Westport

with Stan Woodman, Gina Norman, Beryl Bender Birch, Seane Corn, Cyndi Lee and Robin Gilmartin

Joined by internationally acclaimed Yoga Teachers and Visionaries – Beryl Bender Birch and Seane Corn, Kaia Yoga is hosting an evening of conversation about the importance of service in the yoga community and the powerful impact that yoga can make in the lives of those who need it most. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Yoga for Veterans program. 

Veterans have already made an incredible commitment to us, by joining the military and risking their lives they have already put our safety and well being before their own. As they come home from their service many of them bear the scars of their work. 

Yoga is being introduced to a growing number of veterans deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan struggling with serious mental health problems including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), major depression, and traumatic brain injury. Providing instruction and practices in yoga and meditation can help them transition back to civilian life and reconnect with themselves, friends, and families. 

Event Schedule & Costs
3:00-4:30pm 108 Sun Salutations with Stan Woodman $108
5:00-6:30pm Panel Discussion “Why is Service Important in the Yoga Community” $200
6:30-8:30pm Reception and Silent Auction. $200

3:00 – 4:30 pm 108 Sun Salutations with Stan Woodman
Stan Woodman will lead 108 Sun Salutations as a way to both honor the work that veterans have done for us, and at the same time raise money to support those teachers going out into the community and working with them. It is a personal challenge, to connect with each other and the a reminder that so many face much harder mental and physical challenges every day.

5:00 – 6:30 pm Panel Discussion
Featuring Beryl Bender Birch, Seane Corn, Robin Gilmartin, Stan Woodman, Gina Norman and Cyndi Lee

6:30 – 8:00 pm Reception and Silent Auction
The final event is a reception and silent auction. All proceeds will go to support the incredible work that The Give Back Foundation is doing. Connect with the yoga community, savor delicious organic appetizers and wine while bidding on a variety of great items, from weekend vacations to private chefs and more.

If you cannot attend, please consider donating to this worthy cause. 

To register, donate or for more information, please visit the Give Back Yoga Foundation’s webpage, here.

Westport

From Movement to Manifestation: The Art of Vinyasa Flow

Why is Vinyasa Flow yoga so popular? This workshop examines the whole picture of one of the most beloved yoga practices in the world today, Vinyasa Flow yoga, which is movement linked with breath. Seane will take you through 4 vigorous and challenging vinyasa classes, meant to strengthen, tone and stimulate the various systems of our bodies. This workshop not only dissects the practice, examining alignment, adjustments, breathing and core awareness, but it also delves beyond the body, into the spiritual and mystical symbolism of the evolution of the soul, and how it translates into our life path. Learning the dance of vinyasa in its most powerful and effective form is the foundation to that awareness and this workshop will give tools on mastering that very expression.

Although these classes can be taken separately, the workshop is intended to be taken as a whole. The benefits of taking the classes consecutively can enhance the positive physical, mental and psychological possibilities you will create as a result of doing the practice.

LEVEL: All levels

Dates and Times:

Friday May 18 – 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Saturday May 19 – 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Saturday May 19 – 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Cost of Attendance: $60 for an individual workshop, to register for all 4 of Seane’s workshops and save (total $225), please call the studio at 203.532.0660

Westport

Stan Woodman

The inverted postures of yoga are some of the most beneficial yet intimidating of the asanas. Once the fear is defeated, the innumerable benefits of inversions can begin to do their magic. Inversions are empowering poses that teach us courage, light-heartedness, self-confidence and fearlessness through practice.

This fun and energizing workshop will break down four core inversions – headstand, shoulderstand, handstand, and forearm stand – into easily accessible stages. This workshop will use specific alignment tips to help you harness your own strengths and relate compassionately to your own fears. After a deep opening warm-up sequence, we will use props, partners, and a sense of humor to explore moving into, and perhaps coming towards balance in, inversions.

This workshop is recommended for students who have been practicing for at least 1 year. A few of the many benefits of inversions are listed below:

· Improved circulation

· Improved mental awareness

· Strengthens the core

· Calms the mind

· Gives the heart a rest

· Stimulates the endocrine system

· Can lower blood pressure

· Reduce the effects of age and gravity on the body

Cost of Attendance: $30 early/$40 same day

Westport

Jennifer Kaminer

Find friendship and support among other mothers. Explore the transition to motherhood and how it has changed your life. We will work together to find new ways to care for ourselves and to balance our lives, while celebrating the joys and enduring the challenges of motherhood along the way. Feel more balanced, inspired, and at peace with your life. Bonus: Learn new mind-body techniques to help you relax into motherhood. Topics include: self-care, support, balance, relationships, and more.

Jennifer Kaminer

I am Jennifer Kaminer, a Life and Wellness Coach and a few other things…artist, yogi, mother, chef…

But what I really do is help mothers redefine their lives after having children. A new version of life. A balanced life. A more focused, energized, passionate life. With a unique, creative and honest approach I assist moms in gaining clarity around want they want in life, define steps to get there and support them on that journey.

