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Colleen Saidman Yee, celebrated yoga teacher, and wife to one of the most internationally recognized yogi’s, Rodney Yee, is opening an artfully appointed NYC Yoga Shanti location. Those New Yorkers, both students and teachers, who flock to her Sag Harbor studio for rest and reprieve during the summer months, are bound to be excited about having another Yoga Shanti home in their backyards.
Touted as a work of art and labor of love, Yoga Shanti NYC opened in March 2014 at 46 West 24th Street in the Flatiron District in the historic Masonic Building. “We want all who come to the studio to be filled with awe.” Colleen stated during a phone conversation. They didn’t have a preconceived notion of where their actual NYC location would be, but when Colleen and her business partners found the space they knew it was serendipitous.
Colleen, a former professional model, is no stranger to NYC as she lived downtown in the 1980s and 1990s, did teacher training at Jivamukti Yoga, and then moved to Sag Harbor as her kids got older. “NYC feels like home to me, I’m really a city girl at heart.” Even back when she was in 3rd grade she was dreaming about a life in NYC, Colleen recalls after finding a child-hood diary she kept.
The concept for an NYC location has been marinating for years for Colleen and Rodney, as they wanted a place where the teachers they trained had a home to teach and where their teachings can stay in tact. “We care so much about the teachers we train and in many ways we feel like their moms and dads” Colleen stated. Colleen along with her 4 other business partners, Rodney Yee, Joyce Englander Levy, Ariel Levy, and Jenny Hudak McCabe brought this vision into reality.
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Artistic Design and Inspiration
Both Colleen and Rodney fell in love with Morocco after first doing a retreat there years ago and have been back yearly to teach. “We fell in love with the aesthetics, sounds, smells, lifestyle, and overall the people of Morocco” said Colleen. It was natural for them to choose a Moroccan influenced design. The majority of the studio is appointed in hand-picked Moroccan items that derive meaning for both Colleen and Rodney.
Beyond a labor of love, or as Colleen likes to say “her baby,” every aspect of this studio is handmade and genuine from the gold leaf ceilings, hand-carved arches, carpets, tile work, chandeliers—even the lockers and sinks.
Offerings and Aspirations
The 2,000 square foot studio aspires to be an oasis and university for continuing education for yoga teachers. Renowned senior teachers will conduct workshops monthly. Every day there will be teacher specific drop-in hours to be used as an innovative think tank where teachers can practice, share ideas, and get re-energized and inspired.
In addition to their Iyengar-influenced vinyasa classes there will also be a focus on beginner yoga. They’ll offer daily classes that will be geared towards helping as many people get on the mat. “Beginners Clubs,” a popular concept used in the Yoga Shanti Sag Harbor location, as Colleen explains helps “build commodore and takes the intimidation out of yoga by all the class participants being at a similar place when starting their practice.”
In a world of constant over-work and over-stimulus, especially in NYC, they will offer “Urban Zen” classes as a meditative sanctuary. Restorative poses, aromatherapy, reiki, breath awareness, and meditation create this unique and restorative hour long experience.
Future Projects/Collaborations
Surprising how this yogi finds time for all her many projects! Colleen’s latest endeavor is a new DVD called, “Calorie Killer Yoga,” by Gaiam Inc., is set for release on March 18th. The DVD will have five different practices, and integrates cardio/strength into the yoga sequences.
She also has a book deal with Simon & Schuster set to come out next year that is part memoir and part yoga sequences to aid with challenges in life and to promote balance. Interspersed will also be thematic musical playlists and personal poems. “I’m walking around feeling naked from writing this book—I’m brutally honest.” said Colleen about the book.
With Gratitude and Love,
Christine & Stephanie
EMBODY Wellness. Embody Change. Embody Your Best Self.
