June 13, 2014
Our teacher of the month for June is Stan Woodman, co-owner of Kaia Yoga in Connecticut. Stan took his first yoga class in 1991, and eventually completed his 1,000 hour certification with Beryl Bender Birch. Stan’s practice is rooted strongly in traditional Ashtanga Yoga, but he sings the praises of various styles of meditation and yoga, including Restorative Yoga: “Targeted breath work—particularly that connection between the inhale and exhale—creates a rhythm in our nervous system, in our wiring, that settles the organs, increases blood flow, and re-energizes us.” (source)
Stan and his wife, Gina Norman, founded Kaia Yoga with an eye towards a holistic way of living, incorporating meditation, spa treatments, a café offering whole foods and juices, and yoga for people of every age, including prenatal and kids’ yoga.
In a mission to relieve suffering, they are also deeply involved with charitable work through the Kaia Foundation, which currently supports four charities directed mainly towards benefiting women and children.
Kaia Yoga has been a long-time customer of Barefoot Yoga, and offers a number of our yoga props, mat bags and eye pillows for customers in their boutique. Stop by one of Kaia Yoga’s three locations in Westport and Greenwich to enjoy the beautiful space that they have created, and flow through one of Stan’s amazing classes to develop your strength, flexibility and mindfulness.
