Headstand and Inversions Workshop
Saturday May 3rd 12:30pm-2pm

The king of postures! Special guidance to help you overcome fears, and master the posture that has the most benefits. The headstand can be mastered with systematic training and practice of the 8 steps needed to come into the posture. The workshop will explain these steps and explore the benefits of the posture.
$15 non-members, $12 members

Yoga for the Back
Saturday May 17th 12:30pm-2pm

For all who want to improve the posture, or help with any back trouble.Yogic techniques for strengthening the back and correcting any poor postural habits
$15 non-members, $12 members

Chanting/Bhakti Yoga Workshop with Atmarama Dasa
Saturday June 7th 12:30pm-2:30pm
A vegetarian lunch will be served after the program

The term "Bhakti Yoga" describes the many devotional practices that can be used to bring us closer to the divine, it does not include the physical "asana" practice.

The practices of Bhakti Yoga, for example "kirtan" or chanting, aim to enable us to channel our natural emotional energy away from negative or destructive habits, using that same energy to forge a path towards the experience of our divine essence.

In this workshop Atmarama Dasa will describe the main modes of Bhakti Yoga, with an emphasis on "kirtan" or chanting, providing plenty of practice for participants to experience for themselves the uplifting effect of a spiritual practice that works directly from the heart.

Concert with Atmarama Dasa
Saturday June 7th 8:00pm

Accomlished artist Atmarama Dasa will be performing his sacred music, also leading the audience in traditional call and response "kirtan". Originally from Spain, and now based in Vrindavan, India, Atmarama Dasa studied classical Indian music and Sanskrit. He travels each year to perform concerts in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, China, and India. Among his CDs are Radha Govinda, Vaisnava Song, Sri Siksastaka, Sri Sri Radha, Govinda Candra, and Divine Service

Listen to a sample of Atmarama Das's music

Cost:
Workshop $20 non-members, $17 members (includes lunch)
Concert: $15 non-members, $12 members
Workshop and concert: $30 non-members, $25 members

Saturday, June 28th. Seminar 2pm-5pm
Dinner and evening discussion: "Permaculture and Spirituality" 5:30pm-8:30pm

The Yoga Center recently initiated a project to redesign our backyard space according to the principles of permaculture with help from a group of volunteers who trained at Midwest Permaculture. We are pleased to be welcoming Bill Wilson, founder of Midwest Permaculture to give this three-hour introductory seminar.

Cost: 3 hour seminar, $50 at the door or $35 with pre-registration before June 26th 2008. Yoga Center members $45/$30

Find more information about the seminar and permaculture below or at the Midwest Permaculture website, www.midwestpermaculture.com

What is Permaculture?

Permaculture is a creative and artful way of living, where wastes become resources, productivity and yields increase, work is minimized, people and nature are all preserved and the environment is restored and even enhanced - all by thoughtful planning and a respectful approach to life. Thus embraced, we create an environment where all may thrive for untold generations.

We as humans have the ability to re-design the world we live in. All it takes is desire, know how, will, and time. Even if it takes 50-100 years, the change can begin with each one of us right now and the effects of our work can have beneficial consequences for generations to come.

This unique 3-hour seminar was designed to give the attendee a working grasp of what permaculture is and to provide some practical examples of how to incorporate permaculture design techniques into one's own life, property, and community.

During the seminar Bill will share pictures and descriptions of some exciting examples of how permaculture design is transforming the possibilities before us. A thorough study of permaculture invites us to look at our homes, our uses and sources of energy, our work, our relationships with others, and even our relationship with ourselves. The goal of permaculture is to create harmonious relationships with all aspects of our life.

Bill Mollison, Permaculture founder

The seminar will include a 45-minute video of permaculture's founder Bill Mollison (left), who shares his unique overview on the subject while taking the viewer to many places around the globe where permaculture has changed peoples lives.

Mollison takes us to devastated lands in India, the dust bowl/deserts of the American Southwest, mountainous regions, the tropics, New York City, and some suburban back yards.

There will also be a couple of hand-outs and some resource tips for discovering more information on permaculture.

The purpose of the seminar is to give the beginning student:
1. a grounded understanding of what permaculture is,
2. a good idea of where and how it can be applied,
3. some vivid examples of what permaculture can actually accomplish,
4. and where someone can go to find more information on this fascinating subject.

About Bill Wilson
Seminar Presenter

Communitarian, permaculturist and educator, Bill is founder of Midwest Permaculture, past executive director of Center for Sustainable Community (an educational, non--profit organization) and a 29 year resident of the unique and sustainably-oriented community of Stelle, Illinois.

Bill was one of the co-creators of the Stelle Community Garden Cooperative and the Community Tool Co-op. Stelle hosts its own solar-powered telephone company (which includes solar-powered, high-speed internet service), a windmill-assisted fresh-water treatment facility, and Illinois' first strawbale home.

"Permaculturists can grow food just about anywhere,
repair environmentally damaged lands,
design lovely and long lasting green-buildings,
produce power,
run successful, people-oriented businesses,
and build authentic community -
all by using the same fundamental permaculture principles
and applying a Permaculture Ethic:
Care of People - Care of the Earth - Share all Surplus."
Bill Wilson - Midwest Permaculture

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:

• 10:30am-12:00pm: Talk, "Yoga for Health and Peace of Mind" and demonstration of Yoga Asanas
• 12:15pm-1:30pm: Introductory, Beginner Yoga Class. Please wear or bring loose, comfortable clothing. Mats will be provided
• 1:45pm: We will be serving a vegetarian lunch
• 2:30pm-3:30pm: Talk, "Introduction to Meditation"

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