A Magical Spring 2025 Sound Immersion experience. Spring is a time of Rebirth! Relax. Restore. Renew!

Allow yourself to decompress and experience a unique inward journey for your body, mind and spirit. Physical sound vibrations entrain the brain to move from beta to alpha-theta waves, bringing about a deep, meditative state. Jitka and John will weave a tapestry of magical sounds using gongs, crystal bowls, singing bowls, chimes and other instruments. 

Join us on Saturday, May 10th from 7 to 830 pm at Chi-Town Shakti Yoga + Meditation for a deeply relaxing 90-min Sound Magic Immersion with John and Jitka Yost. Bolsters, blankets, and cushions will be provided for your comfort. However, you are more than welcome to bring your own cozy comforts with you (pjs, soft blankets, eye masks, etc!). This Event is in-person in studio. Space is limited, so sign up soon! 

$38 if registered by April 19th

$45 if registered after April 19th

Sign UP!

BIO:

Sound Magic is composed of John and Jitka Yost. John has been using music to connect people to themselves and their communities worldwide for over 30 years. John is a degreed percussionist, a Village Music Global Trainer and a Remo endorsee. John has studied and performed with many gong, djembe and taiko masters.

Jitka has been a massage therapist for over two decades. She blends bodywork, energy work and sound immersion techniques to facilitate deep relaxation and rejuvenation

***Pre-registration required. Space is limited. Non-refundable after 24 hours prior to event start.

“Chanting opens the heart and makes love flow within us.” - Swami Muktananda

Kirtan is the uplifting practice of call and response style chanting. Sacred mantras are sang continuously over beautiful melodies moving toward a deep state of peace. Singing together connects us to our inner divinity while creating a sense of community. Join Kalika Fortin for a special Spring Kirtan Celebration as she offers heart-opening chants to welcome the blossoming of Spring within! We will close with a short meditation practice. 

Beginners welcome! Words and guidance will be provided.

BIO:

In 2005, Kalika Fortin (She/Her) moved from the conservative mid-west into an ashram in Colorado. She was immersed in a new and beautiful world of meditation, service and devotional chanting. Captivated by the sweet, calming energy of the morning chants, as well as the lively evening kirtans, it became clear that bhakti yoga was her path. She has enjoyed several years in Shoshoni Yoga Retreat's resident band, Shiva's Garden.

Kalika has shared music at several yoga festivals including Hanuman Festival, Denver Chant Fest and Bhavapalooza; and has shared the stage with kirtan artists Dave Stringer, C.C. White, Girish, David Newman and Govindas & Radha. Her music has been featured on New World Kirtan and Wild Women Rising.

Her albums, Flowers for Kali and Breathe, honor traditions lost and found through offerings of uplifting chants and intimate songs. Here are a few links to Kalika's music and an introduction to her angelic voice: 

Om Namah Shivaya

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzRiIkMUdI0&list=PLnbmkD91idLoGgd6aS2qrW5bldHcGnoy6&index=14

Jai Sita Ram

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSS0sPE_fzM

Pricing: 

Suggested Donation: $20 (alternative pricing options available)

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**Pre-registation required. 

A Magical February 2025 Sound Immersion experience. Bring a date - a partner, dear friend, loved one AND treat yourSELF!

Allow yourself and those who join you to decompress and experience a unique inward journey for your body, mind and spirit. Physical sound vibrations entrain the brain to move from beta to alpha-theta waves, bringing about a deep, meditative state. Jitka and John will weave a tapestry of magical sounds using gongs, crystal bowls, singing bowls, chimes and other instruments. 

Join us on Saturday, February 15th from 7 to 830 pm at Chi-Town Shakti Yoga + Meditation for a deeply relaxing 90-min Sound Magic Immersion with John and Jitka Yost. Bolsters, blankets, and cushions will be provided for your comfort. However, you are more than welcome to bring your own cozy comforts with you (pjs, soft blankets, eye masks, etc!). This Event is in-person in studio. Space is limited, so sign up soon! 

$38 if registered by February 1st

$44 if registered after February 1st

Sign UP!

BIO:

Sound Magic is composed of John and Jitka Yost. John has been using music to connect people to themselves and their communities worldwide for over 30 years. John is a degreed percussionist, a Village Music Global Trainer and a Remo endorsee. John has studied and performed with many gong, djembe and taiko masters.

Jitka has been a massage therapist for over two decades. She blends bodywork, energy work and sound immersion techniques to facilitate deep relaxation and rejuvenation.

***Pre-registration required. Space is limited. Non-refundable after 24 hours prior to event start.

3 Consecutive Saturdays - February 8th, 15th and 22nd from 2 to 3:30 pm

Starting a yoga practice may feel intimidating with the strange names of poses, coordinating breath and movement, and feeling like others know more than you...but here at Chi-Town Shakti, we welcome newbies (and those who wish to refine their practice) to the practice with our In-Person, In-Studio Introduction to Yoga Series!

Join us for 3 consecutive weeks to learn how yoga is about MUCH more than just stretching! In this workshop-style class, we will explain the physical postures to help you understand your own alignment, work with understanding and experiencing how the breath moves in the body, and begin to touch on some simple meditation techniques to help calm the thought waves of the mind. 

As students, you are encouraged to ask questions, take notes and/or experiment with different variations of a posture to help support and nourish your practice! We believe yoga is for everyone. Each person's expression and experience of each yoga posture is unique and we celebrate this diversity. Yoga is truly about connecting within, embodying breath and movement and feeling into one's own unique expression through practice. 

Beginners are welcome to join as well as those looking for a refresher or a workshop-style class where alignment and basic yogic concepts are discussed in more detail. We hope you will leave this class feeling confident and ready to attend a group yoga class while also beginning to explore and experience how yoga uniquely supports YOU. 

$75 for the series

Sign up!

