workshops and special events

We offer a full array of workshops that range from informative to challenging to just plain fun. There's always something new, so check back often! We recommend reserving your place ahead of time since many of our workshops fill up quickly. Call or email to reserve your space. * Please see our refund policy at the bottom of this page.

FRIENDS FOR FIVE IN FEBRUARY!

All of our Tuesday and Thursday classes are only $5 per person when you bring a friend during the month of February. We all know someone who's curious about Yoga or Pilates, so let them know it's time to give it a try! Even if you already have a class card, you can take advantage of this $5 offer. There are classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00am to 7:30pm, so come in and try something different!

(Unlimited cardholders get a $5 studio credit. Offer does not apply to children's classes.)

YOGA FOR BACKCARE
WITH DEBORAH WOLK

Saturday, February 4 • 2:00 - 5:00pm
Sunday, February 5 • 2:00 - 5:00pm
$60 per day or $110 for the whole weekend

It has been said that most students embarking on a yoga practice do so due to back pain or other back problems. Yet although yoga addresses many aspects of the body and mind not all styles address musculoskeletal issues in a way that is helpful for those suffering from acute or chronic back pain or those with misalignments
 
In this 2-day workshop, Deborah Wolk, Co-Director of Yoga Union Center for Backcare and Scoliosis in New York City, will teach a direct approach to relief from all types of chronic back pain and alignment issues such as disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, swayback, whiplash and kyphosis. Yoga, practiced with a specific focus can be the key to alleviating pain and creating more balance in the body.

 

Saturday's program will include:

• The anatomy of the spine-understanding how it supports us and where its weaknesses are
• Anatomy of disk diseases, sciatica, osteoporosis and other ailments & injuries
• Understanding chronic and acute pain.  Separating strong sensation from pain. 
• Modified Yoga poses and solutions to address acute pain
• Classical and Modified Yoga poses to decrease or relieve chronic pain

Sunday's program will include:

• Defining asymmetries such as scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis and more localized asymmetries such as spondylolysthesis, and flattened cervical spine (whiplash). 
• Through lecture, demonstration and yoga practice understanding how we are all affected by even minor asymmetry in the body and learning to see and feel these asymmetries.
• How injuries and asymmetries affect the proprioceptive and nervous systems.
• Yogasana to align the spine and limbs to decrease pain, balance the use muscles and bones, and as a preventative against future injuries and pain.

Deborah is also available for private sessions all day Friday and on Saturday and Sunday morning. Please contact her directly at: 212-677-0064 to schedule an appointment.

 

ABOUT THE TEACHER:
Deborah Wolk, ERYT  CO-DIRECTOR YOGA UNION CENTER FOR BACKCARE & SCOLIOSIS Having practiced yoga since 1994, Deborah found that specifically practicing alignment-based yoga could control back pain and arrest the progression of her scoliosis.
 
That awareness inspired her to complete Alison West's Yoga Union Teacher Training in 2000. Deborah then studied Yoga and Scoliosis with Bobbie Fultz, completed Karin Stephan's Advanced Studies Program in Therapeutics and Healing in 2003 and was certified as a Yoga for Scoliosis teacher through Elise Browning Miller's teacher training in 2005. In 2002, Ms. West invited Deborah to teach the scoliosis segment of the Yoga Union Teacher Training and since then she has taught Yoga & Scoliosis workshops in New York City, nationwide and in Europe. She continues her bi-annual teacher training scoliosis workshops for Yoga Union and for Karin Stephan's Advanced Studies Program. In 2003 she created the first weekly Yoga & Scoliosis class on the East Coast. Weekly Back Care classes and tri-annual scoliosis workshops are offered at Yogasana Center for Yoga in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
 
Now, with Alison West, she Co-Directs the Yoga Union Center for Backcare and Scoliosis and teaches a wide variety of classes for students with back problems and scoliosis including specialty classes for children and classes for students with Harrington Rods and other spinal fusions.
 
Deborah can be reached at dwolkYoga@gmail.com or call 212-677-0064. Please visit www.yogaunionbackcare.com http://www.yogaunionbackcare.com/

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RESTORATIVE YOGA WORKSHOP
WITH LAURA CHALFANT
Saturday, February 11 • 2:00 - 5:00pm
$75

In this workshop you'll rest deeply into postures that open your heart, expand your breath, restore your energies and balance your nervous system.

Restorative Yoga is not about stretching. It is about trusting and feeling enough support so that you can truly let go into a state of Pratyahara, withdrawl of the sense organs and Ashunya, the non-empty state of self-awareness. This is what allows the nervous system to rest and heal. The restorative postures use props and bodily positions to manipulate the body and nervous system into a state of deep rest and relaxation.

These postures will be offered in a safe, gentle, supportive, quite environment that allows the greatest release into deep relaxation and meditation. We'll also learn breathing exercises (pranayama) that you can practice to enhance your experience in the postures. 

