A Life in Motion
Kelley Cavallo studied to be a dancer, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in California. Inspired by music, emotions, and stories, she channeled her innermost feelings into captivating performances. She loved the creative process and the constant journey of self-discovery. But dance is driven by discipline and the pursuit of excellence, which can be demanding.
Unlocking the Power of Vinyasa
In 2007, when Kelley relocated to New York City, a fellow dancer recommended she explore vinyasa classes. These classes offered an opportunity to engage in movement, breath, and find peace in a non-competitive and non-judgment-free environment.
Kelley was quickly captivated by the mixture of flow, introspection, relaxation, and effortless focus and how it made her feel grounded in her body. She was hooked.
After five years of dedicated practice, she committed and took a 200-hour training program at Yoga Vida. Since then, Kelley has continually leveled up her skills through advanced training with esteemed instructors such as Kat Fowler, Gina Menza, Domenic Savino, and Dana Slamp.
Yoga Video Teacher Training
Yoga Vida in New York offers all levels of training, from training on teaching teens to children to prenatal women. It also includes 200 and 300-hour teaching training. Students work at their own pace completing assignments during the week and then meet on the weekends in person. The transformational classes deepen students’ understanding of yoga, whether they want to be teachers or just deepen their practice. They’ve been running the courses for 10 years and have graduated over 900 students.
The courses cover yoga asanas (postures), anatomy, proper alignment, and how to put together yoga sequences. They also focus on the spiritual side with dharma talks, meditation, and pranayama (breathing exercises).
Upon completion, students will be certified RYT® 200 and RYT® 300.
Registered Yoga Teachers
RYT® 200 stands for Registered Yoga Teacher 200, a title given by the Yoga Alliance, the global organization of yoga professionals. It signifies yoga teachers have a foundational understanding of yoga philosophy, anatomy, and teaching methodology and the ability to lead safe and effective yoga classes.
Riding the Wave: The Fluidity of Vinyasa Yoga Practice
Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic and flowing style of yoga that synchronizes movement with breath. It is characterized by seamlessly transitioning from one yoga pose to another continuously and gracefully. In Vinyasa yoga, the breath acts as an anchor, guiding the practitioner through a series of poses, creating a harmonious and meditative flow. This practice emphasizes the connection between breath, movement, and mindfulness, fostering increased strength, flexibility, balance, and mental focus. Vinyasa yoga offers diverse sequences and variations, allowing practitioners to explore and adapt the practice to their needs and abilities.
Vinyasa yoga has its roots in Hatha yoga, one of the oldest forms of yoga. It’s also intertwined with Ashtanga yoga which also comes from Hatha. But the two styles are very different. Vinyasa is more flowing and less demanding, while Ashtanga can be rigorous and challenging, especially for new students. Hatha is usually recommended for those new to yoga. However, new students open to a little challenge could also do Vinyasa.
On-demand Yoga Classes with Kelley Cavallo Yoga on Vimeo
The Yoga Vibe in NYC
When it came to immersing herself in the world of yoga, Kelley Cavallo knew exactly where to go: New York City. This bustling city is known for its vibrant and diverse yoga scene, boasting a plethora of yoga studios and devoted practitioners.
Previously, Kelley lent her talents to Yoga Agora, a community-oriented neighborhood studio nestled in Astoria, emphasizing togetherness through community.
Presently, she finds herself at St. Mark’s, one of the hottest yoga studios located in the iconic Landmarked Loft building in the heart of the East Village.
Exploring New York’s Vibrant Yoga Scene
Studio Variety: NYC offers a wide array of yoga studios catering to different styles and preferences. From well-known, established studios to smaller, specialized ones, you can find everything from traditional Hatha and Vinyasa yoga to niche practices like Kundalini, Ashtanga, Bikram, Yin, Restorative, and Jivamukti yoga.
Renowned Studios: New York City is home to several renowned yoga studios that have gained recognition locally and internationally. Some notable studios include Jivamukti Yoga, YogaWorks, Laughing Lotus, Yoga to the People, and Dharma Yoga Center.
Celebrity Instructors: Many influential yoga teachers have emerged from the NYC yoga scene, attracting students worldwide. These instructors often lead workshops, teacher trainings, and special events, contributing to the growth and development of the local yoga community.
Community Events: The yoga community in NYC frequently organizes outdoor yoga events, workshops, and festivals, especially during the warmer months. Parks, rooftops, and public spaces often become venues for large-scale yoga gatherings, allowing practitioners to come together and share their love for yoga.
Yoga Teacher Trainings: Given the city’s diverse yoga landscape, New York offers numerous opportunities for aspiring yoga teachers to pursue teacher training programs. These comprehensive courses provide in-depth knowledge, enabling individuals to become certified yoga instructors and contribute to the yoga community.
Yoga Outreach: Various organizations and studios in NYC are dedicated to bringing the benefits of yoga to underserved communities. They offer outreach programs, bringing yoga to schools, shelters, hospitals, and community centers, making the practice accessible to a broader population.
Kelley’s Cavallo Yoga Classes
If you live in New York or happen to visit, do make it a point to take one of her classes. – Saint Mark’s Yoga Studio
Kelley’s classes blend challenge and lightheartedness with sequences that align with the body’s natural flow. She encourages finding contentment by going with the flow without expectations or attachments to outcomes. Embracing yoga as a lifelong journey, she invites students to enjoy the process.
She also has on-demand classes on Vimeo, which you can do in the comfort of your home.
Kelley also leads yoga classes with OM Tribe Yoga Retreats.
OM Tribe Yoga Retreats
OM Tribe was founded in 2017 when two friends wanted to offer people the experience of travel and yoga that acted like a reset button for the body, soul and mind. They thought that by leaving the conform zone of their environments and daily routines, they would be better poised to have transformative break throughs while experiencing new cultures, cuisine and experiences. The retreats were an instant success and have left a trail of good karma globally ever since.