ONEYOGAHOUSE

The Yamas are moral guidelines for interacting with the world around you. They remind us that yoga begins with how we treat others and the planet. The five Yamas are:

• Ahimsa (non-violence) means practicing kindness and compassion toward all living beings, including yourself. Real world examples include speaking to yourself with kindness, choosing plant-based meals when possible, and treating others with patience.
• Satya (truthfulness) means speaking and living your truth without causing harm. Try being honest about your feelings in a conversation without being hurtful and staying true to your values even when it’s uncomfortable.
• Asteya (non-stealing) means respecting others’ time, energy, and possessions. This might look like arriving on time to respect others’ schedules, acknowledging someone else’s contribution rather than taking credit, and avoiding interrupting.
• Brahmacharya (moderation) means finding balance and avoiding overindulgence. You might try balancing work and rest better and limiting screen time before bed.
• Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) means letting go of attachment to material things and outcomes. Real world examples include donating clothes you no longer wear, resisting the urge to compare yourself to others on social media, and accepting outcomes without trying to control them.

The lesson of the Yamas lies in balance. It’s not just about avoiding harm or dishonesty, it’s about creating harmony within your interactions, noticing where you might be holding on too tightly, or where you might need to soften.

The Niyamas focus on your relationship with yourself and how you cultivate inner peace. They include:

• Shaucha (cleanliness) means maintaining purity in your body, mind, and surroundings. This could mean keeping your living space tidy or clearing mental clutter through meditation or journaling.
• Santosha (contentment) means finding peace with where you are, even when things are imperfect. This might look like practicing gratitude for a quiet morning cup of coffee, accepting a slower pace at work without frustration, and embracing your body’s abilities even on less energetic days.
• Tapas (self-discipline) means building resilience through commitment and effort. Real world examples could include committing to a daily yoga practice even when you’re not in the mood, finishing a project despite distractions, and staying patient while building a new habit.
• Svadhyaya (self-study) means looking inward and learning from your experiences. You might notice patterns in your reactions to stress, reflect on why certain situations trigger you, and explore how past experiences shape your present mindset.
• Ishvarapranidhana (surrender) means letting go and trusting the greater flow of life. Trust that a missed opportunity may lead to something better, release the need to control others’ opinions of you, and let go of tension in a difficult pose.

The Niyamas challenge us to notice how we show up for ourselves. Are you approaching your growth with both discipline and self-passion? Can you surrender to the present moment without needing to control the outcome?

Asana is the most visible limb of yoga—the physical postures practiced in a studio. Traditionally, asanas were designed to prepare the body for long periods of meditation. But asana encompasses so much more than simply flexibility and strength; it involves how you inhabit your body and approach discomfort with patience and grace. Are you forcing yourself into a pose to meet an external standard, or are you honoring your body’s unique needs? True asana lies in listening to your body and creating space for breath and stillness.

Pranayama teaches us to control the flow of prana (life force) through breath. It includes practices like alternate nostril breathing, ujjayi breath, and breath retention. Pranayama is a reminder that your breath reflects your inner state. Shallow breath often mirrors stress, while deep, mindful breathing restores calm. Keep in mind you can shift your mental and emotional state simply by changing how you breathe.

Pratyahara is the practice of turning inward, detaching from the distractions of the external world. It urges us to be more selective with where we direct our attention and energy. For example, this could mean turning off notifications during work hours, taking breaks from social media, or carving out time for a quiet walk in nature. True clarity comes when you quiet the external noise and tune into your inner wisdom.

Dharana is the ability to focus on a single point of attention—a mantra, breath, or sensation. The practice encourages you to guide your mind back to the present moment whenever it drifts to build and harness mental strength. It’s a reminder that true presence isn’t about achieving perfection, but about patiently refocusing each time the mind wanders.

Dhyana is the state of effortless meditation when focus becomes steady and uninterrupted. It’s the quiet space where awareness deepens and the mind settles into stillness. The goal of meditation isn’t to stop thoughts completely, but to observe them without attachment. You don’t have to escape the noise to find peace, you can stay grounded within it.

Samadhi is the state of bliss and unity—the feeling of being fully present, without separation from the world around you. It’s a state that arises naturally when you release resistance and surrender to the flow of life. The quiet understanding that you are whole, exactly as you are.

We offer a diverse range of classes suited to practitioners of all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced yogis. Our yoga teachers come from all lineages and studies, from Katonah and Iyengar, to Vinyasa and Ashtanga. Whether you’re drawn to a hot, vigorous flow, a gentle, restorative practice, or a meditative sound therapy session, there’s something for everyone. Each class is thoughtfully designed to cater to different needs and preferences, ensuring that you find the practice that resonates with you.

Our most popular specialty classes include:

Our pilates classes will challenge you in exercises that chisel your abs, tone your glutes, and sculpt long, lean muscles. You will use your own body weight, yoga blocks, magic circles, and resistance bands.

This class combines a gentle slow flow and restorative yin postures and closes with a deep meditation session to explore the quietude of your mind.

This is a heated Vinyasa flow experience that is intentional, fun, and guided by the rhythm of the breath. Expect lots of movement with a focus on functional exercises. It’s an open-level class that’s powered by radiant infrared panels and an air purification system to minimize airborne dust, pollen, and germs.

Taught by senior teachers, master classes are an opportunity for intermediate yogis and teachers to deepen their practice through an extended study of the asanas. You’ll incorporate more advanced postures, yoga philosophy, and anatomical education.

This class breaks down the fundamentals of key yoga postures for both people who have never taken a yoga class and practitioners who have some knowledge of the practice but would like to renew and strengthen their foundation.

Explore somatic movement exercises to help re-educate the way your brain moves, holds, and senses your muscles. You’ll commence class with an extended savasana and gradually enter into yoga asanas.

In this internal strength class using the Kinstretch® Method, focus on the determinants of your movement (i.e. ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue) rather than the external organization of movement (i.e. specific yoga poses). Through self-assessment, you’ll learn about your current range of motion and exercise more control.

Similar to The Fiery ONE, expect an open-level, but room temperature, Vinyasa class woven with elements of Hatha, Iyengar, Ashtanga, or Katonah Yoga. These yoga classes are intelligently sequenced at a slower, sweeter pace to ease you into the practice, allowing time for your body to adapt to movement. You are sure to break a sweat by building heat from within.

At OYH, you’re part of a supportive and inclusive community from day one. Whether you attend classes regularly or drop in occasionally, you’ll find camaraderie and encouragement from fellow practitioners and instructors alike. The studio fosters connections beyond the mat, offering workshops, events, retreats, and social gatherings to support local businesses (like brunch and oyster shucking) where you can connect with like-minded individuals and deepen your practice both on and off the mat.