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.
MAY 2026
Softening the Armor: Meeting Cynicism with Awareness, a Dharma Talk with Gabriel Halpern
Friday, May 1 • 7:00-9:00pm • $35
Please note that registration and the event location are at The Yoga Effect.
In a world shaped by chronic stress and uncertainty, cynicism can become a kind of armor; limiting our capacity to feel, connect, and trust. This dharma talk with renowned master yoga teacher Gabriel Halpern explores how the wisdom of yoga helps us recognize and gently soften these protective patterns.
We’ll look at how the nervous system conditions us toward reactivity and guardedness, and how intentional practices can begin to unwind those habits. Drawing from the teachings of the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita, we’ll explore what it means to meet our experience with awareness instead of defense.
Together, we’ll investigate practical ways to shift from protection to presence. In doing so, we create space for something more honest than forced positivity; a grounded, resilient sense of openness that allows hope to arise naturally.
What to Expect:
In this insightful, transformative dharma talk, you will:
- Understand how the nervous system conditions us toward reactivity and guardedness.
- Learn how to apply the wisdom of the Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita to modern challenges.
- Explore practical ways to shift from protection to presence and cultivate resilient openness.
Workshop Details:
Open to all levels of experience, this talk offers a meaningful opportunity to pause and reflect on the habits of the mind. Whether you are a long-time practitioner or new to yoga philosophy, you will leave with a deeper understanding of how to meet the world with an open heart rather than a guarded one.
About Gabriel Halpern: Holding degrees in Philosophy and Health Psychology, Gabriel founded the Yoga Circle in Chicago in 1985. With over 55 years of practice, his teaching is a unique blend of science, art, and mystical mentoring.
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.
Register Here
Pop-Up Led Practice: Alignment Deep Dive with Anna Ottolino
Friday May 8, 2026 • 7:00-8:30pm • Regular Class Passes Accepted
You’re invited to a 90-minute led practice designed to take you deeper into familiar poses through refined alignment and intentional action. In this session, we will slow down to explore the “how” behind the movement, discovering how subtle shifts can create more stability, strength, and freedom in your body.
This practice is informed by Anna’s years of study with teachers rooted in Anusara Yoga, offering a thoughtful approach centered on the five principles of alignment:
- Open to Grace
- Muscular Energy
- Inner Spiral
- Outer Spiral
- Organic Energy
After learning these alignment principles and feeling them in your body, we will begin to apply them within our yoga postures—integrating awareness, action, and breath. From there, we bring it all together in practice, allowing the principles to become something you can feel, embody, and carry into your movement on and off the mat.
What to Expect:
In this focused, educational practice, you will:
- Explore the five structural principles of Anusara Yoga to deepen your experience in familiar poses.
- Identify how intentional action creates a balanced foundation of strength and openness.
- Practice integrating breath with alignment to increase body awareness and precision.
- Learn to embody your alignment, carrying these tools into your daily movement.
Class Details:
Open to all levels, this class offers the perfect opportunity to breathe, refine, and reconnect with your practice.
*Space is limited to allow for a more personalized experience. Register Early!
Bloom Your True Nature: Restorative & Ayurveda Journey with Sarah Lill
Sunday May 17, 2026 • 2:00-3:30pm • $35
Join us for a season of renewal—an invitation to reconnect with your Prakruti, the unique "inner blueprint" that defines your true nature. In Ayurveda, health is defined as Svastha: standing firmly in your own self. Yet, the rush of modern life often pulls us into Vikruti—a state of imbalance where we feel scattered, over-heated, or stuck.
In this 90-minute sanctuary, we will use Restorative and Somatic Yoga to quiet the "noise" and listen to the wisdom of our Doshas. You will learn to identify your current state of balance and use specific Ayurvedic "Toolbox" rituals to return to center and nurture your well-being beyond the mat.
What to Expect:
In this supportive, rejuvenating workshop, you will:
- Identify your unique blueprint with an introduction to the Doshas and how to recognize imbalance.
- Practice Somatic movement and restorative poses specifically designed to meet the needs of your constitution.
- Learn the Dinacharya Ritual, including the "Big Three" daily morning routines for resilience and vitality.
- Cultivate Ojas through a guided meditation to nourish deep immunity and emotional balance.
Workshop Details:
Open to all levels, this workshop offers the perfect sanctuary to breathe, restore, and reconnect with your unique inner blueprint. No prior knowledge of Ayurveda is needed; just a desire for springtime renewal of body, mind, and heart.
*This workshop includes gentle movement and seated meditation.
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 Biology of Hope: Supporting the Lungs and the Heart with Gabriel Halpern
Sunday, May 31 • 1:00-4:00pm • $60
Please note that registration and the event location are at The Yoga Effect.
The pace of modern life keeps the nervous system in a near-constant state of activation. Over time, this chronic stress impacts not only the heart, but also the breath; tightening the chest, shortening respiration, and limiting the body’s ability to fully oxygenate. Yoga offers a way to gently down-regulate this reactivity, supporting both cardiovascular and pulmonary health.
This workshop with renowned master yoga teacher Gabriel Halpern will begin with a dharma talk, "Aging Gracefully." Gabriel will also lead us in an asana and pranayama practice: Yoga and the Healthy Heart & Lungs.
This practice is designed to support both heart and lung health by encouraging vasodilation, improving respiratory efficiency, and reducing systemic tension. Through consistent practice, we cultivate not just longevity, but a more easeful and supported way of aging; where breath, body, and awareness work in harmony.
What to Expect:
In this therapeutic and educational workshop, you will:
- Learn techniques to lower blood pressure and support healthy breathing patterns.
- Practice asana and pranayama specifically designed to reduce systemic tension and respiratory strain.
- Gain insights from the "Aging Gracefully" dharma talk on maintaining vitality through the years.
Workshop Details:
Open to all levels, this workshop is particularly beneficial for those looking to manage stress or support their cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
About Gabriel Halpern: Holding degrees in Philosophy and Health Psychology, Gabriel founded the Yoga Circle in Chicago in 1985. With over 55 years of practice, his teaching is a unique blend of science, art, and mystical
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.
Register HereJUNE 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.
Free Community Meditation with Sally Gill
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.
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
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
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.
