Creative Coping: Shaping Grief with Yoga, Meditation, & Clay with Holly Zajur, April 26, 1:30-3:30p
Grief is an emotional response to any loss—whether it’s the absence of a loved one, the shifting of a dream, or a change that reshapes our lives. Rather than something to “get over,” grief is something we can learn to move with and build a relationship with.
In this two-hour workshop, we will come together in the fullness of grief to explore new ways of moving through it. We will engage with grief through movement, mindfulness, and making, honoring what we carry and creating space for healing and connection.
Our time together will include:
Yoga & Breathwork – Movement and breath techniques to regulate the nervous system and support emotional release.
Meditation & Meridians – Grounding practices and acupressure points related to grief
Journaling & Reflection – Thoughtfully guided reflections to name, explore, and transform your relationship with grief, as well as shared moments for connection in community.
Clay Play – Hand-building a grief vessel—a small ceramic form to symbolize what we are holding, releasing, or honoring. This vessel may become a space for written reflections, a place to hold treasures from loved ones lost, or simply a tangible reminder of your ongoing relationship with love and loss.
You are welcome to bring a small object, photo, or symbol of your grief to press into the clay, embedding its presence in the form you create.
Creativity allows us to express what words cannot. As we shape clay with our hands, we shape our understanding of grief—not as something to be overcome, but as something to integrate.
No prior experience with yoga or clay is needed—just an open heart and hands ready to create. You are welcome to bring a small object or photo that holds meaning for you.
Who is this for? Anyone navigating grief in any form, looking for a supportive space to move, create, and connect.
Investment:
$65 early bird/accessibility rate until 4/1. Please email hello@theyogadojorva.com if after 4/1 earlybird cut off but the accessibilty rate will help support your attendance.
$75 after 4/1.
$85 supporter rate (for those who can contribute more to help others attend).
Register HERE.
Community Acupuncture with Sarah Coghlan + Elizabeth Mastropierro, Sunday, April 27, 12-3p
Community Acupuncture is designed as a way of offering Chinese medicine in an accessible format. It's a means of giving back to our hardworking, overstressed community in a way that is affordable to all. It's ideal for both first time and seasoned acupuncture clients.
Community (or group) acupuncture is offered in a room with several zero-gravity chairs, where individuals can join each other in holding a healing space. Please wear loose-fitting clothing to your session, as most points will be from the elbows and knees down. There will be a short intake form and you will speak with our practitioner for a few minutes, have your pulse taken, and after points are inserted, your will be able to rest for about 30 minutes. People seek acupuncture for a variety of reasons, including (but not limited to) physical injury, acute and chronic pain, colds flu and immune support, reproductive health, allergies and respiratory issues, digestive health concerns, mental and emotional wellness, auto-immune conditions, insomnia, and more.
We will hold healing sessions once a month at The Yoga Dojo with Dr. Sarah Coghlan and Elizabeth Mastropierro. Relax and receive a 45-minute treatment for a sliding scale amount of $20-50 sliding scale. Pre-registration is required, either by emailing hello@theyogadojorva.com or through our online booking system. Our next events are also available for booking on 5/25 and 6/22.
Reserve your space HERE.
Body love : A Somatic Experience with Molly Bienstock, Monday, April 28, 7:15-8:45p
Together we'll explore what it means to be in a body through the lens of somatic experience, parts work, and the importance of slowing down. Come enjoy an evening of yoga, movement, and dance as a ritual for forgiveness, belonging, and collective care.
Investment: $30. Register HERE.
Molly Bienstock (they/them) is a nonbinary, queer somatic therapist and educator whose passions lie in helping people find safety in their bodies so they can experience their most playful, authentic selves. After a traumatic accident in 2014, Molly became a scholar of somatic and spiritual methodologies as a channel to better understand the body's survival responses as well as how it can thrive. Molly now offers a unique combination of tools in their private practice Magic With Molly that stems from the wisdom of yoga, breathwork, somatic experience, movement and dance therapy, traditional talk therapy, and parts work. Molly's focus is on helping people feel their most expansive, human selves by honoring our reflections in Nature and integrating contradictory aspects of the self to support the feeling of Wholeness. Molly works with clients of all ages and backgrounds in both 1-on-1 settings and groups.
Elemental Sound healing with Juju Desta
Dates/Times:
Friday, May 9, 6-7:15p
Friday, June 13, 6-7:15p
Sound healing is an ancient practice that uses sound to relax the body and mind through allowing the vibrations of the various instruments to put one into a “yogic sleep.” In yogic sleep, the individual is neither fully asleep nor fully awake. In Aboriginal culture, it is referred to as the “Dream Time” state. The sounds vibrate with every cell of a living organism which in turn activates a natural healing process working through any physical, mental, or emotional blockages within the body.
Julian J. Desta is 200hr certified yoga instructor residing in Richmond, VA. Always having a passion for the creative arts, he was introduced to the practice of Sound Healing and Therapy when given his first singing bowl as a birthday present from a friend. Julian began researching the depths of sound and it’s powerful healing techniques. After a few years practicing Julian received his Sound Healing Certification from Mentor and friend Mark Toregson in 2019.
Specializing in a variety of instruments from the didgeridoo, to flutes, singing bowls, and drums, Julian has created a unique Sound Healing Experience called Elemental Sound Healing. Discovering relationship between sound healing and nature, he calls on the 4 elements of Air, Wind, Water, and Fire to channel through each practice to bring balance to the human system or what he likes to refer to as homeostasis.
