Yoga Teacher Training (YTT)
Lead Instructor: Julia Jonson | Co-Instructor: Sally Gill
SEPTEMBER 2025 - MAY 2026
Hosted at The Yoga Effect
Deepen Knowledge, Gain Wisdom While Becoming a Light for Others
Yoga provides us with an opportunity to get to know ourselves from the inside out. When you say YES to embarking on training, you open up a whole new path of learning and growth. YTT is an opportunity to work through self-limiting beliefs and build confidence. It’s an opportunity to awaken the higher Self and shine like never before.
JUNE 2026
The Threshold: Reclaiming Power in Midlife with Sally Gill
Saturday June 6, 2026 • 12:00-2:00pm • $40
Midlife is not a fading; it’s a turning point. This thoughtfully designed workshop invites women to step into this season of life with intention, strength, and self-trust. Together, we will create a supportive space to honor both the challenges and the quiet wisdom that emerge during this transition.
Through a blend of gentle yet empowering yoga, guided reflection, breathwork, and meditation, you will explore what it means to release old narratives and reconnect with your evolving sense of self. This experience is not about returning to who you once were; it’s about embracing who you are becoming.
Participants will be guided through a practice that supports the physical and emotional landscape of midlife, offering space to pause, reflect, and realign. You will leave feeling rooted and reconnected to your power, ready to navigate your journey with renewed energy.
What to Expect:
In this supportive, empowering workshop, you will:
- Experience a grounding yoga practice focused on strength, balance, and mobility.
- Practice breathwork techniques designed to calm the nervous system and build resilience.
- Engage in guided journaling to reflect on identity, purpose, and personal growth.
- Connect with your inner wisdom through a deeply restorative meditation.
Workshop Details:
This workshop is ideal for women navigating life transitions, seeking renewed energy, or simply longing for space to pause. No prior yoga experience is necessary—just a willingness to show up for yourself. Meaningful connection in a welcoming, non-judgmental community awaits. Come as you are, leave feeling rooted.
Cancellation policy: As a courtesy to our teachers who plan their workshops thoughtfully, workshops are non-refundable if less than 24 hours' notice of cancellation is given. Thank you.
Align, Breathe & Control: The Fundamentals and Principles of Mat Practice with Stacy Wheeler
Saturday, June 13, 2026 • 1:00-2:30pm • $40 per person
This introductory workshop offers a supportive space to explore the foundations of Pilates. We’ll begin with a brief overview of the history of Joseph Pilates’ method and the key benefits of maintaining a consistent practice for longevity and strength.
The majority of the session will focus on learning and practicing the core principles that underpin the classical Pilates mat series. We will explore how these pillars create the "Powerhouse" of the body:
- Alignment
- Breathwork
- Concentration
- Control
- Precision
After exploring these principles, participants will be guided through beginner-level exercises from the original 34-exercise mat sequence. You will receive hands-on learning, individualized support, and plenty of time for questions to ensure you feel the work in your own body.
What to Expect:
In this focused, educational workshop, you will:
- Explore the history and benefits of the Joseph Pilates method.
- Identify how core principles serve as the foundation for every movement.
- Practice beginner-level exercises with a focus on precision and safety.
- Learn to build confidence and body awareness to support your future practice.
Class Details:
Whether you are brand-new to Pilates or looking to deepen your understanding of the fundamentals, this workshop will help you build a strong foundation for movement on and off the mat.
Cancellation Policy: To receive a full refund, please provide at least 24 hours' notice. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice are non-refundable.
Register Here
Strengthen, Integrate & Flow: The Intermediate Principles of the Classical Mat Series with Stacy Wheeler
Saturday, June 13, 2026 • 3:00-4:30pm • $40 per person
Building on the foundations established in Pilates 101, this workshop is designed for students ready to explore the more dynamic and demanding exercises within Joseph Pilates’ original mat series. We will shift our focus toward movements that require greater strength, coordination, and a deeper core connection.
