Through the body | Into the Self

When the mind comes to stillness by the practice of yoga, the yogi will see the Soul through the self and rest in inner peace.  -Bhagavad Gita 6.20

In March (12-15th) of 2026, join Sandy Klemmer & Caitlyn Visconte in the idyllic Catskills of New York for the third year of this unique four-day immersion into yoga! This is a multidimensional yoga training - physical & spiritual - open to all sincere students. Like yoga camp. The ritual of our practice will be held by 123 acres of Mama Nature perched on a hilltop with views of sunrise and sunset. 

Guided by two experienced teachers and the unique knowledge they each bring, this is the perfect setting to interrupt routine, advance your skills, drop into center, sense the sacred, discover newfound potential, and spend a few days living in congruency with the yogic ways. This was Sandy's vision: to create a container where studentship & depth are at the forefront, to work "through the body & into the Self" (the ultimate essence of yoga).

Yoga encompasses transformative practices and potent wisdom to illuminate our true Self. This program will bring together vinyasa classes (intermediate level), pose labs, discussions on yoga philosophy and spirituality (svadyaya, satsang), fireside kirtan, pranayama (breath practices), Indian mythic stories, and meditation (dhyana). The postural classes will break down key principles, skills, and actions in an accessible way, for application to your own practice and/or teaching.

AKERA is a magical retreat venue designed with eco sustainability, connection, contemplation, inspiration and playfulness in mind. We'll pair the wisdom of yoga with the beauty of nature, using an incredible sauna, two hot tubs under the stars, the hiking trails, and more. Every square-nook is there to be explored & enjoyed! Following suit, the food is delicious, creative, and all vegetarian/organic prepared by a local chef who has become a friend. (Note, there is no alcohol at this training.)

While studio classes are the mainstay of modern yoga, Sandy & Caitlyn find that yoga practitioners always crave more - more time to study the shapes and the way we move; more time to learn nuanced skills; more time to discover ourselves and connect with each other; more time to decode the  wisdom that make the practice come alive; more time to discover refuge in the breath. 

Most of all, this is a time to soften our hearts and open our minds to evoke a meaningful lasting inner shift - towards goodness and groundedness and joy, so we can offer that good energy down into the soil and out into the world!

For RYTs, this program counts towards 30 continuing education "contact" credits through Yoga Alliance.

We're grateful to Korri Leigh Photography for capturing the event in 2024. Enjoy scrolling through the image gallery below. 

Where is this located?

Our destination is Woodbourne, NY which is approximately a 4-hour drive from Boston or a 2-hour drive from New York city, pending traffic and road conditions. (Trust us when we say it is a very special place that is worth the drive!) Transportation is not included, but if you need a ride let us know and we'll try to connect people, carpooling has worked out really well in prior years.

Timing details:

Please plan to arrive around noon on Thursday 3/12, we'll start out with lunch together. And, you'll depart by around 12/1pm on Sunday 3/15. 

What will the daily schedule be like?

This is not a vacation, it is a full four-day training - a sincere immersion into the study of yoga, thus the schedule aligns with this intention. Here's an example of a day:

* 7:15am Vinyasa class

* 9:15am Breakfast

* 10:15am Yoga Philosophy discussion

* 11:15am Pose Lab

* 1pm Lunch

* 3:30pm Yoga Philosophy discussion

* 5pm Meditation or Restorative yoga

* 6:30 Dinner

* 7:30 Fireside kirtan & stories 

We will be offering a lot of classes each day, but you are welcome to skip anything on the schedule if you'd prefer time to unwind. 

What will the yoga be like?

Yoga classes (asana) will be intermediate level and physically challenging. We strongly recommend that you are familiar with Sandy and/or Caitlyn's vinyasa classes to have a sense of the style/level and whether this aligns for you. We are targeting dedicated yoga students with regular practices. You should be able to flow through surya namaskar A's and B's well, have a good understanding of basic poses, and be eager to learn more. Some folks who join may have completed a teacher training, but this is definitely not limited to teachers. We believe wholeheartedly in increasing access to deeper study for all sincere yoga practitioners.

Payments & cancellation Policy:

Please understand that these payment policies are necessary in order for us to offer the experiences that we do. The $500 registration deposit serves to reserve your place on this trip and is non-refundable for any reason without exception. The deposit secures your place on the trip and allows us to make necessary advance payments for accommodations & contractors. The remaining balance is due by January 12th, 2026, and you're welcome to log-in to WeTravel to make full or partial payments at anytime prior to that date. If you need to cancel before January 12th, 2026 then any additional payments towards the balance will be refunded (the deposit remains non-refundable). After January 12th, 2026 full payment for the trip is due and is non-refundable for any reason (including illness etc). 

NOTE: When you make a payment you'll see two options to pay, either by checking account (ACH bank transfer) or by credit/debit card. If you pay by checking account there is no fee; if you pay with a card there is a service fee (we have no control over that). If you pay by card and a refund is accommodated within the above parameters, we cannot refund the credit/debit card fees.

What will accommodations be like?