• Price includes the 3 weekly sessions as well as optional access to any of Chi-Town Shakti's  in-person Yoga Basics classes between weeks 1 and 3 of this series.  Yoga Basics classes are scheduled on Sundays from 9 to 10 am, Thursdays from 615 to 715 pm and Saturdays from 11 am to 12 pm

• Pre-Registration Required for Intro Series

• Non-refundable after 24 hours prior to event’s start

• Limited to 8 participants

• Doors open 15 min before class

• Please arrive early enough to set up and get settled before class begins

• We recommend bringing your own water/water bottle and wearing clothes in which you can move! We provide yoga mats and yoga props though you are also welcome to bring your own. 

YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

Fran Lonergan (She/Her) began her yoga journey right here at Chi-Town Shakti back in 2011 and they haven’t been able to get rid of her yet! :) She completed her 200-Hour teacher training in 2012 and later completed her Level 2 (2015), Level 3 (2018) and Pre-natal (2015) teacher trainings. She has been teaching at Chi-Town Shakti since 2015. Fran firmly believes that yoga is for everyone, that it is a great asset for your physical and mental health, and that you should have fun while you’re doing it.  Fran has always loved puzzles and finds the way our bodies move can be just like a puzzle -- she loves helping her students find out how best to move within their own bodies to strengthen their mind/body connection.

Join us for a focused workshop on goal setting, affirmation practices, and intention board creation. This session is designed to help you connect your goals to your values and map out actionable objectives. Through a combination of meditative reflection, guided exercises, and breaking down values-based affirmations into goals, you'll develop a clear visual representation of your desires for your new year. This is a practical, intentional space to set the tone for the year ahead with clarity and purpose.

$30 (supplies included - cork board and vision board supplies)

Sign Up!

*pre-registration required. non-refundable 24 hours or less prior to event's start

Bio: 

Sithara Vincent (They/Them), LCSW, RYT-500

Sithara aims to teach from the heart--bringing an authentic sense of groundedness to each class. After diving deeper into their journey with movement in 2015, Sithara began to reconnect with a daily yoga practice. At this time, they completed a capstone project researching the effects of movement on human empathy. Through this process, Sithara found forms of movement incorporated into mental health therapies. Sithara then happened upon Chi-Town Shakti in 2018 and immediately felt a connection with the people, the studio, and the school of ShambhavAnanda Yoga®️. 

Upon completing their 200hr certification at CTS in 2019, Sithara began to incorporate breathing techniques and movement into their daily practice of social work. Their main goal has been to continue making holistic forms of care more easily accessible to those in need. Sithara’s teaching focuses on pranayama (breathing techniques) to utilize the energy we all have to continue to heal and build a connection with ourselves and the world around us through Yoga. Sithara is thankful for the opportunity to continue this Yoga journey through practicing, teaching, and growing with their students. They hope to continue bringing this sense of gratitude to every class, and hope to continue to grow and learn along with their students. Sithara also completed ShambhavAnanda Yoga®️’s 30-hour Meditation Teacher Training in 2020. 

A Deeply intentional way to practice on New Year's Day....

The vibration of Medicine Buddha Mantra is powerfully soothing and healing, both physically and psychically. In this Medicine Buddha Mantra “Soak”, you will be gently guided through a series of restorative yoga asana (poses held for 3 to 5 minutes or more while luxuriously supported by props such as bolsters, blocks, blankets etc). You may choose to lie silently, soaking in the vibration of live Medicine Buddha Mantra chanting with harmonium. Or you may choose to chant the Mantra along with the group, exploring your relationship with the rich, potent sound and how it vibrates your soul...

You may choose to dedicate the mantra to those you love or hold the vision of the entire world in your Heart as the rich medicine of matrika shakti (energy of spiritual sound vibration) travels far beyond the walls....

Surrender. Soak. Renew. 

Tiered pricing available:

Community Rate (discounted): $35

Sustainer Rate (covers your costs): $40

Supporter Rate (pay it forward - covers your costs and helps support another): $45

Sign Up!

*Pre-registration required. Space is Limited - sign up soon!

**All props and mats provided, though you are welcome to bring your own.

**Medicine Buddha Mantra Woodblock photo by Faith Stone 

A Cozy Autumn 2024 Sound Bath!

Allow yourself to decompress and experience a unique inward journey for your body, mind and spirit. Physical sound vibrations entrain the brain to move from beta to alpha-theta waves, bringing about a deep, meditative state. Jitka and John will weave a tapestry of magical sounds using gongs, crystal bowls, singing bowls, chimes and other instruments. 

Join us on Saturday, November 2nd from 7 to 830 pm at Chi-Town Shakti Yoga + Meditation for a deeply relaxing 90-min Sound Magic Immersion with John and Jitka Yost. Bolsters, blankets, and cushions will be provided for your comfort. However, you are more than welcome to bring your own cozy comforts with you (pjs, soft blankets, eye masks, etc!). This Event is in-person in studio. Space is limited, so sign up soon! 

$38 if registered by October 19th

$44 if registered after October 19th

BIO:

Sound Magic is composed of John and Jitka Yost. John has been using music to connect people to themselves and their communities worldwide for over 30 years. John is a degreed percussionist, a Village Music Global Trainer and a Remo endorsee. John has studied and performed with many gong, djembe and taiko masters.

Jitka has been a massage therapist for over two decades. She blends bodywork, energy work and sound immersion techniques to facilitate deep relaxation and rejuvenation.

Sign Up!

***Pre-registration required. Space is limited. Non-refundable after 24 hours prior to event start.

Join us (online or in-person) for our annual Halloween-Asana Candlelight Yoga + Meditation class on Sunday, October 27th! Class will be Halloween-themed and costumes are absolutely welcome (though not required). In past years, we have seen a skeleton, a Cheshire Cat, a ballerina, a Panda, and Wonder Woman in attendance!

