Yoga for People with Disabilities and Chronic Conditions - In Person & Livestream

Thursdays 2-3:30 & Saturdays 3-4:30PM Via Zoom

Donation Based piedmontyogacommunity.org/classes/disability-classes

Currently, these classes are attended by a wide variety of students, some who practice in wheelchairs, using walkers, canes, or crutches as well as those with invisible special needs. Adults of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Our teachers, assistants, and volunteers are equally as diverse. Among our current students are, paraplegics, many with esoteric autoimmune diseases, others who have post-polio syndrome, cerebral palsy, fibromyalgia, osteogenesis imperfecta, scleroderma, hip or knee replacements, cancer, traumatic brain injury, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy and other side effects from diabetes. The majority of these students are dealing with a great deal of stress in their everyday lives. If you are simply experiencing pain or are in recovery, we welcome you.

Y12SR - Yoga for 12 Step Recovery

FIRST FRIDAYS: 6:00 - 7:30 PM

NEXT SESSION - September 6th

Y12SR (Yoga for 12 Step Recovery) blends the practical tools of the 12 step programs with the ancient wisdom of yoga. This class is a 12 step based discussion and yoga practice that is open to anyone and everyone dealing with their own addictive behavior or affected by the addictive behavior of others.

The 12-step program approaches addiction at a cognitive level; yoga includes a somatic approach. This combination recognizes that yoga is part of a holistic recovery program and provides tools to address the physical, mental and spiritual disease of addiction.

This is an open and inclusive group - all A's are welcome. Wear comfortable clothing.

Resilient Recovery Circles

THIRD FRIDAYS: 7:00 - 8:15 PM

SIGN UP HERE: https://events.humanitix.com/resilient-recovery-circle-oak

Class may not be "full" as indicated. Sign-Up at: https://events.humanitix.com/resilient-recovery-circle-oak

Resilient Recovery Circles

with Yoga Therapists & Somatic Practitioners Chelsea Rappel & Beth Foley

Every 3rd Friday of the Month -

From 7 - 8:15 PM | In-Person & Livestream

$25 with a sliding scale option

We have found a huge gap in the recovery space – a supportive community that’s focused on the somatic aspect of sober living.

If you are on a recovery journey and want to feel more ease and freedom in your body, join us to…

• Understand why your body is the missing link to sustainable change

• Build capacity to navigate your emotions with confidence and compassion

• Reclaim personal agency in your body and experience freedom from unwanted behaviors

• Learn practical somatic tools to self-regulate and soothe discomfort naturally

• Receive support and co-regulate with like-minded community

We recognize all forms of addiction when we use the term “in recovery,” and intend for these groups to be fully inclusive. As long as you are interested in reconnecting with and deepening connection to your body, we would love to have you.

Every group will follow the same rhythm of peer support and process time, along with guided somatic practice and reflection. This is a trauma-informed, relaxed space to share and relate with each other, and ourselves, in new ways.

Whether you’ve been in recovery for years, months, days, or are debating whether sobriety is right for you, you are welcome!

“Once you start approaching your body with curiosity rather than with fear, everything shifts.” — Bessel van der Kolk

Beth Foley: Beth is a Midwest-born nature lover who found her way to sobriety through the path of yoga, an ever-evolving practice that continues to inspire and support her. Her work focuses on the power of somatic awareness and nervous system regulation to transform unwanted patterns, an invaluable skill for navigating recovery of all kinds. Beth has been sharing this work for several years, supporting many clients in releasing held trauma from their bodies and living a more aligned, fulfilling life. Learn more about Beth at www.bethyogatherapy.com

Chelsea Rappel: Chelsea is first and foremost a grateful person in long term sobriety, as well as a bunny mom and lover of rock climbing. As a Somatic Practitioner and Yoga Therapist, Chelsea is committed to supporting others on their journey to freedom from addiction in a way that is authentic and meaningful to the individual. Chelsea is also the founder of Awakened Recovery, a Body/Mind healing modality for embodied, soulful recovery, and is passionate about helping folks feel more alive and empowered in their skin. Learn more about Chelsea at www.AwakenedRecovery.com

For more information about Chelsea and Beth and their programs, visit their website: www.resilient-recovery.com

Embody Your Anatomy

with Nichol Chase

Thursday Evenings ~

8/21, 9/4, 9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30, 11/13:

5:30 - 8:30 PM

Anatomy Weekend:

Saturday, 9/13: 3:00 - 7:30 PM

Sunday, 9/14: 12:30 - 7:30 PM

$699

This comprehensive course (35 hours) is designed to deepen yoga practitioners’ understanding of anatomy and physiology in relation to movement, breath, and mindfulness. Through lectures, guided practices, quizzes, a final exam, and a detailed workbook with study resources, students will explore key anatomical systems, biomechanics, and physiological principles essential for safe and effective yoga practice.

