Led by Donna Ohman

Workshop | Thursday, May 21
6:30-8:15pm | $45, registration encouraged

“Wisdom is insight that leads to living well.”

The Woman’s Wisdom Circle is a welcoming space to pause, reset, and reconnect with your inner knowing and shared community. Each gathering centers around a gentle theme of revival and balance, weaving together simple health wisdom, breath awareness, therapeutic movement, restorative yoga, and guided meditation.

These sessions invite a soft reset of the nervous system while supporting balance of mind, body, and soul. The practices are accessible, nourishing, and designed to meet you exactly where you are.

This circle also honors the wisdom we carry together. Sharing is always welcome — whether it’s a favorite poem, quote, recipe, or small insight from your own life. You are invited to bring what inspires you, listen deeply, and remember that we all have wisdom to share.

Dates & Themes:

June 18 – Summer Solstice

Registration is encouraged

Registration and Payment

Workshop Cost: $45

You will receive a registration confirmation email and reminder emails 24 hours and 2 hours before the workshop start time.

Join Laura Jane for a special meditation and asana practice in honor of International Yoga Day weekend.

This 90-minute gathering is an invitation to return to the deeper teachings of yoga through breath, mindful movement, stillness, and reflection. Together, we will honor yoga not simply as something we do, but as a sacred path of awareness, steadiness, and inner connection.

Saturday, June 20
11:00am–12:30pm
$30
All are welcome

A Practice in Honor of the Yoga Teachings

Each year, International Yoga Day offers a moment to pause and remember the roots and wisdom of this ancient practice. At Yoga Among Friends, we gather not to perform yoga, but to enter into it with sincerity, humility, and presence.

This special class will include meditation, asana, breath awareness, and quiet reflection, creating space to reconnect with the teachings that continue to guide us toward balance, compassion, and inner peace.

Who This Practice Is For

This gathering is open to all levels of students.

You may feel called to attend if you would like to:

• Reconnect with the deeper meaning of yoga

• Experience a mindful meditation and asana practice

• Honor International Yoga Day in a quiet, heartfelt way

• Practice with Laura Jane in community

• Create space for reflection, steadiness, and renewal

• Return to your mat with reverence and intention

No experience is needed. Simply come as you are.

Why Attend

In the busyness of daily life, it can be easy to treat practice as just another item on the schedule. This special International Yoga Day practice invites us to slow down and remember.

Yoga is a pathway inward. It teaches us to listen, soften, strengthen, and live with greater awareness. Through movement, breath, and meditation, we begin again with what has always been at the center of the practice: presence.

Event Details

International Yoga Day: Practice & Reverence
with Laura Jane Mellencamp

Saturday, June 20
11:00am–12:30pm
Yoga Among Friends | Downers Grove, Illinois
$30
All are welcome

The original event on May 9 has been rescheduled. It will now be held on August 29. register below

This somatic movement and sound healing workshop invites participants to reconnect with the wisdom of the body through rhythm, vibration, and intuitive movement in a welcoming space at Yoga Among Friends in Downers Grove.

Sometimes the body expresses what words cannot.

Somatic healing through dance and sound invites participants to reconnect with the wisdom of the body through movement, rhythm, and vibration. Through guided movement and intuitive dance, the body is given space to release tension and reconnect with its natural rhythms.

Sound healing instruments such as crystal singing bowls, gongs, and chimes create soothing vibrations that support deep relaxation and nervous system regulation.

Together, these practices offer a space for grounding, emotional expression, and embodied healing.

If you enjoy deeply relaxing practices, you may also enjoy our Candlelight Restorative Yoga & Yoga Nidra gatherings, which offer another opportunity to rest and reset the nervous system.

What You’ll Experience

• Gentle somatic movement and intuitive dance to help release tension and reconnect with the body’s natural rhythms

• Immersive sound healing with crystal singing bowls, gongs, and chimes to encourage deep relaxation

• A welcoming, supportive space to explore movement, expression, and rest at your own pace

What to Expect

This experience blends gentle movement, intuitive dance, and immersive sound.

Somatic practices focus on reconnecting with the body and its natural rhythms through movement, breath, and awareness. In this workshop, movement is exploratory rather than choreographed, allowing each person to move in ways that feel natural and supportive.