Spend an evening in the soft glow of candlelight using your flow of breath and asana to open your body and mind. After a 60 minute slow flow Asana (Physical) practice the teacher will lead a 30 minute guided meditation utilizing ShambhavAnanda Yoga® Meditation tools.

Sign Up!

Pre-Registration Required. Non-Refundable after Event’s start. Doors close at 7 pm. No late entries. 

A Soothing September 2024 Sound Immersion experience. 

Allow yourself to decompress and experience a unique inward journey for your body, mind and spirit. Physical sound vibrations entrain the brain to move from beta to alpha-theta waves, bringing about a deep, meditative state. Jitka and John will weave a tapestry of magical sounds using gongs, crystal bowls, singing bowls, chimes and other instruments. 

Join us on Saturday, September 14th from 7 to 830 pm at Chi-Town Shakti Yoga + Meditation for a deeply relaxing 90-min Sound Magic Immersion with John and Jitka Yost. Bolsters, blankets, and cushions will be provided for your comfort. However, you are more than welcome to bring your own cozy comforts with you (pjs, soft blankets, eye masks, etc!). This Event is in-person in studio. Space is limited, so sign up soon! 

$38 if registered by August 31st

$44 if registered after August 31st

Sign Up!

BIO:

Sound Magic is composed of John and Jitka Yost. John has been using music to connect people to themselves and their communities worldwide for over 30 years. John is a degreed percussionist, a Village Music Global Trainer and a Remo endorsee. John has studied and performed with many gong, djembe and taiko masters.

Jitka has been a massage therapist for over two decades. She blends bodywork, energy work and sound immersion techniques to facilitate deep relaxation and rejuvenation.

***Pre-registration required. Space is limited. Non-refundable after 24 hours prior to event start.

The New Moon begins the waxing phase of the moon cycle, as light and energy build toward the Full Moon's fruition. We can begin anew, through purification and surrender, welcoming each New Moon cycle with wonder and possibility. We set intentions, visualize and open to our potential. 

Join Aasha and Nicole for a 2-hour New Moon Yoga + Acupuncture afternoon. Open, surrender and begin anew through a New Moon themed slow flow yoga experience (led by Aasha) with an extended 45 minute savasana with accupuncture (with care and compassion by Nicole). Choose to enjoy your savasana with support of yoga props of your choice - bolsters, blankets and cushions - while Nicole administers acupuncture to support opening the flow of energy (or Qi) within for a more peaceful and blissful relaxation. Visualize your wish, desire or intention for this New Moon as you deeply breathe and deeply release held tensions. 

Tiered Pricing: 

Community Rate (Discounted): $40

Sustainer Rate (Standard): $48

Supporter Rate (Supports Community Programming): $55

Pre-registrations Required. Capped at 12 Participants. 

Sign UP!

BIO for Nicole Rousonelos, Guest Acupuncturist

Nicole Rousonelos draws from a diverse background in both the service industry and the performance arts. She brings a unique blend of creativity, empathy, and attention to detail to her practice as an acupuncturist. Her journey into the world of healing arts began as a quest to integrate her passion for helping others with her love for artistic expression. She holds a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of Health and Science Chicago, where she merged her passion for healing with artistic sensibilities. Additionally, she is licensed by the NCCAOM and continually seeks to deepen her knowledge through ongoing education and training. She is currently practicing out of Golden Hour Acupuncture in Edgewater.

***Non-Refundable after 24 hours prior to day of event. 

3 consecutive Saturdays: August 10th, 17th and 24th

Starting a yoga practice may feel intimidating with the strange names of poses, coordinating breath and movement, and feeling like others know more than you...but here at Chi-Town Shakti, we welcome newbies to the practice with our In-Person, In-Studio Introduction to Yoga Series!

Join us for 3 consecutive weeks to learn how yoga is about MUCH more than just stretching!

In this workshop-style class, we will explain the physical postures to help you understand your own alignment, work with understanding and experiencing how the breath moves in the body, and begin to touch on some simple meditation techniques to help calm the thought waves of the mind. 

As students, you are encouraged to ask questions, take notes and/or experiment with different variations of a posture to help support and nourish your practice! We believe yoga is for everyone. Each person's expression and experience of each yoga posture is unique and we celebrate this diversity. Yoga is truly about connecting within, embodying breath and movement and feeling into one's own unique expression through practice. 

Beginners are welcome to join as well as those looking for a refresher or a workshop-style class where alignment and basic yogic concepts are discussed in more detail. We hope you will leave this class feeling confident and ready to attend a group yoga class while also beginning to explore and experience how yoga uniquely supports YOU. 

$75 for series

• Price includes the 3 weekly sessions as well as optional attendance for any of Chi-Town Shakti's  in-person Yoga Basics classes between week 1 and 3 of this series.  Yoga Basics classes are scheduled on Sundays from 9 to 10 am, Thursdays from 630 to 730 pm and Saturdays from 1030 to 1130 am

• Pre-Registration Required. 

• Limited to 8 participants

• Doors open 15 min before class

• Please arrive early enough to set up and get settled before class begins

• We recommend bringing your own water/water bottle and wearing clothes in which you can move! We provide yoga mats and yoga props though you are also welcome to bring your own. 

Sign Up!

**Pre-Registration Required. Non-refundable after 24 hours prior to start of event. 

YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

Fran Lonergan (She/Her)began her yoga journey right here at Chi-Town Shakti back in 2011 and they haven’t been able to get rid of her yet! :) She completed her 200-Hour teacher training in 2012 and later completed her Level 2 (2015), Level 3 (2018) and Pre-natal (2015) teacher trainings. She has been teaching at Chi-Town Shakti since 2015. Fran firmly believes that yoga is for everyone, that it is a great asset for your physical and mental health, and that you should have fun while you’re doing it.  Fran has always loved puzzles and finds the way our bodies move can be just like a puzzle -- she loves helping her students find out how best to move within their own bodies to strengthen their mind/body connection.

