Yoga is a practice which leads us on a path to self excellence. Yoga helps us find the limits of our bodies and minds, and then pushes us to continuously work towards expanding those limits. Self excellence requires patience, endurance, integrity, courage, discipline, compassion and confidence. Practicing yoga on a daily basis helps to blend the way we practice yoga and the way we live our lives into one seamless experience. Learning to harness our awareness as a tool of our minds helps us to connect with our bodies and the environments we enhabit. This blending will lead us to discover inner space. This inner space we have, is simultaneously void in nature, and also the source of all creativity. When we discover how to harness our creativity, we become better creators. The ability to create, brings more balance in our lives, and balance brings us inner peace.
Inner Space Yoga emphasizes the teachings of the traditional 8 limbs of yoga: restraints, observances, physical postures, breath work, internalizing the senses, concentration and meditation. These 7 principles of yoga lead us to the 8th and final step, total aborption of mind into the body, or inner peace.
Knowledge, wisdom and understanding are the tools of any great teacher and are traditionally passed down from teacher to student, most effectively, through personalized instruction. Inner Space Yoga is an intimate space, class sizes are relatively small and students get individualized attention. Every person requires a different combination of tools which will work best in their lives. We believe in connecting with people and addressing their specific needs. We look forward to working with you and sharing the ways that we use yoga to enhance our lives.
My first encounter with yoga came when I was in college and needed to stretch my achy muscles before going snowboarding in Colorado. It was only a few postures at the time but enough to pique my interest. Gradually, I understood the effect that a daily practice could have in my life. Over the years, I have learned with some excellent teachers and during the Covid quarantine, I learned to develop my own practice by listening to my body and focusing my mind. I read books, watched videos and spent countless hours on my mat. One day, sitting on my mat, I realized that waking up in the morning and teaching yoga to others is the best way to live my life. My favorite part of yoga has been developing the ability to find inner peace which brings me the feeling of being in harmony with myself, my environment and my relationships. I am grateful for any opportunity to pass along the knowledge that I have acquired. In my teaching, I emphasize using mobility, balance, stillness, breath work, structural integrity and philosophy to enhance our lives on and off the mat.
Join me for vinyasa flow, yin yoga, guided meditation, power flow, power sculpt, or somatic flow.
I have been teaching yoga since 2006 and have been an Ayurvedic health counselor since 2017. My love for health and wellness through these two modalities has grown more and more over the years and I welcome the opportunity to share them with you.
Join me every Wednesday night at 6:00pm for Vinyasa Flow (beginner friendly) followed by Restorative Yoga at 7:15pm.
Check out the Beginners Series that I offer seasonally.
I’ve been practicing yoga for over ten years. My relationship with the practice began as a physical replacement for soccer following multiple knee surgeries. It has since grown into a deep appreciation for what yoga brings to my life by going inside myrself and being present on my mat. I believe that yoga is for any body, and my teaching offers modifications for all levels, preferences, and injuries. Nobody starts their yoga practice being "flexible!" I live in Riverdale with my family and I’m excited to share my love for yoga with others in the Riverdale community!
Join me Monday nights at 7:00pm for Vinyasa Flow.
Deborah has been a yogi for more than two decades and began regularly meditating in 2022 to help manage brain fog and re-find herself while going through the early stages of divorce. Mind/body practices like meditation, breathwork and yoga help her regulate her nervous system, cultivate self-love, and reconnect with her authentic self. With a unique approach to meditation, Deborah uses continuous body grounding cues to help still the mind and make the benefits of meditation more accessible so that everyone can strengthen their relationship with their body, while leading a vibrant, fulfilling life.
Join me Tuesday nights at 7:15pm for Grounded Flow & Meditation and the Guided Meditation for Busy Minds workshop on June 22nd from 3:00-4:00pm.
Kara has been teaching Pilates for 25+ years and is excited to bring her classes to Inner Space Yoga! She earned her BFA in Dance from NYU and MFA in Choreography from SUNY Purchase. While balancing an extensive performance career, Kara earned her certification in Pilates Mat from Power Pilates and Reformer Certification from Pilates Academy International. She is also a certified Wellness + Resilience Coach and brings her coaching skills into the studio...as well as a healthy dose of humor! As an in demand dance teacher and Pilates instructor Kara’s been on staff at (almost!) every major fitness chain in NYC before moving to Riverdale in 2015 where she has been training private at-home clients and enjoys teaching Movement and Dance classes locally (RTNS for 10 years!). In addition, Kara is the proud author and creator of Lazy Girl Pilates and the dance memoir Putting My Heels Down.
Join me Thursday nights at 6:opm for mat Pilates.
I lead with an unwavering commitment to uplift my community through transformative practices such as breathwork, movement, and sound. In my yoga and meditation practice, I believe in the power of stillness and breath to connect with the inner self.
Drawing inspiration from ancient traditions, I emphasize the unification of mind, body, and soul, guiding individuals to reprogram their nervous system and find empowerment in the present moment.
Deeply committed to bridging the gap between my profound work and the wider world, I dispel stigmas around meditation, emphasizing its importance and accessibility while expressing gratitude to nature for its guiding wisdom.
Join me Tuesday nights at 6:00pm for Power Flow.
Yoga is my happy place and have always wanted to share it’s benefits with others. After retiring as a registered nurse, I received my 200 hour teaching training from Heights Meditation and Yoga.
My goal is to make yoga accessible to everyone. I do this by meeting students where they are at, offering modifications throughout the practice and also encouraging students to take a challenge when ready.
I look forward to meeting you!
Join me Wednesdays at 4:30pm for Adjustable Yoga.
Annmaria Mazzini is a NYC dancer, teaching artist, and choreographer. As a member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, she performed on stages all over the world, and was featured on PBS’ Dance in America, in the short film The Pink Pony, and on the cover of Dancers Among Us, by Jordan Matter. Since 2011, she has been studying and performing with the acclaimed dancer and educator Margie Gillis, with a focus on soul connected, improvisatory movement for healing and transformation. Annmaria is also the creator of Dancing Amulets, a collection of magical gemstone jewelry, handmade in Riverdale.
Join me for the Meditative Dance Journey Workshop, July 18th from 6:30-7:30pm.
Stacey Linden (she/her), ERYT-200, received her certification in 2008 through OM Yoga, and she has been teaching steadily around the city since then. Her classes bring attention to breath and alignment with a dose of humor for good measure. Stacey teaches people at all levels and, through careful, thoughtful sequencing and clear instruction, she tries to make sure that every student feels engaged and leaves class with a practice that feels good for them. She wants students to experience the beauty of the unknown: that every day, every time we step onto our mats, we can be just a little surprised by where our bodies, minds, and breath are at that moment. After all, people practice yoga, they don't "perfect" it.
Join me for the Core & More Workshop on July 13th from 1:30-3:00pm.
Shawna Emerick is a trauma informed yoga instructor and yoga teacher trainer with well over 1000 hours of certifications and over 21 years of teaching. She is a Thai massage therapist, Life Coach for Transformation, Mindfulness Meditation teacher, and an integrative somatic facilitator. She is passionate about supporting others' healing and drawing out their Inner Wisdom in order to live from their most authentic place of heart.
Join me for the Integrative Yoga Series, Monday nights at 6:00pm on June 30, July 7, 14 & 21.