Award Winning Yoga Studio and Training Academy
Connection. Tradition. Mastery. ™
Since 2015
Connect with yourself and others.
Practice all eight limbs of yoga, meditation, śavāsana.
Master your mind, your body, your self.
An area gem located in the heart of downtown New Canaan, CT. with floor to ceiling windows, radiant heated floors, meditation garden and outdoor yoga space – our yoga studio and accredited training academy offer in person and online programs for all levels. Instructors are all certified, trained and mentored through Sama Academy.
Follow covered parking to the end to locate us and enter through our garden.
Follow us @samayogacenter
Ample covered parking, locker rooms and space await, as we still operate at 50% capacity to socially distance.
Take classes in our state of the art studio and seasonal outdoor garden, train your body with our concierge bodyweight program, expand your knowledge or become a yoga teacher through Sama Academy, work individually in private lessons, upgrade your wardrobe in our curated in-studio shoppe, and join a retreat through Sama Experiences.
Contact us anytime.
We warmly welcome you.
Leadership Team
Rebekah Jacobs CPT, E-RYT®, YACEP®
Founder & Owner: Sama Yoga Center
Co-Founder Sama Yoga Experiences & Sama Yoga Academy, Nationally Accredited Training Program, Yoga Alliance ®
Certifications
Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher E-RYT®
Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider YACEP®
Certified Physical Trainer CPT
AMI Montessori Assistant Teacher Certified
Additional Training
Restorative & Anatomy, Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD, PT
Applied Psychology, Livia Cohen-Shapiro, M.A.
Hatha & Therapeutics, Ross Rayburn
Meditation, Sally Kempton
Pilates, Physical Mind
Prenatal, Mary Barnes, Jennifer Pettit
Anatomy & The Breathing Project, Leslie Kaminoff
Yoga for Youth, Christine McArdle-Oquendo
Awards, Honors
2023 Local Love Award
2023 ‘Brilliant Woman’ Grown Brilliance
2023 Best of New Canaan & Darien
2022, 2021 Best of the Gold Coast
2019, 2018 Mindbody Visionary Award
Accessible Yoga Ambassador
Lululemon Ambassador
Leadership Summit Whistler
Personal Statement
With over 15 years of studio management, development and teaching experience, I credit my teachers and you for this opportunity to contribute. I enjoy providing a nourishing space for sustainable movement, connection and stillness. In every class, retreat, workshop or training, brilliant humans from all walks of life come together and find common ground. That is what Sama means – Sanskrit for ‘Equal’, ‘Equanimity’, ‘Same-ness” – to symbolize that while we are unique, we also have so much in common. For us to feel comfortable in the skin we are in, to see ourselves and each other clearly, to breathe well and step into our day with aplomb, this is my mission.
Connect @fitnessgururebekah
Angie Mandl E-RYT 500®, YACEP®
Co-Founder of Sama Experiences & Sama Yoga Academy
Sama’s In House Photographer & Social Media Manager
Certifications
Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher E-RYT500®
Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider YACEP®
Additional Training
Anatomy & Physiology, Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD, PT
Restorative, Jillian Pransky
Sanskrit, Terry Coe
Personal Statement
Originally from Austria, now of LA, CA, I hold degrees in Design & Marketing, a member of PPA Professional Photographers of America and am a mother to two college-aged boys. Having lived and studied in New Delhi, India for three years, yoga has become an integral part of my life. I believe that the practice of yoga contributes to a person’s well-being and contentment and am honored to share all my teachers have generously shared with me in our trainings.
Teaching Team
Amy
Amy is a graduate of Sama Yoga Academy’s YTT-200-hour and Restorative Teacher Training programs. Amy’s love of movement and self-expression are present in her classes and extend beyond the mat and into her daily life as an artist, art educator and marathon runner. By cultivating a practice on the mat we can transform our experience off the mat. In 2020 Amy founded bilden farmacy, hand-poured candles that offer rituals from Sama to home. “By caring for ourselves we are contributing to the greater good of our shared planet.”
Amber
Amber is thrilled to be with you. She is a New Canaan resident, native of the Netherlands, mom of 3, avid learner and proud graduate of Sama Academy’s 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training Program. Amber’s signature classes offer steady and easeful sequences to set you on your wonderful day ahead. Welcome to Sama!
Anna O.
Anna has enjoyed a love affair with yoga since she found Sama in high school. Received her RYT-200 hour teaching certification from Sama Yoga Academy’s Teacher Training, B.S. in Marketing (Class of 2021) and pursuing a B.A. in German (Class of 2022) from the University of Connecticut’s EUROBIZ program. Works for a clean technology and innovation company as a Junior Marketing Analyst and in a holistic pet nutrition shop as a Pet Consultant. “Movement, mindfulness, strength, and stretch—our recipe for joy!”
Carolina
After competitive Rhythmic Gymnastics, joyfully transitioned into full time student, yogi and now yoga teacher! Sama Yoga Academy’s Teacher Training Graduate. Passionate about sharing the benefits of yoga including self acceptance, awareness, peace, spirituality, and concentration. “Super happy to be an apprentice at Sama Yoga Center and look forward to being with you!”
