Kathie has been studying and practicing yoga since 1997 and has completed teacher training. She completed teacher training courses with Moksha Yoga Center, Ana Forrest and Tim Miller and has also studied with a variety of master yoga teachers.
Kathie is drawn to yoga because it purifies and integrates body, mind, and spirit. In her classes, she draws on her studies with master teachers, emphasizing a flowing series of strengthening poses and breathing to open the mind and body. Kathie also studies Thai Yoga Therapy and is a health care attorney by profession.
At Shine, in downtown Batavia, IL, we offer yoga classes, meditation, wellness workshops, events to evoke inspired living, offbeat activities, kids’ yoga, live music and performance, yoga clothing, active apparel, yoga props, self help books, DVDs, and eco-conscious gifts.
At Shine, our mission is to uplift you on your journey through life. We aim to support and inspire as you move within, learn about yourself and grow to your full potential.
Stephanie has studied the practices of yoga, health, and spirituality her entire life. Thanks to her mother, she was exposed to many different ways of taking care of the body and mind, and given the tools to overcome struggle and pain at a deep level. Stephanie believes in the goodness of people, the healing power of nature, and the importance of dreams. Her classes can be intense and challenging, yet always safe and mindful. She sees each student as a unique and beautiful expression of the divine, and welcomes anyone who simply wants to feel better and connect more to themselves and the life they desire to live.
Stephanie has been teaching yoga since 2004, and has had the pleasure of teaching all over Chicago, Southern IL, and for Wanderlust Festival in California and Chicago. She is now expanding her horizons and teaching internationally as well. Music is a large part of Stephanie’s life, and she loves to blend her musical passions with yoga. You can find her around town, at Bhakti Fest, or other festivals singing kirtan, electronic music, doing sound healings, or simply singing to you in Savasana.
With intense training in many styles of yoga, including Anusara and Acro, Stephanie’s classes are heart felt and dynamic, drawing from many years of study and practice. She thinks of yoga as her spiritual work, and hopes to help cultivate more beauty in the world through yoga and music. Join Stephanie in private and group classes throughout the city, or at monthly sound healings held throughout the Chicagoland area with her sister, Sarah.
Todd Boman took his first yoga class in 2001, on the recommendation of a friend, after moving to Chicago to pursue a fast-paced career in visual design. After some time, Todd discovered Ashtanga Yoga. Ashtanga was a physically demanding practice that he had not initially bargained for given his initial yoga experiences, which focused on relaxation. The challenge of the practice, however, was something that inspired him and became an aspect of yoga that he gravitated toward.
In 2005, he traveled to Mysore, India, the home of Ashtanga Yoga, and practiced at the K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute with Guruji, Sharath and Saraswati. While practicing in the West, he felt confused and overwhelmed by all the options and information that was available about yoga. However, the veil lifted when he came to Mysore; he felt the authenticity of the practice and he knew he found true yoga.
The Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system links a series of postures together through conscious breath and points of focus. Guruji emphasized three main points for practice: Vinyasa, which is the system that links movements to breath; Tristhana, which are the three points of attention during the practice including the posture, the breathing, and the gazing points; Lastly, in the Yoga Shastra, it is said that God dwells in our heart in the form of light, but that light is shrouded by six poisons: desire, anger, delusion, greed, envy and sloth. When yoga is practiced with dedication and enthusiasm over a long period of time the heat that is generated will burn away these poisons revealing the light of our inner nature.
After annual stays at the KPJAYI and with Sharath’s blessing in 2008, Todd began teaching Ashtanga Yoga in traditional Mysore style, where the individual student learns directly from the teacher, rather than teaching to a larger group of students. Learning in this manner benefits the student in that it is possible for one to gain independence and confidence in their practice as and that becomes personal when it is transmitted from guru to student and committed to memory. In the daily practice of Ashtanga Yoga, one can turn inward, gain insight, and become proficient in its methods, thereby reaping the many benefits the practice brings. For this to be accomplished, a slow, steady and dedicated approach is best.
During his stay in Mysore in 2010, Todd had the privilege to assist Sharath teaching in the shala. His direct experience learning, not only asana but also the Ashtanga teaching method with its hands on adjustments has firmly grounded Todd as a student and teacher. Todd received his Level 2 Authorization which will allow him to teach the Primary and Intermediate Series. Todd is honored to share his direct experience of Ashtanga Yoga in Mysore with the community of students in Chicago, contributing to what is a happier and healthier community of practitioners.
