Ongoing
Amma Satsang
MONTHLY SATSANG: The 1st Sunday of EVERY MONTH at 5:30pm*
FREE and Priceless.
Satsang is a Sanskrit word meaning a close association or companionship with a Self-Realized Soul. It can also refer to discussion or hearing of spiritual truths expressed by Self-Realized Masters. In the scorching heat of worldliness, being in the presence of a Master or a Master’s teachings is like a cool breeze in the shade of a huge tree. Although Amma is the inspiration for this particular gathering, devotees of all traditions are welcome.
Please join us as we gather with some of Amma’s longtime devotees for an inspiring evening of prayer, puja (sacred ceremony) and song. We often
begin the evening with a short video of Amma or her teachings, followed by a little song (bhajans/kirtan), meditation, and Aarati. In Sanskrit, the word arti – written as aarati – is composed of the prefix aa, meaning complete, and rati, meaning love. Aarti is thus an expression of one’s complete and unflinching love towards the Divine. It is sung and performed with a deep sense of reverence, adoration, and meditative awareness.
Known as The Hugging Saint, Amma (Mother) has physically hugged more than 34 million people from all parts of the world. Her tireless spirit of dedication to uplifting others over the past 38 years has inspired a vast network of charitable activities through which people are discovering the beauty and sense of peace that comes from selflessly serving others. We hope that you will join us in immersing ourSelves in the nectar of devotion and bringing boundless love to life here in Athens!
(It is customary to bring an offering to the symbolic feet of the Master…whether that be Amma or to whomever you bow, and offerings often include incense, flowers, fruit…whatever you would offer the Divine. Please know that this is not a requirement, just a tradition.)
For more information, please see the organization’s website at www.amma.org or call Meghan Madhavi Burke at (706) 613.1143
Insight Meditation
Every Tuesday 7-8:30pm
(meets on the ground level/last office on the left)
This Vipasana Mediation group has been meeting at the Healing Arts Centre for 14 years and welcomes all levels of meditation experience. If you are new to meditation and would like an introduction, please contact David Kurtz (706)340-7288. This is a Dana (donation based) gathering.
TM Meditation Group
The first Sunday of every month at 4:30pm (meets in ground level meditation room). 
This gathering is for those who have completed the TM training and want to share a monthly meditation with other TM practitioners. We will hold a 20 minute group meditation and fellowship with other meditators. . It will be a chance for us to boost our practice and learn from each others’ experiences. We may also listen to teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who taught the Transcendental Meditation technique to thousands of people. Should only last 30-45 minutes. For more information, please contact Forrest Leffer (706) 338-4690. To learn more about Transcendental Meditation and how to receive that training, please contact Mark Cohen (404) 853-2560. www.tm.org
Past Events
A Discussion on Spiritual Practice
Swami Sarvadevananda, the minister and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society of Southern California, is a monk of the Ramakrishna Order of India. He lived near Belur Math (Swami Ramakrisna’s Ashram) from 1960 onward, and thus got the opportunity to come into contact with many monks who were initiated by Holy Mother, Swami Brahmananda, Swami Shivananda, and other direct disciples of Ramakrishna.
Swami was initiated by Swami Shankarananda, the 7th President of the Order, in 1961, and joined the monastery at Belur Math, near Kolkata, in 1965. For the next two decades, he served at Saradapitha, a major educational and technical training institution next to Belur Math, managing and imparting spiritual values to the students of the teachers’ training institute, the Vidyamandir college, and the technical training schools. During this time, he also had the privilege to serve at a camp for refugees affected by the Bangladesh war in 1971.
Swami became the head of the Ramakrishna Mission, Sikra, the birthplace of Swami Brahmananda, in 1988. While there, he initiated literacy and health programs for hundreds of underprivileged villagers and performed relief and rehabilitation work for the homeless.
In 1993, Swami Sarvadevananda was posted to the Vedanta Society of Southern California to serve as assistant minister, under Swami Swahananda. He was appointed the minister and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society in 2012.
In addition to regular lectures and classes, Swami Sarvadevananda addresses schools, colleges, and religious groups throughout Southern California and other parts of the United States whenever called upon. He represented the Vedanta Society as a delegate on the Interreligious Council of Southern California and the Hindu-Catholic and Hindu-Episcopal Dialogue of Los Angeles, serves as one of the directors of the Hindu Students’ Organization at USC, and sits on the Advisory Council of the Guibord Center. Swami frequently visits Vedanta centers throughout the United States.