Caroline
Caroline is passionate about the benefits of slowing down and connecting to inner calm through the practice of yoga. She holds a B.S. in Educational Studies from Colgate University and a MAT in Early Childhood Education from Manhattanville College. In 2019, she completed her 200-hour YTT. Here at Sama, she obtained her Kids Yoga Certification and Restorative Yoga Certification. Caroline is a Grade 3 teacher at New Canaan Country School and the Director of the Sama Kids Program.
Courtney
Connecticut native, client manager at a design agency and graduate of Hofstra University with a BBA in Marketing and Minor in Psychology. Sama Yoga Academy’s Teacher Training Graduate and via Jate Yoga for 200 hr. “Our yoga offers strength, freedom, mindfulness and fun!”
Denise
Densie serves as Community Engagement Coordinator for Sama, is a Graduate of Sama Yoga Academy 200 Hour, 30 Hour Kids and 25 Hour Restorative YTT, is a 10 year + yogi, Norwalk Grassroots Tennis & Education Volunteer. After a career in Finance and 10 years abroad, Denise and her family settled in Darien, CT. She loves her family dog walks, neighborhood runs, friendly tennis matches and time on her mat. Denise believes that one secret to maintain an active lifestyle is finding a little time to slow down. She invites you to come to your mat, take a breath, move mindfully; so, off your mat you feel energized and ready to share your energy and joy with your friends, family and community.
Emily (Summer Staff)
Graduate of Gettysburg College with a BA in Art History and minors in Cultural Anthropology and English. Physical and mental wellness are two of my biggest personal interests. Proud graduate of Sama Yoga Academy’s Teacher Training. “Since then yoga has brought so much energy, peace and joy to my life. I look forward to giving that right back to you this summer!”
Heather
Darien, CT native, mother of three. Yoga from passion to priority. Graduate of Sama Yoga Academy’s Teacher Training, always a student. “Welcome – may you be comfortable, safe and flexible in mind and body on your mat and into your day.”
Megan
Completed her 200 hr yoga training here at Sama under the mentorship program and Embodied Flow. On a quest to make yoga joyful and mindful for every body. Former soccer athlete, classroom teacher and now mom, always a student. Welcome to Sama!
Melissa
Graduate of Sama Yoga Academy Teacher Training and Kids Yoga Teacher Training. Teacher at Whitby School in Greenwich, CT., BS in Early Education and Childhood Education from SUNY Plattsburgh and a dual MPS in Literacy and Special Education from Manhattanville College. Kindness, authenticity, and an open heart. Can’t wait to see you and your little ones one your mats!
Molly (Summer Staff)
Sama Yoga Academy’s Teacher Training Graduate and an associate elementary school teacher. B.S. in Psychology and American Studies from Trinity College. Pursuing her M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Penn State. “Love to celebrate each student’s unique gifts and help them grow.”
Molly W.
Molly has been a student of yoga for over 10 years and is grateful to have the opportunity to graduate from Sama’s 200 hr YTT Program. In Molly’s view, yoga is the quintessential therapy for mental and physical health and helps her navigate the challenges of her corporate responsibilities with steadiness and perspective. Molly can’t wait to share the light, love and joy of yoga through uplifting and energizing practices with you here at Sama. Welcome!
Sara
Sara is a proud graduate of Sama Yoga Academy’s 200 hr YTT, and Savannah College of Art and Design with a major in fashion design. She works as a sewing and crafting teacher in Darien and Greenwich, designs clothes, knits and crochets in her free time. As a former competitive gymnast, she found grounding in the steadiness and ease, strength and flow of the practice of yoga. She brings her love of movement and teaching together in her classes.
Sasha
Sasha is a proud graduate of Sama Academy’s 200 hr YTT and Kids Yoga YTT. She is multi-lingual, is dedicated to service projects and loves leading our Sama Minis.
Zach
Graduate of Sama Academy’s YTT-200-hour and Children’s Teacher Training. Masters in educational psychology and undergrad in Human Development and Family Science from UCONN. Zach is passionate about every human being heard and seen and is currently working with Special Education students Bridgeport, CT. A Stamford local, started yoga as an adult and is eager to meet you!
Tech Team
Ben
Tech guru of both Sama Yoga Center & Academy. Currently living in Brooklyn after training at a Buddhist monastery in California. Certified yoga teacher under Cyndi Lee and senior Zen student under Roshi Enkyo O’Hara.
A Word From Our Founder:
Welcome! My name is Rebekah Jacobs, Founder of Sama Yoga Center, Co-Founder of Sama Yoga Experiences and Sama Yoga Academy, the nationally accredited training program registered with Yoga Alliance®.
Sama was created for you and translates to same or equal in Sanskrit. Our studio is a retreat for you, right in the heart of New Canaan, CT. At Sama, master your body and your mind, connect with yourself and if you wish, the people around you. All of our teachers are Sama trained, mentored and certified. As a small business owner and mother of two young boys, I know how hard it is to commit and make the time. You can do this. And all you need is yourself. My commitment is also to give back. I created ‘Sama Dana’ (Dana is the Sanskrit word for generosity or charity), to do just that. We partner with multiple organizations to improve the lives of those in need and to make our acclaimed yoga classes, trainings and workshops accessible for everyone.
With 15 years of studio leadership and 10,000 hours of teaching experience, I credit my teachers and YOU for this opportunity to serve.
Thank you for your presence. I look forward to meeting you!
Rebekah Jacobs, E-RYT®, YACEP®
Founder, Sama Yoga Center, Co-Founder Sama Yoga Academy