Topics include skeletal and muscular structures, joint mobility and stability, the nervous system’s role in movement and stress regulation, the respiratory system’s impact on breathwork, and the fascial system’s influence on posture and flexibility. Special attention will be given to injury prevention, functional movement, and integrating anatomical knowledge into teaching and personal practice. By the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation in applied anatomy and physiology, empowering them to practice with greater confidence, precision, and awareness.

SUMMARY OF LECTURES & PRACTICES

1. Foundational Concepts of Anatomy – lecture + practice

2. Spine and Axial Region – lecture + practice

3. Pelvis and Hip – lecture + practice

4. Shoulder Girdle – lecture + practice

5. Knee, Ankle & Foot – lecture + practice

6. Elbow, Wrist & Hand – lecture + practice

7. Breath and Fascia – lecture + practice

8. Scoliosis – lecture + practice

9. Low Back Dysfuntion – lecture + practice

10. Common Injuries – considerations and prevention – lecture + practice

This Course comprised of lectures, practices, quizzes, final exam & workbook with study resources

PLEASE NOTE:

ALL PAYMENTS ARE REFUNDABLE TO FORM OF PAYMENT IF CANCELLATION REQUEST IS RECEIVED MORE THAN 7 DAYS IN ADVANCE. NO REFUNDS INSIDE OF 7 DAYS, BUT PAYMENT MAY BE APPLIED TO NEST CREDIT IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES.

Yoga Philosophy: The Bhagavad Gita

with Nya Patrinos

Fridays, 8/22, 9/5, 9/19, 10/3, 10/24, 10/31, 11/14

5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

$450

Via Zoom, Recorded for 30 day access

Join Nya for this engaging 20-hour online yoga philosophy training, where the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita—along with other essential ancient texts and key aspects of yoga philosophy—comes to life in a fresh, modern way.

Perfect for yoga teachers seeking continuing education or students eager to deepen their understanding of yoga’s roots, this course explores teachings on purpose, mindfulness, and self-realization through lively, conversational lessons.

With relatable stories, real-world examples, and plenty of humor, Nya makes complex ideas easy to grasp and directly applicable to your life and teaching. Whether you’re looking to enrich your practice or bring more depth to your classes, this training offers a fun, accessible journey into the heart of yoga’s wisdom tradition.

Read more about Nya on her website: artyogafusion.com.

Yoga & the Nervous System with Diana May

November 6-9 & November 13-16

Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday

2 - 4pm PT ( 5 - 7pm ET)

$499 ($399 before 10.15.25)

via Livestream; Recordings available to all registered participants for 60 days.

with Diana May

Join Diana May & Veronica Rottman to dive deep into the intersection of Yoga & The Nervous System. As yogis, we know our nervous systems are affected by the practice. In this course we will go into exactly how it works, and why.

Learn what the nervous system is, and how yoga can influence the nervous system

Gain clarity on the anatomy of the nervous system and how it can affect your movements and mood

Investigate how emotions show up in our postures and how certain movements and postures affect our emotions

Understand yogic philosophy from a somatic, body-based lens

Discover how pleasure is essential for well-being

Outline of the Course:

Week 1:

Introduction of the nervous system & neuroception

Nervous system mapping & polyvagal theory

Safety and the threat response, Neuroanatomy & Cranial Nerves

The language of the body and the different channels of our experience

Week 2:

Anatomy of the breath, the vagus nerve & pranayama

Embodied emotions & the postures of the nervous system

Yogic philosophy from a somatic lens

Building our capacity to be in relationship with pleasure

Diana May is a dedicated yoga teacher and lifelong learner. Her approach to practice is infused with anatomy, alignment and mindfulness. She believes that yoga is a way to observe both physical and psychological patterns, to understand tangibly cause and effect, to choose a new way forward if desired, and above all else to be kind. Diana teaches public classes, workshops and works one on one with individuals to offer support for their needs. She has worked with people with chronic and acute pain, injury, neurological disorders, mild to severe mental health issues and simply people who wish to have accountability in their practice.

Veronica Rottman has had a reverence for the body its innate capacity to heal since a very young age growing up surrounded by yoga, birth stories and bodywork. Veronica has a background in yoga, Holistic Pelvic care, Birth work, and focuses primarily on helping people heal trauma through their nervous system in Somatic Experiencing . Her emphasis centers the pelvic bowl.

*All payments are non-refundable but may be converted into Nest account credit if cancellation is received 7-days prior to the training.

Find out more by listening to their podcast here.

Death Cafe

Sunday December 7th

3:00 - 4:30 PM

with Leslie Howard

FREE. Donations accepted.

Join Leslie for a Death Café at Nest. At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cookies, drink tea and discuss death.

Our objective is 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives'.

A Death Cafe is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session.

