Events at the Shala
2025
Yoga Basics Series
Yoga Basics with Ifeoma
This class focuses on core principles of yoga, including asanas (postures) with a strong emphasis on alignment, pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation and yoga philosophy to build a foundation for a safe, joyful and effective practice.
This class is great for beginners and anybody seeking to deepen their practice!
Intro to Ashtanga Series
Intro to Ashtanga 4-Week Series with Aurelie
Ashtanga vinyasa yoga is a traditional and dynamic practice, and Mysore-style practice is the most authentic method of learning Ashtanga. Named after the city in India where this practice originated, this approach empowers students to develop a meditative, self-directed practice with individualized instruction. In a Mysore class, students of all levels practice together at their own pace with 1:1 guidance from the teacher. This is the traditional way of learning yoga and is truly an "all levels" practice that is adapted to the individual! Though this format may feel intimidating at first for beginners, it enables each student to develop a personal yoga practice with time.
The goal of this series is to introduce the foundational elements of Ashtanga yoga, equipping you with the tools to begin your Ashtanga practice safely and confidently in Mysore-style practice.
We will cover:
Opening and closing mantras. Traditional Sanskrit chants in this lineage that set the tone and intention for practice.
Adaptation and alignment. Techniques to ensure proper posture and prevent injury, tailored to your body.
Breath, core and gaze (drishti). The essentials of Ashtanga yoga! Synchronizing breath and movement, engaging the core, and learning how to steady the gaze to create an internal focus.
Introduction to meditation. A brief exploration of meditative practices to cultivate mindfulness and inner peace.
Individualized guidance. Practical advice for practice with personalized guidance to meet your unique needs.
No prior yoga experience necessary! All are welcome.
Spring Equinox Sound Bath with Elizabeth
Join us for a deeply relaxing and repleneshing experience at our spring eqiunox sound bath on Friday, March 21st at 7pm.
The spring equinox is a time for planting seeds of intention for growth and renewal, connecting with your inner self, and honoring the balance of light and dark.
Led by Elizabeth Voytershark, a passionate sound healer, yoga teacher, and reiki III practitioner, this immersive experience will harness the healing vibrations of a variety of instruments including singing bowls, chimes, drums, and more. This serene sound bath will help clear stagnant energy, ease tension, and restore balance to your body, mind, and spirit.
Tuning In: Developing Self-Awareness and Inner Harmony with IFS-Inspired Meditation with Dr. Rob Palmer
Join Dr. Rob Palmer, a psychiatry resident at Yale and researcher in mindfulness meditation and psychedelic-assisted treatments, for a 90-minute guided meditation designed to foster self-awareness, clarity, and inner peace. Drawing on principles from Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, this session will help you explore the different aspects of your psyche, understand how emotions and stressors manifest in your mind and body, and develop tools to navigate life with mindfulness and balance.
All are welcome. No prior meditation experience or familiarity with IFS are necessary. Whether you're new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this session offers a supportive and accessible space to learn meditative skills you can immediately apply to your daily life.
![[Cancelled] Led Primary & Discussion with Stan Woodman](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65de5e1702b6f931e371e32d/1738530743300-YUYJUZWQYXZPNZM2B4Z2/stan+ledprimaries+copy.png)
[Cancelled] Led Primary & Discussion with Stan Woodman
March led primary is cancelled. Thank you for understanding!
Come explore the traditional flow of Ashtanga while enjoying the sweet sounds of Sanskrit as Stan leads us through the Primary Series followed by a discussion on the practice and philosophy of Ashtanga yoga with time for questions.
At the March workshop, Stan will discuss pranayama with a focus on interactive exploration of the bandhas and vayus.
Early bird registration: register before 3/1 with the code MARCHLED.
International Women's Day Yoga with the Lumina Network
Join the Lumina Network at East Rock Shala for a donation-based vinyasa class with Lori Bonazzoli to honor the strength and resilience of women worldwide!
