gentle movement, grounded wisdom

AN ONLINE GATHERING PLACE FOR MEDITATIVE YOGA + COMMUNITY

Hi, I’m Serena, and I’m so glad you’re here.

I’ve created Onward Light as a space for you—a place to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with the deep wisdom (light) that leads you onward. Here, you’ll find gentle, accessible movement and stillness practices designed to nourish you from the inside out. It’s not about how a pose looks, but how it feels—an invitation to listen, release tension, and move with self-compassion.

In this space, you can step away from the constant pull of notifications, obligations, and noise, and rest in the quiet, steady support of grounded wisdom derived from ancient teachings. Through live and on-demand offerings, we come together in practice, creating a sense of connection and belonging, even from afar. My hope is that as you explore these practices, you’ll feel the care, support, and kindness that are always here for you. And of course the wisdom that is always inside you.

Welcome to Onward Light.

Schedule a free consultation

We want you to feel comfortable in our community. So we’d love to say hello and help you decide if our yoga classes and services are right for you.

“May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.”

— Tolkien

Our yoga classes are

Accessible

A gentle, psychologically-sensitive approach that prioritizes how practices feel over how they look.

Compassionate

Kindness and care are at the heart of everything we do, fostering compassion for both ourselves and others.

Grounded

We are rooted in deep study of contemplative traditions, guided by integrity, and informed by research and science.

What can I expect in class?

Our classes go beyond postures alone to incorporate the deeper practices that can guide you toward greater awareness, curiosity, alignment, and transformation. You set the goals for you practice. We facilitate, using an ancient progression from the outer practices to the inner. The effect is a refreshing, nourishing, and soothing session.

  • Draw your awareness into the present moment and welcome all of your experience to practice. Mindfully notice your intention for your practice.

  • Otherwise known as “asana,” or the postures of yoga. In our classes, you’ll move gently in ways that feel good to you. We’ll explore patterns of repetition and stay, synching your breath with your movement to allow for soothing and releasing.

  • Practice simple but powerful techniques to help regulate the nervous system.

  • Can’t rid your mind of thoughts? Not to worry, that’s not what meditation is anyway.

    Instead, you’ll learn to observe your thoughts in a way that creates space for focus, wisdom, and skillful action.

  • The yogis say that within each of us is a deep well of wisdom that nothing can take away. The teachings also encourage stillness and silence to access this inner knowing.

    Your teacher will offer you questions to reflect on, in line with the theme of each class. You can take what’s useful to you and leave the rest.

Close-up of burning tealight candles with a warm glow.

Practice on your time.

A recorded version of the class will be available to all registrants within 48 hours of the session. So if you can’t make the session time but want to take the class, go ahead and register!

If you have questions about the sequence or would just like to say hello, you can schedule a free 15-minute consultation with Serena.

“Be truthful, gentle, and fearless.”

—Gandhi

What are the benefits of online yoga?

Person lying on a wooden floor with a towel, relaxing in a dimly lit room with candles in the background.

Convenient
Whether you're nearby or halfway across the world, online yoga brings the practice to you. Skip the commute and use that time to prepare a cup of tea, settle in, and connect meaningfully from the comfort of your own space.

Private & Personalized
Practice where you feel most at ease, free from judgment or distraction. Create a setting that feels uniquely yours—choose the scents, lighting, and sounds that support your practice and enhance your sense of comfort.

Trauma-Sensitive & Empowering
Our gentle, psychologically sensitive approach respects your boundaries and fosters a sense of empowerment. Practicing at home offers an added layer of safety and control, which is especially important for those who are immunocompromised or seeking to minimize exposure as COVID-19 continues to affect our communities.

