I stumbled into Near East when the world seemed to pause, and now, it's where I start my days—before five, before anything else happens. Casey has curated a space over the past 20+ years where yoga and life flow seamlessly. He has a way of opening up new perspectives and has helped me to rethink the 'whys' and 'hows.’ I’m eternally grateful for the shifts in my thinking. Want a consistent pranayama practice? Come at 6:30 am. New to ashtanga? He'll teach you. Already have a practice? He'll help you dig deeper. Highly recommend meeting Casey and practicing here.
Shane S.
Oct 2023
Casey has created a wonderful space to practice traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga at Near East Yoga in Portland. The practice here is taught in the Mysore Style. This is a unique way to practice yoga where the sequence is memorized. New additional poses are given when the student is ready. Casey gives hands on physical adjustments and is able to answer questions or give modifications when needed. Yoga here is done more or less in silence yet in a group setting creating a powerful focused energy in the room. Casey has been here teaching many years and has a lot of knowledge to share. Open to brand new beginning students or advanced. Highly recommended!
Sierra Dee
Aug 2023
I often drop into shalas around the world and even though it was a short trip I am grateful to have met Casey! I received some very valuable tools for my practice. Thank you! This shala is special for sure. ??????
Reem Jaber
Apr 2023
I found NearEast yoga 4 years ago, i had moved to Portland from Beirut. This studio quickly became my home away from home, the sangha is strong, the practice is liberating, and the core essence is not trying to fit a form, rather, finding yourself where you are in your enlightenment. I admire the way Casey teaches; without imposing or controlling, more so his teaching style is that full of guidance and acceptance. Nuanced with layers of lineage. I am a proud dedicated student and recommend this place for anyone seeking a rich and fulfilling ashtanga asana, pranayama, or sutra practice.
Rogan Motis
Feb 2023
There's not really one way to be a part of this community, and it's deeply refreshing. You don't have to be a "thing" or fit an aesthetic or align with a specific energy. Though you will absolutely soar here in your practice, everyone is doing that differently across the 8 limbs. Some attend the sutras study once a week, or come through to sing and drum sometimes, or just breathe and meditate together in awe of the sun each morning. There are regular asana practitioners here of various energies, and virtual regulars even coming from different time zones. Many people have been here a long time, but there isn't a cliquey vibe to navigate. It's a homey jungle of plants, sacred artifacts, and offerings; and the Broadway street family of crows will tap on the windows sometimes to say good morning.And then there's Casey. He'll help you find your place among the planets, energy fields, ancient texts, your body's limitless and timeless wonder-- and then serve you homemade chai and crack a joke. He's studied with countless lineage holders, is astoundingly well-read, and has worked so hard in devoting his life to upholding this lineage with authenticity and heart. You can feel it the moment you walk in the door. Yet, he's still there with us every day trying to figure out what it means to be human, humbly holding this space and giving his presence. He usually runs Mysore wearing cut-off Levi's and you can just trust the guy to be real with you, know his stuff, reference what he offers, and receive what you bring with genuine enthusiasm.No hierarchy, no labels, no trends. Near East is just a community navigating the yogic path together with deep reverence for a tradition that connects spirits across space and time.
Alishan Gezgin
Aug 2022
An incredibly special and rare kind of studio, with a profound emphasis on Yoga philosophy, Pranayama, and other dimensions of yoga practice that I hadn’t encountered before. Casey’s dedication is amazing, and the whole community is so wonderful and welcoming. Highly recommended!
Lauren Hugo
Jul 2022
What a treat to practice at Casey's shala. He welcomed me in to the studio for Mysore style practice and has created a space and energy that is not easy to find. I practiced at NEY before leaving Portland in 2010 and was thrilled to return. Thank you Casey. Namaste.
Aaron Shori
Jun 2022
The right place for a taste of proper yoga, I enjoyed the calm welcoming atmosphere and the experienced instructor brings a wealth of living knowledge to space.
Amanda Marshall
Apr 2022
A wonderful community space for discovering the yogi within. Casey is a brilliant, compassionate, generous, skillful guide.
Monika Aring
Mar 2020
I went there to do my Mysore practice. Casey, the instructor, provided me with the most useful corrections and advice I’ve had in 20 years of practicing Ashtanga yoga. He studied with the master, Pattabi, and has a deep understanding of the use of gaze, breath, and internal alignment.
