“Hi, I’m Sarah Kellett…

Let’s chat about safety in suspended yoga poses”

“A little more about me…

I began the development of OmGym, the company created to make Suspension and Aerial Yoga products, in 2005, and incorporated in the beginning of 2006 — a time when Aerial and/or Suspension Yoga was virtually unknown. This endeavor required an exceptionally intimate understanding of products and a detailed exploration of methods for optimal use. There were no examples of use or any safety standards in the industry at that time, and therefore I had to create them. My company became the “first to market” on a large scale, which included international recognition. Our marketing plan included a huge assortment of in-person events, which gave me hands-on experience that I believe is unrivaled by any other person. This is in part due to the sheer quantity of event visitors that I personally worked with and instructed as a result. From these events, I assisted and supervised more than 25,000 people in the inverted position with my equipment. I also did much of the early-stage product design and development, as well as training program design and development. Many details that are now standard in the industry, both in class education and product offerings, are the result of decisions that I personally made. No serious injury has ever occurred with my instructional guidance, and I intend to keep it that way!”

Education

• Shiva Rea- Prana Vinyasa Flow - 200 Hour Teacher Training: This is a foundational training for yoga instruction, and includes a dissection of proper form and anatomical alignment for each pose, along with safe transitions, an assortment of breathing techniques, physical and mental stress management, clear cuing, and more. - 2007

• Brian Legere - Iyengar-based Yoga Wall and Suspension Training, Level 1 and 2 - Part of an effort to take all courses in suspended movement that I could find at the time. 2008-2009

• Red Cord Suspension Therapy Training, Level 1 and 2 - 2008-2009

• TRX Professional Education - Suspension Fitness Training - 2009

• TRX Professional Education - Suspension Therapy Training - 2009

• Ruslan Keytlan - Thai Massage Training - 2008 - (Related to suspension yoga due to methods of passive body manipulation and range of motion)

• Judith Hansen Lasater - Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Workshop 2008

• Elise Browning Miller - Yoga for Scoliosis Teacher Training -2007

• Jenny Sauer-Klein - Acro Yoga Specialty Training - 2007

• Erin Maile O’Keefe - Circus Yoga Specialty Training -2007

• Leslie Kaminoff - Anatomy of Yoga Professional Training - 2006

• Florida International University, North Miami Beach, FL - 1998-2001 Exercise Science

• Paul St John - Neuromuscular Therapy Professional Training -1998

• Florida College of Natural Health, Miami, FL - Athletic Rehabilitation - 100 hours -1998

• Florida College of Natural Health, Miami, FL - Advanced Therapeutics and Natural Health - 400 hours -1998

• Florida College of Natural Health, Pompano Beach, FL - Soft Tissue Therapeutics - 600 hours - 1997-1998

• National Sports Performance Association - Strength and Conditioning Specialist Training and Certification -1997

• National Sports Performance Association - Fitness Instructor Training and Certification - 1996

• Professional Massage Associates, Rockville, MD - Fitness Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Specialist - 100 hours- 1996

• American Council on Exercise - Personal Trainer Certification -1996

• Bally Total Fitness, White Marsh, MD - American Council on Exercise Preparation Training - 1995

• Self Study - Beginning year 1993, due to both spinal injury and personal interest. This has led to a life of extensive investigative study, training, and discipline in the field of yoga, including a great variety of modalities sub-study related to the practice of Suspension and Aerial Yoga. These techniques and modalities include:

Meditation (including a 10 day silent Vipassana meditation)

Breath Work Techniques (including trainings with Mike White and Dr Sam Mielcarski)

Digestive science (with Dr Robert Snyder, Loren Lockman and others)

Proprioception with Neuroscientist Dr. Gabriel Montes (former domestic partner and business partner in INTRCPT, a company focused on post-stroke neurological rehabilitation, part of a CSIRO business development program in Newcastle, Australia),