Tristan found himself on wits end. Struggling to find solace in life’s pleasures he spent his time drinking, fighting, and isolating himself from others in a numbed state that he preferred to his waking emotional pain. His deep seeded darkness found elucidation via the route of a college town Yoga studio. Amara Yoga & Arts in Urbana Illinois found its way into Tristan’s heart and left a life changing mark on his soul. This Yoga community brought light onto his dark troubles with existence. The warming smiles of teachers and students alike cast him out of his lonely reclusive spell and
welcomed him into the uniting community of Yoga. Yoga as union brought him up from dank cellar dwellings of a life not lived to an ascending quest for complete oneness with himself and the universe. Moving away from numbness,
he allowed felt sensations to re-enter and bring the joy of life with them. Knowing now that not everything felt is pain, he allows himself to feel and love life again. He didn’t, and still doesn’t, completely understand that
blissful feeling that washes over during the final resting pose of class. Yet this unawareness no longer scares Tristan from trying, but rather opens him up to more questions of what else is there to learn.
Tristan took his first Ashtanga Vinyasa class in Urbana, leaving the room drenched in sweat he was left to wonder ’what was that?’ and ’where can I get more of it?’. After graduating college Tristan found his way into the
Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago and in search of another Amara-esque Yoga studio. Moksha Yoga Center was and is that place to fill the void of his loved first Yoga studio back in central Illinois. Tristan practices a flowing yet aligned Vinyasa style of Yoga in hopes of finding the middle ground between BKS Iyengar’s alignment style and Sri Pattabi Jois’s Ashtanga Vinyasa. Through a life with devotion, knowledge, action, and meditation Tristan seeks to unite these ways to find a unifying Yoga for all.
Tristan relishes every opportunity he gets to study under and work with Daren Friesen and Gabriel Halpern here in Chicago. Other masterful teachers he has found the pleasure to study under and work with have been: Aadil Palkhivala, Tias Little, Nicolai Bachman, and Kino MacGregor. Outside of Yoga Tristan enjoys reading a great book, watching a moving film, and spending time with loved ones.
Vicki has an undoubted conviction that everyone needs yoga in their lives. She has been fascinated with and devoted to yoga her whole life and really came to realize it in her first class in 2001. Since then she has practiced at home, gyms, studios, beaches and abroad. In 2006, she completed a 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification at It’s Yoga in San Francisco and has been teaching classes all over Chicago since. Some of the most powerfully influential and inspirational teachers she has practiced with include Seane Corn, Tias and Surya Little, Aadil Palkhivala, Jim Bennitt, Brenna Geehan, Scott Harig, Larry Schultz and many other local teachers. Her practice and classes focus on strength, grace, and detoxifying the body while synchronizing mind with movement, breath, and energy. She emphasizes finding comfort in your body and your mind and developing a more acute awareness of your Self and everything in life. Vicki hopes to share her understanding of yoga while continuing to learn and experience it for herself.
Wade first encountered the power of yoga in the late 90’s while traveling around the world. Since then, it has become his passion to discover alternative techniques for furthering growth of mind and spirit and for healing the body. He has been teaching since 2000 and is certified in Ashtanga/Vinyasa yoga, which still serves as the foundation of his practice and teachings, though over time he found that he connected more deeply with the unification of the breath and the creative unfolding of the asanas in Vinyasa Flow. He also holds certifications in Thai massage, Intuitive massage, Touch for Health, and is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher via the Yoga Alliance. Wade has studied with master teachers in Asia, India and the U.S. and is always excited to share his new discoveries with his students. Wade’s classes offer a unique fusion of styles derived from his travels and from the inspirations of great teachers like Dharma Mittra and Rusty Wells. His meditation and Advaita studies in India with Ramesh Balsekar and in the U.S with Dorje Kelsang have enhanced his intuitive nature and enriched him as a teacher. Seva is also an important part of his practice, he is a board member of Peoples Connection NGO and he organizes charitable events and classes for those in need throughout the year. Wade strives to find innovative ways to keep his students and community motivated and connected, and whether through teaching a class, workshop, retreat or a teacher training, the inspiration he receives from his students is what keeps his love for yoga alive.
Yoga Bless Retreats in Sweet Jamaica
Refresh your mind and rejuvenate your body through this yoga retreat in exotic Jamaica*
Yoga Bless villa is located in a quiet bay, with amazing views, beautiful private beaches.
Reconnect with yourself and learn yoga as you have always wanted…
You will be able to revitalize your body and soul, boost your health and immune system, relax, lose weight, detox, and de-stress while on this yoga vacation. You will be treated to healthy meals and drinks, herbal teas, superfood smooties.There will be a lot of opportunities to try out exotic activities such as snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, horseback riding, waterfalls, boat trip, and many more.
Time to slow down and get back into balance. We serve the whole person and provide an oasis of tranquility and rejuvenation through yoga, mind/body awareness, healthy food, fresh spring water, herbal medicine. Experience the best yoga retreat in Jamaica.
OUR AIM IS NOT ONLY INTRODUCE/TEACH YOU YOGA WHILE YOU ARE HERE WITH US, BUT TEACH YOU HOW TO BRING YOGA AND HEALTHY LIVING SOLUTIONS TO YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE.
