My name is Lisa Cummings, 

I was raised on a dairy farm. I joined the US Air Force in 1981 and served until 2002. As one of the first female aircraft mechanics, I helped pave the way for other women, by working as hard as I could. I would not accept an office job. I learned fast and was always looking for what to do next.  

In 2012 our Unity spiritual life center hired a minister in training that taught gentle yoga Saturday mornings. Yoga was my first introduction to stay present and pay attention to my body. I became aware that I pushed my body and ignored pain.  I was surprised by emotions and memories that showed up, I would cry, then laugh. I learned that our bodies house lifetime memories. Anyt stiffled emotions from life stay in the subconscious and body until faced. So I began my private practice in a small greenhouse in my backyard. I felt safe and secluded and worked through emotional baggage. I grew stronger physically and mentally stronger among flowering plants and greenery. Our minister left Unity and yoga classes would end. I was offered to teach. I accepted. More yoga was in demand, so I taught on Tuesday/Thursday nights. Then Unity asked me to become certified.  I discovered "A Garden for Wellness" in Clarkesville, GA.   Elizabeth rajeshwari Seay offered a 200 hour certification course. We started in January 2014. I attended classes on weekends for six months.  I received 200 hour certification in hatha yoga in the Krishnamacharya tradition. 

 I continued to teach and refine the meditation at the end of class. A friend that worked at the Macon Veterans Administration, loved the meditation. She asked if I would teach veterans. I said no because I was anxious about causing trauma flashbacks for Vets with trauma.  I did not feel qualified.  So I asked rajeshwari E. Seay about what to do. She recommended the International Association of Yoga Therapist (IAYT.org) website to find certified yoga therapy teachers. I found Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy (pryt.com).  I entered training in 2015. It was a 15 month course, but it took me until Feb  2018 to become certified. 

 I applied PRYT practice for friends, and anyone with a desire to explore their own mind/body/heart connection. 

Then I found an offer for a free retreat for veterans at The PEACH Pit, in Fort Valley, GA, Gwendolyn Coley (now McLeod) emailed me to say I'd been accepted to attend.  I shared that I was PRYT certified and offered service to the women veterans. I taught yoga/yoga therapy on weekend retreats two-three times per year. Gwendolyn offered me to teach Children's yoga in 2018 for an eight week summer camp.  I signed up with yogacalm.org to learn to teach children.  I practiced at The PEACH/Quest children's summer camp. I connected with children in two groups; ages 4-10 and 11-18, three times/week, using Yoga Calm techniques, for eight weeks. Four weeks were at The PEACH Pit and the other four at Spirit's Quest farm in Roberta, GA. The children from Twiggs and Peach Counties flourished in the summer program. They had counselors, equine therapy, horticulture, horsemanship, art projects and played games. 

 I continue a daily mindful movement practice and am teaching restorative yoga on Zoom, by request.