This 10-11am gathering is freely open to all with a spiritual thirst or curiosity…please, join us. It will be followed later that afternoon by a class on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali entitled How to Know God (3-4:30pm).
Thursdays, March 9th – April 13th/ 5:30-6:45pm
Yoga for Emotional Trauma
The aims of Yoga for Emotional Trauma is that participants are increasingly able and willing to notice how they are feeling in their body, form greater tolerance for emotional states and bodily sensations, and experience more self-regulation of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Emotional trauma is the result of an overwhelming amount of stress that exceeds one’s ability to cope or integrate the emotions involved with traumatic experiences. Trauma is held in emotional patterns, cognitive memory, and physical structures of the body.
Research in trauma treatment indicates that the addition of Trauma Sensitive Yoga to treatment may lead to long-term improvement in symptoms that had previously been considered unresponsive to other interventions. Trauma Sensitive Yoga aims to help participants cultivate awareness of the mind-body connection and to build self-regulation skills to address the ways in which trauma is held in the body.
Yoga is a combination of physical movements and postures, focused breathing, and purposeful attention or mindfulness. No previous experience with Yoga is necessary for participants in this series of classes. This series of yoga classes is complimentary to psychotherapy for trauma and is not psychotherapy.
Participants are advised to be in an active relationship with a professional psychotherapist trained in trauma therapy during this series of Yoga for Emotional Trauma classes.
Instructor Tom Camp is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and an ordained United Methodist minister. He earned his Masters of Divinity at Candler School of Theology in Emory University and his Masters of Science in Family Studies at the University of Georgia, and he completed three years of Advanced Clinical Pastoral Education including a Residency in Pastoral Psychotherapy.
He is a Certified Hatha Yoga Teacher and has training in marriage enrichment, human sexuality, conflict resolution, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (a treatment for trauma and anxiety), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, spiritual guidance, Centering Prayer, and the Enneagram.
Mr. Camp founded the Samaritan Counseling Center in 1984 and has been providing counseling, spiritual guidance, education and consultation through the Center since that time. He has also worked as Adjunct Faculty in the University of Georgia Department of Human Development and Family Science and as a Part-time Instructor in the School of Social Work.
Mr. Camp places a special emphasis on creating a safe space for people to explore their feelings, thoughts and experiences. “I have found places in my own life where I feel safe, loved, and can open to new growth,” he said. “I appreciate working with people of a variety of faiths, races, and orientations because each person I get to know grows me.” He is known as a non-judging, compassionate and insightful companion for people on a journey of healing.
Thursdays, March 9th – April 13th/ 5:30-6:45 P.M. ($66/6weeks)
Please call Sangha Yoga Studio to pre-register by March 7th:
(706) 613-1143.
Friday, February 10th
Yoga for Self Transformation through Mantra and Asana.
Gershone, Krishna, and Manjula will create an inward journey for the participants to have their own personal experience…
5:30-7pm ALL LEVELS HATHA with Manjula Spears of Satchidananda Mission/Yurt Yoga Athens ($20) Rev. Manjula Spears has trained teachers for the Integral Yoga organization since 1993. Manjula has traveled worldwide sharing these teachings. Now she and a team of senior teachers have brought these trainings home to Athens, at Satchidananda Mission (a satellite organization of Satchidananda Ashram Yogaville, Virginia). Manjula’s classes guide participants of all levels safely through a Hatha practice as in invitation to one’s own personal, unique experience.
7pm KIRTAN with Gershone Hendelberg (of Rahasya and Dubconscious) and Flavia Krishna ($10, or included with Hatha class) Based out of Athens/Atlanta, Gershone & Krishna are a chanting/singing duo spreading Light through Sacred Sounds…Chanting sacred mantras & songs in Sanskrit, English,Portuguese, Hebrew,& Spanish…
Flavia Krishna-Vocals, mridangam/naal, kartals, and harmonium
Gershone-Vocals, harmonium, guitar
Sunday, January 29th / 6:30pm / $10
Ambient Fusion with Matt Venuti
6:30pm Reception with beverages & snacks –
and Please, feel free to bring your own whatever makes you smile!
7:30pm Concert
What a treat to have a “House Party” with singer, songwriter, and mega-instrumentalist Matt Venuti within the awesome sounding walls of the Healing Arts Centre!
