Live in Joy Yoga and Wellness, in Audubon, recently welcomed yoga instructor Renee Paravati to its team. Her mission is to “consciously lead a life of love and joy to increase kindness, inspire happiness, strengthen community to collectively impact humanity making the world a better place.”

Paravati says she struggled with a weakened body image nearly all her life. After taking a few yoga classes in her early 30s, the instruction she received “met the lack of self-compassion, reaffirming the old story lines of inadequacies, fear and inaccessibility,” and she, therefore, did not take to the mat again for many years.

As she approached her 50th birthday, more than a year ago, Paravati experienced a calling to return to the mat, revisit those story lines and rediscover who she really is. “I learned to see, listen and love myself; appreciate my body and all its glory; and discovered an extraordinary practice I am delighted to share and blessed to share.”

The lesson, she says, is that “yoga allows us to listen to the whispers of wisdom unearthed between breath and movement. Yoga taught from a lens of love empowers individuals to listen to the alignment of their heart, body and soul.”

Location: 118 W. Merchant St. For more information, visit www.LiveInJoyYoga.com.