In Pilates 102, we move beyond the basics to explore the intermediate pillars of the method. We will work to deepen your understanding of these key classical elements:
- Precision
- Flow
- Full-Body Integration
- Core Power
- Dynamic Control
This session offers a thoughtful, progressive approach with detailed breakdowns, modifications, and hands-on guidance. Participants should already feel confident with foundational exercises—particularly the Roll Up—and have a basic understanding of Pilates terminology and alignment.
What to Expect:
In this intermediate, educational workshop, you will:
- Explore dynamic movements from the original classical mat sequence.
- Identify how full-body integration creates a balanced foundation for advanced work.
- Practice refining the Roll Up and other intermediate-level transitions.
- Learn to embody the flow, building the strength and awareness required for a lifelong practice.
Class Details:
Together, we will continue to build the strength and body awareness that support a more advanced Pilates practice and a deeper connection to the classical method.
Cancellation Policy: To receive a full refund, please provide at least 24 hours' notice. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice are non-refundable.
Register Here
Free Community Meditation with Mary Mantilla
Sunday June 14, 2026 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Join us for a free community meditation. No experience needed. We’ll explore simple techniques in both mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation and practice together.
At a time when there is so much discontent in the world, let’s come together to practice peace.
Stay after for tea, snacks, and a chance to mingle with like-minded people.
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Register Here
Receive the Light: Summer Solstice Sound Bath and Yin Restorative Yoga with Stephanie Bersh
Friday June 19, 2026 • 7:00-8:30pm • $35
Join us for a deeply nourishing Summer Solstice experience designed to help you soften, open, and receive. As we gather at 7:00 PM and move gently toward sunset at 8:30 PM, this practice invites you to align with the expansive energy of the approaching longest day of the year.
We’ll begin with a slow, accessible yin and restorative yoga practice; offering supportive shapes that encourage the body to release tension and the mind to settle. With the support of props and intentional guidance, you’ll be invited into a state of ease, creating space for deeper listening within.
From this place of openness, you’ll be immersed in a soothing sound bath, allowing vibrations to wash over you and support rest, reflection, and renewal. This is a practice of receiving, of letting in light, energy, and possibility as we transition into the fullness of summer.
What to Expect:
In this supportive, rejuvenating workshop, you will:
- Release deep-seated tension with supportive yoga shapes designed for effort and ease.
- Immerse yourself in a soothing sound bath, allowing vibrations to support rest and renewal.
- Connect with the seasonal threshold through reflection and intentional sunset meditation.
Workshop Details:
Open to all levels, this workshop offers the perfect pause to breathe, restore, and reconnect. No prior experience is needed; just come as you are, ready to receive and step fully into the light of summer. We’ll close together as the sun sets, honoring this seasonal threshold with presence and intention.
Cancellation policy: As a courtesy to our teachers who plan their workshops thoughtfully, workshops are non-refundable if less than 24 hours' notice of cancellation is given. Thank you.
Yoga Teacher Training Info Session: Discover Your Path with Julia Jonson and Sally Gill
Saturday, June 27, 2026 • 12:00-1:30pm • Free Class
Are you curious about becoming a yoga teacher or simply looking to understanding yourself better? Yoga Teacher Training opens up a whole new path of learning, growth, and self-discovery. This is a unique opportunity to work through self-limiting beliefs and find the courage to shine like never before.
Join us for an upcoming info session at The Yoga Effect to learn about our comprehensive program starting in September. Created and led by Julia Jonson of TBY Yoga and co-instructor Sally Gill, this gathering is an invitation to ask questions and explore how this transformational journey can support your personal growth, practice, and teaching path.
What to Expect:
In this supportive, informational session, you will:
- Meet the lead instructors, Julia Jonson and Sally Gill, and hear about their unique approach to the TBY Yoga curriculum.
- Learn about the program structure, key dates, and what to expect during the training starting this fall.
- Explore how the training helps you break through self-limiting beliefs to unlock your full potential.
- Discover how this journey supports personal growth and deepens your understanding of yoga beyond the poses.
Workshop Details:
Open to all experience levels. Whether you intend to teach or simply want to dive deeper into your own practice, this info session offers the perfect space to breathe, learn, and reconnect with your potential. No prior experience with teacher training is needed—just a curiosity for growth. We will have plenty of time for a casual Q&A to address your specific goals.