Inversion Therapy Analysis: I have reviewed all literature available in the English language on inversion therapy, both peer-reviewed, and grey literature

General Yoga, including:• One year of continuous immersive study in Dahab, Egypt, with rotating yoga retreat leaders (these are teachers with a following and who tend to be exceptional in their field) - 2003-3004

• Immersive stays at a variety of educational yoga retreat centers and Ashrams, including Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY; Kripalu - Stockbridge, MA; Sivananda Ashram - Bahamas; Escalen - Big Sur, CA; Izhcayluma - Vilcabamba, Ecuador; Agama Yoga - Koh Phangan, Thailand; Sramana - Kuranda, Australia; Finca de Vida - Costa Rica, to name a few.

• At least 3000 individual classes with a large variety of teachers. With a personal practice dating back to 1998, I have a strong understanding of common teaching methods used in all types of classes.

Product Development

• Introduced key features of equipment, including daisy chains, improved carry bags, cushioning support in sling, improved hooks, improved fabric

• Worked on assessing the perfect mat for classes, which included testing of many different types of mats and mat materials, and developing prototypes

• Obtained any inversion products available (tables, boots, etc) and investigated proper use and handling for market research and optimal user strategies

• Created all user warnings and safety guidelines specific to the fabric-based support for suspension and aerial yoga, which have been duplicated repeatedly

• Created all product literature

• Tested a variety of fabrics extensively to assess functional application

• Sourced all materials at buying fairs in Guangzhou, China

• Developed quality control measures with quality control engineers

• Oversaw strength tests conducted at Intertek

• Conducted independent strength tests with sandbags and scales

• Supervised factory production in Shanghai, China, which required local residence for 6 months during production period

• Designed/developed complimentary support structures and rigging solutions

• Developed all specifications and specification kits

• Negotiated all manufacturing contracts

Teaching Experience

• Coordinated OmGym Suspension Yoga Movement Zones at large variety of events, generally with a team of assistants and movement instructors. Events had anywhere up to 13 OmGym Stations for visitors to use with my/our assistance. Visitors to the movement zones generally tried the inverted position, and received 5-10 minutes of individual attention while performing the guided/assisted movements of their choice. I gave private instruction to attendees along side hired personnel, while supervising their instruction. All staff at all listed events were trained by and supervised by me. Events were on average 3 days long, 9 hours per day, generally with a steady stream of visitors the entire time. There were usually lines of attendees waiting for us. Events occurred in a huge variety of settings, some in extreme conditions, including extreme weather conditions, unusual terrain, and more. Visitors were all ages, all heights, all levels of fitness and agility, and weighed up to 300lbs. See last section for specific events.

• Developed what was likely the first written Aerial/Suspension Yoga Movement Series (Provisional Patent filed in 2007)

• Wrote an extensive Suspension Yoga Teacher Training Program dissecting all postures for all body types, and compiled a manual for student teachers

• Led teacher trainings at a variety of locations including Kripalu (Stockbridge, MA), The Flying Yogi Studio (Toronto, CA), Bearfoot Yoga (Brooklyn, NY), Yin Yang Yoga Center (Olney, MD), Just OM (Miami, FL), The Royal Windsor Fitness Club (Mississauga, CA), Private Estate and Club (Germany), and OmGym home-base in Tarzana, CA. Students mainly included physical therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, personal trainers, physicians, and yoga instructors.

• Coordinated Production for a Suspension Yoga DVD

• Wrote and Co-wrote a variety of specialized movement programs and classes, such a Handstand Training with Suspension Yoga, Backbend Training with Suspension Yoga, Suspended Massage Therapy, and more

• Led Suspension Yoga retreats, creating an immersive experience over the course of several days to one week, designed to increase range of motion, neutralize posture, and alleviate common pain symptoms, while generating a feeling overall well-being.

