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Deepak Chopra on Mindfulness and Meditation

WPIX-TV Morning News and Deepak Chopra stopped by ISHTA to chat with Sarah Platt-Finger about Deepak’s new book MetaHuman, the benefits of Meditation / Yoga, and Mindfulness. Check out this fun feature here. New Yorkers are always on the run from the moment we wake up in the morning until we finally crash into bed. We walk fast, we talk fast, we even eat on the run. But in his new book "Meta Human," Deepak Chopra explains that you can awaken the superhero within by being still.  ...

Spotlight on an ISHTA Teacher: Jenny Bloom

Where did you grow up? I'm a native New Yorker. When did you take the Teacher Training and what inspires you about the ISHTA way of teaching ? I decided to take my 200 & 300 hour Teacher Training back-to-back Fall 2013 and Fall 2014 at ISHTA Yoga. I started Teacher Training during a transformative time of my life. I started a career that was no longer speaking to me, and I didn't know what was next. I was terrified. All I knew was that coming to class every day at ISHTA was helping me to feel ok with not knowing. The hugeness of my uncertainty was really overwhelming, and I found that cultivating my practice. Being in Shiva helped me move through a complex and challenging moment. What most...

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Spotlight on an ISHTA Senior Teacher: Cindy Moss Terracina

Where did you grow up? I was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. I lived there until I was 7 and then we moved into Manhattan. I spent the rest of my early childhood, teenage years, as well as my, early adult years on Manhattan's east side. In my late 30's I moved to Rome, Italy where my husband is from. I moved back to N.Y. shortly before 9/11 with my family. I continue to go back and forth and consider Rome and NYC my two homes.   When did you take your first yoga class? What was your introduction to Yoga? I actually, started my practice of Yoga in Rome, Italy with an expat in 1998 when I became pregnant with, my now, 20-year old daughter.  I had been a runner,...

Spotlight on an ISHTA Yogiraj: Douglass Stewart

Can you tell us about your introduction to Alan and ISHTA I met Alan just at the right time! I was trying to figure out so much about myself.  Alan and the ISHTA  approach offered a structure and room to express. I come from an artistic background, professional dancer primarily and actor.  What attracted me to Alan/ISHTA is the art of yoga. We dancers spend quite a bit of time training our bodies to make beautiful lines and to tell stories. In order to do that we learn technique. But the interesting thing about an artist is, once you've learned the technique, you're encouraged to let yourself  express through it. In other words - technique becomes the means for exploration and transformation. I feel that in Alan's teaching. What is your favorite yoga pose?  Hum...

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Spotlight on an ISHTA Teacher: Donna Fillios

When did you take your first yoga class? I believe I first took yoga in the late 1990's. It was at Be Yoga! It was a winding path that brought me back to Alan's teachings and Ishta. I never dreamed back then that I would be led to teaching! What drew you to take the Ishta training? I had decided that I needed to take a break from my corporate job. What felt right for me at the time was allowing myself to explore my practice more deeply, and really give myself over to learning. I had been taking yoga at studios near where I was working, but it was very important to me to find a training that felt right for me. I wanted so much more...

Spotlight on a Senior ISHTA Teacher – Puy Navarro

When did you take your first yoga class? My first yoga class was around 2007, soon after a theater performance of "Doña Flor and her Two Husbands" where I played a Yoga Teacher. A friend came to see me at the show. I was able to do a head stand, so apparently I looked like a "pro". She later asked me if I did yoga. I said, NO. She then invited to Yoga works, specifically to Mona Anand's class - and I was instantly attracted to this new world. What drew you to take the ISHTA training? What about the ISHTA teachings inspires you now? After spending some time in India with Mona, I began as a student at ISHTA. I was very intrigued by the philosophy in Mona's...

