seva journal

Saturday, January 22nd, 1:30-6:30 pm

Discover your shakti in this workshop designed to bring you greater awareness of your energetic anatomy. Chakras, energy centers, whirl within us, supporting our life energy and defining our consciousness. When too open or blocked, physical, emotional and spiritual imbalances occur, challenging us to grow.

Although there are numerous chakras within the body, 7 are of major importance. Located along the spinal axis, they’re associated with specific life functions. In this workshop, you’ll not only learn about these energy centers, you’ll experience them. Lecture, meditation, visualization, mantra, asana and group discussion will synergize to open us to the spectrum of light within.

The workshop includes a 90-minute chakra vinyasa class (3:30 pm – 5:00 pm) in which you’ ll experience familiar asanas from the perspective of the chakras, deepening your awareness of your energetic anatomy.

Note: the vinyasa class can be taken separately.

Cost: $60/entire workshop
$20/chakra vinyasa class

Nancy McCaochan, MA, E-RYT is a former writing professor and a published author who left the college classroom to devote her life to helping people feel better in their bodies. She’s been teaching hatha yoga since 1995 and chakra yoga workshops and teacher trainings since 2004.

Meet William Trubridge who just beat a world record free-diving to 100 meters in the Bahamas, all in one breath. No, this deep sea adventurer didn’t need weights to descend the depths, he used his own hands and feet, and yoga!

Read the full story at YogaDork.com

with Natalie Donnellon
Saturday, December 18 · 1:30pm – 6:30pm

Ayurveda “the science of life” is a natural, holistic approach that facilitates the body’s own healing process.

This workshop will include lecture, discussion and hands on experiences that we will share together.

Our program will cover:
Introduction to Ayurveda Lecture
Creating a vedic kitchen at home
Optimizing Digestion and immunity

$45 Pre-Register
$55 Day of Space Permitting

Friday, December 10 at 6:00pm – December 11 at 1:30pm

Slow Down, Unwind and Relax with us in Nature at Pierce Cedar Creek.
You will enjoy 2 Rejuvenating Yoga sessions with Michele and Marro as well as 3 Healthy Vegetarian Meals prepared by the onsite Chef.

We will begin Friday night with the perfect end to your work week – YOGA. After practice we will enjoy a healthy dinner together and then you may relax by the fire, enjoy a movie with us in the auditorium, or simply retire to your… private room.

Saturday we will wake with another Yoga session designed to inspire your day and then share a delicious breakfast in the dining hall. From here by mornings light you will be able to see the beautiful nature preserve that surrounds us.

After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to join a guided hike through the 661 acres of field, forest and wetlands, or relax as you choose.

We will all meet again to share one last meal in the dining hall, closing our experience – Until the next time that is.

Cost is
$155 Single rate
$135 Double rate

The cost includes Yoga, Meals and your accommodations.
Depending on weather we can hike, snowshoe or x-country ski.

Please contact Michele at Seva – 616-458-2541
or email us for information.

The facility can house 40 guests.

Yoga has many proven health benefits, but does it stand up to other forms of exercise? Researchers pitted it against a walking routine and found that those who practiced yoga showed greater improvements in mood and anxiety.

Read the full article

This study looks at the science behind using Yoga as a treatment for depression.

Read the full article

November 13th 3pm – 5pm
Bring body and soul into greater balance with an afternoon of nourishing yoga asana, meditation and pranayama breathing. We will enhance our experience with essential oils for deep renewal; unwind the tangles and tensions within.

$35 pp

November 24th 6pm – 7:30pm

“Ahimsa is the highest dharma. Ahimsa is the best tapas. Ahimsa is the greatest gift. Ahimsa is the highest self-control. Ahimsa is the highest sacrifice. Ahimsa is the highest power. Ahimsa is the highest friend. Ahimsa is the highest truth. Ahimsa is the highest teaching.“–Mahabharata XVIII:116.37-41.

Explore Deliberate practice, and how this has the ability to spark transformation at the speed of light.

Lets start a Conversation of how World Peace begins locally in our minds.
Share your personality with like minds as we flow to some Positive Vibrations all in the name of Non-Violence.

$20pp

** If you would like to book a private session or a Thai Yoga Massage with Yoga Dan he will be taking appointments for Nov 24 between 12 and 4pm. Please email for more info…

Thursday 10/7 – 6pm class.

Join us in the Thursday Vinyasa class for this fantastic opportunity to practice to the music of Girish! Cost will be the normal class rate plus $10.

Hear some examples at http://www.girishmusic.com/

Namaste, fellow beautiful creatures!
We’ve just celebrated Independence Day. Naturally, this got me thinking “What is independence?”. As I pondered the meaning of the word and examined it’s personal relevence, I was struck by an idea. I thought how rarely, if ever, I used the term for myself. I mean not really embraced or applied the notion to my own life. Now, I’ve used terms like “liberate”, “free” and “allow”, but “independence? Not so much.
I thought about how my life could be different if I actualized the word- really owned it. What might my life look like, feel like, sound like, if only I gave myself independence?
This is such an important thought to me, especially when I consider how multiple meanings can suit multiple situations. I know, by now you’re thinking “Huh? what’s he talking about?” Let me explain:
If I grant myself true independence, I free myself from layers of self-judgement. I become less uncomfortable in my own skin, muscle and bone. I allow myself the gifts of time, stillness and breath.
Independence from worrying what anyone else in yoga class thinks when I go to the wall, because I just need it.
Independence from thinking the endless litany of “shoulda, woulda, coulda”. I am a perfectionist, especially at work. What if I instead breathed in independence, and focused mindfully at the tasks at hand, not doubting my professional skills.
What if, in each yoga class, I just went to the wall each time I needed to?, What if I give myself independence from fearing I will be a disruption or distraction? What if allowance of my own need for independence gives someone else the idea that they, too, can free themself?
As I ponder these thoughts and ready my life to receive the blessings of learning, I know this helps in my daily yoga. Not just the time spent on my yoga mat, but every-minute-of-every-day yoga. Mindful living, mindful being.
I wish joy and safety to all my fellow creatures, and true independence for us all.
Om, Shantih,
Raven