Bhagavad Gita Study
Every Friday, 7:30pm-9:00pm

Next Class Friday, May 18th, 7:30pm

"The Gita embodies in itself a solution to the immediately pressing problems of mankind and it . . gives a positive promise of salvation and makes a person fearless." - Swami Sivananda

Learn precious lessons about how to conduct your life from one of the most important scriptures of Yoga: the Bhagavad Gita. Life is compared to a battlefield, and clear instruction is given on how to become a spiritual warrior who is well equipped to fight the inner battle and guided by divine wisdom.

This is an ongoing class; students are free to join at any point. Please call the Center with any questions: (773) 878-7771.

There is no charge is made for the class. Donations to support the Center's work are welcome.

Yoga Open House
Free Introduction to Yoga and Meditation

Take this opportunity to get to know the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, the oldest established Yoga center in Chicago. Our open house is designed to give newcomers to Yoga a practical, holistic, and easy-to-understand introduction to Yoga practice. The day's schedule will be as follows:

• 9:00am-10:00am: Introduction to Yoga.
• 10:15am-11:30am: Beginner Yoga class. Please wear or bring loose, comfortable clothing. Mats will be provided.
• 11:30am-12:30 Vegetarian Lunch
• 12:30-1:30 Introduction to Meditation.

There is no charge for the day's open house activities, and registration is not required. Please call (773) 878-7771 with any questions, or send email to chicago@sivananda.org

We all experience the innate urge to find freedom and independence, yet often find that our efforts to secure it end in frustration and further complication of our lives. Yoga and Vedanta provide clear guidelines on how to direct our efforts so that the result will be the experience of true freedom and release. Swami Sadasivananda will be exploring these questions in one afternoon workshop and during our Sunday evening satsang.

• Do we have a free will or are we simply bound by the results of our past actions?
• What is the true meaning of our life and the nature of our true self?
• What is the nature of bondage and release?
• How does true knowledge lead to ultimate freedom?

Cost: Saturday workshop $15 members, $20 non-members. Please pre-regsiter. Sunday satsang FREE.

Expereince all the benefits of an ashram experience without having to leave the city. At our Center on West Bryn Mawr we will be offering a 2 day experience of the full ashram schedule, on Saturday and Sunday June 16th and 17th. Schedule will be as follows:

Saturday June 16th:

• 6:00am Satsang (Meditation, chanting, talk)
• 7:30am Tea
• 8:00am Asana class
• 10:00am Vegetarian Brunch
• 11:00am Karma Yoga
• 12:00pm Workshop (Practical yoga philosophy)
• 1:30pm Free time/walk
• 4pm Asana Class
• 6:15pm Dinner
• 7:30pm Satsang
• 9:00pm Return home

Sunday June 17th

• 6:00am Satsang (Meditation, chanting, talk)
• 7:30am Tea
• 8:00am Asana Class
• 10:00am Vegetarian Brunch
• 11:00am Karma Yoga
• 12:00pm Workshop (practical yoga philosophy)
• 1:30pm Free time/walk/vegetarian snack
• 4:00pm Asana class
• 6:15pm Satsang
• 8:00pm Vegetarian soup
• 9:00pm Return home

No overnight accommodation can be offered. Participants will need to arrive at the center shortly before 6am on each day to ensure a prompt and quiet start for meditation practice. All-inclusive cost will be $95 for members and $115 for non-members. Pre-registration is required, space will be limited.

Please feel free to call or email with any questions!

Nonviolent Communication
Discovery Weekend with Thom Bond
Compassionate Communication

Dr. Marshall Rosenberg's NVC Method

NVC Discovery Weekend Registration

Friday 7pm - 9:15pm
Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Tuition: $260 (includes all three days)

About the Discovery Weekend

This is a one-evening, 2-day introductory level with concentrated experience and learning. Get a deeper understanding and experience of the new generation of peacemaking skills known as "NVC" (Nonviolent Communication).

The NVC Discovery Weekend takes us from the very beginning concepts to a deeper understanding of the purpose, meaning and implications NVC has in our lives and in the world. We will practice responding and communicating consciously, by expressing and hearing based on what we are observing, feeling, needing, and requesting. By learning these concepts, in combination with experiential exercises, demonstrations, role-plays and more, participants get first hand experience and develop skills to bring back into their lives.

This non-residential training is for anyone who has a basic familiarity with NVC and wants a comprehensive Introductory training on a professional level. (Note: Graduates of the Discovery Weekend are eligible to participate in the 4-Day residential Compassion Course Empathy Intensive and other NYCNVC Special Trainings. See: www.nvctraining.org )

Outcomes

• Spend more time in connection with people (& yourself)
• Experience less painful and shorter conflicts
• Move from conflict to mutual strategies
• Have more awareness of your needs, wants and desires
• Have your needs expressed and understood
• Increase congruence between your values and actions
• Translate judgments into dialogues & requests
• Increase harmony and understanding among others
• Translate "bad behavior" into constructive strategies
• Stay more centered, open and effective in conflicts
• Have more fun, joy and pleasure

Topics

• Observation and Evaluation
• Feelings and Thoughts
• Needs and Strategies
• Hearing No
• Saying No
• Requests and Demands
• Empathy
• Self Empathy
• Difficult Conversation
• What is NVC Consciousness?

What people are saying

"Dear Thom, I appreciate your sharing your life and your challenges so openly. It felt as if I was sitting down and having good heart-to-heart talk with a friend. NVC has been a great gift to me. It has changed my life radically, I'm still amazed. Relationships that were stuck in old patterns have become fluid, caring and loving. Perhaps, at sixty-six, to find a new love with my husband, a warmth and closeness with my children, it all seems like a miracle."
--Online Compassion Course Participant, CA

"Dear Thom, In the evaluations we collected from our staffers, hands down the session that garnered the most rave reviews was yours. People saying things like life changing, revolutionary, hilarious... One woman said she was so moved that she wants to dive into NVC like for a living, as a career... Please accept our hugest THANK YOU for the alchemy you've catalyzed in our staff."
--Vivian Lehrer Stadlin, Cofounder of Eden Village Camp, Putnam Valley, NY

"Thom once explained that 'to make big changes in our lives we need big clarity'. By participating in NYCNVC trainings, I have gotten clear on what it is that I want, and why...What it is that I believe, and why. With this clarity I now act with more assurance, and have more definition, purpose, and love in my life."
--Kumari, Newburgh

"Thom normalizes NVC. He shows it's possible to do in everyday life."
-- Mike, Westchester, NY

"Working with Thom has changed my life. Really."
-- Nellie, Canton, NY

About Thom Bond - CNVC Trainer

Thom brings 27 years of human potential experience, and training experience to his work as an Internationally Certified NVC Trainer. His passion and knowledge of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) combine to create a practical, understandable, humorous, and potentially profound, approach for learning and integrating the skills of peacemaking. He is described as concise, inspiring, sincere and optimistic, applying transformational and spiritual ideas and sensibilities to real-life situations. Many of his students become active facilitators, trainers and practitioners.
As a writer, teacher, speaker and coach, Thom has taught tens of thousands of clients, participants, readers and listeners Nonviolent Communication. He has been published or featured in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Yoga Magazine, and is a regular guest on radio and television.

Thom has a private practice as a trainer, speaker, mediator, and coach. He works with individuals, couples, families, businesses, schools and other local organizations.

Thom is a founder and the Executive Director of The New York Center for Nonviolent Communication, a member of the Communications Coordination Committee for the United Nations and a member of the CNVC Educational Services team.