Authentic yoga classes for all levels of ability.

A workshop for couples

Working with Art and Asana

With
Alix von Auenmueller, M.A.

and

Bonnie Pariser

February 4th
7:00-9:30 pm

Here is an opportunity to reconnect with each other, communicate in a non-linear fashion, deepen your
understanding of your roles in your relationship, and create together.
In this workshop, we will engage in a series of four art tasks, each designed to encourage relaxation of preconceptions, engagement of the right brain, and consideration of your relationship in a new way.
In between each art exercise, Bonnie will lead us through some partner yoga poses that will enhance your connection to your partner and set the tone for honest and joyful communication.
It will be a time to share some paint, some laughs, and some insights.
Use this evening to strengthen your bond before the busy whirl of the holiday season begins. Have some fun and make it a date!
No previous art or yoga experience is necessary. Wear comfortable, "play"
clothes. All art materials will be provided.

~
Alix earned her Master in Art Therapy from the Creative Arts in Therapy
Program at MCP Hahnemann University. She has worked in several therapeutic
and academic settings using individual, group, and family art therapy.
Workshops are based on her own experience and practice as well as
theoretical knowledge gained through her studies.

Please bring a vegetarian pot luck dish to share for after the workshop if you would like to stay

Join us for monthly art workshops in which you are invited
to relax and let go of everyday preoccupations in order to awaken your
creativity and re-discover your individual expression.

Each session begins with a meditative exercise followed by
a suggested art task. Participants are encouraged to explore personal and
universal themes through the use of various media and verbal reflection.
Each session ends with a time for voluntary sharing. No previous art
experience is necessary, materials will be provided.

will join us for the movie and for informal questions and answers following the viewing.

Join us as we follow Stewart for the culmination of her journey of
self-discovery.
“Shooting God” is a mixture of sprituality, fantasy, reality and
whimsy that will
leave you thinking... or it may not leave you at all.

Martial Arts and Yoga are very closely aligned. Bonnie and Andy, both Black Belts in Shotokan Karate and Yogis have created a class to introduce Children to both disciplines, in a non-competitive, safe, fun environment that will align them with their body, inner strength, and confidence.

Bonnie Pariser is the director and senior teacher at Yoga Loka. She has been practicing yoga for over 15 years, and her husband Andy has been practicing for 5 years. She and Andy practiced Shotokan Karate together for 10 years in NYC. Bonnie earned her second degree black belt and Andy his first degree Black Belt from Shotokan Karate of America, an international organization . They have two children, Zachary 4 and Dominique 2.

This course, will help get you started. During the 6 weeks, basic Yoga poses
will be gone over, basic breathing will be explored and we will experience
how that relates to stress reduction, increased vitality and a supply body
The most important aspect of the course will be
discovering how you can adapting a yoga practice
to fit your bodies ability and your lifestyle. The classes will leave room
for questions and answers, and you will finish the course with a
custom practice designed to meet your needs.

$48 for the 4 week session
Begins July 14th
Pre-registration required by
July 1st

Children learn best by immitation. What better way for them to experience the joys of yoga then to watch the ones they love practicing yoga, and being able to join in when they want. Moms, Dads and Caretakers are welcome to bring their little ones to this class geared towards all age groups. We will do some chanting, some yoga poses, some relaxation, and end with some prasad (a nut free snack for the wee ones and some tea for the older group.) No previous yoga experience needed to participate.

Yoga and Martial Arts-
A blending of disciplines so we can know ourselves and understand what we may be viewing as our “opponents”

with
Bonnie Pariser and Andy Wander
Thursdays 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
begins June 8th
for 8 weeks
$96 if registered by May 20th
$120 after. Pre-registration is required by May 28th for 6 weeks

Shotokan Karate, its beauty of form, discipline and grace will mix with Classical Yoga, the path of spiritual union. In Classical Yoga, we incorporate all aspects of our being, and as a result, we see who we truly are. Hatha Yoga, known thru the Classical method, is movement that is free from tension, anxiety, and stress. The fluid movements found in Kata (forms practiced by martial artists) will be approached from this foundation. A key element of the class will be a continued investigation into our bodies; how movement occurs and what is the underlying emotional and physical structure that supports it. How we can find efficency, energy and joy in the depth of disciplined practices such as Karate and Yoga will be the glorious secret we will uncover. Movements that are shared by both Hatha yoga and Karate will be practiced thru vinyasa as we warm up and our bodies, and our minds open. Kata
partner excercises relevant to our investigation will be done to enhance our intuition and our ability to relate to other people and to ourselves. No previous
experience in either discipline is required

Bonnie Pariser is the Director and senior teacher at Yoga Loka in Frenchtown NJ. She has been practicing yoga for over 18 years and has been teaching for over 6 years. She is a second degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, and studied in NYC for 10 years. Andy Wander also has practiced Shotokan Karate for 10 years and has a first degree black belt and is a member of Shotokan Karate of America

Expectant moms want to provide the best environment for their unborn babies.
What better way to do that then learn how to relax, reduce your stress,
breathe, and keep your body healthy and strong. This workshop will go
over the basics for a yoga practice that will help you accomplish these goals.
And for those moms-to-be who already have experience in yoga,
this workshop will teach you how to modify your asanas as you
blossom so that you can continue to practice in a safe and comfortable manner.
All levels of yoga practitioners are welcome as well as all stages of pregnancy.