• Toured with world class yoga festivals as a featured advertised teacher with a portable outdoor rigging classroom, including:

• Wanderlust Festivals - Canada Tour

• Wanderlust Festivals - USA Tour

• Wanderlust Festivals - Australia Tour

Television Appearances

• The Doctors TV Show (2 times- Including one inversion therapy feature and one suspended Coregasm Workout feature)

• Telemundo: A televised class demonstration on Santa Monica Beach

• Celebrity Fit Club: Instructed hung-over celebrities to hang upside-down and workout on a reality TV show

• Event Interviews: Many events were televised and included impromptu interviews and/or demonstrations at onsite events.

Magazine Appearances

This includes mix of editorial articles and features, generally of myself demonstrating

Suspension and Aerial Yoga. I also executed the art direction for all other models who

were featured in all magazine appearances while representing OmGym. Magazines

included:

  • Yoga International

  • CommonGround

  • Yoga Journal

  • Looking Green

  • Shape

  • Yoga Magazine

  • New York Yoga

  • Conscious Dancer

  • New Life

  • Mantra

  • LA Yoga

  • Bust

  • Fashion

  • Yogi Times

  • Wellness Magazine (South Africa)

Professional Affiliations

International Yoga Federation: ERYT 500 Status Established (Previous Affiliation)

Canadian Yoga Alliance: ERYT 500 GOLD Status Established (Previous Affiliation)

Note: The above statuses were based on a pre-established assessment of education and experience of a yoga instructor. Those statuses were the highest levels obtainable at that time for those organizations, and my education surpassed the requirements for those statuses.

Other Relationships/ Affiliations

Reseller Relationships: OmGym was the leading equipment provider in the field of Aerial and Suspension Yoga during the years of 2006-2012. We were the primary informational resource for all inquiries related to the resale and use of equipment by all distributors. All staff who handled such inquiries were trained and directed by me. OmGym supplied equipment and training for a great variety of businesses, mainly inclusive of yoga studios, chiropractors, physical therapists, Pilates studios, gyms, massage therapists, spas, retreat centers, gift shops, online retailers, birthing centers, physicians, and osteopaths. We offered wholesale/reseller accounts to both established businesses and individuals with related professional expertise..

Other Experience

Caretaker of mentally and physically handicapped children with a focus on autism — 1994-1996. This was a high school job, but was particularly helpful later when assisting people with special needs in suspended positions.

Special Muscular Dystrophy Case — 2008-2009 - created a home-based system (in patient’s home) using OmGym Suspension Systems and specially designed movement programs (created by me) to assist adult patient with severe muscular dystrophy in developing strength and increased proprioception to relearn how to walk after a broken femur. Project was very successful.

Be Another Lab Collaboration — 2015 - Created a sensory experience of suspension yoga using VR

Co-wrote “Your Brain on Yoga” Workshop Series, presented by Dr. Gabriel Montes at various locations throughout Australia — 2013 - 2016 — This series explored what published neuroscience could tell us about the yoga practice, as well as how theteachings of yoga can enhance our understanding of neuroscience. This series also included a special workshop, “Your Brain on Suspension Yoga”

Extensive outdoor training, specifically in the field of whitewater, including study of knots, rigging equipment, swift water rescue training and more

Mason Dixon Canoe Cruisers: Vice President - 2021-Current - Club focusing on safety and rescue in whitewater sports — mainly rowing, kayaking, and rafting.

Currently working on a volunteer status as an environmental activist.

