Cristie Newhart
Kripalu Faculty
Cristie Newhart is the former Dean of the Kripalu School of Yoga, overseeing the 200-, 300-, and 1,000-hour yoga teacher training programs. A teacher’s teacher, Cristie is comfortable and confident leading a wide array of students, from beginners exploring the basics of asana practice to aspiring teachers investigating the subtleties of the Yoga Sutras. Cristie has been a faculty mentor at Kripalu for 20 years, she exudes equal parts warmth and wisdom as she makes some of yoga’s deeper philosophical aspects engaging and accessible to modern-day practitioners. No matter what she’s teaching, or to whom, Cristie imbues her classes with meditative inquiry, detailed alignment principles, and playful humor.
“Cristie has a refreshingly down to earth style and a bold honesty that is disarming. Her passion and commitment (and wide and deep knowledge) are inspiring. She is a superb role model in that she is always growing and knows it, as we are all works in progress.” —Margaret Mandell, YTT student 2018
Learn more about this presenter:
Upcoming Programs
- March 24–June 25, 2023
Resources
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Yoga Without a Teacher: Why Self-Guided Practice Is So Important
By yourself on a yoga mat is a perfect place to discover who you truly are, says Cristie Newhart, Dean of the Kripalu School of Yoga.
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The Kripalu Approach to Assisting
Cristie Newhart, Dean of the Kripalu School of Yoga, explains why the School has made the decision to stop training teachers to offer hands-on assists.
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You Don’t Have to Be Flexible to Do Yoga: Debunking the Myth
It’s a common misconception that you’re not doing yoga properly if you can’t touch your toes or do Wheel without props.
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Yes, You Do Have Time for Yoga
There’s a common notion that we need to do a 60- or 90-minute practice in order to reap the benefits of yoga. Sure, longer is great if you have the time, but a shorter practice, done with intent and focus, is equally effective.
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To Touch or Not to Touch: Bringing Sensitivity to Yoga Assists
Hands-on assists can help yoga teachers feel empowered. But do they always empower the student? Kripalu Schools faculty Cristie Newhart explores this important and sensitive topic.
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Center Your Spirit: Asana as Ceremony
Yogis and shamans understand that ceremony is vital to humans, as it awakens the subconscious, the place where deep changes take root and healing happens.
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Morning Practices from the Kripalu Schools
The Deans of our four Schools share their morning routines and offer inspiration for building new habits to start your day.
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Why Yoga for Beginners Isn’t Just for Beginners
Think there's nothing to be gained by revisiting a beginner yoga class after you've moved on to more advanced practice? Cristie Newhart, Dean of the Kripalu School of Yoga, begs to differ.
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The Family We Choose
When we allow ourselves to show up as we are, we find we have more in common with others than we realize, says Cristie Newhart, Dean of Kripalu School of Yoga. And that can lead to a deep sense of connection.
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Reaching In, Reaching Out: The Play Between Prana and Apana
The ancient yogis understood that our energy can draw us out into the world, or deeper into ourselves. These energies, called prana and apana, can influence how we experience life at every level.
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Sizing Up: Yoga for Larger Bodies
A growing number of teachers are bent on encouraging people who don’t look like string beans or bend like pretzels to get onto the mat and into a whole new mindset.
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Five Yoga Poses for Staying Grounded During the Holidays
Twisting yourself into a pretzel this holiday season trying to get everything done? Come back to center with one of these practices from our Kripalu Schools faculty.
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Sitting Pretty: Not So Much
Forget baseball. Researchers say America has a new favorite pastime: sitting. Various studies show that Americans spend, on average, eight hours a day on...
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Connecting with Your Power Animal
A hummingbird zooms into your kitchen. You go kayaking and encounter a turtle. You dream about a mouse. What does it all mean?
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Women, Flexibility, and Injury Prevention
The belief is that women have more of an advantage than men in yoga because they are more flexible. Could that be a liability when it comes to injury?
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Four Signs that You’re Ready for Yoga Teacher Training
Wondering if now’s the time to take your practice to the next level and enroll in yoga teacher training? Here's how to tell if you're ready to take the plunge.
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Five Things to Remember When You Step on Your Yoga Mat
The beauty of yoga practice is that it’s not “one size fits all.” However, there are a number of fundamental principles that can help you get the most out of your practice.
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Deconstructing Foundational Postures: Triangle and Standing Forward Fold
Kripalu School of Yoga faculty member Cristie Newhart deconstructs two foundational postures—and explains why meditation doesn’t just have to happen on the cushion.
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Remembering B. K. S. Iyengar, a Man Who Was Once the “Anti-Advertisement for Yoga”
Fierce. Kind. Creative. Iconical. These are some of the words used to describe B.K.S. Iyengar, who passed August 20 in Pune, India.
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What’s New in the Kripalu Schools
Ready to get back to yoga school—or enroll for the first time? Here's all the news from the Kripalu Schools.
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The Benefits of Forward Bends
There are many benefits to forward bends, both standing and sitting. They create length and space in the spine, counteract compression, and promote introspection.
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There’s No Place Like Home: How to Cultivate a Home Yoga Practice
Writer and Kripalu faculty member Lara Tupper speaks with Kripalu teachers and friends about their unique approaches to practicing yoga at home.
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Yoga for the Absolute Beginner
When you’re an absolute beginner, it’s not unusual to be intimidated by a yoga class, but you don't need to be as flexible as a rubber band to get on the mat.
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Does Silence Scare You?
Silence can be frightening, because it opens the door to thoughts and emotions that noise keeps at bay.
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