A Heart-Warming Summer 2024 Sound Immersion experience. 

Allow yourself to decompress and experience a unique inward journey for your body, mind and spirit. Physical sound vibrations entrain the brain to move from beta to alpha-theta waves, bringing about a deep, meditative state. Jitka and John will weave a tapestry of magical sounds using gongs, crystal bowls, singing bowls, chimes and other instruments. 

Join us on Saturday, July 27th from 7 to 830 pm at Chi-Town Shakti Yoga + Meditation for a deeply relaxing 90-min Sound Magic Immersion with John and Jitka Yost. Bolsters, blankets, and cushions will be provided for your comfort. However, you are more than welcome to bring your own cozy comforts with you (pjs, soft blankets, eye masks, etc!). This Event is in-person in studio. Space is limited, so sign up soon! 

$38 if registered by July 6th

$44 if registered after July 6th

BIO:

Sound Magic is composed of John and Jitka Yost. John has been using music to connect people to themselves and their communities worldwide for over 30 years. John is a degreed percussionist, a Village Music Global Trainer and a Remo endorsee. John has studied and performed with many gong, djembe and taiko masters.

Jitka has been a massage therapist for over two decades. She blends bodywork, energy work and sound immersion techniques to facilitate deep relaxation and rejuvenation.

Sign Up!

***Pre-registration required. Space is limited. Non-refundable after 24 hours prior to event start.

Have you ever found yourself waking frequently between 1 and 3 am during a period of heightened stress in your life? Or have you noticed that illness quickly follows a long period of grief or worry? Perhaps you've experienced a string of seemingly endless emotions during meditation, like you’re flipping through TV channels, from happy to sad, worry to shame, peacefulness to anger?

In this 90 min minute workshop, we will explore:

·      What is the role of emotions in the human experience?

·      How are emotions and disease interrelated according to Chinese Medicine?

·      What acupressure points help with strong emotions?

·      How can we build the inner capacity to be with a wider range of emotions?

You will leave with a foundational understanding of the link between our emotions and physical bodies from a Chinese medical perspective. There will be a hands-on exploration of acupressure points to use with different emotions. We will finish with a guided meditation to increase our capacity to be with a wider range of emotions and arrive fully in our lives. 

Sign Up!

BIO:

Amisha Robin Banyasz (She/Her)

Amisha’s deep wish to heal physically and grow spiritually led her first to Chinese Medicine and then to Shambhavananda Yoga®️. After finding physical healing with an acupuncturist, Amisha began a decade of personal meditation practice and training in yoga and meditation, followed by five years of formal training in Chinese Medicine. Along the way, she discovered that the traditions of yoga and Chinese medical theory go hand in hand. With her patients, Amisha finds the greatest healing happens when body and spirit are treated together. She is committed to providing space for patients to realign imbalances in the body while offering mindfulness practices and lifestyle changes to help them live life to their fullest potential in presence and love. 

Amisha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (2001) and a Master’s Degree in Education (2002), both from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training from the Shambhavananda School of Yoga (2017) as well as the 30-hour Meditation Teacher Training (2020). More recently, Amisha finished a Master’s Degree in Acupuncture with a Specialization in Chinese Herbal Medicine (2022) from AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in Austin, Texas. 

**Pre-Registration Required. Nonrefundable after 24 hours prior to event's start

Yoga Nidra plus Restorative Experience - to prepare the body to recieve the benefits of a guided Yoga Nidra session, participants will move through a fully propped series of Restorative Asana designed to gently open and soften common areas of stored physical tension.  Each participant will be strongly encouraged to personalize each asana with suggested alignment or prop modifications. Enjoy the healing vibrations of singing bowl accompaniment while relaxing deeply in each asana. Guided Yoga Nidra will follow the restorative portion and further support the inner exploration within a quieted, fully propped and supported outer physical body.

Most props will be provided. We recommend you bring one blanket and optional cozy socks and eye pillow. (We have a few eye pillows for purchase at the studio).

Tiered Pricing:

Community Rate (Discounted): $30

Sustainer Rate (Standard): $35

Supporter Rate (Supports Another): $40

Sign Up! (Reserve Soon as Spots Fill Up Fast!)

**Pre-Registration Required. Non-Refundable 24 hours prior to start of event. 

Bio: 

Shakti Oliver-Skaggs is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), Registered Yoga Instructor (E-RYT 500), Certified Pilates Instructor (NCPT), Advanced Biofield Tuning Practitioner, Atma Buti Sound and Vibration Practitioner, and Certified ShambhavAnanda Yoga@ Meditation Instructor who comes to us, most recently from Alabama and previously from various locations both in and outside the U.S. 

Shakti also successfully completed the year long Total Yoga Nidra Facilitor teacher training with Uma Dinsmore Tuli & Nirlipta Tuli of Yoga Nidra Network in 2018.

Shakti has a passion for creating custom yoga content for private sessions, small groups and large groups with a particular emphasis on optimized movement mechanics, meditation/pranayama practices, and reinforcement of resiliency in the best and worst of times. Her knowledge of anatomy and body mechanics is impressive as she is a lifelong learner and believes the best teachers are forever students!

Shakti's journey into the therapeutic application of Yoga began in 2004 while living as an Army wife in South Korea. She was invited to teach yoga in her son's 3rd grade class to him and his classmates to help them prepare for Spring time achievement tests. She continued to teach for them once per week throughout the school year as yoga then became part of the school's health curriculum. The following year, Shakti's daughter (age 12) was diagnosed with positional Scoliosis. There were no PT/rehab options available to her in South Korea. Hoping to avoid future surgery, Shakti began reading, researching, and applying all portions of her practice to her situation. Shakti's daughter is now 30, and through the application of yoga and Pilates exercises over the years, she has avoided surgery! 