List of Events with OmGym Movement Zones

Yoga Conferences and Events

  • Global Mala Conference - Los Angeles, CA

  • Yoga Journal Conferences (at least 5) - California, New York, Florida, Colorado

  • Omega Conferences - New York, NY and Rhinebeck, New York

  • Iyengar Yoga Charya Conference - San Jose, CA

  • Bhakti Festival (at least 3 years) - Palm Springs, CA

  • Wanderlust Festivals (at least 8 events) - Vermont, Colorado, California (2),

  • Montreal, Whistler, Sydney, Brisbane

  • Telluride Yoga Festival - Colorado

  • Yoga and Raw Foods Expo - Los Angeles, CA

  • Art of Vinyasa Conference - Miami, FL

  • Acro Yoga Retreat - Yosemite, CA

  • Kate Potter Weekend - Miami, FL

  • Omega Campus Events - Rhinebeck, NY

  • Lululemon Events - Miami, FL

  • Karmapalooza - Miami Beach, FL

  • Yoga Glo Community Events - Los Angeles, CA

  • Jivamukti Trunk Sale - New York, NY

  • The Standard Hotel Events - Miami, FL

  • Temple Arts Grand Opening - Plantation, FL

  • Shiva Rea Instructor Training and Events - Venice, CA

  • Yoga Month LA - Los Angeles

  • Yoga Collective Benefit - Los Angeles

  • Yoga Conference and Show - San Jose, CA

  • Yoga Conference and Show - TorontoYoga 108 - Sydney, Australia

Healthy Lifestyle Events

  • Raw Spirit Festivals - Arizona and Santa Barbara

  • One Spirit Retreats - Sedona, Arizona

  • Thrive Miami - Miami, FL

  • The Best Weekend Ever w/ David Wolfe - Orange County, CA

  • Longevity Now Conference - Orange County, CA

  • Gratitude Nights - Los Angeles, CA

  • Longevity Conference - Los Angeles, CA

  • Raw Bazaar - Los Angeles, CA

  • Rawvolution - Santa Monica, CA

  • Spain Fruit Festivals (3 years) - Malaga, Spain

Pilates Conferences

  • Body, Mind Spirit Pilates Conference - San Jose, CA

Fitness Training Conferences

  • IDEA Conference - San Diego, CA

  • ECA World Fitness Conference - New York, NY

  • Canfitpro - Toronto, Canada

Green Events

  • San Francisco Green Festivals (at least 4 years)

  • Festival of Sail - San Francisco

  • Earth Day - Los Angeles

  • Venice EcoFest (2 years)

  • Bioneers (at least 2 years) - Marin County

  • DC Green Festivals (at least 3 years) - Washington, DC

  • Vegetarian Festival - San Francisco

  • SolFest - Petaluma, CA

  • EarthDay Miami - Miami, FL

  • GreenFest AfterParties an Promotional Events - San Francisco

  • Topanga Earthday - Topanga, CA

  • Go Green Festival - Los Angeles

  • LA Green Festivals (3 years) - Los Angeles• Music Festivals

  • Symbiosis - California

  • EarthDances - California

  • Emrg-N-See - California

  • Beloved - California

  • Harmony Festivals - California

  • Sonic Boom - California

  • Raw Union - California

  • Dreamtime - California

  • Power to the Peaceful - California

  • Mystic Garden Party - California

  • Lightning in a Bottle - California

  • Sea of Dreams - California

Street Festivals

  • AbbottKinney Festivals (2 years) - Venice, CA

  • Festival Carnival - San Francisco, CA

  • PRIDE - Santa Monica, CA and Baltimore, MD

  • CityFest - Venice, CA

  • Farmers Markets - Miami, FL

  • Women's Day Toronto - Toronto, Canada

Community Art Events

  • Art Basel - Miami, FL

  • Tobacco Road - Miami, FL

  • Akua Films Benefit - Berkeley, CA

Fundraisers

  • Make a Wish - Miami, FL

  • Animal Rights Conference - Los Angeles, CA

New Age Expos

  • New Life Expos, Fort Lauderdale, FL and New York, NY

  • Conscious Life Expo Sebastapol, CA

  • New Living Expo - Los Angeles, CA

  • Body Mind Spirit Expo - Miami, FL

  • Alchemy Conference - Los Angeles, CA

  • Mind, Body, and Beyond C0nference

Let’s Talk

Sarah Kellett & Shiva Rea

Interested in working together? Get in touch!