Dear Friends,

We are excited to officially announce the first Om Factory Teacher Training program, co-taught by Amanda Wentworth and Holly Coles.  We are honored to create space for them to share their wealth of knowledge and to empower others to share this gift of yoga.

This month offers a full spectrum of opportunities to broaden your horizons and deepen your practice.  In addition, this is going to be a special month to celebrate union in the spirit of St. Valentine's day.  Please read on for further details...

With love,

Adam, Faramarz & Allyson

Amanda Wentworth

This past year, I gave up my hectic schedule of running around the city for what turned out to be a full-on sprint around the globe.  7 months, 11 states, 5 countries (India, France, Italy, Mexico, and the Bahamas), and over 40 different cities.  Even now I am still amazed at these figures.  But this past year was not a collection of stats; it was my life.  I threw myself into living one day at a time.  I was able to fully give, learn, adapt, receive, evolve, and relish.  For this I am truly thankful.

After living for 12 months out of a suitcase, Fara Marz’s mantra began to resonate deeper.  “Love, We are your home”.  The perfect time has arrived for me to share my experience and love of teaching yoga as the director of Om Factory’s first 200-hour teacher training program.   My exceptionally talented co-teacher, Holly Coles, and many amazing guest instructors, are assisting in the creation of a dynamic Hatha Vinyasa certification that is scholarly and effective, yet diverse and fun.  I must admit the initial paper work was a bit overwhelming, but now the pleasurable part has begun.  I sit up in the wee hours of the morning remembering longlost pranayama techniques, studying anatomy charts, and flipping page by page through Light on Yoga while clumsily attempting midnight asana on my bedroom floor. It is exhilarating! 

The Om Factory School of Yoga begins this April, and it is going to be spectacular!

Holly Coles

My involvement in helping to lead this teacher training is truly in homage to my own teachers. I came to yoga for one reason, yet unexpectedly ended up with so much more. My inspiration and guidance for personal transformation has come from some incredible teachers in many countries along the way, and I am continually amazed by the teachers that are given to me as journey continues on.

I strongly believe in embracing the responsibility that comes with teaching anything, and I feel it is even more important when learning to facilitate the oftentimes deep and cathartic practice of yoga. To this end, I endeavor to provide a training program that really appreciates all of the aspects of yoga, in an effort to create a space for the development of teachers with the knowledge and integrity that is asked for from this rich tradition.

More than excited, I am really honored to have the opportunity to pass on the knowledge of this practice that has been gifted to me.

Additions

We're adding donation-based community classes to our weekly class schedule at 10am & 4pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  They will be 1-hour classes with a suggested donation of $10.  We feel strongly about offering donation-based classes to make yoga more accessible to people at all income levels, and are excited to support budding yoga teachers!

We've made some additional refinements to our class schedule to create more consistency and to better serve your needs.  Please note the following changes:

All of our 12:45pm classes (Mon-Fri) are moving to 1pm
AGY-Restorative on Tuesday & Thursday are moving to 2pm (from 1:15pm)
Power Yoga with Eric Elven, Tuesdays at 7:15pm (from 7:45pm)

Cancellations

Vinyasa Express: Tue & Thu, 12:15pm
AcroYoga: Wed, 7:15pm
Restorative Yoga: Fri, 1:15pm

Acrobatic Flying Flows: A Progressive 4-Week Series
with Adam Rinder & Kathryn Ulrich

4 Wednesdays in February
(including February 3, 10, 17 & 24)
Time: 7-9:30pm Cost: $100 pre-registered/$120 (for all sessions)
Click here to register online for this workshop

Refine the transitions between the Kodak moments. Take your practice to a whole new level by emphasizing the process as much as the postures. From week to week, we will weave these skills together, building into the fluid dance of acrobatic power and yogic grace. Specialized acrobatics roles and spotting techniques will empower students to unlock their fullest potential in a safe and supportive environment.

Please join us for this wonderful opportunity to train and play with two skillful teachers and a dedicated group over four consecutive weeks!

