Step out of routine and into the living lineage of yoga and Vivekananda’s vision. 

Join Komal Bhonagiri and Julia Jonson for a one-day immersive retreat experience exploring the life, teachings, and enduring impact of Swami Vivekananda—a visionary who helped bring yoga philosophy to the West.

Our journey begins at The Home of Harmony on Chicago’s northside where we set the tone for a meaningful day of reflection and connection. We will practice yoga asana, pranayama, and meditation, sound bath, a light lunch, and learn much more about Vivekananda’s vision of harmony and oneness. 

We will then travel as a group to the Art Institute of Chicago, where we will visit this iconic site and stand in the vicinity of where Swami Vivekananda delivered his historic 1893 address at the World’s Parliament of Religions—a defining moment that helped reshape global understanding of yoga and spirituality.

This journey is centered around two powerful spaces in Chicago—The Home of Harmony and The Art Institute of Chicago, the historic site of Vivekananda’s 1893 address.

This is not just a yoga workshop—it’s a guided pilgrimage + cultural immersion. This is a rare opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Swami Vivekananda and experience yoga not just as practice, but as living philosophy—where history, devotion, and self-inquiry meet. 

Price

Early registration (first 10 participants) $400 – regular pricing $425. Use promo code: EARLYBIRD

In the spirit of Swami Vivekananda and the practice of selfless service, a portion of the retreat proceeds will support community nourishment and giving-back initiatives. A portion of our proceeds will go to feed those in need through I LOVE SAI

What’s Included

• Yoga class (asana, pranayama, meditation, philosophy) + sound healing 
• Teachings at the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago
• Light lunch served at The Home of Harmony (dietary restrictions considered!)
• Transportation from The Home of Harmony to The Art Institute of Chicago
• Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago
• Guided historical and philosophical explorations

Not Included in Price

• Travel to The Home of Harmony and return transportation from the retreat

• Return travel from The Art Institute of Chicago back home

• Optional dinner or additional meals not listed in the retreat program

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In this Friday evening yoga practice, we invite you to unwind & find time to slow down, tuning  into your body & your breath. With a focus on recovery & rest, this workshop incorporates gentle yoga poses,  myofascial release techniques, and concludes in a serene Yoga Nidra experience.

Opening with exploration of gentle yoga poses, students start to ground their body & mind. By cultivating the right conditions for parasympathetic nervous system activation (the body’s ‘rest & digest’ system), students will notice tension subsiding, promoting  physical as well as psychological calm.

To aid in letting go of physical tension, the workshop will incorporate therapy balls using myofascial release techniques. These techniques target tight fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles), which helps release the muscle, creating a feeling of spaciousness in the body. These techniques also target emotional stress carried in the body, which may effectively relieve chronic pain and discomfort, leading to reduced anxiety & a more peaceful mental state.

After building a sense of calm throughout practice, this sets the mood for restful “sleep”. The workshop will conclude with Yoga Nidra,  a form of guided meditation that cultivates a dream-like state. Here, there are no physical movements – deep breathing & mindfulness techniques are used in a reclined, supported position. Yoga Nidra promotes physical, emotional, and mental relaxation which improves the quality of sleep.

Learn more about Carole

Register Here

Breathe life back into your practice and leave feeling renewed. We can’t wait to guide you on this empowering journey of breath and mindfulness!

This workshop is good for all levels, whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner. It’s a fantastic opportunity to refresh your practice, deepen your connection with your breath, and leave you feeling centered, re-energized, and more attuned to your body.

What we’ll explore:

• Stress management and relaxation
• Emotional balance and calmness
• A deeper connection to your body and breath
• Improved focus and clarity of mind
• Enhanced physical health and lung capacity

Learn more about Julia

Register Here

This energizing Solar Plexus Chakra workshop designed to ignite confidence, clarity, and inner strength. Through dynamic asana, conscious breath modulation, and a focused fire meditation, you’ll awaken your sense of purpose and personal freedom. 

This workshop will conclude with a nourishing sound bath to help balance the chakras and integrate the practice on an energetic level. Come as you are and experience how Solar Plexus yoga and sound both can transform your practice and your state of being!

Komal Bhonagiri is a veteran yoga teacher and educator with over two decades of experience. She is deeply revered for her vibrant energy, warmth, and ability to make profound practices feel accessible, engaging, and joyful.

Learn more about Komal

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Are you curious about becoming a yoga teacher or simply looking to understanding yourself better? Yoga Teacher Training opens up a whole new path of learning, growth, and self-discovery. This is a unique opportunity to work through self-limiting beliefs and find the courage to shine like never before.