Expanding what is possible in the private practice by Cassandra Ferland

Cassandra will be hosting her 20-hour training, The Art and Science of Working with Private Clients at ISHTA April 15 - 17. Below Cassandra discusses her journey to building a thriving roster of privates as well as the nuances of teaching private yoga that there might not be time to cover in 500 hour teacher training. [mkdf_separator class_name="" type="full-width" position="center" color="" border_style="" width="" thickness="" top_margin="" bottom_margin=""] When people think of yoga what often comes to mind is breathing and stretching in a large group class. This makes sense because the majority of people now practice yoga in this way. It is, therefore, surprising for most that yoga was traditionally taught one on one, teacher to student, with each session created specifically for that student. Since the evolution of every...

Spotlight on a Senior ISHTA Teacher – Wendy Newton

Where did you grow up? I grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. People that you meet in New York are often surprised to hear this because so many “New Yorkers”are transplants who arrived here from elsewhere as young people to strike out on their own. Also, I grew up in the seventies, and that was a whole different world. I was taking the subway to school by myself when I was in fourth grade. It was a strange, wonderful, and  somewhat dangerous landscape full of a true mix of people. I don’t think that many younger people nowadays can imagine such a childhood.   When did you take your first yoga class? And if it wasn’t at ISHTA, when did you take your first ISHTA...

Spotlight on a Senior ISHTA Teacher – Cassandra Ferland

The Art and Science of Working with Private Clients, a 20 hour Specialty Training with Cassandra is coming up April 15 - 17! More info / Register Here Where did you grow up? The space coast of Florida. I am a beach bum at heart. It's hard to be so far away from all my family, but I can't complain about having to head back there to visit! When did you take your first yoga class? And if it wasn't at ISHTA, when did you take your first ISHTA class? In high school my doctor recommended yoga for lower back pain. I started going to a class at a gym near my house, as there weren't studios in my area. In college, I found good classes/instructors, and...

Give the gift of ISHTA!

We are feeling the spirit of generosity at ISHTA! Share the meaning of yoga with a loved one by offering one of our many gift packages. Some of our most popular options include: 5-class package for $90 Unlimited Month of Yoga w/ an ISHTA Signature Tote for $150 Private Yoga Session for $75, and more. All of these deals are available by contacting the front desk at info@ishtayoga.com or (212) 598 - 4800. 5-class package can be purchased online here. Call us or visit the studio to explore more of what we have to offer this month. Our ISHTA Holiday Gift Certificates are also a great way to share with those you love. All our Holiday deals are available through January 1st. Any Questions? Email us here!...

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Spotlight on a Master ISHTA Teacher: Kara Sekuler

Kara Sekuler has been a student of Alan’s for over 20 years and was one of the original Trainers of the ISHTA Yoga Teacher Training. As an ambassador of the lineage, Kara has been an integral thread to the fabric of ISHTA, and her teaching has influenced many of the current Senior and Yogiraj teachers at the studio today. Although Kara is retiring from teaching group classes, she has left an indelible mark on the ISHTA teachings and continues to be a beloved part of our ISHTA family. Here are some memories shared by teachers who have been trained by her, as well as an interview with Kara done by Cindy Moss. When we think of Kara we are reminded of this quote: “I do not go to my...

An Interview with Alan Finger and Wendy Newton – Tantra of the Yoga Sutras

Tantra of the Yoga Sutras is available now at all on-line outlets.   Order Tantra of the Yoga Sutras via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, Shambhala or wherever good books are sold.     Peter Ferko Interviews Alan Finger and Wendy Newton on their new book, Tantra of the Yoga Sutras Peter: Alan, I’ll start with you. Where did the Tantra of the Yoga Sutras come from? Alan: Well, everything is born from nothing. Peter and Wendy: (Laughter). P: So it came out of nowhere? A: Yes. And also from my experiences in the ISHTA teacher training, where we were teaching the Sutras from other translations. I was consistently frustrated by listening to students get confused because the translations usually focus on religion and ethics. I was taught, and I intuitively knew, that this was was not actually what...