Float in Bliss: An AntiGravity Yoga Restorative Workshop with Shelly Bomb

Sunday, February 7th, 2010
Time: 6-8:00pm, Cost: $40
Click here to register online for this workshop

Imagine all the moving parts of your body flexing and extending while floating weightlessly in space.  Restorative Antigravity Yoga utilizes the hammock to float the body in mid-air through a series of gentle gyro kinetic motions, deeply opening the entire spine, hip girdle, shoulders sockets, and more. The weightlessness provided by the hammock allows the body to safely glide to the extent of its flexibility with zero compression on the joints and connecting tissues. This groundbreaking technique is beneficial in both the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries.  All levels welcome!

Shelly's next restorative workshop will be on March 7.

Partner Yoga & Thai Massage for Couples with Adam Rinder & Kathryn Ulrich

Saturday, February 13, 2010
Time: 2-4:00pm, Cost: $65 per couple
Pre-registration is required
Click here to register online for this workshop

We invite you to join us in celebrating union to invite the spirit of Valentine's Day. Share the gift of loving touch through Thai massage and partner yoga with your loved one; a partner, friend or beloved family member. By feeding others, we discover that we feed ourselves in an organic cycle of giving and receiving.  All levels welcome... no experience necessary.

Kathryn and Adam have been refining their partnership, and growing in their appreciation for one another over the past 3 years. Their relationship has deepened through the time they've spent together as well as apart, and it serves as a unique model for what they teach about partnership, communication and mutual support.

Valentine's Day: Couples Partner Yoga & Thai Massage Workshops

Sunday, February 14th, 2010
Time: 7-10:00pm, Cost: $75/couple
Pre-registration is required for this workshop
Click here to pre-register online

Spend your Valentine's evening celebrate the blessings of love in your life by exploring partner yoga and Thai Massage together. In this special workshop for lovers, or close friends, you will nurture intimacy by moving playfully through partner asana, connect energetically through breath and gaze, and practice deepening your relationship with an unconditional loving kindness (metta) meditation. We will also trust & support each other with gentle inversions & relax one another with luscious massage - mmmmmmm. Enjoy 2 hours of yoga stretching, breathing (pranayama), inversions and massage between 7pm and 9pm. From 9-10pm feed your love with wine & chocolate! Come with a romantic partner or a friend who you care deeply about.

We have two workshops happening simultanneously due to the high demand for these workshops which have sold out in the past. Please be sure to sign up in advance to guarantee a space for you and your loved one.

Register for: Valentine's Day Couples Workshop w/ Mary Aranas & Becca Krauss
Register for: Valentine's Day Couples Workshop w/ Chris Loebsack & Emilia Conradson

Hips with Heart: Lunchtime Masterclass with Krissy Shields

Thursday, February 18, 2010
Time: 12-1:00pm, Cost: $15
Click here to register online for this workshop

Has this cold weather got you down? Want to shake off the chill, roll back your shoulders and move a little deeper? Join us for a workshop that starts at the hips and moves to your heart. As energy is freed in the pelvis it can work it's way from the ground up into the heart. The hips can hold a lot of fear as well as laughter. In this workshop we will breath new life into the deepest parts of our being to give new movement and freedom in order to embrace the latter part of this season!

Krissy will be traveling away from NYC from March until June, so please join her for this special masterclass before she leaves!

AntiGravity Yoga 101 With Emilia Conradson

Sunday, February 21, 2010
Time: 6-7:45pm, Cost: $35
Click here to register online for this workshop

Are you curious to try AntiGravity Yoga for the first time, or establish a solid foundation in this unique system? This workshop is designed to give you a secure and detailed understanding of AntiGravity Yoga fundamentals while having a ton of fun! You'll learn to fly, hold and balance in challenging yoga poses longer, gain better kinesthetic awareness and build cardiovascular and muscular strength In a safe and supportive environment. Gain a new perspective on how you can increase your flexibility, joint mobility, balance, and ability to be upside down for way longer than you ever imagined.

Emilia's next AGY 101 workshop will be on March 21.

AcroYoga Satsang with Adam Rinder

Saturday, February 27, 2010
Time: 10-1:00pm, Cost: $20
Click here to register online for this satsang

Community is an integral element of AcroYoga. In the presence of the kula (a tightly-knit community), the wisdom emerges and the teachings reveal themselves. We will observe how our intentions gain momentum, and we accelerate on the path towards our high vision. This will be a 2-hour class experience for all levels, followed by a 1-hour brunch during which we will serve simple vegetarian fare.

