DECEMBER 2023

Monthly Meditation at The Yoga Effect
with Bhante

Sunday, December 10, 2023 • 6:45-7:45pm • $15

All proceeds go to the Blue Lotus Temple

As a 40+ year Buddhist Monk, Bhante Sujatha is singularly focused on adding more love in the world.  Bhante teaches loving-kindness meditation to people around the globe for all those seeking the art of happiness and contentment. 
His approach to meditation is deep and simple, bringing core Buddhist teachings to everyone in a way that is practical and easy to understand.

Every year Bhante Sujatha travels the world for more than 200 days sharing his message, and we are pleased to announce that he has added several dates in his schedule to spend time with our community at The Yoga Effect.

Bhante believes his purpose is not only to teach meditation, but also, “teaching people how to be happy.” In these 60 minute gatherings, you will have the chance to join with him and noble friends, sharing an invaluable experience.

This is the perfect opportunity to remember that by nurturing yourself, you nurture the world. We hope you will take advantage of this unique opportunity to do just that!

Activities in this program will include:

• Instruction in the practice of meditation.

• Guided mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation
  
  

• Time for Questions & Answers

Benefits of a regular meditation practice can include:

• Reduced stress, anxiety, worry, and depression.

• Healing and enhancing relationships with others.

• Gaining a sense of empowerment over challenging issues in life.

• Insights into life’s purpose. 

• Awakening to the blessings of the present moment.

• Confidence in attaining unshakable inner peace.

All proceeds benefit the Blue Lotus Temple and Bhante Sujatha's
charity programs.

For more information about Bhante Sujatha and his work adding more
love to the world,visit his website at www.bhantesujatha.org.

Reiki Healing with Restorative Yoga

Saturday, December 16, 2023 • 6:30-8:00pm

$35

Find deep relaxation with Jessica Spalding through the combination of Restorative yoga practice and Reiki therapy healing. You will be gently guided to hold traditional restorative yoga poses while also receiving Reiki healing energy. Restorative poses help relieve the effects of stress, allowing the central nervous system and mind to calm while the body is fully supported with the use of props (bolsters, blankets, blocks, etc.).Reiki, an ancient form of universal energetic healing that encourages a state of balance, harmony, and self-healing, will be incorporated. It works on all levels of physical, emotional, and spiritual elements, helping to reduce stress, and anxiety and bring an overall sense of peace and calm.

About Jessica Spalding: Yoga Teacher RYT-200. Jessica specializes in flow, restorative and gentle yoga. She completed her Hatha Yoga Training Program in 2019 under Terry Crews. Since then she has broadened her studies in Adaptive Yoga with Ryan McGraw, Alignment based Yoga Immersion with world renowned Desiree Raumbaugh, and mentorship with Julia Jonson from TBY in Restorative Yoga & Hands-on Adjustments. Her teachings are deeply rooted in tradition with a modern-day understanding of anatomy, physical fitness, and alignment. Jessica believes strongly in incorporating meditation and breathwork in her teachings, creating a full experience for the body and the soul. Jessica is also Reiki III Certified with a deep connection to spiritual practice. Creating a holistic approach, Jessica brings a healing intention to all of her sharings.

The 108: Winter Solstice Candlelight
Yoga Mala

Friday, December 22, 2023 • 6:00-8:00pm $35

Join Cortney for this special event class as we welcome the Season
of Rest with 108 sun salutations. Participants can expect a grounding, challenging, reflective experience in a supportive environment. You
will move with your breath at your own pace while rejoining the group's collective movements at the end of each set.

This is not recommended for beginners, although instruction and modifications will be given. Bring water, a towel, and any items you
wish to infuse with your intentions for the new Season."

JANUARY 2024

Yoga During Pregnancy (4-Part Series)

Saturday January 6, 2024 • 1:00-3:00pm (Part 1)

Saturday January 13, 2024 • 1:00-3:00pm (Part 2)

Saturday January 20, 2024 • 1:00-3:00pm (Part 3)

Saturday January 27, 2024 • 1:00-3:00pm (Part 4)

$40 one part / $140 all four parts

Whether you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or a yoga teacher wanting to learn how to better accommodate pregnant students, this workshop is for you. During pregnancy, it’s important to balance activity with rest. This workshop will show how to use the yoga practice to continue to build strength, improve flexibility, and maintain balance throughout each trimester. In addition, Ruth Ann will show ways yoga can help ease many of the symptoms of pregnancy as well as offer tools and techniques that promote mental and physical relaxation. Those new to yoga, experienced practitioners and yoga teachers will learn how to safely adapt many common and well-known yoga poses for the changes that occur during pregnancy.

