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ONEYOGAHOUSE

By Maya Curto

As I reflect back on why I chose to do YTT, so many thoughts come to mind. Most importantly, it felt like an intuitive pull. During my study abroad program in India in college, I had my first exposure to yoga beyond the experience and representation of Western yoga. This is where I first learned about meditation, Ayurveda, and how the values of yogic philosophy align with what inspires me. Every day, our group had the option to practice with Pema, one of our trip leaders and a yoga teacher from Nepal. Though it was optional, I found myself drawn to the mat every day.

That experience sparked a curiosity around yoga as something so much more than a space to move my body and unwind. Afterward, the idea of YTT came back to me at many points in my life–while I was teaching in Thailand, during COVID, and when I moved to New York. I knew that building a yoga practice was something I was becoming increasingly curious and passionate about, but each time, a voice of self-doubt crept in. Maybe it was imposter syndrome: questioning who I was to become a yoga teacher and whether I had it in me. There was also fear around the time commitment and getting distracted by the busyness of life. At the end of the day, there has always been a part of me that feels called to explore opportunities where I can help others connect with themselves on a deeper level, build their confidence, and be of service.

Personally, yoga has helped unlock healing in so many ways. It helped heal a toxic relationship with my body and self-esteem. It provided relief and peace during a year when I suffered from chronic pain and discomfort with my skin. And it has been a tool I’ve returned to during times of intense anxiety. There was a part of me that wanted to give my time, heart, and energy to something that has provided me with so much joy and safety for the past 10 years. Heading into the winter, entering a new decade of my life, and finally feeling ready to listen to that inner voice is what brought me to YTT this year.

I knew coming into training that I would challenge myself in so many ways. Diving into anatomy, learning how to sequence, and discovering how to unlock my inner teacher were all intimidating to embark on. There was a part of me that intuitively felt I could teach, but I was also open to simply deepening my practice and leaving the training with a greater wealth of knowledge.

I’ve been surprised to discover not only that I feel even more drawn to teaching, but also how confident I am in my ability to do so. Even as I make mistakes, find my stride, and lean into the discomfort of learning something new, I’ve found so much fun, excitement, and curiosity in the process.

There’s a trust I feel within myself that I did not expect coming into this training. I remember hoping I would gain confidence in my practice, in how I feel about my body, and find a new community in Brooklyn. But discovering this inner trust, and the confidence to explore who I am as a teacher, feels like the beginning of a whole new journey that I can’t wait to explore. There have also been styles and topics that surprised me. I was always someone attracted to sweaty, fiery flows. I still am. I love the feeling of moving my body with fluidity, building heat and strength while quieting my thoughts. But through the training, I became curious about practices like Yin, Restorative, and Katonah Yoga. I’m especially interested in learning more about Katonah given its emphasis on self-discovery and understanding the body like a house. Yin and Restorative were practices I rarely explored before training, but I now have so much more gratitude for their intention, the role they can play in nervous system regulation, and the impact I’ve felt personally from practicing them. I also never expected to feel so deeply moved by mantra and chanting. During one day of training, Felipe played the harmonium while we chanted Om Gum Ganapataye Namah together. It felt like it broke down every wall I had up in that moment. Something inside of me opened, and I felt an intense wave of emotion.

Most importantly, it felt safe to experience that in the ONEYOGAHOUSE space and with our YTT community. I felt connected to everyone in the room and to myself, while also seeing some of the obstacles I had created for myself head-on. That experience inspired me to look at other parts of my life where I may have put up similar obstacles. It pushed me to look at my job and challenge myself to trust my intuition enough to revisit social work school–something I’ve thought about since college.

Through studying the Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita, one of my greatest takeaways has been the power of living authentically and following your own path. It’s a philosophy I’ve meditated on and returned to throughout this training, and one I hope to carry into every part of my life and share with others. Ultimately, this training has been incredibly transformative, and there is so much more I could reflect on. My gratitude for the practice is so much stronger than I imagined, and I truly feel like I’m only at the beginning of a lifelong journey of exercising curiosity and maintaining a beginner’s mindset.

The community I’ve gained through this training is hard to put into words. Community has always been one of my core values; I’m deeply fueled, moved, and driven by connection. Spending 200 hours over 13 weeks with the same people, in the same space, supporting one another through waves of emotion has been incredibly impactful. There is a genuine trust in this group’s authenticity, vulnerability, and individuality that I’m so grateful to be a part of.