Registration: This informational session is free to attend, but please register in advance so we can prepare materials for all attendees. We look forward to seeing you there!
Yoga Teacher Training Info Session: Discover Your Path with Julia Jonson and Sally Gill
Sunday, June 28, 2026 • 12:00-1:30pm • Free Class
Are you curious about becoming a yoga teacher or simply looking to understanding yourself better? Yoga Teacher Training opens up a whole new path of learning, growth, and self-discovery. This is a unique opportunity to work through self-limiting beliefs and find the courage to shine like never before.
Join us for an upcoming info session at The Yoga Effect to learn about our comprehensive program starting in September. Created and led by Julia Jonson of TBY Yoga and co-instructor Sally Gill, this gathering is an invitation to ask questions and explore how this transformational journey can support your personal growth, practice, and teaching path.
What to Expect:
In this supportive, informational session, you will:
- Meet the lead instructors, Julia Jonson and Sally Gill, and hear about their unique approach to the TBY Yoga curriculum.
- Learn about the program structure, key dates, and what to expect during the training starting this fall.
- Explore how the training helps you break through self-limiting beliefs to unlock your full potential.
- Discover how this journey supports personal growth and deepens your understanding of yoga beyond the poses.
Workshop Details:
Open to all experience levels. Whether you intend to teach or simply want to dive deeper into your own practice, this info session offers the perfect space to breathe, learn, and reconnect with your potential. No prior experience with teacher training is needed—just a curiosity for growth. We will have plenty of time for a casual Q&A to address your specific goals.
Registration: This informational session is free to attend, but please register in advance so we can prepare materials for all attendees. We look forward to seeing you there!
Remote Workshop: The Three Marks of Existence: Seeing Life As It Truly Is with Bhante Sujatha
Note: This is a remote workshop. The Zoom link will be emailed to you following registration.
Sunday June 28, 2026 • 7:00-8:30pm • $25
Everything we experience—our bodies, relationships, emotions, and even our beliefs—shares three universal qualities: impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and not-self. This teaching with Bhante Sujatha invites us to look deeply into the fabric of reality, loosening our grip on what can never stay the same.
When we see clearly, peace becomes possible not in control, but in understanding. These truths ask us to stop fighting the flow of change and to rest instead in wisdom which delivers a freedom born of insight, not escape.
What to Expect:
In this profound, insight-driven workshop, you will:
- Explore the universal qualities of impermanence and not-self to loosen the grip of attachment.
- Learn to view reality as a path of freedom rather than a system of judgment.
- Discover how wisdom and compassion arise when we stop fighting the flow of change.
Workshop Details:
This session is hosted entirely online via Zoom, allowing you to join this intimate practice from anywhere. The Zoom link will be emailed to you following registration.
Register Early!
Early Bird Pricing: $20 (Register by June 14th)
Regular Price: $25
JULY 2026
Remote Workshop: Karma and Intention: The Subtle Art of Cause and Effect with Bhante Sujatha
Note: This is a remote workshop. The Zoom link will be emailed to you following registration.
Sunday July 26, 2026 • 7:00-8:30pm • $25
Karma is one of the most often spoken about and least understood teachings of the Buddha. It is not about fate, reward, or punishment, it is about intention (cetana). Every thought, word, and action plants a seed. Over time, these seeds ripen into the conditions of our lives and the states of our hearts.
When we see karma clearly, it no longer feels like a system of judgment, but a path of freedom. This teaching with Bhante Sujatha explores karma as an intimate, moment-to-moment practice: understanding how our intentions shape our experience, and how awakening begins with what we choose right now.
What to Expect:
In this profound, insight-driven workshop, you will:
- Explore the concept of intention (cetana) as the root of your experience.
- Learn to view karma as a path of freedom and choice rather than a system of judgment.
- Discover how to cultivate wisdom and compassion in every moment.
Workshop Details:
This session is hosted entirely online via Zoom, allowing you to join this intimate practice from anywhere. The Zoom link will be emailed to you following registration.
Register Early!