About Ruth Ann Grant: Ruth Ann loves that yoga has truly given her the ability to connect her physical fitness with her mental fitness, which allows her to fully accept her body for its achievements as well as its limitations. She uses myriad principals and techniques to practice living yoga in her daily life off the mat and hopes to share that gift with her students. Ruth Ann received her initial 200 hours Hatha yoga training at Global Yoga in Chicago more than 20 years ago. That training as well as her continued education and experience has exposed Ruth Ann to teachers of several styles of yoga, including, Anusara, Kripalu, Astanga, Bikran and Kundalini. As the owner of Singing Bowl Yoga, LLC, Ruth Ann currently works with private yoga clients, including individuals, small groups, and corporations, to share yoga and meditation tools and techniques that help people of all abilities and yoga-experience levels to enjoy more ease, peace, balance and freedom in their bodies and lives. In addition to the practices of yoga and meditation, Ruth Ann enjoys walking her dogs, running, biking, knitting, playing card and board games, and cooking as other healthful activities can share with her family and friends. Join her in her journey to live a life of more ease, peace, and balance.  

Monthly Meditation at The Yoga Effect
with Bhante

Friday January 19, 2024 • 7:00-8:00pm • $15

All proceeds go to the Blue Lotus Temple

As a 40+ year Buddhist Monk, Bhante Sujatha is singularly focused on adding more love in the world.  Bhante teaches loving-kindness meditation to people around the globe for all those seeking the art of happiness and contentment. 

His approach to meditation is deep and simple, bringing core Buddhist teachings to everyone in a way that is practical and easy to understand.

Every year Bhante Sujatha travels the world for more than 200 days sharing his message, and we are pleased to announce that he has added several dates in his schedule to spend time with our community at The Yoga Effect.

Bhante believes his purpose is not only to teach meditation, but also, “teaching people how to be happy.” In these 60 minute gatherings, you will have the chance to join with him and noble friends, sharing an invaluable experience.

This is the perfect opportunity to remember that by nurturing yourself, you nurture the world. We hope you will take advantage of this unique opportunity to do just that!

Activities in this program will include:

• Instruction in the practice of meditation.

• Guided mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation
  
  

• Time for Questions & Answers

Benefits of a regular meditation practice can include:

• Reduced stress, anxiety, worry, and depression.

• Healing and enhancing relationships with others.

• Gaining a sense of empowerment over challenging issues in life.

• Insights into life’s purpose. 

• Awakening to the blessings of the present moment.

• Confidence in attaining unshakable inner peace.

For more information about Bhante Sujatha and his work adding more
love to the world, visit his website at www.bhantesujatha.org.

Book Reading and Loving-Kindness Event for Families and Children with Anna

Sunday January 21, 2024 • 4:00-5:30pm 

$35 per Family (including a signed hard copy of the book)

Join us at The Yoga Effect for book reading and loving-kindness event
for families and children with Anna Ottolino, author of The Feathered Bridge. During this uplifting and fun event, we will explore themes of loving-kindness, acceptance, gratitude and letting go, while incorporating age-appropriate meditation, fun games, and a mini yoga session. Children will have a chance to share their own stories of loving kindness to inspire the group. The event will end with a book signing.

A note from Anna: 

Hello Friends,

I'm overjoyed to share a piece of my heart with you—the launch of "The Feathered Bridge." It's not just a book; it's a chapter in my life stitched with threads of yoga, Buddhist teachings, and a deep love for language.

"The Feathered Bridge" is my humble attempt to nurture kindness in young hearts. Inspired by the beauty of my in-laws' home, filled with mulberry trees and wildlife, it's a tribute to my niece and mother-in-law who embodied loving-kindness.

I hope this book brings warmth to your heart and a reminder that kindness, even in small acts, creates ripples that touch lives.