Rose is a graduate of the Yoga Loka teacher training. She is also an experienced Doula and mother of 4 year old Sunny.

Asana (the sanskrit word used for Yoga Pose) is defined as a steady comfortable seat. That seat being anywhere you place your body. If you find discomfort in sitting, standing, laying down, or in any of your day to day activities, or lack of energy and vitality, you are not able to function in a complete and joyful way.

In this series we will use therapeutic, restorative, and strengthening yoga poses, as well as visualizations and guided imagery to get to know and heal our body. Weak points in our bodies will be discovered so we know where to concentrate our energy. We will look at new ways of moving and breathing so we can restore energy, strength, power, and joy to our lives. So if you are living with back, knee, or shoulder pain, if you have a chronic condition or illness, or you simply want to get to know your body again, committing to a practice may change your life.

Bonnie Pariser is the Director and senior teacher at Yoga Loka in Frenchtown NJ. She has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and has been teaching for more than 8 years. She completed her initial Yoga Teacher Training and her first Therapeutic Yoga Training at Saraswati River Yoga with Kirin Mishra. She is currently studying with Mukunda Stiles, known world wide as a leader in the field of Therapeutic Yoga and founder of Structual Yoga Therapy and author of the book under the same name. Bonnie is a certified Structural Yoga Therapist through Mukunda Stiles and is continuing her studies with Kirin Mishra in the Bhairavi Program.

The class is based on 21 fundamental exercises called The Joint Freeing Series or the Pavanmuktasana Series which moves each joint gently and systematically through its full and natural range of motion. The series starts with feet and ankles, moves up to the knees, hips, torso, and spine and finishes with the neck. The motions descried in this series represent all the basic motions of the joints of the body. The joint freeing series heightens awareness and distinction between stretching and contracting muscles in the body. By moving each joint through specific anatomical direction ranges of motion, it can enhance joint mobility and relieve joint pain and stiffness. This also brings about a sense of relaxation as students begin to focus on their bodies and not their worries or anxieties.

Yoga as Therapy is defined as something more to some individual students that take the course on a regular basis. Molly Marinaccio, a regular student of Yoga-Loka states about Yoga as Therapy; “I started the class because I had pretty severe neck and shoulder pain and had not practiced yoga at all, for about 3 months and knew it would help me. Since I began, my pain has gone away”. Molly adds, “Mentally, it provided the opportunity to practice and really just be in the class. It has allowed me to totally let go in many ways, both physically, spiritually and emotionally which is all the reasons to have the practice in my life”.

Carol Pepe, another regular student of Yoga Loka is a cancer patient of multiple myaloma . “The Yoga as Therapy joint freeing series of exercises is helpful to my side effects from the cancer treatments. My treatments sort of kill off some nerve endings in my body and the Yoga as Therapy Class helps re-awaken the channels in my body. I encourage my fellow cancer patients to do the JFS exercise and they all have positive feedback from this. Bonnie is wonderful, both nurturing and kind as she brings total relaxation and response for rehabilitation”

Marsha Fenimore, a student of Yoga as Therapy has ultiple sclerosis. “I feel like there is no disability with the YAT class. The movements are preparing me for the next level of yoga asana practice”

Nancy Wilson who also has multiple sclerosis states; “YAT is great for physical and emotional anxiety I get from this disease. I take a copy of the JFS exercise to my support group and they all feel great and believe it is working for them as well” “Most flare ups are set-back with YAT combined with modern medicine”

Special 2 1/2 hour class that will be a joyful challange to body and mind. Delve into the experience of your body.
(for students who have been practicing asanas for 2 years or more)

Creating sacred space is essential to the idea ofestablishing what is called the moon lodge circle. It has been a fundamental quality of ancient tribal
traditions that women have their own sacred space to convene with each other to share wisdom, teach their female youth, and flow with the natural rhythms of
mother nature together.

During this monthly Womens Moon Lodge, we will explore various methods of
connecting more deeply withour inner cycles as human beings as well as with our
more specific and unique personal cycles as women in differing stages of life.