Early Bird Pricing: $20 (Register by July 12th)
Regular Price: $25
Upside Down, Fully Supported: Accessible Inversions with Sally Gill
Saturday July 11 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm • $40
Inversions are often seen as some of the most intimidating postures in yoga; but they don’t have to be. Join Sally Gill, a Yoga Practitioner of over 30 years, to explore accessible, supported inversions designed to help you experience the benefits of turning your perspective upside down without strain or fear.
Rather than pushing into difficult poses, this session focuses on how support creates possibility. You’ll discover how bolsters, blocks, blankets, and walls can transform inversions into restorative, nourishing shapes that allow the body to soften while the mind settles.
What to Expect:
In this supportive and in-depth workshop, you will:
- Learn safe and accessible approaches to turning upside down.
- Use props and wall support to create stability and comfort.
- Experience the calming, therapeutic effects of gentle inversions.
- Build confidence and resilience in a safe, supportive environment.
Workshop Details:
Practicing in a supportive environment helps us gradually build trust and resilience as we learn to approach the unfamiliar with curiosity. This workshop is welcoming to all levels, including those who have been curious about inversions but unsure where to begin.
Cancellation Policy: As a courtesy to our teachers who plan their workshops thoughtfully, workshops are non-refundable if less than 24 hours' notice of cancellation is given. Thank you.
The Energy Within: A Chakra Journey with Komal & Julia
Saturday July 25, 2026 • 2:00-5:00pm • $60
Join Komal Bhonagiri & Julia Jonson, experienced yoga educators, for an immersive exploration of the chakra system—rooted in yoga’s timeless wisdom and offered through an open, modern, and accessible lens.
This workshop blends thoughtful discussion with embodied practice, guiding you through the energetic map of the chakras using asana, pranayama, meditation, and self-reflection. Together, we’ll explore how these subtle energy centers relate to your physical body, emotional patterns, and overall mindset.
What to Expect:
In this immersive, insight-driven workshop, you will:
- Explore the energetic map of the chakras through movement and breathwork.
- Experience the chakras as a meaningful framework for self-awareness and growth.
- Learn to integrate traditional teachings into your modern, everyday life.
Workshop Details:
Perfect for curious students, dedicated practitioners, and teachers alike. This session is hosted in-studio at The Yoga Effect, offering a space to deepen your understanding and reconnect with your inner landscape.
Cancellation Policy: As a courtesy to our teachers who plan their workshops thoughtfully, workshops are non-refundable if less than 24 hours' notice of cancellation is given. Thank you
AUGUST 2026
Kids Yoga Adventure Workshop
with Komal Bhonagiri
Ages 5–13
Saturday, August 1 • 3:00pm–4:30pm • $35
Join Komal Bhonagiri for a joyful and playful Kids Yoga Workshop filled with movement, mindfulness, creativity, connection, and FUN! This special 2-hour experience introduces children to yoga in a way that feels exciting, engaging, interactive, and uplifting.
Kids yoga is more than stretching — it helps children develop self-confidence, body awareness, social connection, emotional balance, focus, and healthy tools to manage stress in a positive and supportive environment. This workshop is designed to be fun and engaging for both younger and older children, with activities adapted for different age groups. Come stretch, breathe, play, laugh, connect, and shine with us!
What Your Child Will Experience:
- Build physical confidence, flexibility, balance, and focus through imaginative yoga poses and movement games.
- Learn calming techniques with interactive breathing exercises and kid-friendly relaxation tools.
- Explore creative expression and connection through partner yoga, storytelling, music, and mindfulness activities.
- Develop emotional awareness while having an amazing time in a positive, encouraging, and nurturing environment.
About Komal Bhonagiri:
Komal Bhonagiri discovered yoga through her own healing journey and later became certified in kids’ yoga to share its benefits with her own children and community. What began as a personal passion has grown into over 15 years of experience teaching children through yoga, mindfulness, movement, breathwork, and creative play.
She has taught kids’ yoga at her home studio, park districts, summer camps at Chinmaya Mission Chicago, after-school programs in Kildeer Countryside and Hawthorn District 73, and led school-wide yoga units at Country Meadows Elementary School in Long Grove, IL.