Jeff Savage
I stumbled into Near East when the world seemed to pause, and now, it's where I start my days—before five, before anything else happens. Casey has curated a space over the past 20+ years where yoga and life flow seamlessly. He has a way of opening up new perspectives and has helped me to rethink the 'whys' and 'hows.’ I’m eternally grateful for the shifts in my thinking. Want a consistent pranayama practice? Come at 6:30 am. New to ashtanga? He'll teach you. Already have a practice? He'll help you dig deeper. Highly recommend meeting Casey and practicing here.
Shane S.
Casey has created a wonderful space to practice traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga at Near East Yoga in Portland. The practice here is taught in the Mysore Style. This is a unique way to practice yoga where the sequence is memorized. New additional poses are given when the student is ready. Casey gives hands on physical adjustments and is able to answer questions or give modifications when needed. Yoga here is done more or less in silence yet in a group setting creating a powerful focused energy in the room. Casey has been here teaching many years and has a lot of knowledge to share. Open to brand new beginning students or advanced. Highly recommended!
Sierra Dee
I often drop into shalas around the world and even though it was a short trip I am grateful to have met Casey! I received some very valuable tools for my practice. Thank you! This shala is special for sure. ??????
Reem Jaber
I found NearEast yoga 4 years ago, i had moved to Portland from Beirut. This studio quickly became my home away from home, the sangha is strong, the practice is liberating, and the core essence is not trying to fit a form, rather, finding yourself where you are in your enlightenment. I admire the way Casey teaches; without imposing or controlling, more so his teaching style is that full of guidance and acceptance. Nuanced with layers of lineage. I am a proud dedicated student and recommend this place for anyone seeking a rich and fulfilling ashtanga asana, pranayama, or sutra practice.
Rogan Motis
There's not really one way to be a part of this community, and it's deeply refreshing. You don't have to be a "thing" or fit an aesthetic or align with a specific energy. Though you will absolutely soar here in your practice, everyone is doing that differently across the 8 limbs. Some attend the sutras study once a week, or come through to sing and drum sometimes, or just breathe and meditate together in awe of the sun each morning. There are regular asana practitioners here of various energies, and virtual regulars even coming from different time zones. Many people have been here a long time, but there isn't a cliquey vibe to navigate. It's a homey jungle of plants, sacred artifacts, and offerings; and the Broadway street family of crows will tap on the windows sometimes to say good morning.And then there's Casey. He'll help you find your place among the planets, energy fields, ancient texts, your body's limitless and timeless wonder-- and then serve you homemade chai and crack a joke. He's studied with countless lineage holders, is astoundingly well-read, and has worked so hard in devoting his life to upholding this lineage with authenticity and heart. You can feel it the moment you walk in the door. Yet, he's still there with us every day trying to figure out what it means to be human, humbly holding this space and giving his presence. He usually runs Mysore wearing cut-off Levi's and you can just trust the guy to be real with you, know his stuff, reference what he offers, and receive what you bring with genuine enthusiasm.No hierarchy, no labels, no trends. Near East is just a community navigating the yogic path together with deep reverence for a tradition that connects spirits across space and time.
Alishan Gezgin
An incredibly special and rare kind of studio, with a profound emphasis on Yoga philosophy, Pranayama, and other dimensions of yoga practice that I hadn’t encountered before. Casey’s dedication is amazing, and the whole community is so wonderful and welcoming. Highly recommended!
Lauren Hugo
What a treat to practice at Casey's shala. He welcomed me in to the studio for Mysore style practice and has created a space and energy that is not easy to find. I practiced at NEY before leaving Portland in 2010 and was thrilled to return. Thank you Casey. Namaste.
Aaron Shori
The right place for a taste of proper yoga, I enjoyed the calm welcoming atmosphere and the experienced instructor brings a wealth of living knowledge to space.
Amanda Marshall
A wonderful community space for discovering the yogi within. Casey is a brilliant, compassionate, generous, skillful guide.
Monika Aring
I went there to do my Mysore practice. Casey, the instructor, provided me with the most useful corrections and advice I’ve had in 20 years of practicing Ashtanga yoga. He studied with the master, Pattabi, and has a deep understanding of the use of gaze, breath, and internal alignment.