EVENTS: special programs, workshops, series

EMBODIED FLOW: Aikido Principles in Contact Improvisation with Moti Zemelman + Michael Klinger ~ Saturday, December 6, 12:30-4pm

Contact Improvisation has deep roots in Aikido. Steve Paxton, CI’s founder, was immersed in Aikido practice when he dreamed of an Aikido session with continuous flying—and CI was born. Early Contact Improvisation explored falling, rolling, flying, and not knowing where you would land. Aikido, the softer martial art, teaches power rather than forcing, redirection rather than resistance, expansion rather than contraction. In this workshop, we’ll draw from both traditions as we work with the forces of gravity, expansion, and connection. Through partner exercises and improvisational play, we’ll explore falling, flying, blending, and effortless redirection. With our partners, we’ll move from our centers, discover a shared center, and surrender to the flow that carries us beyond control. Class will take place on a cushioned floor—an ideal space for exploring the meeting point of martial art and dance, of discipline and freedom. Info + registration here!

Tibetan Singing Bowl SOUND BATH led by Ben Anderson ~ Saturday, December 6, 4:30-5:30pm

Realign your energy centers and clear negativity with the power of sound and singing bowls exciting the crystalline structures throughout various bodily systems. Let the soothing vibrations wash over you and bring harmony to your mind, body, and spirit, as healer and meditation coach Ben Anderson immerses you in transformative sound, intuitively guided to promote deep relaxation and emotional well-being. $25 - preregister here!

Live Music! KIRTAN with Shubal Larry Kopp + Friends ~ Saturday, December 6, 7:30-9:30pm ~ Free/Donate

Created by ancient Indian rishis from Vedic mantras, kirtan is a yoga of sound - an evening of beautiful music and heartfelt call-and-response singing. No previous experience is necessary to experience its emotional depth, yet powerful as it is, kirtan is effortless and incredibly enjoyable. Free ~ please make a donation!

Shubalananda Larry Kopp has been leading kirtan for many years, having studied with Neem Karoli Baba, Sathya Sai Baba, Karuna Septemberi and Shree Maa. His guitar & harmonium playing and voice of experience gives his kirtan a power and a heartfulness that is shared with all who join in. Find out more here!

TODDLER + ME YOGA with Ana Baumgart Schreck ~ Sunday, December 7, 10:15-11:15am

Toddler + Me Yoga is a fun class for one child (ages 1-3) and one adult (parents, grandparents, and caregivers are welcome). TMY starts with a mindful moment, then explores calming breath exercises and yoga poses everyone can try, and ends with lying down with blankets for quiet relaxation. Toddlers will learn responsibility by helping to set up and put away yoga props. Adults (parents, grandparents, caregivers) are welcome without kids if they want to learn how to bring yoga to their toddlers at home. Expect animal poses with noises, poses for toddlers and adults to do together, and some quiet time as well. All bodies are welcome, as are beginners - no yoga experience necessary! $25, or Pass: Pre/Postnatal ~ spaces limited ~ reserve yours here!

THE SHAKE with Robin Shaw ~ Sunday, December 7, 12:30-2pm

Join Robin for The Shake, a unique somatic event where we will be shaking to music for around 45 minutes. Shaking has always been part of life and movement: part of dance, part of releasing tension, part of building energy, part of regulating. It is a way to release tension in the body, and we and other animals do it naturally. Shaking can look all kinds of different ways: vigorous, like jumping up and down; gentle, like lying down and just moving fingertips; it can look like dancing. The Shake is fun, with an energizing playlist, and also kind, where you are encouraged to listen to your internal wisdom and care. It’s ultimately about tuning into your body, and finding your way to the center of your experience - so precious in these times of emotional, mental, physical and psychic stress. $25-$10, or $60 with Restorative Yoga & Massage 2:30-4:30pm ~ please register here!

