About Us
Yoga for Everyone
Yoga unites the mind, body, and soul in a way that eases tension, reduces inflammation, and promotes health and well-being. Regular practice will help you reach, improve and perfect poses, correct posture and positioning, and improve your breathing and outlook on life.
Enhance Your Wellness
Sweetwater Studios offers a variety of wellness options for everyone. Whether it's some form of exercise, or a class designed to ease anxiety or depression, or an opportunity to learn about natural ways of taking care of your health, we want to help you lean into the light and live the life you deserve.
Nature
Sweetwater Studios is nestled in the gently rolling hills of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Surrounded by the natural world, we offer a place of peace and tranquility. As landowners participating in Kingdom Trails, the studio is just a stone's throw from the White School trail and boasts an incredible view of Burke Mountain. We have been raising bees for about 8 years and continue to grow each year. Join us and experience the world in a way that is intended to refresh and restore.
Stay Healthy Naturally
Yoga is a complicated practice with so many valued components ~ the physical practice ~ meditation ~ pranayama ~ mindfulness ~ right living to mention a few. Part of taking care of the body we inhabit is by using all natural ingredients in the products we use on and around the body, as well as in what we consume.
What's Coming Up?
Yoga for Equestrians
Supporting the Muscle of the Soul
Supporting the Muscle of the Soul
A studio class series for those who want to support their mind, body and energy while riding and connecting with horses. Classes include breath work to calm nerves, ground and deepen your connection with yourself and your horse. We will also navigate different grounding techniques to help you balance your energy, and sequences of poses to strengthen and improve flexibility in the body, to support you in becoming physically stronger, more effective and comfortable while riding. This series is for all levels of yoga experience. No prior experience necessary.
$50 for the 4-week series ~ Friday evenings 5:00 – 6:00 PM
April 18, 25, May 2 and 9, 2025
Register at
Supporting the Muscle of the Soul
Supporting the Muscle of the Soul
Supporting the Muscle of the Soul
Join Michelle Berry to learn about the Psoas, “the muscle of the soul”. Learn how it affects your physical and emotional body, affecting basic functions such as breathing and walking. Additionally, we will learn its effects on your emotional states, which in-turn cause strain on your sympathetic nervous system; causing symptoms of dysregulation, such as fatigue, weight gain and depression.
Michlle will then guide you through a yogic practice to stretch and support the health of the Psoas, consequently creating a positive effect upon your entire being.
Sunday POP UP ~ May 4, 2025
9-10:30 AM
Register at
IFS Informed Emotional Intelligence
IFS Informed Emotional Intelligence
IFS Informed Emotional Intelligence
with Jill Mathers
Looking to transition your mindset? To learn more about the way your emotions affect you and others? To improve your communication skills? Then this two workshop series is just what you need to improve your Emotional Intelligence (EI). The goal of emotional intelligence coaching is to enhance intrapersonal and interpersonal communication. These workshops are for everyone, providing you with the tools to gain awareness of your own and others’ emotions, the reactions that may stem from them, why you have them, and how to formulate more productive responses.
Emotional intelligence (EI) has been defined as the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to recognize their impact and to guide one’s thinking and actions to productively solve problems and regulate behavior (Salovey & Mayer, 1990).
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a practice that enables a person to hone these skills. The principles of IFS coincide nicely with the branches of EI. When people are aware of emotions, the reactions they elicit, and the subsequent anticipated behavior in others, this will enhance interpersonal communication and the ability to modulate their own actions and responses to elicit a productive and beneficial outcome in themselves and others in any given situation. All are invited to join!
Saturday, April 26, 2025 AND Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
$200 for 6 hours of training
Register at: www.vagaro.com/sweetwaterstudios
Sweetwater Studios Scholarships
IFS Informed Emotional Intelligence
IFS Informed Emotional Intelligence
Did you know that Sweetwater Studios has funds available to assist with the cost of wellness classes?
It's true ~ donations from Chair Yoga and other "by donation" classes (or from donations of kind members of the community) is put aside to help those who are interested in taking classes at the studio, but find the cost is more than they can manage.
To access funds simply send Karen an email at 135.sweetwater@gmail.com explaining what classes you are interested in taking!
The Sweetwater Team
Karen Kennedy
Michelle Berry
Karen Kennedy
Karen has been a practitioner of yoga for many years, and in 2016 decided to go for her 200-hour certification through Heart Space Yoga under the guidance of Andrea Thibodeau. She then began teaching classes in her community regularly. In 2017 she traveled to Barcelona to become a certified Trapeze Yoga teacher through Yogabody. In 2020 she became a certified yoga coach. In 2021 Karen became a certified Aromatherapist and in 2022 earned her 300 RYT through the Kaivalya Yoga Method. She has taught classes in gentle yoga, chair yoga, all levels yoga, trapeze yoga, gravity coaching, and restorative yoga. She also teaches mindfulness classes and offers aromatherapy consultations. Her dream of owning her own studio became a reality when she opened Sweetwater Studios in East Burke in the fall of 2022.
Sorrel Watson
Michelle Berry
Karen Kennedy
Sorrel is a firm believer that yoga is for everyone, no matter what their age, fitness level, flexibility, gender or background, and ensures that her classes are designed with this in mind. Yoga has always been a safe haven for Sorrel and this nurturing element is something that runs through each of her classes. Expect flowing sequences that offer the chance to reconnect with yourself, whilst enjoying some great music and a welcoming atmosphere.
An English woman based in Vermont, she completed her initial 250 hour teacher training in 2017 under Keren Cooksey of Falmouth Yoga Space in the UK, but is on a continuous journey to learn more about the practice of yoga and the many ways of teaching it.
