New Early Morning Drop In Class: Yoga Commitment

Start your morning with our new drop-in yoga class!

Yoga Commitment

Marina Lisjonok

Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6–7:30am | $18/class or use your class pass
Led by Marina Lisjonok

Asana • Pranayama • Meditation

This inspiring daily class is a complete practice of classical Hatha Yoga with the elements of vinyasa. This means classes will consist of warm-ups (including Sun Salutations), followed by the classical static postures with variations for all levels. Each class will end with pranayama and short meditation. This will help you to awaken and energize your body, obtain a yogic mind, and connect to your spirit to fully show up and attend to your daily activities and responsibilities.

Develop a regular practice and take control of your life. Commit to meet your higher self each morning, and your decisions and your life become original… Start each day with a powerful practice and every challenge becomes opportunity. 

20 Years and Forever Blessed

In January 1998, I signed a lease to begin what would be a leap of faith into being a business owner. I never wanted to own a business, but it became the best way to share the teachings of yoga. That leap of faith is now entering into our 20th year!

One never plans to go into something with a stop date, but its hard to fathom that we are still thriving, and our community keeps growing. As anyone knows running a business can never be sustained unless there is a team and a strong intention. The truth is everyone is invaluable to its success. So I must give a huge, grateful shout out to the amazing and dedicated teachers that have been the foundation of YAF.

Michael Taylor has been the most incredible gift, not only for all his students, but also for keeping the center vibrant with his passionate integrity for teaching yoga. He continued to study and learn over these 20 years, and his teaching have touched hundreds of souls and helped make our center the valuable place of healing it is today. His humor and huge heart have been a blessing in my life and for all who know him.  

Joyce Owens has also been teaching at YAF since our opening. She has never missed a class unless she was out of town on a family trip. In snow, rain, heat waves and cold freezing weather, Joyce was always there for her students. She has touched so many lives at YAF. Her gifts of music and being a healing source of love is why our center is so special. Not to mention that Joyce is enjoying a full life as a yogi in her 70”s! She's a true inspiration for everyone that assumes age stops our ability to be vibrant and healthy in mind, body and spirit!

I also want to thank Ellen Duff, who continues to be the light at YAF. Her devotion to living in her heart has touched so many. We are very grateful she has returned from Florida and is back at YAF.

I don’t think I would have had the courage to open back in 1998 if these special friends had not been in my life to support this group endeavor. 

Now my deepest appreciation goes out to Karen Weber, Pam Keillor, Candy Stevens, Marina Lisjonok, DL Heraty, Meredith Harbor, Patty Bilbro, Julie Pate, Julie Stewart, Therese Carlson, Krista Fox, Lisa Sparagna, Donna Prenta, Megan Llambias, Kay Gilmore and all the many teachers that have shared their amazing wisdom and heartfelt teachings over these past twenty years. Please know that I am forever blessed and full of gratitude for the family we have created and for the students that have shared in our story.

We are planning a big event to celebrate come April. To honor our community, we will be offering gifted classes throughout the month!

Further, if this isn't enough. come July I am holding an amazing  retreat and excursion trip in Greece! Registration is open with an early bird savings being offered through February 15. The trip is limited to 14 so don't wait to sign up. Check the website for details and let's enjoy the beauty of living in the light!

This year my wish is that we may continue to love and nourish the deepest place in each of ourselves, and that may YAF continues to be our home for continuous growth! Happy 2018!!

Many blessings,

Laura Jane

Teacher Spotlight: Joyce Owens & Megan Llambias

Yoga Among Friends (YAF) is honored to announce that Joyce Owens will now bring her brilliant wisdom and teachings to Fridays starting January 2018.

In 1995, Joyce walked into my first class in the Midwest having never studied yoga. In that auspicious moment, a friendship was born.  Some people walk into our lives for a moment and others for a lifetime. Joyce is my lifetime friend, colleague, and I am honored to say, my student.  

When we opened YAF in 1998, Joyce was right there with me as one of our best teachers and today, she is by far the pillar of integrity at YAF. Her wisdom and heart are what nourish everyone that walks into the center.

When I started yoga at  age 55, I wondered if I would be able to do yoga at all. When I became certified as a yoga teacher at age 58, I wondered how long I would be able to teach. When I was still teaching yoga at age 65, I wondered when I was going to have to quit. I was always looking for an age that would tell me to stop. Now, I no longer look for that end because yoga has gently held my hand through the aging process—and it still does. In keeping with the yoga/teacher tradition and, now in my 70's, I want to pass this gift of yoga on to other people so they can live in peace, harmony, safety, health and happiness.

—Joyce Owens

Starting January 5, Joyce will begin teaching Yoga for Healthy Aging. Healthy aging is about every aspect of the human systems, and wellness is a state of mind. The tools of yoga adapt to change with the ability to stay balanced.  

Joyce has made yoga her lifestyle, and her loyalty and commitment is a testament to her practice.  She has been able to teach what she loves, and we are so grateful for her willingness now to begin this new class.  Thank you JOYCE!

Starting December 7, Thursday evenings at 6:00pm will offer a new Vinyasa Flow class, taught by Megan Llambias. 

Megan recently returned to our area after many years abroad, teaching and raising her three kids around the world. YAF is her home and welcoming her back has been a great opportunity to share her brilliant teachings.

Some of you may recognize her, she has been substitute teaching on Sunday mornings to glowing reviews while Marina was away. Now we are so pleased she has agreed to stay on and cultivate a new class. Marina returns to teach Hatha Vinyasa starting Sunday, November 26.

Please come and experience this wonderful teacher as she takes you through a vinyasa flow sequence for all levels. I have known Megan since 2004 when she started coming into YAF as a student. Today, I am honored that she is sharing her gifts with us and continuing the mission of YAF to inspire heartfelt community.  Thank you, MEGAN!