RESTORATIVE YOGA & MASSAGE with Chandra Cantor & Robin Shaw ~ Sunday, December 7, 2:30-4:30pm

Join Chandra & Robin for an afternoon of deep relaxation and massage! Chandra will guide the class through a sequence of Restorative Yoga postures - long holds in passive, gentle poses supported by yoga props - while Robin, massage therapist offers therapeutic bodywork. This luxurious 2 hour class is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, practice self-care, and receive healing touch. All levels welcome. Reach out with any questions you may have: Robin: rshawinwisdom@yahoo.com or Chandra: chandracantor@gmail.com There is the option to take this workshop along with The Shake from 12:30-2pm. $40, or $60 with The Shake ~ space is limited - reserve your spot here!

LIVING WITH DEATH AS AN ADVISOR: The Lesson and Adventure of a Lifetime with Marc Pimsler + Dallin McComb ~ Wed, Dec 10, 6-9pm

Living with Death as an Advisor is a powerful evening immersion inviting participants into an intimate encounter with the ancient Toltec teaching of the Angel of Death, one of the greatest mirrors for truth, presence, and purposeful living. Through guided exploration, storytelling, and experiential practices, we will examine what it means to live with death not as an enemy, but as an advisor: the one who strips away the unnecessary, reveals what truly matters, and helps us see life with clarity, gratitude, and fierce compassion. This transformative workshop weaves ancient wisdom traditions with modern neuroscience to illuminate the deep connection between mortality, embodiment, and meaning-making. Participants will walk away with a felt sense of their own dance with life, having touched both the fragility and the fire at the core of their humanity. The evening culminates in an authentic shamanic ceremony historically used to initiate spiritual warriors, an opportunity to shed old patterns, awaken inner truth, and step forward with renewed passion, purpose, and love. $54 ~ info + registration here!

HOLIDAY RESET with Kim Childs ~ Wednesday, December 10, 7-8:30pm ~ Free/Donate!

Join Certified Positive Psychology Coach Kim Childs for a chance to reset your mind and nervous system for the holidays and coming new year with such practices as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT, aka “tapping”), Self-havening, expressive writing, and grounding. Kim will teach and lead participants through these practices in a circle and allow for sharing at the end. Bring a notebook or journal and pen for the writing exercises.

DHARMA TALK + MEDITATION with Lama Tsering ~ Sunday, December 14, 12-2pm ~ Free/Donation

You’re invited to receive Buddhist teachings (dharma), practice meditation, and experience the relevance and benefits of Buddhist philosophy and meditation in daily life. People of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs are welcome to this freely offered monthly event ~ donations gratefully accepted. Tsering Ngodup is a lama, or spiritual teacher, authorized to teach by HH ShaMar Rinpoche. He has devoted over 26 years to sharing the religious and spiritual teachings of Tibetan Buddhism in the West. He has traveled across the world, translating and interpreting Buddhist teachings for highly accomplished Tibetan lamas and masters from all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He is currently a chaplain at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

TAIJI (Tai Chi) + QIGONG: An Introduction with Steven Cardoza ~ Sunday, December 14, 2:30-5pm ~ Join here!

Taiji and Qigong have long been known in China to foster mobility, balance, and longevity. Curious? In this gentle introductory class, you’ll get to experience the Wu style taiji short form, two styles of qigong, and related foundational practices. You’ll learn the differences and similarities among them, their unique benefits, and which may be best for you. This is a perfect opportunity to sample taiji and qigong in a fun, simple way and get an immediate sense of why these practices have flourished for centuries. Pre-registration is recommended. Info & registration here!

Looking Ahead To Spring! YOGA + MEDITATION IN TUSCANY with Anne Curtis ~ May 10-16 ~ More here!

Come enjoy a weeklong springtime yoga retreat with Anne Curtis at La Dogana, a beautiful 40-acre olive grove estate in the rolling hills of Tuscany. The 1-week package includes villa accommodations, daily yoga and meditation, 3 city tours, a wine tasting, gelato-making, pizza-making, an olive oil tasting at Montemelino Vineyard, pool access, breakfasts, 4-course dinners, and shuttle service to/from Florence. Details here! Questions and info about La Dogana? Email Anne

weekly, new & notable!

