Enhance Your Life with Ashtanga Yoga

 

Stan Woodman has that beautiful esprit de corps that comes from overcoming adversity with a team in fellowship, even in the face of great tragedy there's still Love in the group. Good parenting does that. Stan has a confidence in him that he is loved and will always be loved. Not in an arrogant way whatsoever, but as a man who loves all beings and naturally sees Love within them. Not many men grow up saying that what they want most from the world is to be a dad. This is a testament to his gentle and kind nature.

 

Stan was once Beryl Bender Birch’s apprentice and assisted her as a travelling teacher. This was his introduction to the world of yoga. A beginning only imagined by most of us! Stan received a 1000 Hour Advanced Teachers Certification by Beryl Bender Birch's school which was the building block for all he has down since.

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Some people say that we, as Westerners, will never grow to be more than gym teachers in the field of yoga; But, even with that, this practice somehow does work, in a spiritual way, to make us more compassionate and integrated. If we do the work.

 

Stan began a dedicated Ashtanga Yoga practice in 1998. Making his way to the source in Mysore India in 2003 and 2004 to study with Sri K Pattabhi Jois. Since then, he made seven more trips to Mysore to study with Sharath Jois, receiving his Autorization Level 2 to teach from Sharath.  The summer of 2016 Stan completed a two month teachers course in Mysore with Sharath.  His practice and teaching has also been greatly influenced by his studies with Beryl Bender Birch, David Swenson, Eddie Stern, Tim Miller, Dominic Corigliano, Richard Freeman and Aliya Wise.  

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In addition to his work as a yoga teacher, Stan’s education includes intensive coursework with special needs children through the Son-Rise Program at The Autism Treatment Center of America. Formerly licensed as a massage therapist, he has extensive knowledge in eastern and western philosophies and practices in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, myology, and neurology. Stan has served on the board of directors of several not-for-profits including Odanadi in Mysore, India and The Give Back Yoga Foundation for empowering individuals through the gift of yoga.

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An avid extreme sports enthusiast, Stan loves a good challenge, especially when rock climbing, snowboarding or skateboarding. Stan has been featured in numerous magazines including Fitness, More and Organic Spa.

 

He is the co-founder of Kaia Yoga studios from 2006-2018. He continues to live in Connecticut teaching Private Yoga Sessions and Mysore Programs in Greenwich, CT and the surrounding Fairfield and Westchester Counties.

 

“I want to be a kinder, more loving, compassionate human, so this is why I do and will continue to practice and teach Ashtanga Yoga. I have great respect for all the teachers of this lineage who have come before me, stand alongside me, and have yet to come."
- Stan Woodman​