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When Karen was introduced to yoga in 1969-70 at the age of 13, it was to a comprehensive system that focused as much on the mind as on the body. Through twice weekly classes, often with students 2-3 times her age, Karen absorbed many of the philosophical principles and tools that shaped her views and attitudes toward life, family, commitment, purpose and much more. In 1996, Karen was graced with the opportunity to share the gifts of yoga as a yoga teacher. A committed student of life, in 2000 she fulfilled one of many quests by receiving her Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Psychology. After her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 1997, Karen experienced a shift in her world view of yoga resulting in a commitment to making yoga accessible and relevant to students who need an adaptive and therapeutic approach to yoga for health and healing. Her interest in yoga that began as a teenager, continues to grow and mature as a lifelong practice of integrating body, mind and spirit on and off the mat.
Vision
To change the world, one person at a time in accord with the Yoga tradition of Swami Kripalu and the belief that the world is one family.
Mission
To offer compassionate, heart-centered comprehensive Yoga instruction in a safe, nurturing environment that inspires personal growth and transformation for students of all ages, fitness levels and health conditions.
Professional Certifications
- Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
- 500 hour Professional Level certification completed 2002 (300 hours addition to basic)
- 200 hour basic certification, 1998
- Integrative Yoga Therapy
- 200 hour basic certification, 2000
- currently pursuing Professional Yoga Therapist certification
- Yoga of the Heart ®
- 85 hour certification, 2003
- Teaching Yoga for Specific Needs Advanced Training, Dr. Jeff Migdow, Kripalu Center
- 25 hour certification, 2005
Continuing Education2005, Kripalu Approach to Professional Ethics wtih Martha Abbot at Kripalu Center, Lenox, MA
2006, Kripalu Yoga with Shoban Richard Faulds at Kripalu Center, Lenox, MA
2006, The History of Ayurveda with David Frawley at Kripalu Center, Lenox, MA
2006, Anusara Workshop with Ann Green at Blissworks Yoga & Healing Arts, New London, CT
2006, Yoga and Ayurveda with Meredith Klotz at Mystic Yoga Shala, Mystic, CT
- 2006, Cranio-Sacral Yoga with Rodolfo Mari at Mystic Yoga Shala, Mystic, CT
2006, Anatomy & Physiology (audited, semester) at Three Rivers Community College, Norwich, CT
2006, Multidimensional Asana Practice: The Foundation of Yoga Therapy (65 hours) with Integrative Yoga Therapy at Kripalu Center, Lenox, MA
- 2007, SYTAR, Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research sponsored by IAYT at Los Angeles, CA
- 2007, Understanding the Bhagavad Gita with Yoganand Michael Carroll at Samadhi Yoga Center, Manchester, CT
- 2008, Understanding the Sacroiliac Joint and Living Your Yoga with Judith Hanson Lasater, PT, PhD at Your Community Yoga Center, Hamden, CT, 10 CEUs
- 2008, SYTAR, Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research sponsored by IAYT at Los Angeles, CA, 26 CEUs
- Workshops attended:
- The Shoulder: Anatomy, Asana and Therapeutics with Judth Hanson Lasater, PT, PhD
- Physiological Challenges: Cardiovascular with Carrie Demers, M.D. and Joseph LePage
- Yoga Nidra - Integrative Restoration with Richard Miller, PhD
- 2008, Christ In India SYTAR with Russill Paul at the Mercy Center, Madison, CT, 10 CEUs
Program Assistant 2004 at Kripalu Center
Anatomy Made Fun and Easy (50 hours) with Adrienne Jamiel
Minding the Body, Mending the Mind and Spirit with Joan Borysenko
Seven Windows to the Soul with Anodea Judith
Physiology Made Fun and Easy (50 hours) with Adrienne Jamiel
The Art of Class Design (25 hours) with Sudhakar Ken McCrae and Kathleen Knipp
Professional Memberships
Faculty Member
Advisory Committee Member- National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Yoga and MS Curriculum Advisory Committee
Yoga Teacher- Ledyard Parks & Recreation, Ledyard Connecticut
- Weekly classes since 1996
- Preston Parks & Recreation, Preston, Connecticut
- Weekly classes since 2001
- Yoga Heals Us independent classes
- Adaptive Yoga for MS classes since 2001
- Pfizer Lifestyle Services, New London, Connecticut
- Weekly classes since 2001
- Montville Senior Center, Uncasville, Connecticut
- Weekly chair yoga classes since 2004
- Lighthouse Vocational Education Center, Groton, Connecticut
- Weekly adaptive yoga classes for children with disabilities since 2004
- Ledyard Senior Center, Gales Ferry, Connecticut
- Weekly mat classes for seniors since 2005
October 2007, Feeling Good - Having Fun - Being Active, co-presenter with Sandy Matsuda (tai chi), Helen Tilden (aquatics), and Suzanne Carron (moderator) at Dallas, Texas.
Teaching Adaptive Yoga for MS Yoga Teacher Training September 2007, sponsored by the Upstate New York Chapter of the NMSS at Binghamton, New York. August 2007, sponsored by the Georgia Chapter of the NMSS at Atlanta, Georgia. April 2007, sponsored by the Upstate New York Chapter of the NMSS at Albany, New York. March 2007, sponsored by the Rhode Island Chapter of the NMSS at Warwick, Rhode Island. June 2006, sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the NMSS at Baltimore, Maryland. April 2006, sponsored by the Upstate New York Chapter of the NMSS at Rochester, New York.
October 2006, Yoga on the Move: Strategies for Teaching in Your Community October 2005, Training, Adaptive Asana for Every Body October 2004, Adaptive Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis October 2002, Business Basics
- Yoga workshop at the annual MS Camp since 2000
Author
Products- “Yes, You Can Yoga! ” video produced by the MS Awareness Foundation and featuring Karen O’Donnell Clarke, RYT (2005)
Workshops Karen offers workshops and in-service programs for organizations, self-help groups, and staff development for workplace retreats. Topics include Health & Wellness, Stress Management and movement solutions for people who sit most of the day.
Contact Karen to plan your event.
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