Matt has a musical style that’s been labeled “Ambient Fusion” and “Acoustic Alternative”, but his audiences are often at a loss for words to categorize the immersive experience that Matt’s concerts and recordings are known for…
Warm, velvety vocals supported by a bevy of captivating instruments deliver a melodic and poetic journey, one that traverses the heart and soul of a man who has experienced a full gamut of the joys and challenges of life. His songs express a profound and heart-warming soundtrack into our connection to each other and the planet…a timely and welcoming alternative to the divisiveness and discontent that shadows our world today.
Matt has a history of performing at progressive events like the distinguished TED and TEDx conferences and diverse venues that range from house concerts to concert halls. Aside from The Rhythm of Life, Matt has released numerous recordings such as Dance Of The Helix, Hangisphere, and Bliss Attack. His band, The Venusians, have for years been seminal in the ambient and world music scene of San Francisco and the West Coast. The Venusians album, Hot Planet received extensive airplay and was in the top 10 on the College Music charts.
Visit Matt’s website at www.mattvenuti.com for more information, album releases and his highly acclaimed self-produced music videos. Most of Matt’s commercial recordings are available as CDs and digital downloads at the most popular sales sites.
Saturday, January 21st / 10:15-11:30am
Yamuna® Body Sustainability
Don’t let your new year’s fitness goals be derailed by foot pain, knee pain, hip or back pain! Yamuna® Body Sustainability teaches life-long self-care solutions for strength, balance, flexibility and ease of motion. Yamuna® Body Rolling & Foot Fitness routines help you avoid common injuries caused by muscular tension and imbalance, and structural mis-alignments. Yamuna® will help you quickly improve your posture, and the core strength to support it with ease. Get on the ball with me and discover the tools you need to easily keep your body healthy, flexible and pain-free at any age or fitness level.
Saturday January 21st/ 10:15 -11:30am with Michelle Arington
$15 w/ Yamuna ball & foot wakers (add $10 rental w/out)
Yamuna Athens
http://bit.ly/
Thursday, January 12th /5:30-6:30pm
Vibration of Grace™ Healing through Sound Circle
In this experience with Gina Breedlove, you will learn (or deepen) the practice of using the Sound of your Voice to shift stuck energy in your Body temple. We use Breath, Bija (seed) Sounds, Vowels, Words, Intention, & more, to move what no longer serves. This practice creates a sense of spaciousness, and opportunity for Healing your Mind, Body, Spirit. Sound is one way to ignite the Power that is You.
Come be in the room for our full moon circle of Grace family.
Bring Your Spirit, You will leave Lifted ~
Sliding Scale offering, $15 – $25
Medincine Woman Gina Breedlove is a Sound Healer, Singer & Songwriter from Brooklyn, NY.
www.ginaBreedlove.com
www.VibrationofGrace.com
December 3rd at 7:30pm / $7 ( bargain!)
Based out of Atlanta and Athens, Ga., the music of Gypsy At Heart weaves a fusion of eclectic musical genres from East Indian Ragas and Middle Eastern scales to Latin, Celtic, European Classical, and American Folk and Jazz. Original compositions take audiences on a musical journey; blending improvisations that are spacial, and beautiful; flowing into movements that are breathtaking in intricacy and speed. As the group portrays progressive, unique soundscapes and arrangements, their melodies are flavored with a familiarity that touch on timeless music of the world. While most pieces are instrumental, lyrical songs make known deeply thought provoking poetry that will touch one’s soul. When Gypsy At Heart performs, audiences are left howling and whistling with enthusiastic applause; in recognition that they have just experienced a unique group of talented musicians.
At the core of Gypsy At Heart are outstanding musicians: Joe Leone on guitar and vocals, Souryadeep Bhattacharyya on Sarod (banjo meets sitar), and Rohit Bhat on Tablas (perhaps the most dynamic percussion hand drums in the world)!
They formed the group in 2014, and have been performing to exuberant audiences ever since. A year later, two new accomplished musicians joined in: Rob Sutherland on cello, and Jeremiah Rag on oud.
“Gypsy at Heart” stands for creativity and freedom of expression: the ability to blend various different cultures and genres of music into one big musical family!
For some original song clips: http://www.joeleone.net/joeleone_003.htm
Some Gypsy at Heart BIO’S:
Joe Leone is an accomplished guitarist, and composer of many genres of music. He studied Latin Classical guitar as a child, and has since developed his own unique blend of musical styles, with progressive progressions and movements. In the 90’s his alternative rock group, Trinket, had Michael Stipe of REM produce their CD. He has performed his original music extensively with various groups. Joseph has also written, produced, and performed in numerous original Choreodramas with dancers. As well he has produced multi-media stage productions with world musicians and his video art projections, as stage sets.