As the session unfolds, sound healing instruments including crystal singing bowls, gongs, and chimes fill the space with resonant tones that encourage the body and mind to soften into deeper relaxation.

Participants are welcome to move, rest, or simply listen as the experience evolves.

No dance or yoga experience is needed.

Who This Is For

This workshop may be supportive for those who:

• feel curious about exploring movement and sound as pathways to relaxation and self-awareness
• would like to release tension and reconnect with the body in a gentle way
• enjoy practices such as meditation, yoga, or sound healing
• are interested in creative and intuitive forms of movement rather than structured choreography
• are looking for a calming experience that supports nervous system regulation and deep relaxation

No dance or yoga experience is required. Participants are invited to move, rest, or simply listen as the experience unfolds.

What Makes This Experience Unique

This workshop weaves together several healing modalities in a way that invites both movement and stillness.

Rather than focusing on structured choreography or traditional yoga poses, participants are guided through intuitive movement and gentle somatic exploration. This allows each person to move in ways that feel natural and supportive for their own body.

The movement practice is complemented by immersive sound healing using instruments such as crystal singing bowls, gongs, and chimes. These resonant tones create a calming environment that encourages the body and mind to soften into deeper relaxation.

The combination of movement, rhythm, and sound creates a unique experience that supports grounding, emotional expression, and reconnection with the body.

Benefits of Movement & Sound Practices

Many people find practices like these supportive for:

• releasing physical tension
• calming the nervous system
• reconnecting with the body
• emotional expression through movement
• deep relaxation

Each experience is unique and invites participants to explore at their own pace.

About the Teacher

Rakhi Mistry is a mindfulness educator, yoga teacher, and holistic wellness practitioner with more than 25 years of experience supporting children, families, and communities. A Special Education teacher and advocate for mental well-being, her work integrates meditation, somatic movement, yoga, Reiki, and sound healing to support relaxation, emotional balance, and connection to the body.

Rakhi holds over 500 hours of yoga training, is a Master Reiki Level 3 practitioner, and a trained sound healing facilitator. She is also a student of former Yoga Among Friends teacher Marina Lisjonok, whose teaching continues to influence her approach to embodied healing practices.

Through her workshops and healing circles, Rakhi creates welcoming spaces where participants can move, breathe, and explore healing practices at their own pace.

Event Details

Led by: Rakhi Mistry
Date: Saturday, August 29
Time: 11am - 1pm
Location: Yoga Among Friends
4949 Forest Ave
Downers Grove, IL
Cost: $50

Space is limited.

What to Bring

Comfortable clothing you can move in
A yoga mat
A water bottle
Curiosity and openness

All other props and sound instruments will be provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Movement, rhythm, and sound have long been pathways for reconnecting with the body and releasing what no longer needs to be held.

If you feel curious about exploring these practices in a supportive environment, we invite you to join us.

Refine your understanding. Teach with more clarity and care.

Led by Jessica Gonsiorowski 
4-Hour CE Workshop · Earn 4 CEUs

Open to 200-hour certified yoga teachers

Refine the Way You See & Teach the Upper Body

The shoulders are one of the most complex—and often misunderstood—areas of the body in yoga.

This workshop is designed to help you understand how the thoracic spine, shoulders, and neck function together, and how to translate that understanding into clearer, more effective teaching.

Through a blend of anatomy, movement, observation, and application, you’ll learn to recognize common compensation patterns and guide students toward movement that is more efficient, sustainable, and supportive.

Why This Work Matters

When thoracic mobility is limited, the neck often overworks.
When shoulder mechanics are inefficient, effort replaces support.

And when teachers can see these patterns clearly, cueing becomes more precise, helpful, and therapeutic.

This workshop creates space to slow down, look more closely, and build a stronger foundation for how you teach the upper body.

Why study with Jessica

Jessica is known for helping teachers see what’s actually happening in the body and translate that into clear, usable teaching.

Her approach is:

• Practical

• Observant

• Supportive

• Immediately applicable

She creates a learning environment that is both professional and deeply approachable, helping teachers build confidence in their own voice and decision-making.

Visit: resilientlifeyogallc.com

Workshop Details

Date: Sunday, September 20 2026
Time: 2-6pm
Location: Yoga Among Friends, Downers Grove, IL
Teacher: Jessica Gonsiorowski
CEUs: 4 Hours
Investment: $145

A Grounded, Practical Afternoon for Yoga Teachers

If you’ve ever wanted a clearer understanding of what’s happening in the shoulders, upper back, and neck—and how to teach these areas with more confidence and care—this workshop offers a meaningful place to begin.