This inclusive, gender-affirming LGBTQ-friendly event is accessible for all levels and designed to create a welcoming space for everyone!
100% of the profit will benefit the Hope Family Justice Center in New Haven, a vital organization supporting survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. Join to both support your wellbeing & support an important cause that provides resources, safety, and healing to those in need.
Let's practice together to celebrate community, empowerment, and solidarity!
This class is hosted by the Lumina Network at East Rock Shala. All are welcome. Reserve your spot in advance through Mindbody!
The Meditator's Path with Khushi
Have you ever been curious about the different styles and paths of Meditation? Join Khushi in a workshop to explore the philosophical underpinnings of meditation, practice different techniques from a variety of Yogic and Buddhist traditions, and discover which techniques may be best for your disposition. Khushi will also give guidance on how to deepen one's meditation practice and the stages of meditation. Open to all!
Ayurveda for Yoga Practitioners with Khushi
Ayurveda and Yoga are sister sciences, each offering unique yet complementary tools for healing and wellness. While Yoga emphasizes physical, mental, and spiritual practices, Ayurveda focuses on balancing the body and mind through doshas, guna, prana, agni, and marma. Together, they form a complete system for achieving optimal health. In this workshop, learn how you can integrate Ayurvedic practices into your daily yogic life.
Intro to Ashtanga Immersion
Are you looking for a unique and empowering yoga practice? Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic practice that teaches us how to cultivate profound inner strength and equanimity. Ashtanga yoga will transform your relationship with your mind, body and breath, improve your strength and mobility, and help you develop a lifelong personal yoga practice that will grow with you and connect you with community!
This workshop will give you the tools and confidence to join led ashtanga classes or join our Mysore program. Registration for this workshop includes the Sunday workshop as well as access to 4 days of Mysore classes Monday-Thursday following the workshop to ignite your practice! (2/10-2/13).
We will cover:
History and purpose of the practice
Postures
Breathing
How to continue your practice with confidence.
All are welcome. Beginners encouraged!
Stan Woodman is a L2 authorized teacher from the Sharath Yoga Centre (SYC) in Mysore, India. Stan's full bio can be found on our website.
Early bird discount: register before February 2nd, 2025 for 20% off with the code INTROTOASHTANGA.
Vinyasa Krama Practice Series
Join Khushi in the exploration of Krishnamacharya's Vinyasa Krama sequences. These graceful and powerful sequences of over 800 asanas steadily build the practitioners inner awareness until easeful and joyful concentration is achieved for meditation. Vinyasa Krama follows the parameters of steadiness, ease, right effort, and complete absorption on the infinite nature of the breath. We will practice asana, pranayama, mudra, and bandhas as taught to Khushi by her teacher Srivatsa Ramaswami, who studied under Krishnamacharya for over 30 years. All are welcome!
February 7th, 14th, 21st and 29th. 4pm-5:15pm.
Single drop-in for this series: $25. All 4 classes: $88
Ashtanga Led Primary and Discussion with Stan Woodman
Join us for our inaugural Ashtanga workshop at the Shala with visiting teacher Stan Woodman! Come explore the traditional flow of Ashtanga while enjoying the sweet sounds of Sanskrit as Stan leads us through the Primary Series, followed by discussion on the practice and philosophy of Ashtanga Yoga with time for questions.
Early Bird Pricing: From now through 10/6/24, use code EARLYBIRD at checkout for 10% off. Register using this link: https://square.link/u/0rPADvA5
Community Class
Join us for a donation-based community class. This is a gently heated vinyasa-based class open to students of all levels of experience.
Pay what you can (online or at the studio). 100% of donations go to Yale's Neighborhood Health Project.
Community Class
Join us for a donation-based community class with Sachi. This is a gently heated vinyasa-based class open to students of all levels of experience. Pay what you can.
opening day
celebrate our opening day with $10 classes all evening! we will be teaching guided ashtanga half-primary at 4pm and restorative yoga at 6pm. please see our schedule for more details. we can’t wait to meet you.