Abhaya Yoga Dumbo — Local services in New York

Abhaya Yoga is an amazing community of teachers, students and all around lovely humans. In a place like New York where there are endless options, Abhaya is an absolute gem. Tara, the owner, leads from a place of kindness and inclusivity which shines through in every element of the studio.

I stumbled across Abhaya back in 2015 when I was considering signing up for a 200 hour teacher training. I took Tara's class to see if I resonated with her style and knew right after savasana that I had found the right fit. :) And the rest is history! I went on to complete both my 200 hour and 300 hour advanced teacher training under Tara's artful guidance and have been teaching full-time ever since. These trainings have truly changed my life and completely shaped my career path. Although I went into the first training as a way to simply deepen my practice, by the time I graduated I felt like I had found my voice, my purpose, and a whole new trajectory. It was a completely unexpected but incredible ride.

What I loved most about my studies with Tara and the Abhaya team is their non-dogmatic approach, emphasis on seeing the good, and how they create such a well-rounded toolbox for new teachers to experiment with. Instead of memorizing one set sequence, I learned to craft a safe, creative, dynamic class that integrated the core principles of the Abhaya Method while allowing my own personality to shine through. I also appreciated how the 300 hour highlighted Yoga Therapeutics and dove deep into the subject of private yoga. This is a major aspect of the training that sets Abhaya apart. Because of this module, I learned how to teach adaptive classes to people of all ages and abilities in a one-on-one setting. I now make a living teaching private clients in their homes. To sustain myself financially while doing something I love so deeply is truly a dream.

Wether you're a newbie looking for a beginner friendly studio, a seasoned practitioner seeking out a 200 hour program, or a current teacher wanting to fine tune and expand your skills, Abhaya is a...

After considering multiple yoga teacher training programs in NYC, I committed to Abhaya and have been SO happy with my decision. They offer open houses for those interested in their YTT programs, which I highly recommend attending to meet the instructor/owner and learn more about the studio.

Tara is both the studio owner & our primary instructor for our teacher training. Throughout our YTT classes, she led with empathy, non-judgement, and flexibility (both physically and mentally). She fostered an inclusive and safe space where our entire cohort felt comfortable asking questions and sharing. She not only has a deep understanding of the philosophy and history of yoga and human anatomy, but she also specializes in hands-on adjustments and therapeutics. Plus, as part of your YTT, we take 2 public classes per week with her, and her yoga classes are always very popular... for good reason!

As a general overview of what the training was like for me: Tara broke YTT out into 2 parts: part 1 focusing on anatomy and philosophy, and part 2 diving into the pedagogy of teaching. You have the option to sign up for both at once (which most people do), or break them up if you have conflicts. Regardless of which you choose, the program fosters a really inclusive and welcoming environment -- my cohort had 2 folks join the 2nd half, and they integrated into our program immediately.

In part 1, we learned about human anatomy, alignment, the yoga sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, Ayurveda, and meditation. In part 2, we focused on how to structure our classes and how to best provide therapeutics / hands on adjustments.

Throughout the program, we had access to a bunch of resources and presentations created by Tara & were assigned worksheets, reading materials, class observations, and hands-on adjustment practice sessions. These different formats helped reinforce what we learned, and I came away feeling like I had truly absorbed a lot (and spent my money well!).

P.S. mats are provided & the space...

If you are looking for a Yoga Teacher Training Program, I think this is the absolute best one available in the NYC area. First off, the studio is gorgeous and it is also a community. You don't need to live nearby to feel a part of the community. I've taken yoga for decades all over the city and never experienced anything else like it. Second, the studio owner, yoga teacher and instructor for the YTT programs, Tara Glazier, is like no one I have ever met before. Her actual yoga abilities are breathtaking and beautiful. Her knowledge of all aspects of yoga, specifically Philosophy and History, are unparalleled. Among most of the other yogis in the studio, we consider her a master. But here is yet another thing that makes her so special, her method of teaching is incredibly thorough and she approaches it in a completely non-dogmatic way. She truly is just giving information without any feeling of "you must believe, you should believe, or this is the right way." That is rare! She is exceptionally open while also being grounded. And more specifically about the YTT program, I have spoken with other friends about their experiences with their YTT outside of Abhaya, and none were as comprehensive. It is a lot of work, but it is incredibly well scheduled so as to never feel overwhelmed. I have learned so much and actually feel ready to begin teaching. Not all programs can get you ready in 200 hours. I could go on and on, but instead I will tell you to check it out for yourself. She offers a free Q&A session about her YTT programs. This program is amazing and I highly...