Anna has truly built a home and sangha with ONEYOGAHOUSE, and I am eternally grateful that this is where I decided to pursue YTT. Spending these 13 weeks in this space, with these people, has felt like coming home in a way–coming home to myself, to my intuition, and to a space where it feels safe to be nothing other than your authentic self.

If you’re interested in learning more about our 200-hour teacher training at ONEYOGAHOUSE, click the link to learn more.

ABOUT ONEYOGAHOUSE

oneyogahouse
90 Furman St
Brooklyn, NY 11201

We are a yoga, pilates, and sound meditation studio located in DUMBO (an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), next door to the 1Hotels in Brooklyn Bridge Park. As a community that prioritizes awakening our bodies, expanding our energy, and bringing movement to life, OYH offers a space designed to uplift and empower practitioners to ground themselves, undergo transformation, ignite their energy, and evolve in their yoga journey.

Driven by a passion for community, connection, and the transformative effects of yoga and meditation, yoga teacher and entrepreneur Anna Haddad founded OYH in 2020, and in the challenging landscape of the global COVID-19 pandemic, opened the Brooklyn location in September of 2021. Over the past several years, she’s built a team of some of New York’s most exceptional instructors. With safety, sustainability, and intentionality prioritized above all else, you can anticipate a yoga experience that’s not only accessible, but also mentally stimulating and geared towards personal growth.

We offer an array of classes suitable for every practice level.

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:

THE CENTERED ONE - MAT PILATES

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.

THE THERAPEUTIC ONE

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.

THE FIERY ONE - HOT YOGA

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.

THE STUDIOUS ONE - MASTER CLASS

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.

THE FOUNDATIONAL ONE

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.

THE EMBODIED ONE - SOMATICS

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.

THE INTERNAL ONE

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.

THE ALIGNED ONE

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.

In every class, the teacher will ease you into practice, allowing time for your body to adapt to the flow and temperature of the room. No class is exactly the same, but overall, you can expect emphasis on mindful movement, mobility, alignment, breathwork, and drishti—a focused gaze—cultivating a sense of presence and awareness on the mat. Our focus on breath allows you to deepen your practice, quiet the mind, and experience a profound sense of relaxation and inner peace. You’ll be encouraged to listen to your body, honor its limitations, and explore your edge with compassion.

SOUND MEDITATION

Sound has been used for its therapeutic qualities for centuries. Sound Meditation experiences at OYH will guide you through an experience of pranayama, vocalization, and visualization to prepare for deep listening. You will be encouraged to find a comfortable position, and with eyes closed, take in the sounds emitted from instruments such as gongs, singing bowls, varying chimes and bells, drums, etc. These instruments, intentionally sequenced, create a safe space for participants to enter a meditative state to down-regulate the nervous system and create a sense of ease and clarity.

Our holistic approach to community and wellness.

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.

Our holistic approach to wellness extends beyond movement. In addition to regular yoga and pilates classes, the studio offers workshops focused on nutrition, mindfulness, self-care, and personal development. Whether you’re interested in exploring the benefits of Ceremonial Grade Cacao, learning about the Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs) routine, or delving into pelvic floor therapy, there are ample opportunities to learn something new and nourish your body, mind, and soul.

Retreats offer immersive experiences that transcend the boundaries of the studio. ONEYOGAHOUSE retreats serve as rejuvenating getaways designed to allow participants to deepen their practice and forge new connections. Through carefully curated programs, attendees engage in daily yoga, breathwork, functional mobility, journaling, and meditation sessions, alongside modalities such as lymph work, kriyas, and vagal toning. Retreat members also enjoy chef-prepared group meals, outdoor adventures and exploration, cocktail hours, spa services, shopping and cultural trips, and more. Set in beautiful locations like Los Cabos, Mexico, Morocco, North Africa, and Montauk, New York, the retreat landscapes provide serene backdrops for self-reflection and relaxation.

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ONEYOGAHOUSE is a community of shape creators, energy expanders, and movement manifestors in the heart of Brooklyn and Montauk.

Find us at our New York studios

Locations

BROOKLYN

90 Furman Street
Brooklyn. New York 11201

MONTAUK

83 S Elmwood Ave #1b
Montauk. New York 11954

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