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.
Stay in touch with our founder @fitnessgururebekah
Contact us anytime.
We warmly welcome you.
Leadership & Teaching Team
Rebekah
Founder/Owner of Sama Yoga Center, Co-Founder Sama Yoga Academy + Sama Experiences, Yoga Teacher + Teacher Trainer, AMI Montessori Assistant Teacher Certified, Mother of two young boys. CT native, returned after 12 years working and studying abroad. Rebekah’s mission is to make yoga inclusive, safe and accessible for every body, age and ability.
Angie
Yoga Teacher + Teacher Trainer, Sama’s Director of Communications, Co-Founder of Sama Yoga Academy + Experiences, completed her first yoga training in New Delhi, India with yoga masters under the Hatha and Raja Yoga traditions. Originally from Austria, degrees in Design & Marketing, mother to two teenage boys.
Ben
Wonderful human, and 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.
Amy
Amy’s @bilden_farmacy hand poured candles offer ritual from Sama to home, to care & nurture ourselves and each other. Graduate of Sama Yoga Academy’s Teacher Training and Sama Community Leader. “By caring for ourselves we are contributing to the greater good of our shared planet.”
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!”
Caroline
After competing as a track athlete, turned to yoga to help recover from running injuries. Colgate University with a major in Educational Studies and a minor in Studio Art. Currently working toward MAT in Early Childhood Education from Manhattanville College and is a second grade teacher at Rye Country Day. Completed her 200 hr Yoga Certification in 2019, obtained Kids Yoga Certification here at Sama Yoga Center this summer and is delighted to meet you as you are, today.
Denise
After a career in Finance that took her from NY to London, to raising her family in Darien, CT and running many miles along the way, Denise began practicing Yoga 8 years ago to find a healthy equilibrium between physical and mental wellness. A graduate of Sama Yoga Academy, 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.
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.”
Anna P.
Business Psychologist, Consultant and Holistic Coach, Student of the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Program by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Born and raised in Germany, lived in Sweden for the past 3 years before moving to CT in September 2020. Graduate of Sama Yoga Academy‘s Teacher Training. “For me Yoga and Meditation is the most powerful tool toward self-empowerment to nurture our body, mind and the community we live in. It is a privilege to share the practice with you.”
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!”
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!”
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!”
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!
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.”
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 brings her love of movement and flow to her classes. She designs clothes, has a passion for texture and cannot wait to support you here at Sama!
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!
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.
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
Somatic Awareness, Leslie Kaminoff
Yoga for Youth, Christine McArdle-Oquendo
Awards, Honors
2023 Local Love Award
2023 ‘Brilliant Woman’ Grown Brilliance
2022, 2021 ‘Best Yoga Studio’ Best of the Gold Coast
2019, 2018 Mindbody Visionary Award
Accessible Yoga Ambassador
Lululemon Ambassador
Leadership Summit Whistler
Connect @fitnessgururebekah
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
