On November 15th, 2004, The Light Within Yoga Studio opened with a simple mission: to provide each student with a safe, clean environment in which to learn and practice yoga; to encourage each student to achieve his or her greatest potential by teaching classes that are safe, enjoyable, and effective.
The name of the studio evolved out of a Swami Rama quote:
“When we love someone, we love the Light Within that person. The process of enlightenment is the path of learning to appreciate the Light Within both ourselves and those we love, and seeking to allow the full expression or our Self as well as the Self of others.”
Our instructors
Lynn Slocomb E-RYT® 500, YACEP® w/ Yoga Alliance
Lynn took her first yoga class in her mid twenties. At that time, she was the health and fitness director for the YWCA in Lancaster, PA and the quintessential gym rat, and had been teaching group exercise for almost a decade. Yoga was just too quiet, too slow, and too time consuming. Little did she know.
After battling stage III breast cancer, several surgeries, and significant weight gain, high-impact workouts and the “gym” atmosphere only led to chronic insecurity and pain. In addition, life became busier and busier as her family of two grew to seven when she married her husband, Christopher and they relocated to Landenberg. It was here where Lynn was introduced to The Light Within through Unite for Her. Lynn has been practicing consistently since 2012.
Lynn loves a slower, intentional practice. Her teaching style is informed by her personal practice, and her most favorite format to teach is a slower, intentional vinyasa. She believes your breath is your most valuable teacher and yoga should never hurt. Also, the guiding principle of yoga is “do no harm,” and when she purchased The Light Within in 2017, her intention was to continue to foster and nurture the wonderful commUNITY already created and continue to create a safe space for EVERYone and everyBODY.
Off the mat, you can catch Lynn in your local coffee shop, hanging out in the early morning listening to her collection of wind chimes, walking in the woods with friends or family, doing all things creative, getting lost on a back road with “her guy,” or loving on her family.
Tracey Eltringham E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP® w/ Yoga Alliance Yoga has been a part of Tracey’s life for over 11 years. She felt an immediate connection in her first class. Her personal practice enables her to live with a greater sense of ease, a sense of mindfulness, and the ability to feel connected to others. She is a (R)egistered (Y)oga (T)eacher that has completed 500 hours of training. Tracey has additional training in teaching restorative yoga and teaching yoga to children, those over 50 and those with fuller bodies. Tracey is authentic and easy to relate to. Her motto is come as you are, with the hopes that you leave feeling empowered, encouraged, and more connected with yourself. She is enthusiastic about sharing her love of yoga and meditation. Off the mat, Tracey spends time with her family and their three dogs, and tries to slip into nature for a brisk walk as often as possible.
Patty Jacobs E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP® w/ Yoga Alliance
Patricia has been a proud member of The Light Within Yoga "commUnity" since the studio opened in 2004. She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training with Alison Donley in 2012 and finished her additional 300 hour training in December 2018. She feels blessed to be able to share yoga with others- especially the young and those with special needs. Patricia is a Special Education teacher, with over 25 years of experience and was awarded "Teacher of the Year" recognition in 2016 for the John G. Leach school. Patricia was first drawn into yoga, as a way to exercise when the cold winter weather dissuaded her from riding her mountain bike. But, since her very first class at The Light Within, she has been drawn even deeper into yoga, as a way of experiencing so much more than physical postures. Patricia appreciates all that yoga has brought into her life both on and off her favorite orange mat.
Highlights of Patricia’s yoga teaching journey include offering Family Yoga, as well as Gentle classes, and Yoga for Tweens classes. She also created and shared a summer Yoga + Creativity camp for ten years. In addition, she occasionally offers unique workshops such as "Yoga with Nature Walk", "Yoga and Knitting", and "Mindfulness for Teachers and Parents". Patricia also leads classes on "Yoga with Children" and "Yoga for Special Needs", as part of The Light Within Studio's 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Program.
Adults and children alike respond to her positivity, warm smile, and soothing spiritual energy. Known to family and friends as Patty, when not teaching or practicing yoga, she enjoys photography, gardening as well as spending time with her husband, family, friends and her 2 dogs.
Follow her on Instagram page- @Breatheandbea
Valerie Lane RYT® 200 w/Yoga Alliance As a lifelong dancer, yoga felt like home to Valerie when she attended her first class in 2011. She took yoga and mindfulness classes while she was a student at West Chester University (WCU), which led to enrolling in the YTT program and graduating with her RYT200 yoga certification in 2014 under the guidance and mentorship of Alison Donley. Since then, Valerie has been teaching vinyasa and gentle yoga classes consistently.
