Inner Space

“We come together to raise consciousness.  We come together to learn, heal and grow.  We work together to develop a profound awareness of the body, breath, and mental landscape and through this humbling and honest work we become more aware of our patterns, obstacles and gifts.  This new awareness helps us to bring all areas of our lives into harmony and balance.” - Laura Frank

Laura is the founder of Inner Space, a yoga, martial arts and healing center in Kansas City. 

Laura’s classes provide a safe space to align in the body, focus the mind, connect with spirit and unravel tension and trauma.  Laura’s classes end with sound healing and chanting during savasana to support your integration of the work done in class.  Laura is on the path of initiation and training in shamanic healing practices from South America and is a certified Reiki 2 practitioner.  Laura's background is in performing arts; experimental theatre, music and dance.  She she completed her yoga teacher certification with Ganga White and Tracey Rich of the White Lotus Foundation.

Master Yao Li's journey began in Taipei, Taiwan, where he was born and raised. At fourteen, he moved with his mother to America. As a young immigrant in search of self, Yao found a home practicing Chinese martial arts, studying Kung Fu and Qi Gong under the instruction of Master Pui Chan. Acquiring martial arts skills was empowering and after only a few months, Yao knew it was his calling to be a full time practitioner.

During his early training, Yao met his future wife, Dorri. In their early twenties, with shared enthusiasm they began teaching Kung Fu professionally and their studio became a platform of growth and support for other serious martial artists and beginners alike. Yao successfully competed in tournaments nationally and he counts the AAU National Karate Championship Black Belt Weapons Title as one of his many highlight performances.

He traveled to China numerous times to pursue advanced techniques under the guidance of some of China's best Wu Shu masters and in Boston, Yao was fortunate to learn Tai Chi from Master oshua Grant, a two time U.S. National Champion in Wu Shu Tai Chi. Together with Joshua, Yao and Dorri co­-founded the Boston Kung Fu Tai Chi Institute in 1990.

An advisor and good friend, Steve Krischel, introduced Yao to meditation and Raja yoga. It was a profound experience and a turning point in Yao’s life, inspiring a desire to deepen awareness within himself. Yao recently moved to Missouri to further his training under Steve.

Yao holds a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate and by incorporating yoga into his life long experience in internal and external martial arts, he brings a new depth to his personal practice and his teaching. Master Yao Li’s goal is to let Kung Fu, Wu Shu, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, yoga, and meditation evolve organically within himself and to share his knowledge with others.

Balarama Chandra was born into a family of soft hearted Native American and Mexican farm workers. Inner strength through struggle and seeking love in all things were his caring parents. He found new vibrance in life once he heard the voice and conversation of Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. Like brush in a wildfire he was consumed by the vast wisdom of the Vedic vision of life and the cultural practices of Yoga and Ayurveda. These arts enticed him to spend the next 8 years immersed in monastic living and spiritual practice. Currently, unrestricted by form, his study continues to find no end while sharing whatever fresh and ripe fruits he has with anyone who comes close, is feeling hunger, or desires to taste new things. Balarama Chandra currently focuses his professional practice on Ayurvedic Psychology and Habit Reformation through positive expression and the simple means of yoga, breath, and diet. He loves facilitating the conversation of self transformation and dharma via international educational training, retreats, and personal counseling. Balarama is a true pleasure to study with as he has the dynamic ability to make the seemingly complicated - practical, humorous and exciting.