From these very personal beginnings to present day, Shakti has worked with family members and students but also amateur athletes, soldiers, moms, dads, kids, firefighters, police officers, and others from a wide range of occupations. She is skilled at customizing lessons and classes to fit the individual needs of the participant or group as a whole. 

Shakti received her initial 200-hour Yoga Certification in the ShambhavAnanda® Yoga tradition at Shoshoni Yoga Retreat Center (outside of Boulder, Colorado) in 2008. She returned and completed additional advanced trainings at the center in 2009. Shakti received her 500-hr ShambhavAnanda® Yoga teacher certification in 2010, completing her training at ShambhavAnanda® Yoga Konalani.

Shakti is a Yoga Alliance-registered teacher (E-RYT500) and also a Registered Yoga School through YA. She is a Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) and a member of Pilates Method Alliance.

Her Pilates education is from Balanced Body (R).  Her Pilates training education continues with both Classical and Contemporary Pilates Schools. Her Yoga Therapist certification is through (IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists). Shakti is an advanced level Biofield tuning Practitioner as well as an Atma Buti Sound & Vibration School Practitioner in Training. 

Introduction to Yoga 3-week Series

with Fran Lonergan

3 consecutive Saturdays: June 8th, 15th and 22nd

2 pm to 330 pm

Starting a yoga practice may feel intimidating with the strange names of poses, coordinating breath and movement, and feeling like others know more than you...but here at Chi-Town Shakti, we welcome newbies to the practice with our In-Person, In-Studio Introduction to Yoga Series!

Join us for 3 consecutive weeks to learn how yoga is about MUCH more than just stretching!

In this workshop-style class, we will explain the physical postures to help you understand your own alignment, work with understanding and experiencing how the breath moves in the body, and begin to touch on some simple meditation techniques to help calm the thought waves of the mind. 

As students, you are encouraged to ask questions, take notes and/or experiment with different variations of a posture to help support and nourish your practice! We believe yoga is for everyone. Each person's expression and experience of each yoga posture is unique and we celebrate this diversity. Yoga is truly about connecting within, embodying breath and movement and feeling into one's own unique expression through practice. 

Beginners are welcome to join as well as those looking for a refresher or a workshop-style class where alignment and basic yogic concepts are discussed in more detail. We hope you will leave this class feeling confident and ready to attend a group yoga class while also beginning to explore and experience how yoga uniquely supports YOU. 

$75 for series

• Price includes the 3 weekly sessions as well as optional access to any of Chi-Town Shakti's  in-person Yoga Basics classes between week 1 and 3 of this series.  Yoga Basics classes are scheduled on Sundays from 9 to 10 am, Thursdays from 630 to 730 pm and Saturdays from 1030 to 1130 am

• Pre-Registration Required. 

• Limited to 7 participants

• Doors open 15 min before class

• Please arrive early enough to set up and get settled before class begins

• We recommend bringing your own water/water bottle and wearing clothes in which you can move! We provide yoga mats and yoga props though you are also welcome to bring your own. 

Sign Up!

YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

Fran Lonergan (She/Her)began her yoga journey right here at Chi-Town Shakti back in 2011 and they haven’t been able to get rid of her yet! :) She completed her 200-Hour teacher training in 2012 and later completed her Level 2 (2015), Level 3 (2018) and Pre-natal (2015) teacher trainings. She has been teaching at Chi-Town Shakti since 2015. Fran firmly believes that yoga is for everyone, that it is a great asset for your physical and mental health, and that you should have fun while you’re doing it.  Fran has always loved puzzles and finds the way our bodies move can be just like a puzzle -- she loves helping her students find out how best to move within their own bodies to strengthen their mind/body connection.

4 consecutive Thursday mornings

June 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th

6:30 to 7:00 am

Shiva, or "auspicious one", is both a revered Hindu God and a representation of the whole of consciousness. Shive IS consciousness.  The mantra "Om Namah Shivaya", meaning "I bow with respect to my Inner Self (Shiva), the Self of All" is simple, yet profound in its effects. Our natural state of consciousness and bliss has always existed within. Through mantra and meditation, we begin to realize it. 

Mantra means "mind protector". Chanting a mantra stills the thought waves of the mind and shifts our focus to the benefits of sacred sound. Inviting Shiva on one's journey of practice ignites the flame of consciousness that much more brightly!

Join Dharma Riendeau for 4 weeks (thursdays) of Shiva mantra. Learn more about Shiva and how to work with his powerful mantra every day. Each day will include a an introductory talk and 20 min of mantra practice. 

Tiered Pricing:

Community Rate (Discounted): $24 ($6 per session)

Sustainer Rate (Standard): $32 ($8 per session)

Supporter Rate (Supports Community Programming): $40 ($10 per session)

Sign Up!

Bio: 

Dharma Riendeau, RYT 200, ShambhavAnanda Yoga®️ Meditation Instructor, completed his 200 hour Yoga Teacher training at Chi-Town Shakti in 2013. Everything shifted that year as he met his life partner, Annapoorna, through the training, and also met his spiritual teacher, Sri Shambavananda. Dharma has completed several meditation teacher trainings through the ShambavAnanda Yoga® School. He has two young children ages 3 and 5. Dharma is also a professional percussionist and music educator.

Join Special Guest Instructor, Vedic Astrologer and Artist, Lakshman (John Fontaine) for this workshop on the sacred art of drawing Yantras!