For Valerie, yoga is truly about mind and body connecting. She believes we all come to the mat looking for peace, and that’s what she tries to deliver in each class she leads. She brings an inclusive approach to her classes, giving modifications and options so all levels feel welcome.
In her spare time, Valerie enjoys riding her Peloton bike, strength training and conditioning, reading good books, and knitting.
Jenny Wood RYT® 200 w/ Yoga Alliance
Jenny tried her first yoga class at the age of 13. Since then, yoga has been woven in and out of her life through the years. Over time, her practice has changed from a results oriented physical focus to a way of being. Jenny completed the 85 hour Prenatal Yoga teacher training program in 2015 at Yoga Yoga in Austin TX, and the 200 hour Yoga teacher training at The Light Within in May 2017. She is happy to have found her community at The Light Within and enjoys taking classes there regularly.
Jenny has been teaching childbirth preparation classes since 2010 and is a certified Bradley Method Instructor and Dancing for Birth Instructor. Since 2002, Jenny has been studying, teaching, or performing belly dance and currently teaches several weekly classes. Yoga, dance, and birth all share the theme of being present in your body and awareness of breath - and seem to be beautifully complementary endeavors. Each experience presents the opportunity for individual growth and well being.
In her downtime, Jenny can be found trying to keep up with her two wild sons, exploring the forests, reading, creating wheel thrown pottery, making all sorts of things, and trying to remember her dreams.
Sarah Quigley RYT® 200 w/ Yoga Alliance Sarah is a 2022 YTT graduate from the Light Within under the tutelage of Lynn Slocomb. Sarah’s first experience with yoga was in her high school gym class under the direction of Pam Walsh. Through the years she had an on and off the mat relationship with yoga until the Spring of 2017 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sarah used her vouchers through Unite For Her to take private yoga sessions with Alison Donley. Sarah says, “Some people see cancer as a bad thing, I used my cancer journey to rekindle my relationship with yoga and began to deepen my understanding of mindfulness.”
In Spring 2020, Sarah received her Applied Mindfulness Certification through WCU’s Contemplative Studies Program under the training of Dr. Donald McCown. Sarah is trained in MBSR (mindfulness based stress reduction). Additionally, Sarah has taught for the past 23 years in a public school setting. She holds certifications in Elementary Education and Family and Consumer Science; currently she teaches Family and Consumer Science at FSEMS in the Avon Grove School District.
Sarah is excited to share what she has learned with you! She believes each of us is unique and brings something different to their yoga mat. Sarah’s classes are a judgment free zone. “As long as you are breathing, there is more right with you than there is wrong.” (Jon Kabat-Zinn)
Kind words
”Best yoga studio I have ever been too! Teachers are wonderful and very knowledgeable with regards to adapting practice to students with injuries and/or different levels of experience.”
“First time for me for Winter Solstice celebration and it was GREAT. I made my commitment starting 2016 to get back to my yoga practice on a consistent basis. TY the light within!”
”I have found that the 2 classes I have attended, Mon. 9:15 and Tue. 1PM have been terrific. Times are good and instructors are wonderful and so helpful with tips and props. I have gotten a lot out of my experience so far.”
”Pure and simple. And to me, that's the highest compliment of all--it kind of says it all. Thank you so much...!!!”
”The Light Within Yoga is a wonderful studio for all walks of life and backgrounds in yoga/spirituality. Recommend 110%!!!”
”My experience of the UFH seminar began by encountering a warm and inviting group of people as well as a comfortable space and an informative presentation. Thank you!”
”The Light Within was a great place to restart my yoga practice. The owner, teachers, and fellow students are warm, supportive, and welcoming. Proud that this yoga studio is in my little town of West Grove.”
”I loved the service! Yoga has changed my outlook. You can feel the peace as soon as you enter the studio. My only complaint is that my life sometimes gets in the way of making it to class. Alison is wonderful!!!”
”Wonderful environment, friendly instructors, great experience.”
”Everything about The Light Within Yoga Studio is worth experiencing! The fantastic teachers. The wide variety of classes offered. The healing, relaxing and energizing benefits of yoga practice. The warm and welcoming space of the studio itself.”
”I loved the service! I only attended sessions with Alison - she was amazing. She took the time with individuals who needed additional assistance during sessions, and I don't think anyone was even aware of it. It was so seamless. Her care for others hangs heavy in the room. I am currently having back issues and am considering returning once I get this flare-up under control.”
”The teachers and students are terrific and the teachers do help the beginners find the correct form in a posture and they give alternatives when you can't quite get into a posture - I am a beginner so I cannot comment on the advanced classes. The atmosphere is calming yet when you walk out you feel energized!”
”Love the studio, love the teachers and have learned so much. I've recommended you to many of my friends. I look forward to my continuing education and zen. NAMASTE!”