Lisa Dalberg—one of The Yoga Center’s original owners and guiding lights and beloved teacher to many in this community—passed away quietly with a dear friend at her side. There will be a Celebration of Life later this summer when it is safe to gather. Please contact Kathy Randolph at kathy@yogaforscleroderma.com if you would like to be notified. This lovely tribute was written by her friend Kristen Kenner:
Elizabeth Maud Dalberg
Reno, Nevada – On February 21, 2020 Lisa Dalberg, a shining light in our community, passed on with a dear friend at her side. Lisa was born January 24, 1924 to Samuel Smith and Maud (Hopwood) Smith. Lisa is survived by her step daughter, Laila Heppler (Larry) and granddaughters Jamie Nattrass and Julie Samford.
Lisa was raised in the beauty of the Palo Alto, California countryside. Watching her father’s health decline during her childhood sparked her interest in health, as a young girl she would seek out articles on health at the library rather than novels. She spent a great deal of time outdoors and discovered nature’s way of balancing and healing itself. Her love of movement grew with horseback riding as she roamed freely throughout the Lakes Basin area of the Sierra’s, and then ballet followed by classical modern dance. Knee injuries curtailed ballet and prompted her interest in yoga in the 1950’s.
Lisa met her husband of 50 years, Ted Dalberg, on the dance floor at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in California. Together they taught dance for 10 years at their own dance studio in Santa Barbara, California. Lisa bridged East and West philosophies with a holistic approach to health care. She worked at exclusive spas and health clubs including John Robert Powers School in New York, the Golden Door and La Costa in Southern California.
Lisa and Ted moved to Reno in 1971, where she enrolled at UNR, earned her B.Sc. in Health Education and developed an exercise program for seniors. Lisa taught Hatha yoga and meditation for over 50 years, bringing yoga into the mainstream in Reno. She taught yoga at UNR, Lakeridge Tennis Club, YWCA, Robinson House, Washoe (Renown) Hospital, Classic Residence (5 Star), and McKinley Arts & Culture Center. In 1998 she co-founded The Yoga Center Reno where she taught into her 90’s, and where her legacy of therapeutic yoga accessible to all lives on.
Lisa was modest and approached each student without judgement, inspiring them on their journey to listen to their own body’s brilliant intelligence to heal itself through movement. She was a stellar teacher with a never-ending thirst for understanding without the need for attention or accolades. Lisa didn’t do yoga, she embodied yoga. She lives on through those she touched, as well as in our hearts. We will miss her dearly.
There will be a celebration of life this summer at the McKinley Arts & Culture Center when it is safe for us to gather. If you would like to be notified please contact Kathy Randolph at kathy@yogaforscleroderma.com.
Here is the link to her online obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rgj/obituary.aspx?n=elizabeth-maud-dalberg&pid=195855211