"Yantras are visual tools that serve either as centering devices or as symbolic compositions of the energy pattern of a deity as seen by Tantric seers in their visions." - Harish Johari

"The process of drawing a yantra is a practice in itself. One can visualize an energy or support that one wants to bring more strongly into their life. Drawing the yantra while also doing a mantra that is associated with the deity of the yantra, can infuse the yantra with the energy that both the yantra and the mantra represent. I have often felt this strongly at the completion of the drawing. It seems to be a kind of blessing for doing the yantra. And the yantra can continue to have a positive effect, indefinitely, if it is used." - Lakshman

Pictures of the yantras of the nine planets and of Ganesh, Laxmi, Saraswati, Durga, Kali, and the Ten Wisdom Goddesses (MahaVidyas) will be available for you to view so you can choose your favorite yantra to draw. 

In our class, we will go step by step through the construction (or drawing) of a yantra, and you will be able to apply the knowledge from this workshop to creating more yantras on your own as you please. You are welcome to enjoy coloring your yantra, with paint, colored pencils, markers, etc. on your own after the workshop as you will likely use most of your workshop time for drawing. 

Materials will be provided and will mainly include a hard pencil, eraser, ruler, compass and the type of paper you want to use. For example, the yantra drawing can be on watercolor paper for watercolors or acrylics. Or it can be on drawing paper for coloring with pencil.

We hope you can join us for this special event!

$108 per person

Early Bird Discount: $98 (when registered by May 11th)

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BIO: 

Lakshman has been a practicing Vedic astrologer for over twenty years and loves to teach astrology and teach the creation of yantras.  He is also a classically trained artist and has had a spiritual practice for over 46 years as a student of Sri Shambhavananda, founder of ShambhavAnanda Yoga®.

Join Special Guest Instructor, Sam Lieurance on a 90-minute journey into deep relaxation and restoration. Explore yoga asanas, guided meditation, and the profound practice of yogic sleep. This class is designed so you can tailor the intensity to suit your needs. Whether you prefer a restorative approach or a yin style, you'll find it here. Class will begin with a gentle warm-up to tune into our bodies. Then we'll transition into held, supported postures. These will allow us to connect with our inner state as we deeply breathe. Finally, we'll rest in savasana with a guided meditation (Yoga Nidra). We hope you will leave feeling refreshed and more fully present!

Early Bird Pricing: $25 (when registered by April 19th)

Standard Pricing: $30 (valid up to 1 day before event)

Same Day Pricing: $35

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Bio:

Sam visits us from Om Ananda, a ShambhavAnanda Yoga® center in Fort Collins, Colorado! Sam became interested in yoga to learn about meditation and breathing. She wanted a way to reduce anxiety and improve focus. She is a natural teacher, and it quickly became clear that leading classes flowed naturally for her. So, Sam received her 500-hour teacher certification and began teaching! Today, she has more than 10,000 hours of experience and many students who say her classes are uplifting. Some even say she has changed their lives. When she's not teaching, Sam enjoys doing agility work with her dogs and husband, going roller skating, cooking, and reading.

A Magical Spring 2024 Sound Immersion experience. 

Allow yourself to decompress and experience a unique inward journey for your body, mind and spirit. Physical sound vibrations entrain the brain to move from beta to alpha-theta waves, bringing about a deep, meditative state. Jitka and John will weave a tapestry of magical sounds using gongs, crystal bowls, singing bowls, chimes and other instruments. 

Join us on Saturday, April 6th from 7 to 830 pm at Chi-Town Shakti Yoga + Meditation for a deeply relaxing 90-min Sound Magic Immersion with John and Jitka Yost. Bolsters, blankets, and cushions will be provided for your comfort. However, you are more than welcome to bring your own cozy comforts with you (pjs, soft blankets, eye masks, etc!). This Event is in-person in studio. Space is limited, so sign up soon! 

$38 if registered by March 16th

$44 if registered after March 16th

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BIO:

Sound Magic is composed of John and Jitka Yost. John has been using music to connect people to themselves and their communities worldwide for over 30 years. John is a degreed percussionist, a Village Music Global Trainer and a Remo endorsee. John has studied and performed with many gong, djembe and taiko masters.

Jitka has been a massage therapist for over two decades. She blends bodywork, energy work and sound immersion techniques to facilitate deep relaxation and rejuvenation.

***Pre-registration required. Space is limited. Non-refundable after 24 hours prior to event start.

A Magical February 2023 Sound Immersion experience. Bring a date! - a partner, dear friend, loved one OR treat yourSELF!

Allow yourself and those who join you to decompress and experience a unique inward journey for your body, mind and spirit. Physical sound vibrations entrain the brain to move from beta to alpha-theta waves, bringing about a deep, meditative state. Jitka and John will weave a tapestry of magical sounds using gongs, crystal bowls, singing bowls, chimes and other instruments. 

Join us on Saturday, February 10th from 7 to 830 pm at Chi-Town Shakti Yoga + Meditation for a deeply relaxing 90-min Sound Magic Immersion with John and Jitka Yost. Bolsters, blankets, and cushions will be provided for your comfort. However, you are more than welcome to bring your own cozy comforts with you (pjs, soft blankets, eye masks, etc!). This Event is in-person in studio. Space is limited, so sign up soon! 

$38 if registered by January 20th

$44 if registered after January 20th

BIO:

Sound Magic is composed of John and Jitka Yost. John has been using music to connect people to themselves and their communities worldwide for over 30 years. John is a degreed percussionist, a Village Music Global Trainer and a Remo endorsee. John has studied and performed with many gong, djembe and taiko masters.

Jitka has been a massage therapist for over two decades. She blends bodywork, energy work and sound immersion techniques to facilitate deep relaxation and rejuvenation.

Sign Up!

***Pre-registration required. Space is limited. Non-refundable after 24 hours prior to event start.

A Deeply intentional way to practice on New Year's Day....

