September 2026 at Oyster Bay Yoga

 

Acceptance

 
 
 

Dear Oyster Bay Yogis,

Acceptance doesn’t mean we have to love everything that happens in our every day lives. And we definitely don't need to agree with it. Sometimes it simply means noticing the situation without immediately trying to change it or complain about it.

When we find ourselves caught up in negativity, we can choose to pause and reflect. Maybe instead of automatically responding with judgment we can approach the matter with curiosity. Instead of criticism, compassion. Or even simply letting something go rather than giving it more of our energy. Acceptance gives us a little breathing room between what happens and how we acknowledge our personal world. And sometimes, that little bit of space is where the real practice begins.

All my best,
Amy

 

Pose of the Month

Matsyasana: Fish Pose

 
 

This month at the studio we breakdown
Matsyasana: Fish Pose.
Learn how best to practice this pose in any class all month long!

Sutra of the Month

 
 
 

Yoga Sutra 2.33 allows us to notice when our thoughts or words are moving us away from the way we want to live. It encourages us to consciously choose a different response when in a difficult situation. For example, when we find ourselves gossiping, criticizing someone, or speaking negatively about a situation, we can pause and ask: Is this helpful, kind, or necessary? Instead of feeding the negativity, can cultivate compassion, curiosity, understanding, or simply choose silence?

This doesn't mean ignoring our feelings. Rather, cultivating the opposite perspective, pratipaksha bhavana, invites us to become more intentional about what we give our energy to. We may not be able to control the first thought that arises, but we can choose whether to repeat it or share it. By practicing a different response, we create space for more thoughtful speech, healthier relationships, and greater peace of mind.

 

Oil of the Month

Our September OOTM is:

Lemon Essential Oil

 
 
 

“When life gives us lemons, we make Lemon Essential Oil. This powerfully zesty, fresh citrus aroma is a wonderful selection to help refresh the smell of an unpleasantly stale room. When diffusing, it can also help energize and uplift emotions. If you’re experiencing a common cold or flu, Lemon can help support a healthy immune system. Its invigorating scent is a great addition to DIY cleaners, leaving your home feeling bright and clean.”
-Plant Therapy

Enjoy 20% off your purchase of Lemon essential oil all month at the studio.

 

Happy Labor Day

 
 
 

We hope you enjoy a relaxing day with family and friends.

Please note that Oyster Bay Yoga will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of the holiday.

We’ll see you back on the mat Tuesday!

 

Welcome Oyster Bay Yoga's new Yoga teachers

 
 
 

Laura Pierce and Nicolle Navaretta have recently graduated from Absolute Yoga Studio's 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training program. We are so happy to have them join our ever growing list of teachers. We encourage you all to join in their classes when you see their names pop up on the schedule!

 
 
 

Laura Pierce

Teaching is not just my profession; it is my calling. My journey began in the education field, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education followed by two Master’s degrees. While my academic background gave me the tools to guide others, my heart has always driven me to explore what it truly means to live life to the fullest. For me, true well-being is a complete picture. It is not just about physical health, but about nurturing ourselves emotionally and spiritually.

This belief came to life roughly 15 years ago when I walked into my first yoga studio. At the time, I was pregnant with my son and simply looking for a way to stay in shape. What I discovered on the mat changed everything. I quickly realized the physical practice was only a small part of the journey. Yoga provided a profound sense of emotional grounding, mental clarity, and spiritual connection during one of the most transformative times of my life.

Over the years, my personal practice became an anchor, fueling a deep desire to share these life-changing benefits with others. Driven by my natural love for teaching, I decided to embark on the journey to become an instructor, earning my RYT 200-hour certification in May of 2026.

Now, I am fully living my passion by guiding others on the mat. I teach a variety of classes tailored to your needs, including dynamic Vinyasa, accessible Gentle Level 1, and inclusive All Levels Flows, while frequently sprinkling in restorative and yin-inspired yoga to encourage deep relaxation and stillness. My classes go beyond just physical movement; I intentionally weave in breathwork, meditation, mantras, and sound healing to create a deeply restorative, multi-sensory experience.

I combine my lifelong background in education with the deep wisdom of yoga to create a supportive, nurturing environment. I am honored to share my love for this practice with you, helping you strengthen your body, calm your mind, and reconnect with your spirit.

 
 

Nicolle Navaretta

Nicolle is a RYT-200 certified yoga instructor who believes yoga is much more than the asana postures - it is an opportunity to reconnect with ourselves, one another, and the natural world around us. With a background in marine and environmental science, she has always felt deeply connected to nature and draws inspiration from its rhythms, resilience, and constant cycles of change. Her classes weave mindful movement,  breath, yoga philosophy, and the wisdom of the natural world together, inviting students to explore not only how a pose feels in the body, but also the joy of feeling good in the physical body. She values yoga as both a grounding practice and a way to cultivate presence, strength, and ease from the inside out.

Her approach to teaching is also shaped by her own experiences with grief, trauma, and personal transformation. These experiences have deepens her appreciation for yoga as a space to slow down, listen inward, and meet ourselves with compassion. She strives to create classes that feel grounding, inclusive, and reflective -- while leaving room for curiousity, joy, and play.

Give the Gift of Wellness

 
 

Looking for a meaningful gift for any occasion?

Oyster Bay Yoga gift cards are perfect for birthdays, holidays, thank-yous, or just because.

Give something they’ll truly enjoy.

