Kaia Yoga, founded in 2006 by Connecticut native Gina Norman, has grown into a vibrant, deeply connected community of practice. A yoga teacher for more than 30 years, Norman recalls, “I started teaching when I was 21. I really love and believe in what I do. I’ve never done anything else.”

She moved to Greenwich with her former partner, yoga teacher Stan Woodman, and took over an established studio that had long been a part of the local yoga landscape. Woodman continues to teach Ashtanga at 12:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Westport Kaia Yoga location.  

Norman brought not only her teaching but her presence. “You see me in class all the time,” she says. “I was just teaching a class with a mix of students—one woman has practiced with me for 15 years, alongside someone newer to the community. When you have that layering within a single class, you feel the depth. It’s a very supportive community.”

The name Kaia, meaning “to embody” and also the name of Norman’s daughter, reflects her vision. Today, Kaia Yoga has 10 studios and 145 teachers. “I’m grateful for our instructors—they help nurture a deeply rooted community. Our growth is organic, and we’re always finding ways to strengthen those bonds,” she says.

Methodology with Meaning

Norman has developed a methodology that blends structure and freedom. “There has to be a reason for what you’re doing. Why that pose? Why that sequence?” she asks. “Everything has a deeper meaning. It’s mindful and intentional yet still allows space for freedom.”

Kaia Yoga looks beyond asana, addressing body, mind and heart. Classes weave philosophical and physical themes to nourish students on all levels. Norman illustrates this with side angle pose: “You might place your hand on the inside or the outside of the foot. Today, I had students place the hand inside because we were working toward a bind, so there was a purpose to it,” she explains. “Every choice in the sequence supports where we’re headed.”

Kaia’s teachers reflect that depth and majority of their teachers have more than 10 years of teaching experience and the average student has been practicing at Kaia Yoga for over five years. “This is testament to the commitment that our students and teachers have with one another,” Norman affirms.  “Yoga is about relationship, and we have been building that in the community for 20 years.”

A Rooted Journey

Norman discovered yoga while living in New York City. “I took a class and fell instantly in love,” she says. “I dove deep into my practice at a time when yoga was just beginning to bloom in New York. I’ve always been an avid student, and I still am.”

She maintains a strong mindfulness and meditation practice. During the pandemic, Kaia Yoga built an online community of daily practitioners. “It’s wonderful to practice with a global community and see the weaving together of in-person and online students,” Norman reflects. 

Her advice is simple: “Do your yoga and meditation and stick with it. There is value in steadiness. It enables you to live your life fully awake and engaged. It is transformation plain and simple.”

A Community That Grows Stronger

The sense of roots extends beyond Norman, reflected in the passion of her team. She highlights the wide range of offerings that allow the community to grow: “We have free and donation-based classes, virtual offerings, workshops, retreats in Costa Rica, teacher trainings, and specialty events ranging from Thai massage trainings to sound healing. Whether you’re seeking restorative, flow, power or hot yoga, we have you covered.”

Looking Ahead

Kaia Yoga remains rooted in its mission while branching out with new opportunities. A Grand Reopening and Open House will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on October 16 at its flagship Greenwich studio—a perfect chance for new and longtime students to experience the community firsthand.

Norman shares a vision for the coming years: “We see Kaia continuing to grow as both a local and global community—deepening our online offerings, creating specialized trainings, and hosting retreats that bring people together in transformative ways. The heart of our mission remains the same: to create a space where everyone feels welcome, grounded and inspired.”

Plans are already underway for a 20-year anniversary celebration in 2026, marking two decades of community, growth and shared practice.

For more information, class schedules and locations, visit KaiaYoga.com or email [email protected]. See ad, page 12.