Souryadeep Bhattacharyya is a well known name among the new generation of Indian classical sarod players. Souryadeep is a “Gandabandhan” disciple of the legendary sarodiya Pt. Alok Lahiri and has a unique playing style encompassing different gharanas of sarod. Souryadeep is the National Gold Medalist in instrumental music(2008), Junior and Senior National Scholarship recipient (Govt. of India, 2009), a B-High grade permanent artist affiliated with All India Radio (2012) and an IndianRaga Fellow (2014). Souryadeep has performed in many prestigious concerts nationally and internationally which have been highly acclaimed by the audience and critics alike.
Rohit Bhat is an accomplished tabla player in the Hindustani classical music. He started his training at the tender age of 10 under the guidance of Shre mudaballi Raja Saheb. Currently he is under the guidance of the eminent tabla maestro shree Prithwiraj Bhattacharyaji as a senior disciple. He has been performing nationally and internationally in prestigious concerts.
Friday, Dec. 2nd/ 5:30-7:30pm
Please join us for Celia Brooks closing art reception on Friday, December 2nd from 5:30 – 7:30pm.
Imagery paired with selected Sutras from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali-Paintings by Celia Brooks on view through December 2nd, 2016 at the Healing Arts Centre/Sangha Yoga Studio.
INDIA in Athens
SATURDAY, October 22nd / 4-9pm
This benefit for Embracing the World will include spectacular Indian fashion, food, music, and the ancient art of Mehndi (temporary henna tattoos).
Embracing the World. www.embracingtheworld.org
Saturdays, October 8th-November 12th / 2-3:30pm
Overcoming Habits that Bind w/ Celia Brooks
Integrating the wisdom of Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda and traditional recovery tools to overcome addictive and self-destructive behavior.
This 6 week course incorporates Ayurveda, the medical/holistic healing, sister science of Yoga as a way to deepen one’s self understanding; giving practical advice on diet and lifestyle adjustments needed to live in harmony with your environment (both internal and external). There will also be some gentle Yoga exercises to improve the health of the spine and aid the proper function of the internal organs. Yoga stretches also work on the nervous system and the endocrine system (glands and hormones) therefore restoring health and balance to the entire system. Both Yoga and Ayurveda promote healing and purification of the body and mind.
This class is open to all who find themselves in habitual patterns- with food, relationships, intoxicants, etc..
We will explore the choices we make, why we make them, and ways to bring a new found awareness to the body and the mind. Gain knowledge and tools to help navigate the stressors that frequently accompany the upcoming holiday season.
Instructor Celia Brooks, CYT 500 is a certified Intermediate Integral Hatha Teacher and Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor.
Friday, October 7th / 5:30-7:30pm
ECSTATIC Dance! is a freestyle barefoot community dance designed to elevate & upgrade our experience of Being.
Come and get your Groove On!
Ecstatic Dance is sweeping the nation…
Get high without drugs through the music & movement while being part of a sacred experience that is beyond judgement and language. click here to have a peek into the experience
Facilitated by Laura Polanco in the likeness of 5 Rhythms Dance Movement.
suggested donation: $10-15, and no one will be turned away.
Please bring a water bottle, towel and wear loose fitting clothes.
Sat. & Sun., Sept. 17th & 18th
YAMUNA BODY ROLLING WORKSHOP with Kandy Duke
NCBTM approved/ 12 CEUs
Sat., Sept. 17th & Sun, Sept. 18th (9-4pm)
(no home game)
For Body Sustainability and Self-Love:
This 12 hour workshop introduces the basics of Yamuna® Body Rolling, a practical, powerful system that can keep massage therapists free from injury. YBR® was initially developed by Yamuna Zake to keep her own body from breaking down while working with her hands-on therapy, Yamuna® Body Logic. Additionally, Yamuna wanted to give clients a tool that they could use in between their sessions with her.
Workshop topics include: Breath Work, Foot Fitness, Hands & Wrists, Aligning Femurs & Thigh Muscles, Aligning Pelvis & Hips, Decompressing Spine, Stabilizing Lumbar Spine, Creating Space within the Rib Cage, Back, & Sides of the Body.