Shop Gift Cards

Follow us to stay connected for upcoming events and news

 
 
 

Events

Wisdom of Wild Places: A Yoga Journey Through Earth's Nature & Beauty

 
 

Friday, September 11th
7:00-8:00pm
with Nicolle Navaretta

Nicolle Navaretta invites you to step on to your mat and explore the heart of the natural world. Together, we will travel through five beautiful landscapes: the flowing ocean, the grounding mountains, the resilient desert, the vibrant jungle, and the peaceful runway. As the asana evolves within each environment, we will explore the unique wisdom these wild places offer and allow each biome to inspire the rhythm of our practice.

Through mindful movement, breath, and storytelling, you will discover that these landscapes exist not only in our planet but within ourselves. This immersive all levels class is an invitation to reconnect with nature and cultivate a deeper sense of presence.

$30 to drop-in
FREE for members

click here to sign up

Yin Yoga

 
 

Sunday, September 13th
12:30-1:45pm
with Martha Flanagan

Move slower. Breathe deeper. Find stillness.

Join Martha Flanagan for a peaceful Yin Yoga practice that invites you to slow down and soften. Through a series of long-held, floor-based poses, you’ll gently release tension from the connective tissues, allowing your body and mind to unwind. Yin yoga is the perfect complement to more active styles by bringing balance, calm, and a deep sense of inner ease.

If you’ve been moving too fast or craving stillness, this is your invitation to pause.

$30 to drop-in
FREE for members

click here to sign up

Restorative Yoga with Reiki Activation & Aromatherapy

 
 

Friday, September 18th
7:00-8:30pm
with Nancy Rich

Settle into a nourishing evening of relaxing restorative yoga postures, enhanced with reiki & aromatherapy. Restorative yoga is a blissful, slow down practice that relieves stress, anxiety, fatigue, while releasing mental/physical tension & chronic pain through the use of supporting props (bolsters, blankets & blocks). You will be guided into a peaceful state of stillness, while receiving reiki & aromatherapy. Reiki is a form of hands on healing through which energy is transferred through the palms of the practitioner to the recipient to encourage emotional & physical healing. The experience will be enhanced with gentle aromatherapy to promote a sense of relaxation & wellbeing. This deeply healing practice is appropriate for everyone & is essential for those with a fast paced life.

Space is limited for this event, please sign up in advance.
Tickets to this event are non-refundable, non-transferable to other events.

$45 early bird discount (ends 9/4)
$55 per person
10% off for members

click here to sign up

Stretch, Breathe & Restore

Sunday, September 20th
12:30-1:30pm
with Lauren Zembko

Are you looking to calm your nervous system, quiet the mind chatter, and feel better in your body? In this 60-minute class, we will do 30 minutes of feel-good stretches designed to open different areas of the body. The last 30 minutes of class will finish with restorative poses and a little bit of breathwork to become more present. You will leave feeling calm, relaxed, nourished, and rejuvenated. What a great way to start the week!

$30 to drop-in
FREE for members

click here to sign up

Yoga Book Club

 
 

Tuesday, September 22nd
7:30-8:30pm
with Peggy Adair

Join us for a thoughtful evening of conversation as we discuss Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden. In this deeply honest memoir, Burden explores the complexities of love, identity, and the ways relationships evolve over time, inviting us to reflect on what it truly means to know another person and ourselves.

Our FREE one-hour book discussion will take place immediately following Peggy Adair's regularly scheduled 6:30pm Flow & Restore class. We encourage you to join us for both! Begin the evening by moving, breathing, and unwinding on your mat, then stay afterward for an engaging discussion where all perspectives are welcome.

Whether you come for the yoga, the book, or both, we look forward to seeing you! Bring your mat, BYO snacks and drinks, and join us for an evening of thoughtful conversation, connection, and community.

FREE to attend (Registration is required)

click here to sign up

Full Moon Gong Bath Experience

 
 

Friday, September 25th
7:00-8:15pm
with Martha Flanagan

Balance the energies of Fire and Grace during this Harvest Full Moon. In this deeply restorative experience with Martha, we’ll explore Kriya, pranayama (breathwork), and meditation. The evening concludes with an immersive 30-minute Gong Bath, allowing the soothing vibrations of the gong to calm the nervous system and clear tension from the body. This Full Moon practice offers an opportunity to reconnect with yourself and embrace the transformative energy of the lunar cycle.

Please sign up in advance for this event, space is limited.
Tickets to this event are non-refundable, non-transferable to other events.

$45 per person
10% Off for Members

click here to sign up

Intentional Listening Circle

 
 

Sunday, September 27th
12:30-2:00pm
with Kaitlyn Pawlukojc

"I will ask you questions, I will try to understand, and if you give me your story, I will hold it in my hands . . . " Revolutionary Love, Ani DiFranco

Listening is an act of compassion -- for our own selves as well as for one another.  In the practice of deep listening, we pause, become present to what is, and connect in new ways.  The intention is to listen with the "ears of your heart."

When we speak aloud our stories, the words and emotions shared weave our lives together.  This helps us remember that we are not alone and that we can learn from one another.  The encouragement is to add your uniquely colored thread to the tapestry.

Please join us once a month to engage in loving listening as we grow our community together.  The invitation is to bring what you have and ask for what you need.  All are welcome!

FREE to attend (Registration is required)
Donations are gratefully accepted

click here to sign up
 
 
 

Upcoming Events

 
 

Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Until then, stay well,

Amy

 
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