Cost of Attendance: $25 early/$35 after May 23rd

Westport

Gina Norman and Stan Woodman

Our 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification Program led by Gina Norman is one step along that path providing a solid foundation giving our graduates the knowledge, skills, and confidence to begin teaching safely and mindfully. This program is for anyone who has had a regular yoga practice for a minimum of one year and has an understanding of the basics of asana practice. This does not mean that an applicant needs to be able to perform advanced asana, but has a willingness to learn plus awareness and respect for their body and limitations. This program is also appropriate for those who would like to deepen their practice. Kaia Yoga 200 Hour Teacher Training Program is registered with the Yoga Alliance (a national registry for yoga schools).

Study Topics Include:

Technique in Asana, Pranayama and Meditation

Yoga Philosophy and The Yoga Sutras

Teaching Methodology, Skills & Communication

The Business of Yoga

Western & Eastern Anatomy & Physiology

Intro to Ayurveda

Gentle Assists & Therapeutics

Ethics & Yogic Lifestyle

Student teaching & assisting

Summer Weekday Training Intensive

Dates and Times:

June 25th – August 3rd

Monday – Friday

9:30 am – 2:30 pm

There will be no training session on July 4th

Includes four Tuesday evening meditation sessions from 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Tuition is $3500 for this training program. Register by May 25th and receive early bird pricing of $3,200.

Download our application now!

For consideration for the training, please submit a $500 non-refundable deposit with application. Final payment is due upon acceptance.

Refund Policy:

*If you are not accepted into the Teacher Training Program, you will be refunded your deposit less $100 processing fee.
**If you incur an injury, have a medical emergency or a personal conflict, which prevents you from participating in the training you applied for it can be applied to a future teacher training.

If you choose not to participate in the Training – You must notify Kaia Yoga Management at least 60 days prior to Teacher Training Start Date. At that time, you can receive a full refund minus the $500 non-refundable deposit, no refund after that date.

For more information call us at 203-532-0660
or email info@kaiayoga.com

Westport

Gina Norman, Anna Verwaal and Heather Strauch

This training is an opportunity for existing Yoga Teachers to become Certified in Prenatal Yoga, for health care workers to build on their offerings, and for women who are pregnant to educate themselves about their practice, pregnancy and labor. A comprehensive two-part program with Kaia Yoga Owner Gina Norman leading Yoga Sections and Prenatal Experts Anna Verwaal and Heather Strauch teaching Anatomy and Labor Sections. Learn to lead Prenatal Yoga classes with confidence during this in-depth Teacher Training covering:

Anatomy of Pregnancy (including, PSOAS muscle, Pelvic Floor, Anatomy of Breathing)
Hormone Shifts During Pregnancy (and impact on the body/mind)
Prenatal Tadasana (bringing your students into their healthiest alignment during this dynamic time)
Pranayama during Pregnancy
Prenatal Hands On Adjustments
Sequencing and Structure of a Prenatal Yoga Class
Restorative Yoga for Pregnancy
Labor and Delivery (Anatomy, Options and Recovery)
Post-Natal Yoga (Technique and Contraindications)

For full certification and registration with Yoga Alliance, students are required to complete Parts 1 and 2 of this Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training Program. Women interested in learning more about Pregnancy and Delivery, or Health Care Workers continuing personal education may choose to take just Part One. Please note requirements for this training below:

Training will meet 7 am – 7 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Additional Observation Hours will be required (10 hours in Compliance with Yoga Alliance Standards)

Gina Norman

Gina Norman owner of Kaia Yoga has been teaching yoga for more then 15 years and is the director of Kaia Yoga’s 200 and 300 hour yoga teacher training programs. Her vision in creating Kaia yoga was to create a place that nurtured not just individuals through yoga but to support families through educational resources on healthy living, parenting and birth. She completed her prenatal training with Gurmukh in The Khalsa Way. She is excited to offer this training with these top teachers and share her knowledge of sequencing and how to create a supportive prenatal class.

Anna Verwaal
Anna Verwaal, RN, CLE, born and educated in the Netherlands is a Maternal-Child Health Nurse, Conscious Conception & Birth Consultant, Labor & Post Partum Doula Instructor, UCLA Certified Lactation Educator and Birth Photographer. Currently Anna lectures internationally and teaches workshops to birth professionals, doulas and prenatal yoga instructors about the cellular memory of the birth experience, the physiological and hormonal blueprint for birth and bonding and the deeply psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of giving birth. She uses a combination of clinical knowledge, the latest research in pre and perinatal psychology and health, her own birth photography and experience based on working for more than 25 years in various countries as a nurse and doula along side perinatologists, obstetricians as well as (indigenous) midwives attending hospital, birth center and home-births.

Heather Strauch
Heather is a licensed physical therapist and owner of A Different Approach – PT for Women, LLC. Heather graduated with a Masters of Science and Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. She also has a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Widener University. She specializes in women’s’ health physical therapy and additionally provides one-on-one care to clients with various orthopedic conditions. She has advanced clinical certifications in complete decongestive therapy for lymphedema and pre and post natal exercise. She also has further continuing education in myofascial release, internal pelvic floor muscle evaluation and biofeedback. She specializes in the treatment of blocked lactation ducts, lymphedema, osteoporosis, urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, pain related to pregnancy and sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

Cost of Attendance: $600 by June 15th, $700 after.