The vibration of Medicine Buddha Mantra is powerfully soothing and healing, both physically and psychically. In this Medicine Buddha Mantra “Soak”, you will be gently guided through a series of restorative yoga asana (poses held for 3 to 5 minutes or more while luxuriously supported by props such as bolsters, blocks, blankets etc). You may choose to lie silently, soaking in the vibration of live Medicine Buddha Mantra chanting with harmonium. Or you may choose to chant the Mantra along with the group, exploring your relationship with the rich, potent sound and how it vibrates your soul...

You may choose to dedicate the mantra to those you love or hold the vision of the entire world in your Heart as the rich medicine of matrika shakti (energy of spiritual sound vibration) travels far beyond your being....

Surrender. Soak. Renew and Honor YOU. 

Tiered pricing available:

Community Rate (discounted): $33

Sustainer Rate (covers your costs): $38

Supporter Rate (pay it forward - covers your costs and helps support another): $43

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*Pre-registration required. Space is Limited.

**Medicine Buddha Woodblock photo by Faith Stone 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FaithStoneArt?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=703999672

A Magical December 2023 Sound Immersion experience - a continued favorite of our community! Our last event was sold out with a waiting list so sign up soon!

Allow yourself to decompress and to experience a unique inward journey for your body, mind and spirit. Physical sound vibrations entrain the brain to move from beta to alpha-theta waves, bringing about a deep, meditative state. Jitka and John will weave a tapestry of magical sounds using gongs, crystal bowls, singing bowls, chimes and other instruments. 

Join us on Saturday, December 9th from 7 to 830 pm at Chi-Town Shakti Yoga + Meditation for a deeply relaxing 90-min Sound Magic Immersion with John and Jitka Yost. Bolsters, blankets, and cushions will be provided for your comfort. However, you are more than welcome to bring your own cozy comforts with you (pjs, soft blankets, eye masks, etc!). This workshop is in-person in studio. Space is limited, so sign up soon! 

$38 if registered by November 25th

$44 if registered after November 25th

BIO:

Sound Magic is composed of John and Jitka Yost. John has been using music to connect people to themselves and their communities worldwide for over 30 years. John is a degreed percussionist, a Village Music Global Trainer and a Remo endorsee. John has studied and performed with many gong, djembe and taiko masters.

Jitka has been a massage therapist for over two decades. She blends bodywork, energy work and sound immersion techniques to facilitate deep relaxation and rejuvenation.

Sign Up!

***Pre-registration required. Space is limited. Non-refundable after 24 hours prior to event start.

Cozy up at home and join Stephanie online for this special Thanksgiving Day class. Gently warm up with about 30 min of Hatha Yoga (all levels welcome). Then, cozy up and "hibernate" in restorative yoga postures (postures held for 3 to 5 min or more) for the second half of this luxurious class. Treat yourself to an hour of comfort - just for you. 

Props needed. 2 blankets or large towels. 2 couch or bed Pillows. Yoga Blocks if available (no worry if not!) and a yoga strap (or long scarf)

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Join us for an exploration of Restorative Yoga Asana and guided Marma Chikitsa, aka Ayurvedic Acupressure Therapy.  You will be guided through various Marma sequences, offering yourself a self-touch practice with various Marma points.  

The experience will include space for Restorative Yoga Asana (poses held for 3 to 5 minutes or more while luxuriously supported by props such as bolsters, blocks, blankets, etc.), to further soothe the nervous system and sink into interconnectedness within the physical and energetic bodies.  

Marma Chikitsa is an Ayurvedic practice that opens the joints and moves fascia, the connective tissue that governs the nervous system.  It also helps clear energetic channels of the body and invites you to experience your own intrinsic healing power.

Yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences, the Science of the Self and the Science of Life, respectively.  Both sciences invite you to engage with your physical being in a conscious manner in order to bring yourself back to your body and experience your natural state of being.

Marma is usually received as 1:1 bodywork, so during this experience I will be able to offer hands-on support where you will get a feeling for what it is like to receive a 1:1 session.  

Optional Add-ons:

There is an option to use oil on the body during the sessions.  You can bring your own 1-2 oz. dropper bottle of oil or purchase some through the studio.  It is not required to use the oil and instructions for when and how to use it will be offered. 

Acupressure mats will be used during the sessions and available for purchase for at-home use.  Inquire with Anjani directly to purchase.

$54 per person

$45 Early Bird Special when you sign up by Oct 21st

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**Pre-registration required for series. Non-refundable after 24 hours prior to start of event.

Join us (online or in-person) for our annual Halloween-Asana Candlelight Yoga + Meditation class on Sunday, October 29th! Class will be Halloween-themed and costumes are absolutely welcome (though not required). In past years, we have seen a skeleton, a Cheshire Cat, a ballerina, a butterfly and Wonder Woman in attendance!

Spend an evening in the soft glow of candlelight using your flow of breath and asana to open your body and mind. After a 60 minute slow flow Asana (Physical) practice the teacher will lead a 30 minute guided meditation utilizing ShambhavAnanda Yoga® Meditation tools.

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Pre-Registration Required. Non-Refundable after Event’s start. Doors close at 7 pm. No late entries. 

Join with Chi-Town Shakti community for the joyous practice of kirtan with harmonium and drum accompaniment. Kirtan is a devotional practice of call and response chanting in the sacred Sanskrit language. Open your Heart and sing! The vibration and sacred energy bathe our entire beings as we turn within, chant and BE....

Chant sheets will be provided, and beginners are welcome! Cushions and chairs will be available for seating. Dancing, swaying and moving as the shakti moves you are also encouraged!

We will chant for about 60 min with a potluck immediately following. Bring a dish, snack or beverage to share (meat, alcohol, and substance-free please). 

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Donation-Based. Please pre-register. Donations are much appreciated (though never required) so we can continue to provide Community Programming. 