What to expect: Self-assessment to determine which areas of your body are subject to impact; Group assessment of your working position to help you determine whether it is optimal for you and to help you find a more efficient and sustainable way to position your body; Learn YBR as a practice tool to prevent and heal injuries and correct unhealthy work positions so that your body remains properly aligned while working.
Self Care for Massage Therapists and other Body Workers (including Yoga Teachers!) …You’ll be glad you took the time to take care of your most precious resource-YOU!
Registration Fee ~ $390
Early Registration Fee ~ $365
(before August 6th)
Registration fee includes: comprehensive manual, gold ball, set of black balls, a pump and a set of Foot Wakers. If you have all equipment $90 will be waived from your fee.
(If equipment is purchased online, kit retails for $140 with shipping.)
Instructor Kandy Duke, Certified YBR® Practitioner and specialist in related bodywork fields including CranioSacral, Healing Touch, Pilates, Yoga, Health Coach, Personal Training.
kandy.duke@gmail.com
www.nextstepfit.com
LIVE music Vinyasa Flow Yoga / KIRTAN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18th / YOGA 5:30-6:45pm followed by KIRTAN at 7:30pm
This class is a meditative yoga flow for all levels. Through the movement, breath, and sacred sounds we experience the harmony of mind, body, and soul.
A native of Argentina, Gota’s yoga journey began in 1999 with Ashtanga. In 2004, he became a Shiatsu practitioner, in 2008 he became a certified Yoga Instructor and in 2012 he became a Therapeutic Yoga Instructor. Gota’s style of teaching is a flow vinyasa where he blends his understanding of the meridans with asana, pranayama, and meditation.
Softly woven through this practice shall be the live music and sacred sounds of Kirtan musicians Krishna, Gershone and Johanna Beekman! From Portland Oregon, Johanna Beekman is a multi-genre recording artist, sacred songstress and kirtan artist who is loved for her rich, soulful voice, her radiant spirit, and her evocative, inspiring songs and devotional chants that tap deep into the collective soul. She is equally comfortable performing sacred kirtan music for yoga festivals and classes, rhythmic world-beat grooves for dancers, and soulful ballads for concert audiences.
Heart Beats One, Johanna’s long-awaited album of original kirtan music from the traditions of yoga, was
recently nominated to be one of the top conscious music albums of 2015. The album, which features guest appearances by Ben Leinbach, Benjy Wertheimer, Girish, Jaya Lakshmi, Ananda, Gina Sala, Daniel Paul, Hans Christian, Bibi McGill, Ankush Vimawala, Vince McClellan, and other esteemed members of the global kirtan community, is being greeted with some remarkable reviews.
Our own local favorite Gershone (Rahasya, Dub Conscious) and his Brazillian partner (Diva Deva!) Krishna have been touring with Johanna and are bringing her to Athens. THEY WILL ALL PLAY TOGETHER FOR THE VINYASA YOGA CLASS (5:30-6:45pm). Then Krishna & Gershone will open up the Kirtan (7:30pm) before being joined by Johanna. An amazingly precious opportunity for us Athenians!
Together, they shall return this sacred temple to her original scared sounds and prayers will be felt from head to toe…Join us for an evening of inspirational Vinyasa Yoga and Kirtan-the yoga of sound devotion!
LIVE MUSIC YOGA CLASS: Punch cards and Gold Cards welcome with a suggested $5-10 additional donation to the musicians. Drop-ins for this class are $20-$25…we trust your generosity, and yogi musicians thank you!
KIRTAN following the class at 7:30pm: $15
ANCIENT YOGA PHILOSOPHY & PRACTICE
A full day seminar exploring the original knowledge and practice of Yoga in the light of 
consciousness, science and physiology.
You will gain a deeper understanding of:
The missing element in modern Yoga Asana practice.
The real goal of Yoga: full Enlightenment and its practical value to daily life.
Pure Yogic practice as originally taught by the ancient Vedic Yogic tradition.
Consciousness, the supreme mover of life and its role in perfecting Asana.
The importance of Transcendence for perfection in Yoga and fulfillment in life.
Instructor Mark Cohen received his PhD in Vedic Science from Maharishi Vedic University in the Netherlands and his B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies and Psychology from Maharishi University of Management. Additionally Dr. Cohen has taught and practiced Transcendental Meditation®, and spoken on Maharishi Vedic Science throughout the world for 44 years. www.tm.org
Heartfelt Hatha Yoga with Swami Ramananda
Saturday, May 21st / 3-5pm / $20 suggested minimum donation.