Michelle Berry
Michelle Berry
Michelle Berry
Michelle found her way to the practice of yoga during her college years, when she discovered how supportive the physical practice was to her passion for riding horses. Her connection to the practice quickly grew as she discovered the array of ways that it supported her being transcended far beyond the physical, and led to a more wholesome, empowered manner of showing up in the world.
After a number of years of practice under the guidance of an Ashtanga instructor, Michelle attended her first 200 hr teacher training in Ashtanga Yoga through Yoga Vermont in 2015.
For Michelle, yoga isn’t only found when you show up on your mat. It is a way of being in the world that enriches your experience, encourages you to grow, connect to yourself more deeply, live present, have increased awareness of your surroundings and develop a deeper connection with others and the natural world.
In a pursuit to delve deeper into her own authenticity and creativity, in 2023 Michelle enrolled in “Authentic Movements” 200hr yoga teacher training in Hatha Vinyasa; a training that invites creative expression and freedom of movement to bring enrichment to life and the practice.
Michelle’s passions extend beyond yoga with a delight for being in nature whether that means being with or riding her horses, hiking mountains, swimming in rivers and lakes, or sitting and enjoying a sunset.
She is the dedicated and compassionate manager of the “Mountain View Farm Animal Sanctuary” for over 10 years, representing and supporting the world of animal rescue.
She also holds a certification as an Equine Gestlatist in which her business, “Journey Within Equine Healing”, is motivated to guide individuals on their personal journey of healing and empowerment, with the powerful guidance of the horse as a co-active coaching partner.
Shelly Watts
Samantha Hudson
Michelle Berry
Shelly Watts is a passionate individual who has recently embarked on a new journey to become a trapeze yoga instructor.
She is an experienced professional with a background in cosmetic sales spanning over 20 years. Throughout her career, she has developed strong communication skills, enabling her to effectively connect with others and create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere.
In June 2023, she became a certified trapeze yoga instructor through Yogabody, solidifying her expertise in this unique form of yoga. Shelly is also an outdoor enthusiast, enjoying activities like hiking and biking, which align with her healthy lifestyle.
Shelly's return to Vermont three years ago has been a fulfilling experience, particularly in the vibrant community of Burke. She has found a sense of belonging and camaraderie within the community and at Sweetwater Studios, where she feels inspired to grow and share her knowledge of trapeze yoga.
Samantha Hudson
Samantha Hudson
Samantha Hudson
Sam was first gintroduced to yoga when she was about 15; she would regularly attend a weekly PiYo (pilates - yoga) class that her Mother invited her to. It was the poses that drew her in, but the savasana that made her stay. There was just something about someone giving her permission to lay in stillness for 10 minutes, and to work on turning off the constant noise. She began diving into an (almost) daily self practice. In her late 20s she dreamed of taking a yoga teacher training, but didn’t feel confident to become a teacher so she never pursued it. In February of 2022, Sam’s dog was healing from a very intense leg surgery, which led her to discover trapeze yoga at Sweetwater Studios, as she needed to find something to occupy her mind and fulfill the time she was missing out in the woods with her dog. Her love for trapeze grew deeply and in turn, re-discovered her love for a daily self yoga practice at home. It was almost two years later when she finally decided to take the leap and complete her 200hr RYT with Bodhi Yoga Academy, which is a Colorado based yoga studio that she was able to complete online, in March 2024. She is now registered with yoga alliance and is pursing the yoga trapeze training with Yogabody!
Resources
Mindful Activities
- Walking meditation - take a short walk alone focusing on any one of the senses ~ sound, sight, smells. . .
- Finding Pleasantness ~ stressed about going somewhere new? When you walk into a new space for the first time,take a moment to look around and notice what makes you feel good.
- Need a moment to process ~ STOP : Stop what you are doing; Take a breath; Observe what you are thinking & feeling; Proceed
- Keep a gratitude journal ~ each day write 1 or 3 or 5 things you are grateful for.
Chants
- OM MANI PADME HUM ~ The jewel is in the lotus or praise to the jewel in the lotus
- OM NAMAH SHIVAYA ~ chanted during meditation in order to help realize the inner Self and possesses the qualities of prayer, divine love, grace, truth and blissfulness.
- OM GAM GANAPATAYA NAMAHA ~ This is the mantra to invoke Ganesh when you need to remove obstacles in your own life.
Great Mindfulness Sites
What's Happening?
Quote of the Week
Quote of the Week
Quote of the Week
"You don't need a life without a fight. You need a life worth fighting for."
— Brianna Wiest
At the Studio
Quote of the Week
Quote of the Week
Since opening the studio in October 2022, it has been a whirlwind of excitement. I am humbled by the overwhelming response from the community and bow in gratitude to each and every person who has visited.
I am very much open
to feedback so if there is something you would like to share, or an offering you would like to see us support, please do not hesitate to reach out and let us know!
आनन्द अगद्यति
Apiary News
We lost some hives over the winter, but most of the survivors are strong and flying on these sunny, warm days. They are busy as, well, you know, BEES; cleaning the hives and bringing in early pollen. Honey provides a number of essential health benefits including strengthening the immune system, relieving symptoms from allergies, nourishing the skin, wound healing, and so much more!
Reach out if you are interested in purchasing some.
We sell in one and two pound jars ~ $10 per pound!
Products from the "Lab"
Room or linen sprays, soaps, bath salts, sugar scrubs, diffuser blends, soothing body lotions and balms, solid or roll-on scents. . .
I've been mixing these and more using natural ingredients and essential oils.
I am available to work with you individually to determine what you need for a healthier more natural lifestyle.
If you're interested in learning more or would like to book a session with me to meet your unique needs, please reach out to me using the contact information at the bottom of the page.
