Yoga Workshops in Sag Harbor & the Hamptons

Thursday, February 2, 2012, 5:00-7:45pm SOLD OUT

The Thread of Nectar: Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

A Dharma Talk and Asana Workshop with Richard Freeman at Yoga Shanti

Ashtanga Yoga, known for both its vigor and how it links yoga postures together into a continuous flow, is based on a profound internal principle of alignment and energy conjunction. This core alignment removes obstacles to internal breath and feeling so that meditation and insight easily arise. When its context and subtle core are known, the Ashtanga system becomes an excellent vehicle for therapeutic repair and avoidance of injury. In this class we will learn to use Dristi, Bandha and the continuous refinement of alignment and technique to awaken the core of the body. We will play with the paradoxes of breathing and the complementarity of technique to open the central axis of the body into a universal form. Experiencing this paradoxical heart of the Vinyasa system allows us to practice meditatively, in and from the present moment.

Richard is the founder of the Yoga Workshop, where he offers Teacher Intensive courses and special classes, and also gives Studio Talks on Indian philosophy on a regular basis. He is the author of the book, The Mirror of Yoga (Shambhala Publications).

Details: Thursday, February 2, 2012, 5:00-7:45pm
Cost: $55 in advance, $65 on the day.
Location: Yoga Shanti, 32 Bridge Street, Sag Harbor, NY
Registration: This workshop is currently sold out.

Thursday, February 9, 2012, 6:00-8:30pm (New York City)

Grounding to Turn Inwards

A Workshop with Colleen Saidman and Rodney Yee at Kula Yoga Project in New York City

Sequencing from standing poses to forward bends is an art that needs to be refined and mastered. To find the grounding principles of standing poses and then to translate them into seated forward bends provides a formula for injury free and tension releasing forward bends. It is often through forward bends that we find a pathway to the 5th limb of Astanga Yoga, Pratyahara, withdrawal of the senses. Turning inwards is so valuable in our daily life and acts as a sanctuary to our demanding world. All levels are welcome and will be addressed appropriately.

Details: Thursday, February 9, 2012, 6:00-8:30pm
Cost: $60 in advance, $70 on the day.
Location: Kula Yoga Project, New York City
Registration: Online registration available soon

February 21-25, 2012 (Mexico)

Women's Yoga Retreat at Maya Tulum, Mexico

Four-Day Women's Retreat with Colleen Saidman Yee

All women, all Mexico, and deep, mindful asana and pranayama, twice daily with Colleen. This retreat aims to deliver an outrageously fun and simultaneously profound experience of yoga. Come mix your down dog with guacamole and salsa. Two yoga classes a day, a shot of tequila or a fresh fruit smoothie, and the warm, beautiful, caribbean ocean.

The retreat includes morning and afternoon yoga classes and three meals per day. Meals are healthy and fresh, and mostly vegetarian, although fish is provided as an option on certain days. Plan to arrive on Tuesday, February 21 – Dinner and a welcome yoga class will be provided that evening. The retreat ends on Saturday February 25, after an early morning yoga class and breakfast.

Maya Tulum Resort is located in Tulum, Mexico, 90 miles south of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula. Book flights into Cancun International Airport. We will provide details of transportation from airport to Maya Tulum upon bookings. For general information on Maya Tulum (rooms, meals, spa offerings, etc.)

Registration: Click here for more about this Women's Yoga Retreat in Tulum, Mexico with Colleen Saidman Yee

Thursday, March 1, 2012, 6:00-8:00pm (New York City)

Asana, Pranayama, Meditation

A Workshop with Colleen Saidman and Rodney Yee at Pure Yoga in New York City

Balance your practice with Rodney and Colleen in a heaping dose of asana, swirled with pranayama, and topped with meditation. Explore alignment secrets, sequence-building essentials, and important observation techniques. This workshop is suited for all levels.

Details: Thursday, March 1, 2012, 6:00-8:00pm
Cost: $55 for Pure Yoga members; $65 for non-members.
Location: Pure Yoga, New York City
Registration: Click here to register online for this workshop

March 9-11, 2012 (Massachusetts)

Yoga Without Struggle

Weekend Workshop with Colleen Saidman and Rodney Yee at Kripalu

How do we begin to let go of the constant tug of war between who we are in the present moment and the ideas and expectations we hold for ourselves? How do we release a yoga practice that is full of desires in order to come to our mat with the innocent eyes of amazement and joy?

This workshop with Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman is your opportunity to experience yourself as the unfolding miracle you are and utilize your yoga practice as a means to help you see everything with more clarity. Rodney and Colleen invite you to spend a weekend with them practicing yoga without struggle in the form of asana, pranayama, and meditation.