Backbends that Heal (2-Part Series)

Sunday January 28, 2024 • 11:30am-1:00pm (Part 1)

Sunday January 28, 2024 • 1:30-3:00pm (Part 2)

$35 one part / $65 both parts

In Part 1, we'll focus on the asanas that promote the strength and flexibility needed to work on standing taller and breathing more efficiently. It’s simple - breath better, feel better. Breathing is the most important way our body regulates our nervous system. Excellent posture begets better breathing. The practice will culminate with pranayama techniques that will leave you feeling calm, cool and collected.

In Part 2, join Julia Jonson, E-RYT 500 for a heartened class that will leave you feeling invigorated and uplifted. This workshop builds on concepts learned in Part 1. From a physical perspective, backbends strengthen our backs, shoulders, chest, and hips. They lengthen our spines, increase flexibility, and improve mobility, which helps promote good posture. Regular practice can leave us feeling more open-hearted and hopeful on an emotional, mental, and spiritual level. We will break down the mechanics of backbends, learn poses that compliment them and weave it all together in a balanced, flow class. 

About Julia Jonson: TBY Yoga Creative Director, Yoga Teacher, E-RYT 500®, YACEP®. Julia has been practicing and studying yoga and meditation since 1991, and teaching since 2007. She is passionate about encouraging a more peaceful and joyful way of life. Her classes encourage people to slow down, become more mindful, and take good care of themselves.

FEBRUARY 2024

Partner Yoga

Saturday February 3, 2024 • 1:30-3:00pm • $75 per couple

Yoga offers myriad options to explore the mind, body, spirit connection. Adding a partner to practice can expand those options even further.

Join Andrew Gurvey (assisted by Julia Jonson) as we explore techniques utilized from Thai Massage, Acroyoga, and expansions of the yoga asanas themselves.  Partner yoga explores more than just poses done with two people; it also offers opportunities for stretching further, working out kinks, and working on spoken and unspoken communication skills. 

Grab a friend or loved one for a  fun and enlightening way to get out of your comfort zone. Coming to this workshop with a partner is preferred, as coming alone will not guarantee a pair-up option.

About Andrew Gurvey: TBY Yoga President, Yoga Teacher, Engineer. Andrew has been practicing yoga since 2005 and teaching since 2009. He is passionate about providing people with stress relief and an opportunity to feel better in their bodies and mind. His favorite pose is, hands down, Handstand! If you are into inversions, check out his Flow & Balance class.

Do Yoga With Osteoporosis

Saturday February 17, 2024 • 1:00-3:00pm • $35

Continuing your yoga practice or starting yoga after a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis can help you manage the symptoms of these conditions as well as encourage muscle and bone strength. While there are certain poses and styles of yoga best avoided, many yoga poses and a gentle style of yoga can be a useful addition to your treatment plan. A few studies have demonstrated that yoga may also be critical in increasing bone density after menopause to help prevent these conditions. Some of the weight-bearing poses of yoga can build strength, ease pain, and encourage better posture. Yoga also helps improve flexibility, stability, and agility, which will make your day-to-day life easier and help reduce the risk of falls. Join Ruth Ann to learn more about the benefits of yoga for osteoporosis, what poses to do and how to do them, and the precautions to consider when attending any yoga class.

About Ruth Ann Grant: Ruth Ann loves that yoga has truly given her the ability to connect her physical fitness with her mental fitness, which allows her to fully accept her body for its achievements as well as its limitations. She uses myriad principals and techniques to practice living yoga in her daily life off the mat and hopes to share that gift with her students. Ruth Ann received her initial 200 hours Hatha yoga training at Global Yoga in Chicago more than 20 years ago. That training as well as her continued education and experience has exposed Ruth Ann to teachers of several styles of yoga, including, Anusara, Kripalu, Astanga, Bikran and Kundalini. As the owner of Singing Bowl Yoga, LLC, Ruth Ann currently works with private yoga clients, including individuals, small groups, and corporations, to share yoga and meditation tools and techniques that help people of all abilities and yoga-experience levels to enjoy more ease, peace, balance and freedom in their bodies and lives. In addition to the practices of yoga and meditation, Ruth Ann enjoys walking her dogs, running, biking, knitting, playing card and board games, and cooking as other healthful activities can share with her family and friends. Join her in her journey to live a life of more ease, peace, and balance.  