Investment: $30. Link to sign up HERE. Be sure to bring what you need to rest comfortably on the ground - a blanket or two and pillow are recommended.
Mallorca Retreat with Adrian McCavitt and Lauren Nottingham, May 10-17
We had a last minute cancellation and have ONE spot available on our retreat to Mallorca. Drop us a line if you want to snag it at retreats@theyogadojorva.com!
Let’s Get Down To Business with Lauren Nottingham, June 6-8
Whether you are a newer instructor, seasoned yoga or fitness professional, or even a yoga practitioner with a wellness hustle looking to grow your personal brand, this weekend is designed with you in mind. We will dive into what it looks like to be a creative wellness professional, and what it takes to successfully take the leap to the center of the dream Venn diagram - blending purpose, passion, and performance in your professional life.
This weekend will include mini-modules in:
*“What the heck am I doing anyways?”: Meditation, brain dump, and mind mapping to build focus and organize your thoughts
*Life as a wellness professional: Teaching channels, important business aspects (the boring stuff like insurance, business formation, and taxes), professional organizations, ethics, and voice
*Marketing 101
*Designing your brand
*Building a website and social media presence
*Creating collateral : logos, business cards, posters, and merchandise
*Designing and pitching workshops
*Building your dream retreat
*Individual and group work to build and pitch a project
*Movement, meditation, and pranayama practices to foster and focus the mind-body-spirit connection.
Schedule:
Friday, 6/6: 5:30-9:30p
Saturday, 6/7: 10-7p
Sunday, 6/8: 10-7p
This course is approved (and required for our 300-hour trainees) for 25 lead trainer hours in our Modular 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training (22 contact hours, 3 non-contact hours), OR for 25 hours of Yoga Alliance-approved Continuing Education. It may apply for CEUs for other professional organizations, as well. Please contact trainings@theyogadojorva.com to inquire.
Investment: $300. Register HERE.
About your instructor: With over a decade of experience teaching yoga, and nearly 10 years after co-founding and operating The Yoga Dojo, Lauren’s life and professional experience has led her to building this labor of love to share with you. She holds a BA in Fashion Merchandising from Virginia Commonwealth University, is an E-RYT 500 and Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider, a certified Meridian Yoga Technique practitioner, and is the Programs Director here at the Dojo for our 200 and 300-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings.
ROCKET VINYASA INTENSIVE WITH STEVE PYKA, LAUREN NOTTINGHAM + ADRIAN MCCAVITT, JULY 23-27
WHAT IT IS:
The 5-Day Practice Immersion is designed for any person at any level in their practice who is interested in learning more about Rocket Vinyasa Yoga. Through daily practice and group discussions, your existing concepts of what yoga is and what it is for will be challenged and expanded. Live a life in the week of a Rocket Yogi. See how a simple, gentle, systematic and powerful approach to yoga can transform how you relate to yourself and the world around you.
Schedule:
Wednesday (evening practice only): 6-7:30p
Thursday: 9a-7p
Friday: 9a-7p
Saturday: 9a-7p
Sunday: 11:30a-7p
WHO SHOULD TAKE IT:
Anyone! Of course, it is helpful to already have a consistent yoga practice, but it is not essential. The immersion might light a fire for you! Students and teachers are welcome, but this program does not confer any authority to teach yoga generally or Rocket Yoga specifically. The authority to teach yoga comes from your own experience, dedication and enthusiasm to share what you practice.
WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE IT:
We take a common-sense approach to the practice and the philosophy. Yoga need not be complicated. In fact, it's very natural- it's moving and breathing with awareness. Forget about what you can do, have or become through yoga. Yoga is most useful in demonstrating that you have what you seek. Having an enjoyable and familiar yoga routine that you can do anywhere and at anytime will inspire you to develop the consistency and dedication which bring forth the gifts of the practice.
YOUR INSTRUCTORS:
Steve Pyka, a direct student of Larry Schultz, the creator of Rocket Yoga, opened AstaYoga with Rene Henley in 2009 as a place where people could find a genuine sense of strength, peace and community. Steve has been teaching for nearly two decades and has trained hundreds of people (including Adrian, Lauren, and other Dojo instructors!) who are practicing and sharing the Rocket all over the world.
Lauren Nottingham + Adrian McCavitt, co-founders of The Yoga Dojo, will be co-facilitating this training.
WHAT IT COSTS AND HOW YOU CAN SIGN UP:
The training costs $995. You can reserve a space in the training with a $300 deposit, with the balance due before training commences. Or feel free to pay in full upon registering. You may register HERE.
Returning students who have previously completed a Rocket training with Asta / The Yoga Dojo can take $420 off the training price and enroll at a discounted rate of $575- the Larry Schultz Special - and can sign up by emailing hello@theyogadojorva.com.
This training is approved for 45 lead trainer core hours (40 contact, 5 non-contact) for our modular 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training program. This course is also approved for 45 YA CEUs (40 contact, 5 non-contact) if you are registered with Yoga Alliance and NOT enrolled in our 300-hour program.
Winter 2026 Retreat to Nosara with Adrian McCavitt and Lauren Nottingham, January 17-24, 2026
Details coming soon, but mark your calendars!!! Drop us an email at retreats@theyogadojorva.com if you want to be the first to know info!