Komal’s classes are playful, engaging, and heart-centered — blending yoga poses, partner yoga, storytelling, mindfulness games, breathing exercises, guided relaxation, mandala art, and sound meditation into a joyful experience for children of all ages. Her goal is to help children build confidence, self-awareness, emotional balance, and a love for movement in a fun and nurturing environment.
Cancellation Policy: As a courtesy to our teachers who plan their workshops thoughtfully, workshops are non-refundable if less than 24 hours' notice of cancellation is given. Thank you.
Surya Namaskar: A Journey of Rhythm, Breath & Connection with Anitha Bellary
Saturday, August 8, 2026 • 4:00pm–6:30pm • $55
More than a sequence, Surya Namaskar is a living, full-bodied practice of gratitude and recognition of our interconnectedness. With every movement and every breath, it becomes an embodied expression of appreciation for life and the energy that sustains it. This flowing practice aligns the physical body while harmonizing the physiological systems through breath.
As movement and breath come into a steady rhythm, the mind begins to quiet, creating space for clarity and awareness. Each posture seamlessly unfolds into the next, forming a continuous, graceful sequence. The in-breath merges with the out-breath, guiding us through the natural balance of effort and ease, strength and surrender.
What You Will Experience:
- Awaken the body from head to toe, activating vital energy pathways to revitalize both body and mind.
- Cultivate deep awareness as you open a doorway into deeper connection within yourself and with the larger universe.
- Practice presence and openness, meeting yourself with a renewed sense of possibility.
- Honor the intricate web of life that we are always a part of through intentional movement.
- Workshop Material: Students will be given a free digital copy of Surya Mantras, names of the postures, and a brief overview of the sequence.
About Anitha Bellary:
Anitha Bellary (E-RYT500) is the Founder Director of Poornamidam School of Yoga, a Master trainer, Educator, and life-long student of Yoga and Vedanta. She believes that at the heart of every person's journey is the desire to know themselves, be happy, and be a gift to others. Yoga, for her, is simply one of the most honest pathways to get there.
She offers accessible weekly classes, 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training, and a space that is welcoming to all bodies and levels. Anitha also contributes as a yoga educator for YTT programs at other schools and brings communities together by leading workshops, retreats, and annual events like YogaMaala and International Day of Yoga.
In her classes, Anitha pays close attention to energy flow, alignment, breath, and rest — so students leave feeling renewed, grounded, and a little more present than when they walked in. She balances her classes with warmth, intensity, and fun.
Cancellation Policy: As a courtesy to our teachers who plan their workshops thoughtfully, workshops are non-refundable if less than 24 hours' notice of cancellation is given. Thank you.
September 2026
Metta Sound Healing and Meditation with Bhante Rahula
Saturday, September 12, 2025 • 4:00pm-5:30pm • $40
All Levels Welcome!
Join Bhante Rahula of Blue Lotus Temple at The Yoga Effect for this profound experience. Combining the vibrations of sound therapy with crystal singing bowls, ancient Buddhist chanting, and Loving-Kindness meditation, this 90-minute workshop will guide you to discover mindfulness and wisdom within yourself.
About Bhante Rahula:
Bhante Rahula has been a Buddhist monk for over 30 years and is a certified sound therapist. He brings a deep wealth of ancient wisdom and healing practices to his sessions, allowing participants to experience a rare sense of profound peace and spiritual connection.
All proceeds of this workshop will benefit the Blue Lotus Temple.
Cancellation Policy: As a courtesy to our teachers who plan their workshops thoughtfully, workshops are non-refundable if less than 24 hours' notice of cancellation is given. Thank you.
October 2026
The Yoga Effect presents:
Yoga, Meditation & Hiking Retreat
in Boulder, Co
**Please note: This retreat is now sold out.
To request to be on the waitlist, please email Anna at:
[email protected]
Historic Chautauqua Park, Boulder, Co
Thursday, October 1 | Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Led by Bhante Sujatha, Anna Ottolino & Liz Carpenter
Pricing:
All rooms include 1 queen bed and 1 private bathroom.