Repetitive strain injury is a risk with any movement practice as well as when engaging in everyday tasks of living. John Special Guest Instructor and anatomy enthusiast, Shakti Oliver-Skaggs as she talks us through common repetitive strain injuries in yoga and highlights ways we can prevent RSI personally and in the way we create classes and responsively cue our students when leading them through yoga classes. This workshop is geared toward yoga teachers though are all welcome who have interest!

$33 - OR $50 for this session + session on Yoga + the Lymphatic System

Shakti Oliver-Skaggs is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), Registered Yoga Instructor (E-RYT 500), Certified Pilates Instructor (NCPT), Advanced Biofield Tuning Practitioner, Atma Buti Sound and Vibration Practitioner in Training, and Certified ShambhavAnanda Yoga@ Meditation Instructor who comes to us, most recently from Alabama and previously from various locations both in and outside the U.S. 

Shakti River has a passion for creating custom yoga content for private sessions, small groups and large groups with a particular emphasis on optimized movement mechanics, meditation/pranayama practices, and reinforcement of resiliency in the best and worst of times. Her knowledge of anatomy and body mechanics is impressive as she is a lifelong learner and believes the best teachers are forever students!

Shakti's journey into the therapeutic application of Yoga began in 2004 while living as an Army wife in South Korea. She was invited to teach yoga in her son's 3rd grade class to him and his classmates to help them prepare for Spring time achievement tests. She continued to teach for them once per week throughout the school year as yoga then became part of the school's Health curriculum. The following year, Shakti's daughter (age 12) was diagnosed with positional Scoliosis. There were no PT/rehab options available to her in South Korea. Hoping to avoid future surgery, Shakti began reading, researching, and applying all portions of her practice to her situation. Shakti's daughter is now 30, and through the application of yoga and Pilates exercises over the years, she has avoided surgery! 

From these very personal beginnings to present day, Shakti has worked with family members and students but also amateur athletes, soldiers, moms, dads, kids, firefighters, police officers, and others from a wide range of occupations. She is skilled at customizing lessons and classes to fit the individual needs of the participant or group as a whole. 

Shakti received her initial 200-hour Yoga Certification in the ShambhavAnanda® Yoga tradition at Shoshoni Yoga Retreat Center (outside of Boulder, Colorado) in 2008. She returned and completed additional advanced trainings at the center in 2009. Shakti received her 500-hr ShambhavAnanda® Yoga teacher certification in 2010, completing her training at ShambhavAnanda® Yoga Konalani.

Shakti is a Yoga Alliance-registered teacher (E-RYT500) and also a Registered Yoga School through YA. She is a Certified Pilates Teacher (PMA-CPT) and a member of Pilates Method Alliance.

Her Pilates education is from Balanced Body (R).    Her classical Pilates training is ongoing with Rebecca Leone Education Conspiracy. Her Yoga Therapist certification is through (IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists). 

Sign Up! (Choose In-person or Online)

(pre-registration required. non-refundable 24 hours prior to start of event.)

The lymphatic system is an important component of our immune system that helps eliminate toxins from the body. Moving the body is essential for assisting the movement of lymph and maintaining health. Join Shakti Oliver Skaggs, fellow ShambhavAnanda Yoga® practitioner and anatomy enthusiast, for an in-depth session on the relationship between yoga flow and essential functioning of the lymphatic system. This workshop is geared toward Yoga Instructors though all are welcome who have interest!

$22 (or $50 for this session + session on Yoga + Repetitive Strain Injury)

Shakti Oliver-Skaggs is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), Registered Yoga Instructor (E-RYT 500), Certified Pilates Instructor (NCPT), Advanced Biofield Tuning Practitioner, Atma Buti Sound and Vibration Practitioner in Training, and Certified ShambhavAnanda Yoga@ Meditation Instructor who comes to us, most recently from Alabama and previously from various locations both in and outside the U.S. 

Shakti River has a passion for creating custom yoga content for private sessions, small groups and large groups with a particular emphasis on optimized movement mechanics, meditation/pranayama practices, and reinforcement of resiliency in the best and worst of times. Her knowledge of anatomy and body mechanics is impressive as she is a lifelong learner and believes the best teachers are forever students!

Shakti's journey into the therapeutic application of Yoga began in 2004 while living as an Army wife in South Korea. She was invited to teach yoga in her son's 3rd grade class to him and his classmates to help them prepare for Spring time achievement tests. She continued to teach for them once per week throughout the school year as yoga then became part of the school's Health curriculum. The following year, Shakti's daughter (age 12) was diagnosed with positional Scoliosis. There were no PT/rehab options available to her in South Korea. Hoping to avoid future surgery, Shakti began reading, researching, and applying all portions of her practice to her situation. Shakti's daughter is now 30, and through the application of yoga and Pilates exercises over the years, she has avoided surgery! 

From these very personal beginnings to present day, Shakti has worked with family members and students but also amateur athletes, soldiers, moms, dads, kids, firefighters, police officers, and others from a wide range of occupations. She is skilled at customizing lessons and classes to fit the individual needs of the participant or group as a whole. 

Shakti received her initial 200-hour Yoga Certification in the ShambhavAnanda® Yoga tradition at Shoshoni Yoga Retreat Center (outside of Boulder, Colorado) in 2008. She returned and completed additional advanced trainings at the center in 2009. Shakti received her 500-hr ShambhavAnanda® Yoga teacher certification in 2010, completing her training at ShambhavAnanda® Yoga Konalani.

Shakti is a Yoga Alliance-registered teacher (E-RYT500) and also a Registered Yoga School through YA. She is a Certified Pilates Teacher (PMA-CPT) and a member of Pilates Method Alliance.

Her Pilates education is from Balanced Body (R).    Her classical Pilates training is ongoing with Rebecca Leone Education Conspiracy. Her Yoga Therapist certification is through (IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists). 

Sign up! (Online or In-Person)

(pre-registration required. non-refundable 24 hours prior to start of event.)