WE WILL GIVE YOU YOGA PLAN FOR YOUR OWN PRACTISES & YOGA E-BOOKS & YOGA MUSIC AND A LOT OF HEALTHY TIPS FOR YOUR DAILY ROUTINE.
· Daily yoga & meditation sessions
· Beginner and intermediate yoga
· Hatha and Kundalini yoga style
· Variety of healthy meals and snacks (normal, vegetarian, vegan, raw)
· Unlimited water & herbal teas
· Fresh juices and coconut water & fruits
· Healthy cooking and Jamaican cooking classes
· Workshops to make natural cosmetic & face masks
· Snorkeling accessories & wifi free
· Yoga Bless CD with ebooks, music and yoga sessions pdf
· Comfortable accomondation
· Airport transfer
· Waterfall trip
Instructors
All our instructors are experienced yoga teachers, speaking English & Spanish.
We prepare a yoga program that will suit your level, from beginner to intermediate, for balance, immune system boost, weight loss, concentration…
Yoga sessions are based on Hatha and Kundalini yoga.
Sometimes we also host special guests: Yoga gurus from India and Yogi masters from all around the world, Ayurveda experts, spiritual guides, meditation experts, nutrition specialists…
Maki aka Ramjas Kaur will prepare a yoga plan according to your needs and preferences.
Maki traveled world for many years, serching for natural wisdom, healers, shamans, gurus, searching for the answers, learning about nutrition and healthy living, eating and experiencing all that in her own skin, practising & learning & teaching YOGA…and then when she gather all together and made whole picture from all that peaces and reach stage of happines&balance&harmony and the time come to settle the idea of Yoga Bless was born.
To share with others all the knowledge she has gathered, to show people how to live healthier & hapier even in stressy society, change a little habits, little tricks for betterment & yoga that is just soo good for everybody and improves quality of life and once we are happy, the world is becaming better place, the earth heals throught us*
Ramjas Kaur learn on her travels from gurus in India the secrets of Hatha Yoga and Pranayama & Meditation, In Costa Rica secrets of Kundalini yoga and nutrition, In Czech secrets of Tantra Yoga & Mohenzodaro woman yoga, and was influenced by great masters of Yoga that have been curing all types of illnesses of modern society with the art of Yoga, natural healers using herbs and gurus using power of the mind…
Yoga sessions will be tailored to meet your needs, from beginners to advanced, we can work specially on your issues (back pain, weight loss, hips openers, insomnia), so you will get most of it. Different yoga techniques and sessions will be introduced and different meditation techniques as well so you can find the one that fits you the best.
Hosting yoga teachers brings more styles and variatons of yoga that can ispire you and will make you enjoy yourself in this unity of body and mind to max. It will be personal, we will give you concrete tips to change your lifestyle and habits, we will make a special plan for you to continue with and make a commitment, it will be life changing.
Food
We prepare homemade healthy food and snacks according to your preferences.Included are 3 main meals daily, as well as healthy snacks and fruits during the day. You have a choice of vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, raw, or normal meals.
We believe that the starting point for rejuvenation of the body and mind is through the foods that we consume. Therefore we offer an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables and whole foods at Yoga Bless Jamaica. The food is included in the cost of your retreat.
To us, detox and rejuvenation means eating the foods that support our bodies to cleanse and to help us move towards our ideal weight, rather than adopting a starvation diet where you are always feeling hungry. We prepare juices and meals that cleanse and rebalance our bodies, without eliminating the essential nutrients required. We use seasonal products where possible, grown or locally, so the menu is typically Jamaican. All food is served fresh, prepared and cooked on the premises, with care and loving attention. The foods that we do not serve include: pork, beef, white sugar, bread, refined flour, cow’s milk and derivatives, alcohol and sweets. These foods all place extra stress on our body systems, so by cutting them out for one week, or a few days, the body has the opportunity to rebalance itself.
We do a lot of herbal teas from Jamaican herbs that have amazing healing properties, you can aswell make yourself tea anytime you wish 🙂
Aswell we use a lot of natural remedies, superfood, fruit smoothies and natural medicinal plants that can be found here in Jamaica (and its 80% of all most powerfull herbal medicinal plants). We will be more than happy to share our knowledge with you*
Accommodation
Go Natural Resort is situated on the sea side, with fantastic views and surrounded by beautiful palm trees, in a quiet and safe area, Long Bay. The property has big garden area, private beach access, chill out area, hammock, and dining area. It’s in the parish Portland, the nicest and purest part of Jamaica. The resort is surrounded with beautiful nature, waterfalls, virgin beaches, and almond trees. It’s a very safe and quiet area, so nothing is going to disturb you in your relaxing time.