Details: March 9-11, 2012
Tuition: $310 (does not include room and meals pricing)
CE Credits: This program is eligible for CE credits (please see Kripalu website for details)
Location: Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Registration: Click here to register online for this workshop

Saturday, April 14, 2012 (New York City)

The Yoga Journal Conference, NYC

Three Workshops with Colleen Saidman and Rodney Yee

8-10am: Effortless Backbends
Open yourself up to the creative unknown present moment with an awesome backbending sequence. As we connect to the earth, we gain the necessary foundation to fearlessness. This is the beginning to a profound expansion of the heart chakra, which provides deep acceptance of the world as it is. Our innate creativity hinges on our connectivity to the world at large, and it is our creativity that gives wings to our joy. This class is for everyone and will be both vigorous and refined.

10:30am-12:30pm: Wring It Out, Open It Up, and Contain It
Twists to backbends and then to forward bends will be the basic template we will use to explore emptiness. Twists help us cleanse our vital organs and juice up all the disks of the spine. Backbends access and ground the heart chakra, and forward bends will seal the exploration inward. This sequence will bring you to a profound emptiness that will let you be full of the present moment. This emptiness is the field of infinite possibilities and is the source of endless creativity.

3:30pm-5:30pm: Urban Zen Restorative
Come experience the ultimate in restoration through the healing modalities of Urban Zen. We'll put you in perfect restorative poses while Urban Zen integrative therapists do Reiki and apply essential oils. Then we'll do integrative movements, body-scan meditations, and breath awareness techniques to integrate your mind and body. We all know that we are able to access our authenticity and creativity from a place of rest and integration. Come join us for your quintessential revitalization.

Details: Saturday, April 14, 2012
Registration: Please visit the Yoga Journal Conference website for registration details.

Every Sunday, 4:30pm

Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Open Class at Yoga Shanti

Conceptualized by Colleen Saidman, Donna Karan and Rodney Yee, This Class is Taught by Certified Urban Zen Integrative Therapists, and is Designed to Heal and Restore

This ground-breaking class is open to all! The path to renewing, restoring and healing for the tired, weary, and ill has come to Yoga Shanti. The Urban Zen trained integrative therapists are starting a one hour session of restorative poses, aromatherapy, reiki, breath awareness, and meditation. Whether you are recovering from an illness or you just need to be treated with TLC, and ancient wisdom, this the the class for you. In a world of constant overwork, and over stimulus, it is imperative to find a meditative sanctuary. Come join us in this inward healing journey and have at least one hour a week when you are completely cared for! There are no pre-requisites and this weekly class is open to all!

Date & Time: Every Sunday, 4:30-5:30pm
Cost: $25 (or one class session from a class card)
Location: Yoga Shanti, 32 Bridge Street, Sag Harbor, NY
Registration: Please click here to sign up online for this class

October 2012 - May 2013

Yoga Teacher Training with Colleen Saidman, Rodney Yee and Esteemed Guest Faculty

An In-Depth 300-Hour Program for Aspiring Teachers or Students Who Wish to Deepen Their Practice and Delve Into the Heart of Yoga

Guest faculty includes world renowned and esteemed yoga teachers Richard Rosen, Richard Freeman, Heidi Fokine, Susan Lippy Orem, Manorama teaching Sanskrit Studies and Sinead Fitzgibbon teaching anatomy

Sharing yoga knowledge that deepens anyone’s practice, and imparting the craft of teaching yoga, is the work Colleen and Rodney are most inspired to do. Come and join them and their illustrious faculty at the beautiful Yoga Shanti studio in Sag Harbor, New York, for a training that will change your life. The program curriculum includes focus on the practice of asana, pranayama, and meditation; teaching methodologies, sequencing, and effective manual adjustments; anatomy and kinesiology; yoga history and philosophy; basic Sanskrit and chanting; student teaching and evaluation; and plenty of discussion and interaction. The program will take place over the course of 8 months, one weekend a month, from October 2011 through May 2012.

Information: Click here for more information about this Yoga Teacher Training and for our online application

April 2012 - March 2013

Urban Zen Integrative Therapist Training

Sign Up to the UZIT Program and Train to be an Integrative Therapist

The Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program (UZIT) is still currently accepting applications for the 2011 training program. This groundbreaking program includes training in yoga therapy, essential oil therapy, Reiki, contemplative care and nutrition. The curriculum provides in-depth knowledge to practitioners, preparing them to use these integrative therapies in a variety of healthcare settings, including private practice. Yoga practitioners, nurses, physical therapists, athletic trainers, physicians, massage therapists and other Allied Health Care professionals are encouraged to apply. Faculty includes Rodney Yee, Colleen Saidman Yee, Richard Freeman, Richard Rosen, Roshi Joan Halifax, Tracy Griffiths and Young Living Essential Oils Specialists, Reiki with Lena Falth, and other expert guest speakers.

Dates: The program commences in April 2011 and runs through March 2012
Location: Stephan Weiss Studio at the Urban Zen Center, Greenwich Street, New York CIty
Registration: Please contact Lisa Ruberti by email at uzit2011@urbanzen.org for more information.