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 joy.  -Bhagavad Gita 6.20

In March of 2025, join Sandy & Caitlyn in the idyllic Catskills of New York for the second year of this unique immersion into yoga. This is a multidimensional yoga training - physical & spiritual - open to all sincere students. It's like yoga camp! Anchored by the ritual of our practice, we'll be held by 123 acres of Mama Nature perched on a hilltop with views of sunrise and sunset. This retreat has organically evolved into being women only. 

*For 2025, we added even more spacious time for asana classes & pose labs*

AKERA is an eco-luxury retreat venue, designed with eco sustainability, connection, reflection, inspiration and playfulness in mind. We'll pair the wisdom of yoga with the beauty of nature. With an incredible sauna, two hot tubs under the stars, hiking trails, and more, every square-nook is there to be explored & enjoyed!

Guided by two experienced teachers and the unique knowledge they each bring, this is the perfect setting to interrupt routine, deepen your understanding, drop into center, sense the sacred, and discover newfound potential. 

Yoga encompasses transformative practices and potent wisdom to illuminate our true Self. These full days will be a weave of intermediate level vinyasa classes (intermediate level), pose labs, discussions on yoga philosophy and spirituality (svadyaya, satsang), fireside kirtan (sacred yogic sing-alongs), 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). 

While studio classes are the mainstay of modern yoga, Sandy & Caitlyn find that yoga practitioners always want 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 take refuge in the breath. Most of all, this will be time to collectively soften our hearts and open our minds to evoke a meaningful inner shift - goodness and groundedness and joy that will ripple outwards. 

For RYTs, this program's hours count towards 30 continuing education "contact" credits through Yoga Alliance.

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

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What time should we arrive?

Please plan to arrive between noon-1pm on Thursday 3/6 and we'll start out with lunch together. And, you'll depart by 2pm (after lunch) on Sunday 3/9. 

What will the daily schedule be like?

This is not a vacation, but rather a rich immersion, thus the schedule aligns with our intention to immerse into the study of yoga. It's an ambitious schedule! Here's an approximate example of a day:

* 7:30am Vinyasa class

* 9:15am Breakfast

* 10:45am Pose Lab

* 1pm Lunch

* 2pm Philosophy discussion (satsang)

* 4pm Meditation / Restorative yoga

* (free time)

* 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 hang, read, chat, nap, gaze out the windows, or hot tub. 

Do I have to be able to do super-advanced poses?

Absolutely not. However, the 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/actions, 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 everyone.

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. The remaining balance is due by January 12th, 2025, 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, 2025 then any additional payments towards the balance will be refunded (the deposit remains non-refundable). After January 12th, 2025 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).

Where is this located?

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. Transportation is not included, but if you need a ride - or if you are willing to give someone a ride! - let us know and we'll try to connect people. 

What will accommodations be like?

The rooms are beautiful, spread across several houses like a little village - we fell in love with it and can't wait for you to experience it! The aesthetic is luxurious, minimal, magical and earthy. There will be 2-4 people per bedroom and everyone will have their own twin bed (with the exception of two queen-bed individual rooms). Most rooms will have  2-3 people, and there's two extra large rooms for up to 4 people. Every 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, an indoor living room fireplace, a large dining room, the yoga studio, and a few other surprises that we'll let you discover on your own. It is a consciously-designed eco-luxe retreat center. This area has a unique density of Bald Eagles - how 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 hang, read, chat, nap, gaze out the windows, or hot tub. AKERA describes itself as a place to "explore boldly, play wildly, and be free!"

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. 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. If you have special dietary needs please be sure to let us know. 

Will there be alcohol?

There is strictly no use of alcohol, illegal substances, or mind-altering plant medicines during this experience. No judgment if those things are a part of your life, but these few days are intentionally 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 and the natural surroundings. You are welcome to not participate in any sessions (though please understand that we cannot provide any discounts or 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 some 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  

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

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

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 with precision and warmth, 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, is the heart of her personal practice and perspective. Sandy returns to India annually to deepen her commitment to spiritual life and to learn from those living the dharma. With gratitude to Eastern traditions and her teachers, Sandy shares these teachings through her heart, mind, and the experience of being a dedicated practitioner. 

She sees the postural practice as a means to nurture inquiry, compassion and awareness - to ultimately diminish ego and act in the world with more love. 

Website: www.sandraklemmer.com 

IG: @sandyklemmeryoga