Lauren Parsons is 16 years old and has home-schooled most of her school years. She is currently attending classes at Santa Barbara City College where she is taking acting, jazz dancing and Spanish classes. She has a great love of the theater arts and has been seen in many youth theater performances in Santa Barbara. She is a published author and writes a monthly column for the Youth Spotlight in the Santa Barbara News-Press. Here is her September 2006 article about the Yoga By Teens DVD. Lauren also wrote about teaching yoga at the YMCA in this Youth Spotlight article in December 2007. Her yoga practice has given her poise and confidence in the performing arts as well as focus and determination in reaching her goals.

Emily Parsons is 13 years old and has home-schooled all of her school years. She is Jessica's twin sister. She is in the 8th grade and enjoys all aspects of the theater arts. She is currently attending singing, and jazz dance lessons. She is a monthly contributor to the Santa Barbara News-Press Youth Spotlight and writes an article on the theater activities for the youth in Santa Barbara. She has performed in several Santa Barbara children's theater productions. Yoga has helped Emily become more flexible and is helpful in keeping her centered and self assured.

Jessica was born with Down’s Syndrome and is an inspiration to watch as her love of yoga shines through. She is receiving the many benefits yoga has to offer. When she was born Jessica was too flexible and had very low muscle tone. She has had to build the muscles in her entire body. Some of the more challenging stretches are easier for her than her sisters, but she works hard on building her strength and developing her balance. She loves to demonstrate the use of the yoga props.

It’s great to see sisters working together and helping each other in the poses.

Lauren says “Having a sister with special needs can be quite a challenge, but when we do yoga it's a fun way to be together and I realize how much we are all the same.”

Emily says “there are a lot of things that Jessica can’t do as well as other people, but with yoga, you can just be wherever you are, and it’s perfect!”

Jessica says “ I just think it’s fun”