Rodney Yee
Page 5 of 10
Rodney Yee is a celebrated yoga teacher who began his practice in 1980 and has become a key figure in the American yoga landscape. Known for his ability to merge the physical and philosophical aspects of yoga, Rodney aims to reveal the natural beauty of the spirit through movement. Alongside his wife, Colleen Saidman Yee, he developed the Gaia Yoga Studio, which focuses on making yoga accessible for home practice.
Rodney’s teaching style is heavily influenced by his personal practice and intuition, as well as his deep exploration of Iyengar Yoga. He built a strong foundation in Iyengar Yoga under the guidance of renowned teachers, including Donald Moyer. This tradition’s emphasis on alignment, sequencing, and timing continues to shape his approach, making his classes accessible and profound for practitioners of all levels.
Throughout his career, Rodney has been dedicated to expanding the reach of yoga beyond the studio. He has created numerous video titles, narrated mediation audio recordings, and written two books, allowing people to experience his teachings. globally. As a co-chair of the Urban Zen Health and Wellness Initiative, Rodney also works to bring the healing benefits of yoga and holistic practices into hospitals and other care settings.
Education
Rodney Yee studied Philosophy and Physical Therapy at U.C. Davis and U.C. Berkeley. He learned from influential teachers, including Donald Moyer, Manouso Manos, and Ramanand Patel.
Career
Rodney was a ballet dancer with the Oakland Ballet Company and Matsuyama Dance Company of Tokyo. He co-founded Piedmont Yoga Studio in Oakland, CA, in 1987. He developed Gaia Yoga Studio with his wife, Colleen, and partnered with Donna Karan to establish UZIT LLC (Urban Zen Integrative Therapy), blending Yoga, Reiki, Essential Oils, and Meditation. He is a co-chair of the Urban Zen Health and Wellness Initiative, a foundation promoting yoga and holistic therapies in hospitals nationwide.
Publications
Rodney has authored books like "Yoga, The Poetry of the Body" (2002) and "Moving Toward Balance" (2004). He appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, CNN, and PBS. Rodney has starred in instructional videos, such as "Gaiam: Rodney Yee Yoga for Energy and Stress Relief" and "Living Yoga: Abs Yoga for Beginners." He was featured on the cover of Yoga Journal and appeared in the 2007 documentary "Yoga, Inc."
Featured Appearances and Yoga Courses
- Ashtanga
- Fusion
- Hatha
- Restorative
- Therapeutic
- Vinyasa
- Beginner Yoga
- Tutorials
- Yoga Talks
- Chair Yoga
- Level 1
- Level 1-2
- Level 2
- Level 2-3
- Level 3
- 15 Minutes
- 30 Minutes
- 45 Minutes
- 60 Minutes
- 5 Minutes
- 10 Minutes
- 20 Minutes
- 75 Minutes
- Yoga at Work
- Morning
- Arm Balances
- Yoga for Sports
- Backbends
- Core
- Detox
- Digestion
- Energy
- Hips
- Inversions
- Low Back
- Shoulders
- Evening
- Relaxation
- Spine
- Stress Relief
- Twists
- Weight Loss
- Wrists
- Pranayama
- Flexibility
- Balance
- Concentration
- Neck
- All-Around
- Strength
- Vitality
- Upper Body
- Lower Body
- Immunity
- Emotional Wellness




- Ashtanga
- Fusion
- Hatha
- Restorative
- Therapeutic
- Vinyasa
- Beginner Yoga
- Tutorials
- Yoga Talks
- Chair Yoga


- Level 1
- Level 1-2
- Level 2
- Level 2-3
- Level 3


- 15 Minutes
- 30 Minutes
- 45 Minutes
- 60 Minutes
- 5 Minutes
- 10 Minutes
- 20 Minutes
- 75 Minutes


- Yoga at Work
- Morning
- Arm Balances
- Yoga for Sports
- Backbends
- Core
- Detox
- Digestion
- Energy
- Hips
- Inversions
- Low Back
- Shoulders
- Evening
- Relaxation
- Spine
- Stress Relief
- Twists
- Weight Loss
- Wrists
- Pranayama
- Flexibility
- Balance
- Concentration
- Neck
- All-Around
- Strength
- Vitality
- Upper Body
- Lower Body
- Immunity
- Emotional Wellness
155 classes found
- 2x
- 1.75x
- 1.5x
- 1.25x
- 1x, selected
- 0.75x
- 0.5x
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Flow: Intro to Sun Salutations
Flow: Intro to Sun Salutations
- 2x
- 1.75x
- 1.5x
- 1.25x
- 1x, selected
- 0.75x
- 0.5x
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Refine: Standing Poses Workshop
Refine: Standing Poses Workshop
Why This Guide?
How Does Yoga Work?
Why Yoga?
Introduction
- 2x
- 1.75x
- 1.5x
- 1.25x
- 1x, selected
- 0.75x
- 0.5x
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Embrace the Beginning
Embrace the Beginning
How Did You Start Yoga?
Bonus Practice: Yoga Express
- 2x
- 1.75x
- 1.5x
- 1.25x
- 1x, selected
- 0.75x
- 0.5x
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Yoga for Relaxation
Yoga for Relaxation
- 2x
- 1.75x
- 1.5x
- 1.25x
- 1x, selected
- 0.75x
- 0.5x
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Yoga for Energy
Yoga for Energy
- 2x
- 1.75x
- 1.5x
- 1.25x
- 1x, selected
- 0.75x
- 0.5x
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Yoga for Flexibility
Yoga for Flexibility
- 2x
- 1.75x
- 1.5x
- 1.25x
- 1x, selected
- 0.75x
- 0.5x
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Yoga Basics