Kirtan & Pakoras with Om Factory Kula

Saturday, February 27, 2010
Time: 8-10:00pm, $15 Suggested Donation

Join us for our monthly celebration of Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion. We will invoke the spirit through Kirtan, storytelling and dance with the loving guidance of our own family of musicians and Bhaktis. This is an open Kirtan, anyone is welcome to share a song in the spirit of community. Delicious pakoras will be offered as prasad.

No need to pre-register... all you have to do is show up.  All ages welcome!

February 26 - March 4, 2010

Mayan Yoga Retreat with Amanda Wentworth. Explore the Rich, Mexican Culture of Ancient Mayan Civilization

February 26 - March 4, 2010
Cost: $1,450.00*
Click here to register for this retreat

You are invited to join us for our fun filled Yoga retreat with Amanda Wentworth at a beautiful private Reserve on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Stay at this private seaside paradise that offers amazing serenity and awe-inspiring scenery. Come deepen your yoga practice and swim in the warm, inviting Caribbean waters.

Explore, learn and share the complex beauty of this fully sustainable reserve. Find a tranquil place to relax on the beach, enjoy a walk through the nature conservatory, kayak, get a massage or take a tour of the spectacular Mayan Ruins. Three delicious vegetarian meals are served daily along a spectacular coastline view of the Turquoise Caribbean Sea embracing its pristine white sand beaches.

Harmonium Lessons

Adam offers private lessons for those who desire to play the harmonium, to learn the progressions of musical theory in the Hindu classical tradition, to sing bhajans, and/or to explore the realm of Bhakti yoga.  This foundation lends itself to expand into any style of music from any era... whether you long to create your own music, play the songs of your favorite artists, or just learn to sing & play in sync, the harmonium is an amazing gateway.  Students can cater lessons to their own personal goals.

Thai Bodywork

Adam offers Thai bodywork treatments by appointment.  His approach is founded in traditional Thai massage and inspired by principles of Shiatsu and Osteopathy.  Clients may request flying therapeutics (AcroYoga) as a component of their treatment.  Details about Adam's background, training and experience can be found on his profile on the AcroYoga website. (Select Adam Rinder from the dropdown menu on the left of the linked page.)

To schedule a lesson or an appointment with Adam, please email him at adam@acroyoga.org

Private sessions are great for establishing a yoga practice. Or, if you are a regular student, you can deepen your practice and gift yourself a session with your favorite Om Factory instructor! Together we can individually tailor yoga sequences for...

• Stress reduction
• Relaxation and mood elevation
• Developing strength, balance, and flexibility
• Preventing/protecting injuries
• Deepening your relationship to your breath
• Pre/Post Natal Yoga

Contact info@omfactorynyc.com to schedule a private yoga or semi-private yoga session that fits your schedule!

Om Factory is dedicated to hosting events that enhance health and well being and cultivate inner harmony and happiness. Please contact info@omfactorynyc.com for information about hosting a workshop or event at our facility. You may also use this email address to inquire about other services, including psychotherapy, acupuncture, massage, private yoga lessons, holistic health counseling, and more. Let us be of service to you and your community!

Visit the Om Shiva Shop for your yoga equipment needs. We also sell musical instruments, Indian shawls, Mala beads and more! Our boutique features yoga wear from Vitoria Keen and Hyde.

Bina Harmoniums Available at Om Shiva Shop

BINA NO.23 A DELUXE: $375+Tax
Portable Harmonium, double reeds, 2 1/2 octaves, 4 stops, 2 extra notes, double bellows, BINA special reeds, organ tune, with glass frame on keys and carrying bag.

BINA NO.23 B DELUXE: $425+tax
(currently out of stock - more to come soon!)
Portable Harmonium, double reeds, extra fine, 3 1/4 octaves, 6 stops, 2 extra notes, triple bellows, BINA special reeds, organ tune, brass nickeled knobs, with glass frame on keys and double back valve and carrying case