Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) - Julia Jonson, Lead Instructor & Sally Gill, Co-Instructor

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. So when someone says YES to embarking on training, they open up a whole new path of learning and growth for themselves. 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. And importantly, it’s an opportunity to guide others in their journey of self-discovery and help make a real difference in the world.

JULY 2025

Yoga Teacher Training: Free Informational Meeting with Julia Jonson and Sally Gill

Saturday, July 26, 2025 • 2:30-3:45 pm 

Would you like to deepen your Yoga knowledge and gain wisdom while becoming a light for others? Join us for two opportunities to learn more about our Teacher Training Program.

Created and led by Julia Jonson of TBY Yoga, and hosted at The Yoga Effect, Sally Gill will partner with Julia, along with guest teachers such as Gabriel Halpern, Andrew Gurvey, Bhante Sujatha, and Anitha Bellary. This Program will run from September 2025 to May 2026.

Yoga offers us the opportunity to get to know ourselves from the inside out. So, when someone says YES to embarking on training, they open up a whole new path of learning and growth for themselves. Yoga Teacher Training 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. And importantly, it’s an opportunity to guide others in their own journey of self-discovery and help make a real difference in the world

Yoga By The Lake

CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

 Saturday: July 26, 2025 • 4:30pm - 5:30pm • $20

 Saturday: Aug 2, 2025 • 4:30pm - 5:30pm • $20

Come join us by the lake this summer for a truly relaxing experience. Classes are all-levels and in the shade. Enjoy the gentle breeze as you unwind.


Class is located at:
58 S. Lake St. Grayslake, IL
*Park in town and walk over
*Please bring a mat and water to class

 

SEPTEMBER 2025

Metta Sound  Healing and Meditation with Bhante Rahula

Sunday, September 14, 2025 • 2:00-3:30 pm • $40 

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. During this 90-minute workshop, you will be guided 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.

All proceeds of this workshop will benefit the Blue Lotus Temple.

Understanding Pranayama: A 6-week Series
on The Art & Science of Better Breathing
with Julia Jonson 

Tuesdays • 12:30-2:00pm • $250
September 23 and 30 |  October 7, 14, 21 and 28

Registration includes all six dates

In this six-week workshop series, we’ll explore prana and pranayama. Students will be led to understand the greater context of how the breath works from scientific and spiritual perspectives. We will learn about the timeless connection that our breath has with everything around us. We will practice employing sacred modulation (pranayama) in a simple and accessible way for modern yoga practitioners. The series will explore stress relief as a first step, then move on to ideas about thriving and cultivating well-being, healing, and harmonious balance in our daily lives. 

Students will also learn about the things that deplete prana, such as too much TV and computer screen time, artificial light, certain foods, chlorinated swimming pools, and more. This workshop will also teach how prana is responsible for the millions of chemical processes regulating the body’s functioning without conscious effort (the miracle of existence!).

This series will include pranayama techniques, simple yoga postures to prepare the body for breath practices and meditation, lectures, simple and insightful reading assignments outside of class, and day-to-day practices to incorporate into life outside class.

Livestream options are available upon request by emailing Julia at: [email protected].

Zoom links will be emailed out separately after registration.

Class recordings will be available for 30 days to view, including class notes.

 Single sessions are not available. Must attend all lessons as the curriculum builds.

About Julia:
Julia has devoted much of her life to yoga and the practical application of yogic philosophy. Since taking up all facets of yoga in 1991, Julia has completed advanced study and apprenticeship with her primary teacher, Gabriel Halpern. She currently studies regularly with Prasad Rangnekar.  With over 1,000 hours of formal training and decades of personal experience, she is dedicated to helping the world be a better place through the ancient practice of yoga.

Please note: As a courtesy to our teachers who plan their workshops thoughtfully, workshops are not refundable if less than 24 hours' cancellation notice is given.

Thank you

 OCTOBER 2025

Autumn Evening Candlelight Flow,
Live Violinist and Mocktails
with Sally Gill and Yuyla Grantova

Saturday October 4, 2025 • 6:30-8:00pm • $40

Join us for an unforgettable fall evening of movement, music, and mindful connection. Sally will guide an all-level yoga class as the room glows with candlelight and Yuyla's soulful live violin sounds fill the space.

Let yourself unwind and be carried by the music as you flow, breathe, and ground into the present moment. After class, stay for handcrafted mocktails
and good company.

Spaces are limited. Reserve your spot soon!

 Please note: As a courtesy to our teachers, who plan their workshops thoughtfully, workshops are non-refundable if a cancellation notice is given
less than 24 hours prior.

Thank you

 NOVEMBER 2025

The Five Remembrances: A Mindfulness Workshop with Bhante Sujatha

Sunday November 2, 2025 • 2:00-3:30pm • $40

Join Venerable Bhante Sujatha, beloved meditation teacher and Buddhist monk, for a profound and heart-opening teaching on the Five Remembrances, a foundational contemplation in the Buddhist tradition.

These timeless truths remind us of the impermanence of life and the power of personal responsibility, gently guiding us toward peace, clarity, and compassion.
Rather than evoking fear or sadness, these reflections offer a pathway to inner freedom.

With Bhante’s signature warmth, humor, and deep compassion, students will learn how to integrate these contemplations into their daily lives, cultivating acceptance, gratitude, and a deeper connection to the present moment.

Open to all levels, this class invites you to slow down, look within, and touch the truth of our shared human experience with gentleness and love.

Activities in this program will include:

•  Lecture: “The Five Remembrances”
•  Instruction in the practice of meditation.
• Guided mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation.
• Time for Questions & Answers.

Benefits of this beautiful workshop 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 Buddhist monk with over 40 years of experience, is singularly focused on spreading 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 profound silence. Bhante
believes his purpose is not only to teach meditation, but also, “to teach people how to be happy.”

For more information visit Bhante’ s website at: bhantesujatha.org

 Please note: As a courtesy to our teachers, who plan their workshops thoughtfully, workshops are non-refundable if a cancellation notice is given
less than 24 hours prior.

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:

•  A 50% deposit is required at the time of registration. 

•  Remaining balance due August 31, 2026

•  Details below

  
   

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!

Registration:
To reserve your spot, please email Anna Ottolino at [email protected] for instructions on
submitting your 50% deposit. Thank you