Being Your Own Best Friend: A Meditation Retreat with Bhante Sujatha

Sunday, February 18, 2024 • 2:00-3:30pm • $35

All proceeds go to the Blue Lotus Temple

I believe people are so unhappy because they try to understand what is happening out in the world and outside of themselves.

What is the nature of friendship? Our friends are those who we depend on; who we look to in order to belong, who we wish to help in their time of need, and who we seek for comfort and counsel. We spend so much time trying to invest in our status and our relationships in order to find fulfillment, and in doing so we frequently forget our own well-being, or put our own selves at the bottom of our list.

In my experience, whether the relationship is with a family member, spouse, or friend, these still exist outside of our inner world, and no dissatisfaction can be completely resolved from the outside. To find true peace and happiness we must start working from the inside out; we must understand our true nature and work to create peace inside ourselves. It is only when we can be a noble friend to ourselves, that we can be a noble friend to another. There is no way out but in. 

Join me, Bhante Sujatha, in this 90-minute workshop for an open conversation about our habit of seeking outward gratification, and the path to discovering our inner value in order to learn how to authentically love ourselves and become our own best friends.

Activities in this program will include:

• Instruction in the practice of meditation.

• Guided mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation
  
  

• Time for Questions & Answers

Benefits of a regular meditation practice can include:

• Reduced stress, anxiety, worry, and depression.

• Healing and enhancing relationships with others.

• Gaining a sense of empowerment over challenging issues in life.

• Insights into life’s purpose. 

• Awakening to the blessings of the present moment.

• Confidence in attaining unshakable inner peace.

About Bhante: Bhante Sujatha, a 40+ year Buddhist Monk, is singularly focused on adding more love to the world.  Bhante teaches loving-kindness meditation to people around the globe for all those seeking the art of happiness and contentment. His approach to meditation is
deep and simple, bringing core Buddhist teachings to everyone in a way that is practical and easy to understand.  A joyful, radiant, funny, and wildly energetic monk, Bhante will help you obtain peace that can only be found in deep silence. Bhante believes his purpose is not only to teach meditation but also, to “teach people how to be happy.”

For more information about Bhante Sujatha and his work to add more
love to the world, visit his website at www.bhantesujatha.org.
.

APRIL 2023

Monthly Meditation at The Yoga Effect
with Bhante

Saturday, April 13, 2024 • 3:00pm-4:00pm • $15  

All proceeds go to the Blue Lotus Temple

As a 40+ year Buddhist Monk, Bhante Sujatha is singularly focused on adding more love in the world.  Bhante teaches loving-kindness meditation to people around the globe for all those seeking the art of happiness and contentment. 
His approach to meditation is deep and simple, bringing core Buddhist teachings to everyone in a way that is practical and easy to understand.

Every year Bhante Sujatha travels the world for more than 200 days sharing his message, and we are pleased to announce that he has added several dates in his schedule to spend time with our community at The Yoga Effect.

Bhante believes his purpose is not only to teach meditation but also, to “teach people how to be happy.” In these 60-minute gatherings, you will have the chance to join him and his noble friends, sharing an invaluable experience.

This is the perfect opportunity to remember that by nurturing yourself, you nurture the world. We hope you will take advantage of this unique opportunity
to do just that!

Activities in this program will include:

• Instruction in the practice of meditation.

• Guided mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation
  
  

• Time for Questions & Answers

Benefits of a regular meditation practice can include:

• Reduced stress, anxiety, worry, and depression.

• Healing and enhancing relationships with others.

• Gaining a sense of empowerment over challenging issues in life.

• Insights into life’s purpose. 

• Awakening to the blessings of the present moment.

• Confidence in attaining unshakable inner peace.

For more information about Bhante Sujatha and his work adding more love to the world,visit his website at www.bhantesujatha.org.