Join us for an afternoon of study, movement, and insight designed to support both your personal practice and the way you guide others.

Embrace the Mystic Within

A Yoga Retreat Adventure in Turkey

We’ll have yoga classes, excursions, and the richness of the Mediterranean food prepared daily. Relax by the pool, hike the surrounding trails, and be willing to go deeper into a practice restoring the blessings of the female energy of Mary. The healing aspects of the Divine Mother await us as we venture into this healing land.

Using the practice of yoga and meditation, Laura Jane has designed this week to support you in exploring the tools of stilling the mind and embracing your authentic self. The yoga classes will blend the disciplines of vinyasa flow with a strong emphasis on pranayama and meditation to still the roaming mind, calm the system, and live in a state of balance. They will cover the fundamental principles underlying the therapeutic application of yoga and how to incorporate these principles into your practice. Work to dissolve old blockages, unravel samskaras, and create new pathways to vibrant health and happiness. The result will be one of the most incredible, unforgettable yoga experiences you will ever have.

This week is a perfect balance between rest and play. Laura has discovered through leading and attending many retreats that traveling together and saying yes to life and its opportunities in the moment create lasting friendships and a gratitude for life’s abundance that will last forever.

This yoga retreat is for all ages and all life experiences, including all levels of yoga practitioners, yoga teachers, and bodywork therapists.

Private yoga sessions will also be available.

(Optional to meet each student’s needs)
• Early morning hike and meditation
• Breakfast
• In-depth yoga practice with Laura Jane
• Lunch
• Free time to explore this beautiful and healing environment
• Late practice includes asana, chanting, sutra study and meditation
• Dinner
• Evening shared sanga

*Schedule is subject to change.

These include:

• Beaches

• Sailing

• Horseback riding

• Hiking

• Wine tasting and tours

• Visiting Ephesus's ancient city ruins and the Virgin Mary's house, which are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• Visiting Claros, the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo

• And more!

*The cost of some activities is not included in tuition.

Join us for a transformative experience.

Rave Reviews: What Participants Are Saying About Laura Jane's Yoga Retreats

The family atmosphere, the delicacy of service, gardens, small corners, and interior spaces make it an ideal venue for yoga, retreats, and meditation. The restaurant and bar offerings are carefully curated to invigorate energy and cultivate health. Mediterranean cuisine, inspired by traditional gastronomy, fuses local fish, meat, and dairy products with seasonal fruits, local vegetables, Aegean herbs, and olive oil. The retreat emphasizes sustainable cultivation, with all products sourced from their own farms, local suppliers, or from the region. The kitchen caters to a variety of diets, offering vegan, vegetarian, and traditional Turkish dishes and can adapt menus to accommodate individual needs, such as allergies and special diets.

Investment

The cost of the retreat includes:

• 6 nights accommodations
  Note: The group will stay overnight at an airport hotel and depart for the retreat center the following morning.

• 3 meals per day (excluding alcoholic beverages), starting with dinner on the first night and ending with breakfast on the last day.

• Group Ground Transportation to/from Izmir Adnan Menderes International Airport (ADB) to the Retreat Center (approximately 60-minute drive). Based on our flight window guidelines, there will be one group airport shuttle each way.

• Daily yoga practices

• Personal retreat time (having time to nap, explore, walk, read, and just be)

• 2 full-day excursions including Ephesus and Mother Mary’s House

• 1 half-day activity/excursion

The retreat does not include:

• Airfare to Izmir Adnan Menderes International Airport (ADB) in Izmir, Turkey. Before booking tickets, please be sure you have received your official confirmation note that the retreat has met its minimums.

• Alcoholic beverages & personal purchases

• Optional excursions

• Travel insurance (highly recommended)

• Gratuities

Payment options, payment schedules, and cancellation policies

Ready for 6 days of movement, friends, and relaxation? Space is limited, and we will sell out.

Let’s do this!

Register

Paying your initial deposit of $350 and a non-refundable $50 Payment Processing Fee (added to the tuition rate upon registration) will lock in your tuition rate and hold your space for the trip.