- Single Occupancy: $3,200 per person
- Discounted pricing: $2,650 per person
(For couples or friends sharing 1 queen bed) - Check-In: Thursday, October 1 at 4:00 pm
*Please note: The Denver airport is approximately 1 hour from Boulder. - Check-Out: Tuesday, October 6 at 10:00 am
Payment Schedule:
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A 50% deposit is required at the time of registration.
-
Remaining balance due August 31, 2026
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Details below
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Deposits are non-refundable
Every autumn, for just a fleeting moment, Colorado’s aspens turn to gold, setting the mountains ablaze with breathtaking color. This brief and magical time is one of nature’s most spectacular displays a season of transformation, beauty, and deep reflection. Because this time of year is so sought after, we’re securing this retreat far in advance to ensure a truly special experience.
Nestled in the historic Chautauqua Park, this retreat offers a powerful blend of yoga, meditation, and guided hiking, creating space to reconnect with yourself and nature. Led by Bhante Sujatha, Anna Ottolino, and Liz Carpenter, you’ll be guided through practices that nourish the body, mind, and spirit as you move through the golden-hued trails and stillness of the mountains.
General Itinerary:
- Daily yoga and breath-work sessions with Anna and Liz
- Teachings, Meditation, and Wisdom from Bhante Suhatha
- Guided hikes among the golden aspens
- Inspiring practices for mindfulness and renewal
- Accommodations at The Historic Colorado Chautauqua
- Included: All meals and transportation to and from the hiking locations
Not Included:
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from the airport
This is more than a retreat, it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature's beauty, deepen your practice and witness a rare, fleeting moment of autumn's brilliance. Because this one of the most sought-after times in Colorado, space is extremely limited.
Reserve your spot ASAP!
To reserve your spot, please email Anna Ottolino at [email protected] for instructions on
submitting your 50% deposit. Thank you
We hope you can join us in 2026!
Please enjoy the video from our retreat in 2023.
NOVEMBER 2026
Steady Through the Season: A Fall Retreat with Stacy, Sally and Anna
Friday, November 6, 2026 • 6:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday, November 7, 2026 • 9:30am-4:30pm
Hackmatack Retreat • Richmond, IL
$275 | Person (Full Retreat Rate includes both days)
All Levels Welcome!
As the pace of life begins to pick up and the holiday season approaches, this retreat offers space to slow down, reconnect, and come back to center. Surrounded by the changing colors of fall at Hackmatack Refuge, we are reminded of impermanence—the natural rhythm of release, transition, and renewal. Steady Through the Season is an invitation to cultivate steadiness within that change, so you can move into the coming months feeling grounded, clear, and supported.
Through alignment-based practice, we build stability and awareness in the body—finding strength in foundation. Through breath and mindful movement, we steady the nervous system, learning how to remain anchored even as life shifts. And through restorative practice, meditation, and rest, we soften into the truth that steadiness is not rigidity—it is the capacity to stay present as things change.
We’ll begin Friday evening by coming together to set intentions for the weekend, connect as a group, and ease into a gentle, grounding practice and meditation—cozying up with warm herbal tea as we settle into the space.
Throughout the retreat, there will also be time to be in nature—walking the trails, resting in a hammock, or journaling quietly—observing the natural world as it continues its reminder of impermanence and rhythm.
What’s Included:
- Alignment-focused yoga, all-levels flow, meditation, and restorative practice.
- Time in nature to walk, rest, or journal.
- A healthy vegetarian Ayurvedic lunch, featuring a nourishing cooked and spiced meal to support the seasonal shift.
- Snacks and tea served throughout the retreat.
- All props provided including bolsters, blankets, blocks, and straps.
Accommodations & Details:
Limited on-site lodging is available at Hackmatack (one double room and one single room with shared bathroom). Additional accommodations can be found nearby in Lake Geneva. Space is limited; early registration is recommended.
Cancellation Policy: As a courtesy to our teachers who plan their workshops thoughtfully, workshops are non-refundable if less than 24 hours' notice of cancellation is given. Thank you.
