Founded in 2001, Prana Yoga Center is the Fox Valley’s premier yoga center dedicated to the practice of authentic yoga. Our mission is to offer quality, transformational yoga, meditation, and other wellness programs that enable others to reach their full potential through vibrant health.

Referred to as “Yogi Rae” by her dearest friends and students, Rachel is a Yoga Teacher in and around the Western Suburbs of Chicago. She received her certifications under the guidance of Swami Sarasvatyananda (Mary Samano) at The Temple of Kriya Yoga, Nikki Meyers of CITYOGA and Y12SR, and Lela Beem and Cassie Rodgers of the Amala School of Prenatal Yoga. Specializing in therapeutic based Hatha Yoga, Yoga for 12-Step Recovery, and Prenatal/Postpartum Yoga, Rachel’s focus is to encourage proper structural alignment while my students move deeper into a meditative state at their own pace. She uses a number of techniques to strengthen the body, tame the mind, and improve the spirit – each session being completely customized to meet her students needs. As the Beatles sing, “When you move beyond yourself, you may find peace of mind is waiting there,” Rachel aims to promote a sacred atmosphere for students to let go of their outside distractions and find peace within.

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…

PaintedYoga™. The idea of combining yoga and painting first came one summer, while I was watching my boys paint with their fingers on huge blank watercolor papers. As toddlers, they had fun stepping all over the painted papers – a pure expression of their creativity. In my heart, I know it’s now time to bring the idea to life and share this wonderful experience to rest of the world.

Merging my passions for both art and yoga, I started Painted Yoga™ to inspire creativity and encourage others to express and rediscover themselves through art and the practice of yoga. One of a kind canvas paintings are created using the body and the practice of yoga as art media.

I have been practicing yoga for eight years and also a martial artist. After getting injured in Tae kwon do, yoga helped me to recover emotionally and physically. I then decided to become a yoga teacher to share the healing and physical benefits of yoga to others. My classes are a lively mix of balance, strength and flexibility, focusing on alignment and breathing.

Thank you. Remember, there’s always an artist inside of us. Art and Yoga don’t have to be perfect, that’s why it’s called a ‘practice’.

Namaste ॐ,

Sherie Sloane
Founder and Creator

Deepen your practice in a safe and exclusive environment.

Maureen’s passion for yoga and enthusiasm for life creates a class experience where students can harness their inner strength, find stillness within and become more self-aware, opening the individual to what is truly possible.

Awaken Yoga offers private, small group, and corporate classes. We welcome all levels, from beginners to more advanced yogis, who want to deepen their practice. Awaken Yoga stands apart, offering custom programs to fit clients’ capabilities and objectives and monthly progress reports to measure success and development. This type of individualized and intimate attention allows each student to grow at their own pace. Our mission is to not only help people heal and stay healthy, but to help them foster the best in themselves and achieve a new level of self-awareness, awakening them to their inner light. We would be honored to hold a space for you.

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.

It was in Belgrade, Serbia, Gordanas home country, where she took her first yoga class. It was 1996 when she went to a dance studio to take yoga class wondering what yoga was. The book inspired her to search for the meaning of the word yoga and, her curiosity led to a three-year journey of Hatha Yoga. After this sequence of her life, she lost practice and for many years she had no thoughts of yoga. One day the circumstances of her life led her to move to the US. Desire for yoga was awakening again and, Moksha Yoga Center became her home. She practiced with different teachers there and, one of them, Jim Bennitt inspired her to continue deeper exploration of yoga through Teacher Training. In 2010, she completed Teacher Training program under the guidance of Daren Friesen. After taking workshops with master teachers like Tias Little, Aadil Palkivala, Rod Stryker, she was led to Ashtanga practice Mysore style one morning. In the silence of self-practice and Todds patient guidance, Gordana found her true practice. Daily practice was teaching her how to synchronize mind and body, overcome habits, relax within discipline, learn how to be open and fearless and find sacredness in everyday life. She discovered something that was always available, inexhaustible and impossible to posses.
In 2011 meeting Richard Freeman and reading his book The Morror of Yoga was the reaffirming moment when she decided to work towards teaching Ashtanga practice.
Gordana has been teaching since 2010 and, she feels she is just beginning. She has practiced Ashtanga for three years and, in 2013 she traveled to Thailand, India and Nepal drawn to search for the roots of yoga, meditation and Buddhism. She spent 7 weeks practicing with R. Sharath Jois in Mysore India, which helped her to reach a deeper integration of the practice. In Nepal she studied Tibetan Buddhist Meditation and Buddhist philosophy.
Gordana continues her daily practice with Todd Boman who teaches her courage, dedication, discipline and trust every day with his own example. As a teacher she aspires to inspire and guide students to go deeper within and search for more balance and depth in both yoga and life. She is interested in reaching harmony in body and enabling energy to flow freely through all channels, joints, muscles and organs. She is interested in reaching levels of oneself that otherwise one could never reach and feel who/what we are instead of who/what we think we should be. With practice, Gordana challenges both herself and her students to rethink what asana is about and potentially work on marrying asana and meditation to reach a deeper practice where it could be possible to meet stillness in movement and experience flow in stillness.