Laura is planning this trip in conjunction with True Nature Travels, a holistic, educational travel company that provides planning, support, and guidance. For more information about our Spanish retreat, including things to do, sites to see, how to book your flight for the best price possible, and how to get to the Malaga Airport, visit the True Nature Travel website. All bookings and payments are handled on the True Nature Travel website.

Interested, but need some questions answered before you can commit?

Enjoy 7 nights at Good Hope, an 18th-century Georgian estate in the Jamaican countryside.

Join Laura Jane Mellencamp and a community of like-minded friends for a weeklong yoga retreat at Good Hope in Trelawny, Jamaica. Set within lush green hills and peaceful tropical surroundings, Good Hope offers a beautiful place to rest, practice, connect, and experience the warmth of island life.

The private beach, scenic views, nourishing meals, and open-air spaces create the perfect environment for slowing down and deepening your yoga and meditation practice.

An Unforgettable Yoga, Meditation & Travel Experience

Laura Jane has designed this week to support stillness, self-inquiry, and the joy of practice in community. Classes will blend Hatha yoga, mindfulness meditation, sutra study, chanting, and therapeutic principles that can be carried into your daily life.

This week offers a balance of rest and play, with time for practice, beach visits, shared meals, quiet reflection, and connection. Whether you are newer to yoga or have practiced for years, this retreat is open to all levels and life experiences.

This yoga retreat is for all ages and all life experiences — perfect for all levels of practitioners, yoga teachers, and bodywork therapists.

Private yoga sessions will also be available.

Sample Daily Schedule*

(Optional to meet each student’s needs)
• Early morning hike and meditation
• Breakfast
• In-depth yoga practice with Laura Jane
• Lunch
• Free time to explore this beautiful and healing environment
• Late practice includes asana, chanting, sutra study and meditation
• Dinner
• Evening shared sangha

*Schedule is subject to change.

We will be going down to the private beach most days (15 min from the Coach House). Price includes daily transportation to the beach.

Accommodations

Good Hope is about forty minutes from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Our group will have the entire retreat property at Good Hope, including the Country House (also known as the Great House), the Coach House, and a few detached cottages.

The Country House and Coach House are two beautiful cut-stone buildings with sweeping views of the valley. Each has seven bedrooms and a multi-level, open floor plan that offers a lovely balance of spaciousness and intimacy — ideal for a yoga retreat where there is time to gather, rest, and retreat inward.

Each bedroom includes air conditioning, ceiling fans, and an en-suite bathroom. Recently renovated, the property also features a 50-foot infinity edge pool, open-air dining terrace, tropical gardens, and access to Good Hope’s private beach house, located about 15 minutes away.

Meals are served family-style, and the pace is slow, relaxed, and deeply welcoming.

The cost of the retreat includes:

• Roundtrip airport transportation to & from the resort

• Deluxe accommodations for 7 nights. All bedrooms have bathrooms, A/C, and ceiling fans

• 3 gourmet, mostly vegetarian meals daily with some seafood meals during the week. Gluten/dairy-free options are available upon request

• Water, teas, & juices

• Daily yoga classes & sutra studies—Private yoga sessions are available

• Full use of all resort amenities - including pool, beach, boogie boards, paddle boards, kayaks, river swimming, hiking trails, movie night, yoga room, pool table, ping pong table, and ADSL internet access.

• Daily transportation to and from the private beach

• Sales & hospitality taxes

The retreat cost does not include:

• Airfare to Sangster Intl Airport in Montego Bay

• Spa treatments (massage, mani/pedis, reflexology, etc.)

• Alcoholic beverages & personal purchases

• Optional excursions such as golf, dining in local restaurants, pottery classes, painting classes, horseback riding, rafting, snorkeling, fishing, Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios, Chukka Adventures (zip lines, river tubing, horse and buggy rides, dune buggy rides, ATVs, and history talk of local area)

• Travel insurance (highly recommended)

• Gratuities

Registration

Refund/Cancellation

A $700 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your space. If you need to cancel before November 1, 2026, payments made beyond the deposit may be refunded, less any non-refundable costs already paid by Yoga Among Friends. Cancellations on or after November 1, 2026 are non-refundable unless your space can be filled by another participant.

All cancellation requests must be made in writing. Travel insurance is strongly recommended to protect your investment in the event of illness, travel delays, emergencies, or other unexpected circumstances.

Interested, but have a few questions before you commit?