Level: all
Wednesday
Oct 28
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Instructor: Joy Hoffman
Fee: $40
Experience the deep relaxation of Yoga Nidra in the peaceful setting of the Rowayton Arts Center as the sun sets over the scenic shores of the Five Mile River. This unique evening offers the perfect opportunity to unwind, restore, and reconnect.
There are no yoga poses; only reclining on one’s back. Designed for all ages, no experience necessary. This practice is especially beneficial to those who feel overwhelmed and always “on the go” or those practicing intense or competitive sports will find great relief calming down the body, mind and spirit.
The experience: Settled into a comfortable nest of blankets on your yoga mat, with an eye pillow as the soft sounds of waves lap upon the shore, you will be immersed in the ancient practice of Yoga Nidra. Through soothing visual imagery, the body softens, the mind quiets, and layers of tension begin to melt away. Many people today struggle with stress, grief, insomnia, depleted energy, repetitive thoughts, and old patterns that no longer serve them. Yoga Nidra offers a rare opportunity to let go of the past, release worries about the future, and reconnect with the quiet wisdom and beauty within. Accompanied by the soothing sounds of crystal chakra bowls, you will be guided toward peace, clarity, gratitude, and well-being. As repetitive thoughts and old patterns begin to soften, a deeper sense of acceptance and inner stillness naturally emerges. Awaken feeling refreshed, restored, and renewed in mind, body, and spirit. No experience is necessary. Please bring a yoga mat, two blankets, and an eye pillow or small washcloth. Wear comfortable clothing. Space is limited. Advance registration is recommended.
About the Instructor:
Joy Hoffman
Joy Hoffman is a certified Yoga Nidra educator and yoga therapist, trained in adult and children’s yoga therapy at the Amrit Yoga Institute.
Drawing upon a lifetime of exploration in neuroscience, meditation, yoga, and the creative arts, Joy brings an intuitive, compassionate, and holistic approach to her teaching. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that inner peace is not something we must achieve, but something we can rediscover within ourselves.
Through Yoga Nidra, Joy helps individuals explore the connection between thoughts, emotions, habitual patterns, and physical well-being. Her work emphasizes nervous system regulation, stress reduction, restorative sleep, trauma recovery, and personal empowerment.
For 15 years, Joy has devoted much of her work to the Sandy Hook community, supporting individuals and families navigating grief, trauma, and post-traumatic stress. Through Yoga Nidra, meditation, children’s creative arts programs, concerts, and community events, she has sought to foster healing, resilience, emotional well-being, and empowerment. This enduring commitment reflects her belief in the transformative power of compassion, creativity, and human connection.
With a background in medical illustration and the visual arts, Joy integrates creative visualization and guided imagery into her teaching. Her understanding of the mind-body connection also comes from personal experience. For two decades, she partnered with her late husband in their 28.5-mile marathon swims around Manhattan, serving as his kayak partner and supporting his training through nutrition, visualization, and mental preparation. Their guiding mantra, “Make each stroke count,” became a philosophy extending far beyond the water: make each breath count, make each moment count.
Joy’s teaching has also taken her internationally, including Antarctica, where she was invited by Dr. Deepak Chopra to lead Yoga Nidra aboard an expedition voyage.
Joy believes that while we cannot change the past or predict the future, we can learn to embrace the present moment. It is here, in the awareness of now, that we reconnect with our authentic selves and discover the peace that has always been within us.
“We were born with peace. Rest, restore, and remember who you are.”