The rooms are beautiful, spread across several houses like a little village - we are in love with AKERA and you will be too! The aesthetic is luxurious, minimal, magical and earthy. There will be 2-4 people per bedroom in twin beds (with the exception of a few queen-bed private rooms). Each accommodation space is uniquely special. Note, some beds are standard height, some sit on low frames. If you are coming with a buddy that you want to room with be sure let us know in the notes section when you register or message us directly, otherwise you'll make new lifelong friends!

What amenities are there?

AKERA spans 123 acres with many many trees, rolling hills, an outdoor hot tub (we hope you'll consider hopping in as sunset turns into stars), the most magical sauna, outdoor fire pits, a brand new geodesic dome, an indoor fireplace, the yoga studio, and a few other surprises that we'll let you discover on your own and that I couldn't possibly describe in words if I tried. It is a consciously-designed eco-luxe retreat center. This area has a unique density of Bald Eagles (and a long-term porcupine resident) - quite humbling to share the land with them! We will be offering a lot of classes each day, but you are welcome to skip anything on the schedule if you'd prefer time to unwind. AKERA describes itself as a place to "explore boldly, play wildly, and be free!" It turns into our own private yoga campus.

If I am an RYT, does this count for continuing education?

Yes! This program's hours count towards 30 CE "contact" credits through Yoga Alliance by facilitating teachers to develop new skills through study, discussion, and experiential learning. 

What will the food be like?

Oh my. The food. The food will be vegetarian, local, and organic, prepared by the most incredible chef who retreated to the Catskills from NYC and runs her own nearby organic mushroom farm. Anne has really become an integral part of our annual retreat, everyone wants to take her home with them! Why are the meals vegetarian? These few days are a chance to 'try on' yogic culture & values - to explore spiritual growth, removed from our habitual patterns in daily life. There is no alcohol available at this training. If you have special dietary needs please be sure to communicate with us. 

Will there be alcohol?

There is strictly no use of alcohol, illegal substances, or mind-altering plant medicine (i.e. marijuana, psychedelics) during this experience. No judgment if those things are a part of your life, but these few days are intentionally specifically shaped around clear & unobscured minds.

I would love to attend without participating in the physical yoga classes, can I still come?

Certainly. Just let us know what you're thinking. The biggest things we ask are that you are eager to embody a yogic mindset and to embrace our community. You are welcome to skip participation in any sessions, though we cannot provide any discounts or make any adjustments to the cost.

What should I bring?

* Yoga mat

* Re-useable water bottle

* Weather-appropriate footwear and layers of clothing (please check the forecast as it nears), including clothes for yoga and casual things to lounge in. 

* Notebook & pen if you like to take notes or write reflections

* There will be plenty of food, but feel free to bring your favorite snacks in well-sealed packaging.

* Bathing Suit (if you plan to indulge in the hot tub / sauna, which we highly recommend, there's nothing like it!)

* Flip-flops for the sauna area are very helpful

* Tall socks for hiking to protect against ticks

* There are lots of comfy things at AKERA, but you are welcome to bring whatever makes you happy, such as your favorite pillow.

* Toiletries/medications. Bathrooms will have towels, a hair dryer, and planet-friendly shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hand soap. Note: ALL bathrooms are shared.

[PROVIDED: Bathrooms will have bath/hand towels, a hair dryer, and planet-friendly shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap]

Over 20 years Sandy has experienced a variety of yoga traditions that have uniquely shaped her course as a student and teacher. She is an E-RYT 200 yoga teacher, Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP), certified meditation teacher, and holds a 500-hr academic certificate from the Yogic Studies school. In addition to teaching vinyasa classes, Sandy also teaches yoga philosophy and is on the staff of several yoga teacher trainings. 

Bhakti, sometimes referred to as the yoga of love & devotion, has become the heart of her personal practice and perspective. Sandy returns to India annually to deepen her commitment to yogic life and to learn from those living the path. With gratitude to Eastern traditions and her teachers, Sandy shares these teachings with precision, warmth and devotion. 

She sees yoga as an opportunity to illuminate and nurture the elements of insight, compassion and awareness - to ultimately act in the world with more love. 

Website: www.sandyklemmer.com 

IG: @sandyklemmeryoga

Caitlyn upholds the way that opening the body - finding spaciousness and ease in the tissues - sets the stage for the journey inward. Through dedication, sweat and effort we can find ease and quiet in the mind, and centering in the heart. Yoga is an opportunity to deepen the most important relationship we have in this lifetime, the one with ourselves.

Caitlyn discovered yoga in 2005 and completed the YogaWorks 200 hr training program in 2009. In addition to teaching public classes in the Boston area and online, Caitlyn has been leading yoga teacher trainings since 2013. As a student pursuing advanced yoga, study is always at the forefront for Caitlyn. Additional training includes ashtanga vinyasa with Maty Ezraty, anatomy with Leslie Kaminoff and Jason Ray Brown, and prenatal Yoga Training with Bec Conant.

Website: www.caitlynyoga.com

Instagram: @caitlynyoga