Through the use of a variety of right brain-related activities, (specific/restorative
postures for moontime/menopause, breath work, chanting,visualization, art, journaling, song, drumming, dance and interactive sharing), we will begin to enchant the
intuitive within to emerge more naturally and spontaneously. Collectively exploring and supporting our innate nature to feel allows for us to more effectively integrate these intrinsic qualities and energies more fully in our daily lives and to tap into the power and joy of the magical goddess within.

Please bring a vegetarian dish to share, a notebook, and wear comfortable clothes.

This informative lecture is for people looking to understand how stress affects the
quality of their life, work and health. Participants will gain an understanding of stress-related illnesses and how stress affects the body as Dr. Jodi defines the physical, emotional, and dietary stresses in our everyday lives. In addition, attendees will learn methods for minimizing each type of stress, including several two-minute stress reduction exercises that can be used anywhere - the office, at home or at play. Participants will create a personalized four-week program designed to reduce the levels of stress in their own daily lives. These calendars will detail how to incorporate exercise, dietary changes and optimal time management into our lives - one week at a time.
.

The essence of the drum is as ancient as the living
heartbeat of nature. For centuries, the drum circles
have been integral to the traditions of tribal
community life and in bringing people from all walks
of life together in peace and celebration. Through
the power of coordinated percussive sound vibration,
the drum circle acts as a vehicle or conduit for
tapping into the continuity and connectedness of all
things and is a direct way to immerse more deeply and pay homage to the universal current that
sustains our lives both individually and communally.

Through this guided/open drum circle we will dive into basic drumming rhythms and some chanting to explore these rhythms of our hearts and enjoy in community the essence of the drum circle tradition. Drummers of all levels of experience are welcome to come and play! Even if you do not consider yourself a drummer, come enjoy the fun, dance, maybe pick up a percussion
rattle and join us!

We will work intensly in the area of the hips with Asana, heat and breath and mantra to open up, let go and dive in.

The hips are the storage vessels of a lot of stuff that we can let go of. That is why it feels so good to let it go! This workshop will change the way you walk, sit and lay down, and will put a smile on your face.

A unique class for Young Girls

ages 13-18 years old.

Patt will provide a safe place for
girls to explore their connection to their bodies and develop a sense of
comfort with the changes that happen so rapidly in their life; changes
that naturally occur in their bodies, and spirits that are to
be celebrated rather then feared.
This series will work to empower the partcipant with a sense of
what their bodies can do, and what they can accomplish
once the cylce of life is embraced.
Yoga Asana and yogic philosophy will be presented simply
in a way that will allow the girls to help make wise choices and
daily decisions along with establishing a sense of community and
ease with their peers.

$72 for the 6 week series
if Pre-registered before February 15th
$90 after that

Pre-registration required by Feb. 18th

Bobby Goldenberg is a long time student of Meditation and Yoga. He began his practice of Zen Meditation with

This class is designed to give someone new to
meditation an idea of the specific techniques key to Zen meditation as well as practical experience. Stories, readings,

At today's hectic pace, rarely do we take the time to focus on ourselves, our lives and look towards the life we want to create in the future. In these fun and interactive workshops you will get a better glimpse of who you want to be and learn how to create a more balanced and fulfilling life based on who you are. Practical tools to meet and create your future will be discussed, demonstrated and experienced, so that you can leave the workshop and apply them to your life. Specific topics to be covered include the power of choice, confronting your personal Gremlins, listening and intuition, future fulfillment and the final workshop will integrate the tools learned throughout the four previous sessions. Take time out of your busy life to meet the future you.

The Power of Listening and Intuition. 10/16
Often it is what is unsaid that speaks the loudest. Come and develop your own tools of listening and intuition and learn how to apply them to your life in this revealing and fun interactive session.

4:00pm- 6:00pm at Yoga Loka
$30 if pre-registered 7 days before scheduled workshop
$35 after that and at the door.

The Workshop Leaders:
Tim Throckmorton and Ken Odell are the dynamic leaders of this workshop of practical self discovery. They magically weave their life experience and training as life coaches to create a memorable evening of personal growth, resulting in you
discovering the future life you want to create.

Life Coaches do not Wear Whistles.
Life Coaching intentionally allows you to focus on you, what you want in your life and provides the aid to help you achieve it. The co-active model of coaching allows people to move towards important changes in their lives, because its very foundation is built together by client and coach, based on the particular goals, desires and future life the client wants to live. Imagine someone who is very curious about your dreams, desires and goals, someone who sees the bigger you and holds this vision for you, someone who will keep you focused and moving towards the future you desire. This is life coaching.

(Summer Special- combine Pilates with Yamuna Body Rolling Series $96 for the two classes)

Pilates works to strength, lengthen, and tone the whole body and your vital internal organs. Less is more when it comes to Pilates, and it's about the quality and not the quantity of the exercises. Through a system of mind~body connection and synchronized movement with breath, you will build core strength, lean, long muscles and stand taller.

