Dr. Virginia Lyons was born and raised near Mire, Louisiana. She is the daughter of Bernadette and Sidney Lyons. Her twin sister is Sister Vernola Lyons. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisiana Lafayette, a Masters degree in education at Nicholls State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. She pioneered an educational technique called Cooperative Learning. Dr. Lyons has worked for over forty eight years and all of those years have been with people. She has served as a classroom teacher, coach, high school principal, school counselor, addiction counselor, and counselor for families in stress. Awakening sessions and Awakening classes are an integral part of her practice in helping individuals and families see and know more clearly who they really are. Virginia continues her Awakening practice at her office at the Lyons Country House near Mire, Louisiana (Cajun country) and at her office in Encinitas, California.