Our Death Cafes are always offered:

- On a not for profit basis

- In an accessible, respectful and confidential space

- With no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action

Heart Rituals and Restorative Yoga for Winter Solstice

SATURday December 13th

3:00 - 6:00 PM

In Person

with Dominique Cowling

$65

In this workshop we will honor our emotional capacity by feeling our relationship to the Winter season. There will be a combination of nature meditations, group activities and intentional rest. This heart centered space is designed for highly sensitive beings who are seeking an environment to engage with others. Open to all levels of Restorative Yoga and meditation.

Flow and Hot Cocoa - A Winter Warmer

Sunday December 14th

4:30 PM - 6:15 PM

In Person

with Jody Hahn

$45

Warm up on a chilly winter's eve with a grounding, heart opening flow class. We’ll move for an hour or so and end with a couple restorative poses to continue the grounding and calming that the winter season implores. We'll then grab hot cups of cocoa - sip, socialize and enjoy. I will make a relatively healthy hot cocoa with real chocolate, oat milk and monk fruit sugar. You will also have the opportunity to add all, some or none of the following to your cup: cinnamon, chocolate shavings, cardamom, whipped cream etc. So, grab a friend and join the yummy fun.  

Space is limited to 25 so sign up early.

Sama Sadhana - Even Practice | An Advanced SmartFLOW Training with Annie Carpenter

Sama Sadhana. SAMA = Balanced. SADHANA = Practice

75 hours YA certified training

$1450 Super Early Bird expires Sept 1 at midnight

$1595 Early Bird - Sept 2 - November 30

$1700 Full Price

Dates:

JAN 7-11, 2026

JAN 14-18, 2026

Times:

10 am - 5 pm

In Person and Via Livestream (Zoom) as well as some Supplementary Pre-Recorded content. Each session will be recorded for viewing later or review for up to 30 days post training.

Sama means even, or balanced as in Samasthithi or even standing pose. This pose teaches us to balance the body right and left, front and back and up and down; further it asks us to sense our feeling of being grounded with our need to feel free. And lastly it suggests that in our personal concerns we acknowledge the truth that we are part of or a greater, spiritual whole. Sadhana is practice: our daily Yogic practice. Sama Sadhana = Even, balanced Practice.

In this Intensive, you will reflect on and aim to balance your body, mind and heart similarly in all the poses we practice and in all the Movement Principles* that we explore. This will be a demanding and potentially transformational training, moving you through the limbs of Yoga.

Follow each Movement Principle to its fullest, advanced expression along its continuum

Sense your own subtle balance of effort and return; and your balanced needs for both power and rest

Consider each Movement Principle and its specific supports in all 3 Planes of Motion

Assess and practice Hands-on-Assists for each MP family

Anatomy to support each MP

Learn essential Restoratives for each MP

Daily Pranayama

Meditation

Philosophy (reading assignments will be given)

Sama Sadhana will be an Intensive in which you learn primarily through your own daily practice — to advance your own practice and to become a more sensitive and intelligent teacher. There will be also be lectures, demos and lab time. (*Note: Movement Principles are an essential element of SmartFLOW methodology; the online course will ground you in these concepts.)

PLEASE NOTE

Recordings will be sent out by 6 pm on the day of the session so those of you on different time zones will have access to the sessions at a convenient time for you.

If you plan to come both In Person and via Livestream (i.e. coming to Oakland for some of the training days), please register for IN PERSON and email kim@nest-yoga.com so that she will add you to the livestream roster. This will help us keep track of how many people will be in the room AND be sure that you get the links for the sessions you will be live-streaming.

PREREQUISITE:

This training is designed for teachers and experienced students. If you received your 200-hour TT (or other teaching certificate) from a school other than SmartFLOW® Yoga, we respectfully request that you complete our Online Training “Heart of SmartFLOW Yoga.” It is an 11-hour course on YogaGlo. Those hours and the Intensive’s 75 hours can be used towards your Advanced Certification at SmartFLOW, BML, or serve as CEUs.

BIO

Annie Carpenter known as a “teachers’s teacher,” is the creator of SmartFLOW Yoga, an intelligent marriage of mindful movement with compassionate, wakeful alignment. Based in northern California, Annie creates practices that are at once advanced and challenging, yet safe and playful. Practicing yoga for 4 decades, teaching for 3, she has been a respected Yoga Teacher Trainer since 2003. Annie continues to be a dedicated practitioner and student of anatomy, evolutionary movement, meditation and classical philosophy. She is the author of several CDs, DVDs, SmartFLOW® manuals and contributes regularly to Yoga Journal. Annie is based in CA and teaches globally, and at YogaGlo.com.

www.anniecarpenter.com

*All payments are non-refundable but may be converted into Nest account credit if cancellation is received 7-days prior to the workshop.