Go Natural Resort can accommodate up to 18 people. There is variety of accommodations: from budget dorm and economic tent option, private room to luxury seafront villa. There is a living room, dining area and hammock area to be used by all hosts all that for your great relaxation experience. The property is beautifully landscaped with flowers and palm trees, great for meditation or chilling in the hammock.
Closest airport is Kingston (70 min.), we can advise you about best / economic flights and arrange your pick up from airport.
Amenities
· Wi-Fi internet
· Housekeeping
· Purified water, herbs tea
· 24/7 security guard
Location
Go Natural Resort is situated on the sea side, with fantastic views and surrounded by beautiful gardens with palm trees, in a quiet and safe area, Long Bay. All of your stay will be accompanied with relaxing and calming sound of the sea and waves.
The parish of Portland on Jamaica’s east coast is one of the most beautiful places on the island. With its stunning and warm blue waters, romantic coves, virgin beaches, breathtaking panoramic views and waterfalls, its not a tourist area and you will be far away from the rush, stress, and hustle of the city. You will have a chance to meet locals, walk around and enjoy amazing wild nature and the pulsing culture of sweet Jamaica.
Jamaica is described as the most beautiful island in the Caribbean. The enchanting jewel of the Caribbean Sea beckons with its sugar white beaches, majestic cascading waterfalls, and many charming houses. Hike through lush trails of tropical flora in the breathtakingly beautiful mountain peaks, or enjoy a night full of magic, as the cool sea breeze teases you with the sensual beat of reggae.
Things to do
In your free time you can relax or read a book (we have a nice yoga, healing and wisdom books library) in a hammock in the tropical garden. You can also swim in the sea or sunbath in the beach.
There is a lot of workshops taking place in GoNatural resort, all oriented on Natural an Healthy living. Making homemade facemasks and body scrubs, learning about healing herbs and making tea, Jamaican cooking & healthy cooking classes, Making homemade cosmetics, ayurveda knowledge workshops, nutrition talkes and debates, meditation workshops….
We can also arrange variety of exotic trips and activities such as , trip to waterfalls, blue lagoon, Frenchman cove, snorkeling, horseback riding, rafting, and more…check section excursions
Know before you go
Group size
No minimum number. Group discounts
Extension options
You are welcome to any length of stay, from 4 days, 7 days, 10 days.
Don’t hesitate to ask and make arrangements.
Travel insurance information
We recommend that you have travel insurance and a travel health insurance.
Payment
A deposit of 300 USD is payable for holidays booked. Once we receive your deposit your booking is confirmed and a receipt will be sent to you by e-mail and, if requested, by post.
For clients who have paid only the deposit, payment of the outstanding balance is due 1 month before arrival.
Accepted payment methods
Bank wire transfer, Credit card, Paypal
Cancellation
If any party member needs to cancel, this must be done in writing and signed by the party leader. Cancellation takes effect from the date we receive your written cancellation instruction.
If you cancel after booking has been confirmed, you must pay a fee to compensate for the expense and losses that we incur as a result.
Cancellation between day the booking is made and 29 days (four weeks) before it commences: The full deposit payment will be forfeit, but any balance payment already made will be refunded.
Cancellation between 12 and 28 days before it commences: The full deposit payment and 70% of the balance payment will be forfeit. The remaining 30% of the balance payment will be refunded.
Cancellation within 11 days of the start of the holiday: The full price of your holiday will be forfeit. No refund will be made.
These fees reflect our estimated loss as a result of dealing with your booking to point of cancellation. You may be able to claim under your Travel Insurance policy if this cancellation falls within the conditions of that policy.
If, for any reason, you have to leave your holiday earlier than the departure day, you cannot claim a refund.
In the event of cancellation by Yoga Bless in foreseen, or unforeseen, circumstances an alternative may be offered; if this is unsuitable to you, then a full refund of the holiday deposit will be given.
Availability
This vacation is available all year round, please select an arrival dates…
Zoey VanDuren has had a passion for movement and creativity ever since she took her first ballet class at the age of three. In her studies, she has continued to pursue the understanding of movement, alignment, and health through as many mediums as possible. While obtaining her BFA in dance at the University of North Texas, Zoey took her first yoga class and was instantly hooked. It was through yoga that she first accessed the connection between mind, body, and spirit that continues to motivate her in all that she does.
After studying under many different teachers and investigating numerous styles, Zoey found her yoga-home at Moksha and completed the 200hr training program with Daren Friesen in 2009. Among many of the wonderful teachers she has had a chance to study with, those who inspire her most are Kim Wilcox, Rich Logan, Todd Boman, Tias Little and Bryan Kest.
In Zoey’s classes you can expect to find dynamic flow paired with an intent focus on alignment. Interweaving the power of breath and intention, Zoey asks her students to release themselves from the constant fluctuations and judgments of the mind, and to connect with the true self in the present moment.