Racines-McLaughlin, Kaya Mindlin, and Simone de Winter. Whitney is also a RRCA-certified running coach. As an Ironman triathlete, distance runner, and cyclist, Whitney has a special interest in Yoga for athletes (not athletic Yoga) and strives to provide classes not only suitable for all levels but also a judgment-free zone for those who “aren’t flexible” (herself included!). Her lively classes utilize props to ensure proper alignment, ease, and accessibility.
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Ava Motter - Senior Certified Pilates Instructor, Hendrickson Orthopedic Massage Practitioner
Ava has been teaching body movement based classes for over 20 years. After years of teaching dance, ballet, fitness, and seeing the wear & tear on her own body Ava decided to shift her focus to Pilates and other mind/body focused modalities. Ava holds multiple certifications including: Pilates Mat Physical Mind, ITT Pilates, Pilates Method Alliance, Pre & Post Natal Pilates, Hendrickson Method & Manual Therapy, AND is currently studying Neurokinetic Therapy. Ava's extensive training across many disciplines allows her to work with a diverse population of students, achieving consistently positive results. 
Helaine Sheias, PHD -
500 hr ERYT, Certified Yoga Therapy Teacher, Heiaine is the originator of Eco-Yoga Healing, a earth-based spiritual approach to health and well-being. Helaine embraces yoga as the key to bridging people together in truth and integrity. Her classes are an invitation to explore and discover the essence of health and well-being in a creative, playful and safe environment. 
Pauline Osborne - 200 hr RYT. Pauline was drawn to Yoga for it's physical benefits but soon realized that what truly resonated with her was the quieting of the mind through breath, movement, and stillness.
Pauline completed her 200 hr RYT Yoga Teacher, through the Truth and Embodiment program with Dana Damara in 2017. During her training she was introduced to the art of Sound Healing. Growing up as a child playing musical instruments, music always resonated with her as a way to express emotion and to allow the creative self to shine through. Pauline is a certified Sound Practitioner through IASH with training in the use of Himalayan/Tibetan Bowls and Planetary Gongs. As a student of life Pauline mentors under Yvette at the CVL as well as continuing her Yoga education through various workshops and Teachers in the Bay Area. Her classes consist of breath work, sound meditation, mindful movement, and complete acceptance without judgement.
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