About
Laura is a Senior Occupational Therapist (OTR/L, E- RYT) at Staten Island University Hospital and works per diem at Lutheran Augustana Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation in Brooklyn, NY. She also provides home care through Therapeutic Resources and teaches yoga therapeutics in Park Slope Brooklyn at Jennifer Brilliant Yoga and privately. She is the co-founder of Baby Om, yoga for mothers and babies and has over a decade of experience working with women in all stages of parenthood. Laura co-authored Baby Om, Yoga for Mothers and Babies, with Sarah Perron, published by Henry Holt and Co. in 2003.
Laura’s interest in occupational therapy blossomed from her work with Baby Om yoga. As an OT, Laura specializes in rehabilitation and treats a wide range of patients with movement impairments and other age related disorders. In tandem with traditional occupational therapy, Laura believes that that yoga possesses therapeutic value to all ages and especially for individuals with movement restrictions.
Laura has developed a hospital based chair based yoga program specifically designed to treat individuals with motor limitations recovering from a variety of conditions including strokes (CVA), joint replacements, cardiac conditions, arthritis & debilitation among others. Her yoga classes focus on correct postural alignment and body mechanics while increasing functional movement patterns and postural alignement.
Laura’s investigation in the body as a means of expression and communication stems from her years spent as a performer/choreographer in NYC. Laura’s interest in using yoga as healing modality stemmed from the influence yoga has had in her own life and those of her students. Combining yoga with occupational therapy magnifies the intrinsic therapeutic value of yoga with the more traditional practice of rehabilitation, creating a powerful and function based approach to wellness.
Laura performed with her own company Laura Staton Dance, and with other choreographers, including Sally Silvers & Dancers and Amy Sue Rosen among others. Laura is originally from Brookline, Mass and received her BFA in Dance atThe Juilliard School and MS in Occupational Therapy from New York University. Laura currently dances with Parents Who Dance, a collection of performing artists in Brooklyn, NY.
Continuing & Formal Education
2012 – 35th Annual Interdisciplinary Spinal Cord Course, Rehab Institute of Chicago, IL.
2012 -Treatment of the Neurologic Upper Extremity, Glen Gillen, Staten Island, NY.
2011 -Trigger Point Therapy Techniques, Long Island, NY.
2011 – Applying Tai-Chi, Pilates and Yoga Approaches to your Therapeutic Exercise Program, Staten Island, NY.
2011- Tai-Chi for Balance, Fall Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation, Long Island, NY.
2010 – Handwriting Without Tears, Long Island NY.
2010 – Neurologic Falls and Recovery for the Geriatric Population, Staten Island, NY.
2009 -Therapeutic Yoga: Bridging Ancient Practices with Traditional Therapy Techniques NYC, NY.
2008 -Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy, New York University, NY.
1998- Yoga Union Teacher Training, Alison West, NYC.
1988- Bachelors of Fine Arts, The Juilliard School, NYC.