Laura Chalfant is owner of Holistic Body Therapies where she practices Rolfing Structural Integration, and Restorative Movement. She's a certified Rolfer, Franklin Method instructor and a Pilates and Yoga instructor and teaches experiential anatomy. Laura also has a master's degree in Medical Anthropology where she did research in bereavement and body psychology. She did her basic and advanced levels of The Restorative Yoga teacher training with Judith Lasater, the founder of Yoga Journal and author of Rest and Renew. Laura is currently studying with Jean Houston in her Mystery school. To contact Laura call 610.520.0393 or email her at holisticbodytherapeis@gmail.com. (back to top)

 

VALENTINE'S PARTNER YOGA WITH
LISA CICCOTELLI AND LISIE ABRAMS
Sunday, February 12 • 2:00 - 3:30pm

Early bird special: $15 per person if you register by Feb. 5

$20 per person if you register after Feb. 5

 

Connect with a friend, family member or partner for this all-levels Valentine's yoga workshop. Joining our breath and movement for a playful approach to yoga using the helping hands, body, and feet of another. We strongly encourage beginners, and those open to a playful, fun time. Our 90-minute class will begin with a welcoming and intention setting, followed by a guided meditation.  We will then begin to learn how to practice yoga asanas (poses) with the support and assistance of our partner. Moving through asanas to invigorate the creative mind, and more restorative poses to calm and relax. This class encourages compassion, open communication and a connection with ourselves and a restored sense of community. 

 

2012: THE YEAR OF TRANSFORMATION –
YOGA FOR CLARITY AND CLEANSING

with Sonnia Hoffken
Saturday, February 25 • 3:00 - 5:00pm
$35

2012 marks the end of a 26,000 year astrological period as recognized by many of the ancient traditions of wisdom. It has been prophesied that our world will NOT end - but it will be spiritually transformed. 2012 is the year of changes and manifestation of your personal truth.

This year, we need all our energy to be in the present moment to manage the vast changes coming up. We need to face and embrace these challenges with clarity of our goals, lightness in our mind and at ease with our body.

Through cleansing our body and purifying our nutrition, we can regain higher mental clarity and eliminate negative thought patterns, emotions and habits. This allows us to clearly keep our focus on what we aim to achieve and find a precise vision of our joyful destiny in life.

This workshop is gentle - yet powerful and effective. Based on the ancient Ayurvedic healing system and Kundalini Yoga techniques, we will explore a complete way of purifying our physical system and lightening our spirit. Meanwhile you will recharge your natural strengths and equally clear ineffective emotions and moods. Meditation can be easy and it´s probably one of the most efficient methods of letting go that which is not serving your highest potential and your inner truth.

Come and explore your lightness and clarity!(back to top)

YIN YOGA FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Saturday, March 3 • 3:00 - 4:30pm
$30

If you are suffering from digestive problems that include acidity, heavy stomach, acid reflux, gas, stomach pain, constipation, bad breath and other digestive related problems, you might want to consider this more natural approach than over-the-counter medicine. It is important to understand that proper digestion starts with a balanced and healthy diet and a positive mindset.

In this workshop you will learn how to create a calm mind in a busy environment by learning certain breathing techniques (pranayama). A specific sequence of Yin yoga poses (which will be held for a longer amount of time) will help stimulate the stomach, pancreas and the intestines so these organs become healthy and strong to do their functions at their very best.

 

ASHTANGA YOGA WEEK, AND BACKBENDING WORKSHOP
WITH JILL MANNING

March 18 – 24

ABOUT THE TEACHER: Jill Manning has devoted herself to the study and practice of yoga since 1998. In June 2000, she received her initial teaching certification from the Integral Yoga Institute in New York City. In 2005, Jill began the practice and study of Ashtanga Yoga and made her first trip to Mysore India to practice with Shri K Pattabhi Jois in 2006. She humbly dedicates her practice to her teachers.

 

DEMYSTIFYING THE MYSORE METHOD
Sunday, March 18 • 2:00 - 5:00pm
$45
(free for those enrolled in the Mysore week)

The ashtanga yoga practice has its main facets of tristana, meaning the synergistic quality of asana, breath, and bandha. Underlying correct breathing is a structured framework known as the vinyasa krama. Many people seem to know what vinyasa is, but few are familiar with the word krama. Krama means, process, order or succession. The breath coordinated process or order of movements is the ashtanga vinyasa yoga method's core.

If you can understand this layer of the practice, a whole new level of discipline and focus can be accessed. A new appreciation for the method and its intricacies and what you're doing relative to the practice will be understood. (back to top)

 

MYSORE WEEK
Monday – Friday, March 19 – 23
6:30 - 8:30am
$125
(limited to 10 students)

For thousands of years, yoga has been taught from teacher to student on a one-to-one basis. Traditionally, a student has been taken through his or her own development at an appropriate pace. This method is still used in Mysore, India where Sri K. Pattabhi Jois taught this method, and his grandson, R. Sharath Rangaswamy, teaches today.

In Mysore classes, students are taught individually in a group setting. Beginners are introduced to a set sequence of poses little by little and are encouraged to remember the sequence as they progress. More experienced practitioners are guided to deepen and further develop their practice, as they more through each series. Thus each student works within the traditional series, but with integrity at his or her own pace. (back to top)

 

SPRING FORWARD DROP BACK
Saturday, March 24 • 2:00 - 5:00pm
$45

This workshop will bring a whole new attitude to the student as they work on all styles of back bending but we will place focused attention to the practice of dropping back/standing up. Many yoga students from all traditions can be frightened at the mere thought of beginning this process. This will be  an afternoon to demystify and unpack some of those fears. We will look at how the spine, shoulders, pelvis all contribute and work together in this process along with breath, concentration and mind. Working with each students power and potential this afternoon will unlock the fear, develop faith, and finally find freedom! (back to top)

 

* We request full payment for workshops in order to reserve a spot. Full refunds will be given up to 10 days before the event. Less than 10 days, we offer a 50% refund. no refunds are given for sameday cancellations or if you miss an event.