Where Kajukenbo and Balintawak sharpen speed and reaction, Yoga restores the range of motion and joint health that striking training demands — the recovery side of the same ecosystem.
Yoga at Kajukenbo NYC isn't a separate wellness add-on — it's part of the same training philosophy. Balintawak and Kajukenbo build practical self-defense skill, coordination, and resilience under pressure. Yoga complements this directly: mobility, balance, breath control, and long-term joint health that support recovery and refine movement quality across every other program, in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, steps from Grand Central Terminal and Bryant Park.
No prior yoga experience is required. Classes are structured for people who train striking arts, not for a separate audience — the pacing, sequencing, and cueing all assume you're here to move better for everything else you do on the mat.
Breath-led sequencing that trains the same selective attention used in sparring and drilling.
Restoring hip, shoulder, and spinal mobility that striking and grappling gradually tighten.
Single-leg and off-balance postures that carry directly into footwork and takedown defense.
A lower-intensity class designed to sit between harder Kajukenbo or Balintawak training days.
Sarah brings a classical, comprehensively certified foundation in Pilates to her teaching, with a focus on mindful movement that builds strength, alignment, and long-term injury prevention. She works with private clients and small groups across all experience levels, shaping each session around the individual rather than a fixed routine, in an atmosphere that stays both engaging and motivating.
She holds a Registered Yoga Teacher certification (RYT-200) through Yoga Alliance (June 2024), an AED/CPR/First Aid certification through the American Heart Association (April 2025), and a Comprehensive Mat Pilates Certification from Gramercy Pilates (September 2025).
Julie is a licensed massage therapist and Tai Chi instructor based in New York City, working in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
She studied massage therapy at Pacific College of Health Sciences, and has gained experience working at Joffrey Ballet School and Press Modern Massage.
Her approach is intuitive and grounding — she specializes in deep tissue and sports massage, supporting clients managing chronic pain, postural strain from desk jobs, and active lifestyles that demand ongoing recovery, while also weaving in Swedish, Shiatsu, Table Thai, and Tui Na techniques, shaped around each client's unique needs.