Join us for an upcoming info session at The Yoga Effect to learn about our comprehensive program starting in September. Created and led by Julia Jonson of TBY Yoga and co-instructor Sally Gill, this gathering is an invitation to ask questions and explore how this transformational journey can support your personal growth, practice, and teaching path.

What to Expect

In this supportive, informational session, you will:

• Meet the lead instructors, Julia Jonson and Sally Gill, and hear about their unique approach to the TBY Yoga curriculum.

• Learn about the program structure, key dates, and what to expect during the training starting this fall.

• Explore how the training helps you break through self-limiting beliefs to unlock your full potential.

• Discover how this journey supports personal growth and deepens your understanding of yoga beyond the poses.

Workshop Details

Open to all experience levels. Whether you intend to teach or simply want to dive deeper into your own practice, this info session offers the perfect space to breathe, learn, and reconnect with your potential. No prior experience with teacher training is needed—just a curiosity for growth. We will have plenty of time for a casual Q&A to address your specific goals.

Registration: This informational session is free to attend, but please register in advance so we can prepare materials for all attendees. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Inner peace isn't something we stumble upon—it's something we practice.

In yoga, this steady commitment is called sādhanā: a consistent practice that gradually transforms how we respond to life's challenges. Rather than eliminating stress, sādhanā teaches us to meet it with greater steadiness, clarity, and ease.

In this three-hour workshop, you'll discover how the wall ropes become an extraordinary tool for cultivating that inner stability. The ropes provide intelligent support, helping you refine alignment, deepen awareness, and release unnecessary tension. As the body becomes more balanced, the breath steadies, the nervous system settles, and the mind naturally grows quieter.

Whether you're new to the ropes or have practiced with them before, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of how skillful, consistent practice builds strength, confidence, and resilience—not only in your yoga, but in daily life.

Because peace isn't found by waiting for life to calm down. It's developed through practice, one breath, one posture, and one moment of awareness at a time.

Learn more about Julia

Register Here

Breathe life back into your practice and leave feeling renewed. We can’t wait to guide you on this empowering journey of breath and mindfulness!

This workshop is good for all levels, whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner. It’s a fantastic opportunity to refresh your practice, deepen your connection with your breath, and leave you feeling centered, re-energized, and more attuned to your body.

What we’ll explore:

• Stress management and relaxation
• Emotional balance and calmness
• A deeper connection to your body and breath
• Improved focus and clarity of mind
• Enhanced physical health and lung capacity

Learn more about Julia

Register Here

Breathe life back into your practice and leave feeling renewed. We can’t wait to guide you on this empowering journey of breath and mindfulness!

This workshop is good for all levels, whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner. It’s a fantastic opportunity to refresh your practice, deepen your connection with your breath, and leave you feeling centered, re-energized, and more attuned to your body.

What we’ll explore:

• Stress management and relaxation
• Emotional balance and calmness
• A deeper connection to your body and breath
• Improved focus and clarity of mind
• Enhanced physical health and lung capacity

Learn more about Julia

Register Here

Breathe life back into your practice and leave feeling renewed. We can’t wait to guide you on this empowering journey of breath and mindfulness!

This workshop is good for all levels, whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner. It’s a fantastic opportunity to refresh your practice, deepen your connection with your breath, and leave you feeling centered, re-energized, and more attuned to your body.

What we’ll explore:

• Stress management and relaxation
• Emotional balance and calmness
• A deeper connection to your body and breath
• Improved focus and clarity of mind
• Enhanced physical health and lung capacity

Learn more about Julia

Register Here

Are you struggling with difficulty falling asleep, waking during the night, racing thoughts, or feeling exhausted despite getting enough hours in bed?

Join Ayurveda Doctor Swati Jadhav for an interactive workshop exploring sleep through the lens of Ayurveda. Learn how stress, lifestyle habits, digestion, and doshic imbalances affect sleep quality and discover simple, natural tools to support deeper, more restorative rest.

During this 2-hour workshop, you will learn:

• The Ayurvedic understanding of sleep (Nidra) and its role in overall health
• Common root causes of sleep deprivation and insomnia
• How Vata, Pitta, and Kapha imbalances affect sleep patterns
• Evening routines to calm the nervous system and prepare for restful sleep
• Ayurvedic nutrition and herbs that support healthy sleep
• Breathwork, self-care rituals, and lifestyle practices for better rest
• Simple personalized recommendations you can start immediately

Participants will leave with practical tools to help create sustainable sleep habits and improve overall well-being.

Perfect for anyone experiencing stress, burnout, restless sleep, or seeking a more holistic approach to health and wellness.

Learn more about Dr. Swati

Register Here