Not a yoga instructor? Not a problem. Take this course for non-credit and non-certification at a $100 dollar discount. Call the studio at 203.532.0660 to inquire for non-credit.

Westport

Leigh Scott

Are you aware of restrictions and pain that limit your ability to do what you want?

The Feldenkrais Method® is a tool for profound neurological learning and change, whether it is to improve your yoga practice, reduce pain, move more freely or play a better game of tennis. 

In this 4-week Awareness Through Movement® workshop the teacher will create an environment that reflects the earliest learning environment when our infant brains were first developing synaptic connections and movement patterns were being established. As you lie on a floor mat, Leigh uses verbal cues to guide you through a particular movement sequence and directs your attention to the sensory experience of the movement. This process teaches the student how to quiet the nervous system, reduce unnecessary effort and redirect habitual patterns that are causing restrictions. New learning occurs as you feel how to reduce effort from the inside out.

Cost of Attendance: $75 early/$80 after July 4

Westport

Kami Evans

We have put together an amazing Teacher Training for everyone with a focus on children with Special Needs. Our training will be dedicated to supporting parents, therapists or educators. This training will run in two levels completing with a Certification and a 15-week curriculum design. 

You will receive the YA certification only if you are a 200 hr. trained and certified instructor. If you are not then you will still be Certified to teach. This training will cover the following – Milestones for children under 5 years old and poses to support them Curriculum Design for schools or camps. Games to incorporate Songs to use Our workbook Books to use A-Z poses with Animals Structure for Classes and Private Sessions Our goal for this training is sharing how yoga can be a complimentary activity to children both typically developing and special needs. You will leave learning a fun interactive way to bring the practice of yoga to a child’s life. 

Certified Special Needs Yoga Instructors will learn to teach yoga-based exercises designed for the class room. Activities energize the mind and body in 25-45 minutes. Some yoga experience is needed to participate. The program is user-friendly to all children supporting developmental milestones. The program requires no extra space or equipment during instruction and implementation in class. The program is effective for behavior and class management and enhances focus, concentration, creativity, communication and discipline. 

Level 1 Becoming a Special Needs Yoga Instructor

Receive Special Needs Yoga Teacher Training Certification. Learn to teach the Special Needs Yoga Pre-K to 12 Curriculum to students as physical education. Learn the Tools for Teachers Program to incorporate a motivating and fun yoga practice in the classroom. Incorporate pose, breath and songs to help assist with Vestibular and Proprioceptive milestones.

Please note, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday meet 12 – 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday meet 12 – 5 pm

Cost of Attendance: $550

Westport

Up to Strengthen, Down to Purify!

We will explore methods for unlocking the gates that prevent us experiencing the confidence, balance and wakefulness that arise naturally when our body’s channels are open. Our map is the Tibetan Buddhist 6 chakra system which strengthens our practice as we move up and purifies as we move down.

Through an active, uplifting asana practice — deep twists leading to chest, throat openers and inversions — we will rouse our energy creating a sense of strength, joy and lightness. To balance our pranic flow, we will then work back down the spine with a purifying, earthy sequence.

Along the way we will explore the enlightened and unenlightened aspects of each chakra (did you know the sole of the foot chakra relates to both love and anger?) as a path toward recognizing our own habitual patterns.

Cost of Attendance: $45 early/$55 after 07/15

restorative teacher training level one

with Jillian Pransky

For yoga teachers, pilates teachers, body workers, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and all care givers or wellness experts. This is a comprehensive class and good for those both new to the practice as well as teachers who’ve been leading restorative classes for a couple of years.

Training will include lecture, Restorative Yoga Practice, hands-on teaching practice experience, discussion, questions and answers. Some topics we will cover: 

• Relaxation Response Theory 
• Nervous system and Subtle Body anatomy
• Use of basic props, alignment basics, asana overviews
• Seeing and supporting the energy body in asana
• Teaching skills: verbal ques, observing and decision making
• Hands on Techniques, Therapeutic Touch, and Energy work
• Creating therapeutic classes and private sessions
• Sequencing, warm ups, transitions, incorporating into yang classes 

Cost of Attendance: $300 by September 1st/$350 after

Westport

Leigh Scott

Are you aware of restrictions and pain that limit your ability to do what you want?

The Feldenkrais Method® is a tool for profound neurological learning and change, whether it is to improve your yoga practice, reduce pain, move more freely or play a better game of tennis.

In this 4-week Awareness Through Movement® workshop the teacher will create an environment that reflects the earliest learning environment when our infant brains were first developing synaptic connections and movement patterns were being established. As you lie on a floor mat, Leigh uses verbal cues to guide you through a particular movement sequence and directs your attention to the sensory experience of the movement. This process teaches the student how to quiet the nervous system, reduce unnecessary effort and redirect habitual patterns that are causing restrictions. New learning occurs as you feel how to reduce effort from the inside out.

Cost of Attendance: $75 early/$90 after July 4