Upcoming Weekly Classes

Grounded Chair Flow

Meditative Mat Flow

Seated Meditation

Upcoming Special Events

What People Are Saying

Testimonial text about Serena's yoga teacher training highlighting her guidance and skills in psychosomatic spiritual practice by Fiona B.
Testimonial about yoga practice with Serena, highlighting joy, thematic approach, storytelling, yoga philosophy, and accessible practices by Veronica B.
Testimonial praising Serena's yoga classes as warm, gentle, and non-invasive, emphasizing respect, space for human experiences, and thoughtful sequence design for movement and relaxation, signed by Kristin U.
Testimonial quote about Serena's yoga teaching, praising her guidance, concise instructions, and calming demeanor, signed by Terri M.
Testimonial about Serena's yoga teaching emphasizing supportive and thoughtful instruction, warmup, sequence of poses, winding down, and relaxation. Comparison of yoga classes to personal spaces like boutiques, highlighting comfort and visibility. At
Testimonial text praising Serena's yoga teaching methods, emphasizing her ability to synthesize traditional and contemporary practices, and her impactful collaboration with Adam G. The text highlights her skill, integrity, and the transformative expe
Testimonial praising Serena's yoga and meditation teaching style, highlighting her thoughtfulness, compassion, and grace. Expresses personal growth and excitement for learning, attributed to Serena's impact. Quoted by Renee S.
Text review praising Serena's classes as welcoming and inclusive, highlighting her thoughtful stories and kindness, signed by Amanda R.
Inspirational quote praising Serena's dedication to yoga and her students, emphasizing integrity, compassion, and kindness. -Amber G.
Quote praising a teacher named Serena for her skill and supportiveness in yoga instruction, emphasizing inclusivity and empowerment for students. By Melissa R.
Testimonial review by Karen O. praising Serena's yoga classes for integrating ancient teachings with modern context, emphasizing her humor and welcoming atmosphere.
Quote praising Serena's yoga teachings for transforming the author's understanding of yoga and providing wisdom and insight. Attributed to Lindsay S.

From the Blog: Resources and Practices

 FAQs

  • All our classes and events take place on Zoom. To join, you'll need a tablet or computer that supports the latest version of Zoom. Download Zoom here.

    If you enjoy listening to music during practice, we provide Spotify playlists. You may want to have Spotify installed as well. Get Spotify here.

  • As a first step, you should talk to your healthcare team about your condition as it relates to practicing yoga. Your team can provide you with any movement restrictions or cautions.

    While in class, you should feel very free to modify the practice so that you feel comfortable in both your body and your mind. This might mean doing something different, doing less, or skipping a section of the practice altogether.

    Yoga instructors are not qualified healthcare providers and cannot diagnose or treat any condition. Therefore, instructors’ cues are always suggestions. You know your body and your situation best. Please do what is right for you.

  • After registering for a class, you'll receive an email with the props needed. A yoga mat is always recommended for safety and comfort.

    Here are some common props and household alternatives:

    • Yoga block → Thick book or chair

    • Yoga strap → Belt, robe tie, or towel

    • Blanket → Towel

    • Bolster → Pillows or rolled-up towels

    • Journal & pen

    Props can be found online or in stores. For eco-friendly, affordable options, check out Yogamatters.

  • Yoga is not a form of qualified healthcare and does not diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition.

    Similarly, psychologically-sensitive and trauma-sensitive yoga are not substitutes for qualified mental healthcare. These terms simply mean that the practices are attuned in order to be more accessible for those who have experienced trauma.

    We encourage all students to consult their healthcare providers before practicing and to modify movements and other practices as needed.

    At Onward Light, we value science and recognize the essential role of Western healthcare. As yoga teachers, we work within our scope of practice, which is presenting general yoga teachings with the option to take what is useful and modify or leave what is not. Our hope is that yoga serves as a supportive complement to a well-rounded healthcare plan.

  • We’d be happy to help! Please email us at hello@onward.community. We can either correspond via email about your needs or schedule a short Zoom session to discuss what you’re looking for and what class might work best for you.

  • Yes and no. We don’t record live classes to protect students’ privacy and to keep the experience interactive. Since we focus on engagement during class, it’s harder to fully demo the sequence in real time as we would for a recorded session.

    However, we know schedules can be tricky, so we provide a separate, pre-recorded version of each yoga or meditation class. It follows the same sequence, theme, and meditation as the live session.

    Because this takes some time to edit, the recording will be available 48 hours after the live class.

    If you want to take the class but can’t make the session time, go ahead register and the class will be sent to you within 48 hours after the session time.

  • Kindly give us an hour's notice if you need to cancel your registration to avoid a charge.

  • You will receive a message from hello@onward.community (please add this to your “safe senders” list in your email provider). The message will contain a link to the Zoom classroom. If you can’t find it, check your “junk” folder or reach out to us at hello@onward.community.

“When hurt, it’s important to scream. Just don’t pray to the scream. When sad, it’s important to grieve. Just don’t build a kingdom of your loss. When falling through what you thought would last, admit, “I’m lost and confused.” Just don’t map the world as lost and confused. And when riding the wave, however it appears, feel the strength in you released. Just don’t believe the strength comes from you alone. But most of all, when listening to others, say, “This may be so,” then look for yourself at what life is painting with all its colors.”

—Mark Nepo