CAPOEIRA! Kids Age 6-12 with Compasso Jason Ri ~ Fridays, 4-5pm, starting today!

Get your child moving, learning, making music, building community, and developing resilience, values, and self-discipline in a fun class! Capoeira is a multi-faceted artform - movement, music, martial arts, and fun with an Afro-Brazilian flare! It teaches children to move their bodies, strengthen their spirits, and facilitates community-oriented awareness. CM Compasso (Jason Ri) also incorporates resilience training and aspects of mental health into his classes. Children ages 6 + are welcome to the rolling enrollment, and parents are welcome to participate and help their kids train! More at arlingtoncapoeira.com. $14 drop in, or $120 Kids 10 Pass ~ join here! 

CAPOEIRA! Teens/Adults with Compasso Jason Ri ~ Fridays, 5:30-7pm, starting today!

Movement, music, martial arts, and community with an Afro-Brazilian flare! Capoeira is a multi-faceted artform that moves our bodies and enlivens our spirits. Adult classes are tailored to your level, and as a community-oriented art form, students help each other grow and develop in skill, not just following instructions.  CM Compasso (Jason Ri) also incorporates resilience training and aspects of mental health into his classes. Teens and adults are welcome to enroll! More at arlingtoncapoeira.com. $20 drop in, or Pass: 10 Class, Unlimited ~ Join here!

PRENATAL YOGA with Barrett Reinhorn ~ Sundays, 6-7:30pm ~ In Person & Livestreaming

Prenatal Yoga is designed for students who are pregnant and have an ongoing practice as well as pregnant students brand new to yoga. Learn practices that build strength, flexibility, calm and focus — all the way through to delivery. We begin class with a ‘check-in' to share with the others how we are doing, which builds a caring community within the group. This class is appropriate for all stages of pregnancy. Single class $25, 4-class Prenatal Yoga pass $80 ~ join here

OmDRUM: A Welcoming Circle ~ Pasha Cohen ~ Mondays, 7:30-8:30pm ~ In Person

Join professional percussionist and teacher Pasha Cohen for a lively weekly drum circle. We’ll explore together how to use the Drum as a tool for meditation and self-healing, sampling African and Western styles of hand drumming. All ages and levels of experience are welcome in OmDrum’s judgment-free space. Bring a drum if you have one, or rent one from Pasha…and if you have any friends who might like to try drumming, please tell them about it! $20 or Pass ~ $5 drum rental ~ register here

BABY & ME YOGA with Barrett Reinhorn ~ Thursdays, 10-11:15am ~ In Person

Postnatal yoga classes welcome new moms/parents with infants for a bit of quiet reflective time while building back their strength. Classes specifically focus on creating connection and comfort in the back, chest, abdominals and pelvic floor – all the places that are achy after pregnancy, birth, and life with a newborn! We focus on recovering from birth, but add a little baby yoga into the mix too (especially if the babies are restless!). Parents are welcome with or without their babies, anytime from early postpartum until babies are crawling. Bring a baby blanket for your baby to lie on, and anything else to make you and your baby comfortable (yoga mat, car seat, toy, etc). Attend single classes or buy a discount multi-pass ~ join here

AWARENESS THROUGH MOVEMENT: Feldenkrais with Ruth Knill ~ Thursdays, 11:30a-12:30p ~ In Person & Livestream ~ Join here

The Feldenkrais Method® of somatic learning is a gentle and pleasant way to improve the quality of your movement and your awareness of your embodied self. By engaging with your habits of movement in a supportive, exploratory way, Feldenkrais can help you to discover more comfortable and efficient ways of moving and being. Safe and gentle, yet challenging in surprising and satisfying ways, the material in each class is tailored to suit the needs and interest of the participants. Attend single classes or buy a discount multi-pass ~ join here