Lindsay started practicing yoga sporadically in 2005 as a way to manage chronic pain. While yoga did help her back then on a physical level, it eventually changed the course of her entire life. In 2011 when her job relocated her from New Jersey to Chicago, her chronic pain escalated to debilitating levels. This not-so-subtle warning from her body finally woke her up. Lindsay quit her corporate job and took charge of her life. By starting a stronger yoga practice and lifestyle, she began to eliminate and reverse the physical damage to her body caused by stress and fibromyalgia. She went from wrist braces to arm balances – from medication to meditation.

To date, Lindsay has completed over 1000 hours of teacher training, including the completion of two 200-hour programs at the American Yoga Academy in New Jersey and at Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago. Additionally, she studied with Judith Hanson Lasater to become a certified a Relax and Renew© Restorative Yoga Teacher. Finally, as the owner of Dharma Inspired Business Coaching (www.dharmainspired.com), Lindsay helps other yoga teachers to succeed as entrepreneurs.

In Lindsay’s classes expect a strong, slow, and mindful flow. Her teachings are greatly influenced by traditional hatha yoga, vinyasa flow, viniyoga, and restorative styles of yoga. She challenges students to focus on alignment while relaxing the mind, to strengthen their bodies while flowing with the breath, and to let go while remaining grounded. She knows first hand of yoga’s ability to transform lives and hopes that through yoga, she can help facilitate transformation in the lives of her students.

Janine has been practicing yoga since 2006 and completed Moksha Yoga Center’s 200-hour Teacher Training Certification Program in the spring of 2013. She came to yoga seeking personal healing and transformation and with diligent and passionate practice, gained deep awareness, acceptance and transformation. She desires to nourish an empowering experience for all of her students, so that they too may restore and make the changes they seek in their lives; ultimately progressing towards their best life.

She personally believes that high quality instruction is essential to meeting the needs of all of her yoga students. She takes the time to create intelligently sequenced asanas; transforming awareness from the physical to energetic. Her classes ask students to bring awareness within and find peace through intention, honesty and action – students should expect to be challenged within a warm, intelligent and supportive environment. Because she values excellent teaching, she has studied and practiced with some of most brilliant instructors Chicago and the world has to offer: Daren Friesen, Gabriel Haplern, Rich Logan, Kim Wilcox, Alie McManus and Amber Cook; along with visiting Master Teachers: Aadil Palkhivala, Saul David Raye, Kino Macgregor and Ashley Turner.

Mary Kay passionately believes that yoga is for everyone…all ages and body types, and that we all must just “start where we are”, every day, and every moment. She approaches yoga as a process of self-discovery, acceptance, and transformation that builds strength, stability and flexibility in the body, the mind and the spirit. Focusing on alignment and the breath, Mary Kay helps students attune to the intelligence in their own bodies, feeling and gaining awareness of what is right for them at any given moment…both on and off the mat. Believing that yoga should be practiced with a sense of play and deep enjoyment, Mary Kay helps her students keep a smile in their hearts as they discover what is possible.

Mary Kay is a Moksha Yoga trained and Yoga Alliance certified teacher at the 200- hour level, and almost through her 500-hour certification. Mary Kay is grateful for the teachers who have influenced her approach to practice and teaching, particularly Daren Friesen, Aadil Palkhivala, Tias Little, Gabriel Halpern, Rich Logan, and Kim Wilcox. Mary Kay has interned under the direction of Gabriel Halpern at the Yoga Circle, working one-on-one with students addressing specific healing goals. Mary Kay also practices Vipassana meditation. Mary Kay is a graduate of Northwestern University, and holds a Masters in Design from the Institute of Design at IIT. Mary Kay is an artist/designer, mother, and grandmother, who credits her yoga practice for her excellent health, and the unbounded creative energy that fuels her very blessed life.

