It’s Never Too Late
Hi, I’m Lisa — founder of Lisa Yoga N2L.
“Never Too Late” isn’t just a phrase I teach; it’s something I remind myself of daily. Whether you’re beginning again, finding your way back, or starting for the very first time, I believe there’s always room for grace, movement, and renewal.
My Journey to Yoga
In my 30s, I was still trying to find a form of movement that felt like home. I tried running, aerobics, trendy classes — you name it — but my body pushed back every time. Chronic back pain eventually led me to Pilates, and I found a rhythm with home workouts — especially those old Denise Austin DVDs I’d squeeze in before work while raising my kids. When my children were little, I even did Mommy & Me sessions when I could.
However, as the years went on and arthritis started affecting my knees, even Pilates became a challenge. That’s when a colleague introduced me to hot yoga. I was skeptical at first — but something clicked. I started going once a week, then twice, and eventually I was practicing five days a week at Hot Yoga Naperville. It transformed more than just my flexibility and strength — it helped me feel better again, both physically and mentally.
From Teacher to Teacher (Again)
For over 25 years, I was a high school teacher. I turned to yoga for myself—sometimes quietly at home, sometimes with a group of teachers after school. I used to say, “Someday, I’ll get certified.”
In 2023, at the age of 57, I finally did it. I traveled to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training at Yoga Loft. The ocean air, the vinyasa flow, and my teacher Ellen’s guidance stirred something deep in me.
Truthfully, starting over in my late 50s hasn’t been easy. It’s humbling to be a beginner again — to feel like you’re stepping into something brand new while carrying the weight of so many lived years. But that’s precisely where Never Too Late was born. I chose the name Lisa Yoga N2L not just to encourage others — but to encourage myself. This is my daily practice: showing up, starting again, and believing there’s still something beautiful ahead.
Faith and Movement
As a Christian, I’ve spent time reflecting on how yoga and faith can share space in my life. While yoga’s roots aren’t part of my religious background, I’ve learned to approach it with openness, discernment, and respect.
Years ago, I co-led a Christian yoga class with my pastor — a simple, quiet offering where breath, movement, and Scripture came together in a meaningful way. That experience showed me that yoga could become a space for prayer and presence, not just poses.
These days, I continue to explore how my faith and my practice intersect. Yoga gives me space to slow down, to listen, and to reconnect — body, mind, and spirit — with the One who created me.
Read my Disclaimer to learn more about how I balance faith and yoga.
Teaching Youth
I recently began teaching yoga at a local junior high school in Ohio. Once a month, I lead sessions for pre-teens and teens — and I have to say, it’s become one of my favorite parts of this journey.
As a former educator, I know firsthand how much pressure young people carry. Seeing them light up with a little more confidence, calm, or curiosity during class has been motivating and rejuvenating.
This summer, I plan to continue my training — this time focusing on youth and adolescent yoga. I truly believe that when kids are introduced to mindful movement early, it can stay with them for life.
Today and Tomorrow
I haven’t quite “found my niche” yet — especially after moving from Chicago to Ohio. But I’m still here, still showing up, still listening for what’s next.
Lisa Yoga N2L isn’t about perfect form or mastering challenging poses. It’s about creating a space where we can move, breathe, rest, and grow — just as we are, with whatever we carry.
Let’s Connect
I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to contact me if you have questions, want to learn more, or simply want to say hello.
If you’d like a quick overview of the yoga style I practice and teach, you can check out Yoga Journal’s guide to Vinyasa Yoga.