Pilates exercises were invented by Joseph Pilates to strengthen his sickly body and, later, to rehabilitate injured soldiers . Pilates is considered a child of yoga and Qi Gong because many exercises were obviously borrowed from yoga and it has the flowing movement of Qi Gong. Yoga and Pilates both encourage "mindful movement." Just like Yoga, you have to keep your mind totally focused on what your body is doing when you practice Pilates.

Pilates develops not only the muscles of the body, suppleness of the limbs, and functioning of the vital organs and endocrine glands, it also clarifies the mind and helps one to achieve a healthy balance between mind, body and spirit. The practice strives to develop a graceful and fluid rhythm as the repetitions are performed and as you move from one exercise to another. Pilates has become a favorite of many dancers, actors and athletes alike,
and is an excellent addition to your yoga practice, or any other physical activity you are involved in.
It also stands on its own as a form of integrating physical and spiritual health

For 3,000 years Chinese Internal Arts have been used to heal illness,
release stress and slow the aging process. By promoting integration of the mind, body and spirit, we can tap to aseemingly endless flow of energy and learn to achieve balance and harmony both within ourselves and with the world.

Dao Yin Yoga/ Chinese Chi Kung Yoga improves posture, circulation and the function of organs. It's Capable of restructuring the physical body to maximize it's efficiency as well as opening the energy pathways (meridians) which animate our existence.

Dao Yin Yoga is a Chinese tradition evolved & practiced by Taoist mystics to heal illness, process stress & slow the aging process. As with all forms of yoga, the rewards are many, including increased flexibility & strength, grace & endurance. All systems & organs of the body are benefitted, including the muscular & skeletal systems, digestion, immune function, oxygen distribution & lymphatic flow. Postures are similar amongst various Yoga traditions, although certain schools favor particular postures. It’s the focus of the practice that lends distinction to the traditions.

Dao Yin Yoga, along with other Chinese Internal Arts, has the particular intent of integration of the mind, body & spirit. The focus on careful regulation of breath, deep states of relaxation, & specific movement & process promotes physical, emotional & mental wellness. Regular practice can help you attain a balance of energy which promotes the free-flowing activity of the vital energy which we call Chi. Dao Yin Yoga opens the body’s energy pathways so that Chi may flow unimpeded, & is practiced for healing power in Chinese Medicine.

Ultimately, with this combination of focus of attention, gentle movement & physical postures of balance, a resonant chord is struck with the spirit. This integration of the internal & the external creates a more sensitive consciousness, a certain enlightened awareness & an overall state of well being.

This 2 ½ hour Workshop will focus on a series of postures & breathing techniques that explore the integration of mind, body & spirit. We will be mindful of mantras as we balance chakras & activate the pressure points that open meridians to establish & strengthen a healthy flow of Chi. All levels are welcome! Each exercise can be modified to fit the need of a beginner & advanced students flexibility.

Gabrielle began training and performing in her hometown of Philadelphia with
the Spirit Wind Internal Arts Society in 1999. After recieving her B. A. in Theater from Temple University, she
continued to persue her interests By studing & performing with her Sifu, Chik Quadir Mason of the Spirit Wind
Internal Arts Society. After working with him for nearly three years he expressed his enthusiasm about her
begining to teach. After moving to Toronto, Ontario to Perform with WOMB Dance troupe, she began teaching. It was under
the guidance of her Sifu that she began teaching T'ai Chi Chuan, Chi Kung, Taoist Yoga & Kung Fu at the WOMB Dance
Studio in Canada and at universities & health centers in the Philly area. After returning to Philadelphia, she
became interested in the bodywork aspects of the healing arts & earned her initial certification in Thai Massage & Lin Zi
Chi Kung Therapy. She currently performs, directs & choreographs with ArcheDream, a blacklight ritual dance theater
based in Philadelphia, Pa.

Anyone from a couch potato to a fitness enthusiast can benefit from a session on the ball. It's fun and it's a great way to release tight muscles, build core strength, create total freedom of movement and prevent injury. Yamuna Body Rolling is fitness and massage rolled into one practice.

Yamuna Body Rolling™ is a revolutionary approach to health and fitness using balls designed exclusively for this practice. It consists of a series of routines using 6 to 10-inch balls. Unlike other ball exercises, YBR goes far beyond random movement and stretch. It allows you to work specific muscles in detail, to create suppleness in tight areas and optimize range of motion.
Yamuna Body Rolling™ re-educates muscles and stimulates bone, creating positive, permanent changes in the body. The ball replaces hands as it moves on muscles to stretch them, dislodge tension and discomfort, increase blood flow, and promote healing.

(Excerpt from Yamuna Body Rolling Website. See http://www.yamunabodyrolling.com for more details on this
amazing practice)