Angie shares the gifts of yoga through creative, challenging and accessible vinyasa flow. Her teaching style is heavily influenced by her primary teachers Alyson D’Souza, Daren Friesen, Sara Strother and Danielle Dickinson.
As a very fortunate 15 year old, Angie was required to take a yoga course to fulfill a physical education requirement – little did she know that this requirement would quickly become a lifelong practice that cultivated fitness for her in body, mind and spirit.
Ten years later, in early 2012, Angie had an epiphany: she held the key to her own happiness and yoga was that key. She felt the call to teach others how to unlock happiness through their own yoga practice. She completed her 200hr teacher training with Daren Friesen at Moksha Yoga Center and continues to study at Moksha. She has been honored to study with master teachers Sadie Nardini, Kathryn Budig, Jason Crandell, Tias Little, Aadil Palkhivala and Seane Corn.
Through intelligent sequencing, each of Angie’s classes aims to honor a specific intention – like opening the heart or opening the hamstrings. Angie’s classes focus on utilizing the physical tools we are given by yoga asana – movement and breath – to unlock the mental and spiritual gifts that the yoga tradition offers. No matter the initial intention of a class, the outcome is always the same – you leave feeling stronger, lighter and happier!

Julie grew up in Moline, Illinois, and found dancing and creative writing to be her passion at a young age. After discovering a love and flair for teaching high energy dance and fitness classes, she graduated from Illinois State with a major in Exercise Science. Upon graduating and moving to Chicago, Julie has worked as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, feeling blessed to inspire people to be healthy and happy. She once assisted a client in losing 40 pounds in 12 weeks, positively changing the woman’s life forever.

After popping into Moksha for a change of scenery and taking her first yoga class with Amber Cook, Julie knew she wanted to explore the world of yoga.
She enrolled in the Moksha teacher training program to build upon her fitness resume, not knowing it would transform her life and career intentions. She has now traded her pompoms for sun salutations and was blessed to travel to India for a month with a couple beloved friends from her teacher training group. Julie is loving teaching yoga, leading challenging physical classes but also has found a love in connecting with students. She has found a special home as the resident yoga instructor at Arts of Life, where she teaches yoga to adults with disabilities. The light and love that radiates from these dear yogis has been a powerful influence in Julie’s yoga path.

Come to Julie’s vinyasa class prepared to sweat and smile as you mindfully move with grace and power. Expect interesting flows blended with intense restorative stretches that will leave your body feeling fulfilled and open.

George’s passion for yoga finds root in inspiring others and making people feel good within their comfort levels. One must do a combination of things to be happy in life, and he believes yoga is one of them.

George’s class is a body and mind practice, which consists of asana (physical practice), pranayama (breath-work) and meditation. In every class, modifications will be offered to suit each student’s level and to ensure that everyone leaves practice feeling light and refreshed.

George has been studying yoga since 2005, and in 2011 he completed Moksha’s Teacher Training under the guidance of Daren Friesen. George continues his study of yoga through personal practice in addition to regularly attending workshops and trainings throughout Chicago. George is inspired by the teachings of Jim Bennitt, Saul David Raye, Richard Freeman, Gary Kraftsow and many others.

Jessica moved to Chicago in 2002 from Iowa to pursue an education in Dance. Jessica soon discovered that she no longer wanted to dance as a profession and pursued a career in Healthcare Management. After weekly travel and sitting at a desk all day, she discovered yoga as an outlet to manage the life of a busy traveling consultant.

With a desire to share the wonderful gift of yoga, Jessica began her training at Moksha Yoga Center in 2012 with Daren Friesen. Her studies included training with master teachers from around the world which include: Aadil Palkhivala, Tias Little, Rich Logan, Gabriel Halpern and Saul David Raye.

As a teacher, Jessica is devoted to the light within each student as she encourages her students to ignite their inner smile through love. Jessica provides a healthy and safe environment for students with a great focus on alignment (Hatha Yoga). Her classes are customized for the development of her students. Jessica’s classes are upbeat and energetic and her approach promotes students to love their life and their practice

Nicole’s passion for yoga began in 2003 while attending Indiana University. In her search for a new physical activity, she enrolled in a yoga class as an elective. Nicole was surprised to find a practice that gives not only physical fulfillment, but also mental and emotional calmness. The serenity from her first class was a sense she’ll never forget. She knew then that yoga would be part of her life forever and that she would, one day, teach this amazing practice to others.

In 2011, Nicole completed her 200-hour teacher training at Moksha Yoga Center. She is currently working to complete her 500-hour certification, and continues to educate herself by studying under inspirational teachers such as Kim Wilcox, Aadil Palkhivala, and Seane Corn.

Nicole’s mission as a yoga teacher is to share this wonderful practice of mind and body with as many people as she can, allowing yoga to positively affect others’ lives as it has her own. You can expect consistent personal attention in her breath-synchronized and alignment-based classes.

Nicole truly believes that yoga is for everyone. No matter your age, gender, shape, or size – whether you are healthy, strong, flexible, or none of the above – there is a class for you. Finding a teacher and class with which you resonate is the key to beginning and maintaining the appropriate yoga practice for YOU.

Live passionately, breathe, move, and be true.