Resilience and Vulnerability: A Weekend Yoga Workshop with Desiree Rumbaugh (4-Part Session)

Friday, April 19, 2024 • 6:00pm-8:30pm • Session 1

Saturday, April 20, 2024 • 10:00am-12:30pm • Session 2

Saturday, April 20, 2024 • 2:00pm-4:30pm • Session 3

Sunday, April 21, 2024 • 10:00am-12:30pm • Session 4

$60 a la carte/ $220 entire weekend

Resilience is effectively facing key moments in our lives—challenge, change, and complexity—and allowing those experiences to enhance us rather than diminish us. Vulnerability is an important and foundational practice of resilience because it allows people to see, know, and understand the adversity we’re facing, along with giving them an opportunity to support us. The physical practice of yoga can help us to cultivate inner strength if we know how to incorporate it in every pose.

What better way to explore these two concepts than a weekend workshop among like-minded people. We hope you will take the time to join us for this spring urban retreat. 

TBY Yoga & The Yoga Effect are happy to welcome Desirée back to the area for this very special visit to our community. She brings 36 years of experience teaching yoga that is also informed by Physical Therapy and Functional Movement Training. If you have ever attended a workshop with her, you know to expect a safe, challenging, welcoming, and playful experience. If this will be your first time, you are in for a treat.

Session 1: Inner Strength, Outer Softness: Standing and seated poses

 The focus of this session will be the utilization of deep core strength along with an abundance of breath work.  Additionally, the practice will center on hip openers, standing poses, and seated poses to help get people more into their bodies so students can get a visceral understanding of what is being taught.

Session 2:  Flexible and Adaptable: Healthy back and shoulders

 This session will teach students how to weave deep core strength into
the extension of the spine through the practice of backbends.  Additionally, students will learn to feel and incorporate the upper back strength that comes with both loosening and strengthening around the shoulder blades.

Session 3: Back Body Awareness: Twists and forward bends

This practice will be a deeper exploration into the world of forward bends and twists. Deep core strength will be employed in all of the twists.

Session 4: Full Spectrum Practice:  Neck, Shoulders, and a journey into finding the right side up in the world of upside down

This session focuses primarily on neck and shoulder work.  Additionally, there will be opportunities to remedially explore inversions and arm balances.  Please note that this is a very low-pressure environment. Any inversion or arm balance poses offered will ALWAYS have modifications and adjustments to accommodate everyone who is practicing. Desiree is a master at giving people the opportunity to explore their own potential in a safe and fun way!

You are encouraged to sign up for the entire weekend as the learning is a cumulative experience.

For more information, please visit www.desireerumbaugh.com

MAY 2024

Mother's Day Meditation Workshop with Bhante Sujatha

Friday May 10, 2024 • 7:00pm-8:30pm • $35

All proceeds go to the Blue Lotus Temple

“As a mother would risk her life to protect her child, her only child,
even so should one cultivate a limitless heart with regard to all beings.”

“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
- Abraham Lincoln.

The Buddha taught that one of the most important bonds of all is between a mother and her children. Come and learn a simple way to demonstrate and experience your love and respect for one another.

In this meditation workshop, Bhante Sujatha will guide you through the thoughts, feelings, and experiences that you and your mother have shared into a place of acceptance and peace.

As children we want our mothers to know that we appreciate them,
and that we love them for raising us, even if they were not perfect. As mothers, we want our children to realize that their life is a gift to us,
just as much as their life is a gift from us.

Sons and daughters, your mother will feel the love and gratitude you have in your heart for her. Mothers, you will be guided in a meditation that will allow your child to feel and experience your limitless love.

Come and join Bhante Sujatha to be with each other in a life-changing
meditation. Together, you will feel the presence of the limitless unconditional love that always surrounds a mother and her children.

Activities in this program will include:

• Lecture: “Connecting Through Unconditional Love.”

• Instruction in the practice of Loving-Kindness meditation.
  
  

• Guided mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation.

• Time for Questions & Answers

About Bhante:
Bhante Sujatha, a 40+ year Buddhist Monk, is singularly focused on adding more love in the world.  Bhante teaches loving-kindness meditation to people around the globe for all those seeking the art of happiness and contentment.  His approach to meditation is deep and simple, bringing core Buddhist teachings to everyone in a way that is practical and easy to understand.  A joyful, radiant, funny, and wildly energetic monk, Bhante will help you obtain peace that can only be found in deep silence. Bhante believes his purpose is not only to teach meditation, but also, “teaching people how to be happy.”

For more information visit Bhante’ s website www.bhantesujatha.org