NEW! Experience Yoga in Sunken Gardens Six Days a Week!
Vandana, Founder, Lead Yoga Teacher (Hatha) Awaken Yoga Centers of St. Petersburg at Sunken Gardens, IAM Meditation Teacher Vandana – (Pamela Dillon) Although I have been practicing yoga since 1999 (Jivamukti, Integral, Bikram and Ashtanga) my spiritual journey really began in the fall of 2007. Inspired by Di Tyssen, founder of ADIAYA Yoga Sanctuary, during a weekend yoga workshop which included an introduction to the book Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda (a Yogi mainly responsible for bringing the ancient science of yoga to the Western World), I began my intense study of the philosophy of yoga.
My philosophy teacher, Dave Druz, became a mentor and a friend who supported me along my way, sharing in my new-found passion for the ancient science of yoga. Within weeks of completing the philosophy course I traveled to meet Mata Amritanandamayi, an Indian Master, known as the “hugging saint,” at one of her retreats in the U.S. Amma, (as she is known by her pupils), lives her life as an incomparable example of the nature of selfless, unconditional love. I was immediately taken with her and asked her to be my Guru/Spiritual Master.
After meeting Amma I dedicated myself to my yoga and meditation practice. I immediately noticed changes in my demeanor; mainly being more capable of handling stress and being able to prioritize more effortlessly. Furthering my study in physical yoga and yoga philosophy, I completed the Yoga Teacher Training Certification program at the ADIAYA Yoga Sanctuary in the early summer of 2008. I am a RYT – 200(Registered Yoga Teacher with 200 hours of training) with Yoga Alliance, an Internationally recognized yoga institution.
The week I was certified I began subbing for hatha yoga teachers in the Tampa/St. Pete area.In August, 2008, I founded Awaken Yoga Center and began teaching my own classes at the Unitarian Universalist Church of St Pete. Since it's inception at UUSP I have donated ten percent of my earnings to their charitable outreach programs--such as helping migrant workers and the homeless in the Tampa Bay area. In the fall of 2009 I was asked to bring Awaken Yoga to Sunken Gardens, the most beautiful natural setting to practice yoga in. You may also see me teaching at Generations Yoga, Gold's Gym North and South, Aquastone Spa and at the St Pete Yacht Club.
Awaken yoga classes incorporate a cardio-vascular asana practice with relaxation and meditation. Inspired by the book A New Earth, written by Eckhart Tolle, and in reference to the Buddha’s response to “Are you a God?”; Buddha; “No, I am awake”, Awaken Yoga was born. My hope and dream for our practice together is to awaken to our true Selves. I leave you with pearls of wisdom from ancient masters of India, to aid you on your path to a more spiritual and focused life. I also encourage scriptural study, devotion, selfless service, prayer, chanting and inner peace.
James Dillon (Ram Gian) - Awaken Yoga Centers of St. Petersburg @ Sunken Gardens * Kundalini Yoga (as taught by Yogi Bhajan) Teacher, Breathwalk Meditation Teacher, Founder: GottaGettaGuru.com™
In December of 2008, Mata Amritananda Mayi Devi (Amma) accepted Ram Gian Singh (a.k.a. James Patrick Dillon), into a Guru-disciple relationship and inspired him to begin a life of selfless service. Shortly thereafter, with Amma’s blessing, he founded GottaGettaGuru.com™, an Internet Ashram, Spiritual Teaching Center and Marketplace, which donates one hundred percent (100%) of its profits to charitable causes and spiritual education projects around the world or reinvests them in expanding its mission (as articulated on the site at: www.GottaGettaGuru.com/blog/about/mission).
Ram Gian, a life-long student of comparative religion and spirituality, is a Kundalini Yoga Instructor in the school of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan™ (from which he has received his spiritual teacher name, Ram Gian, which means: “He who embodies the wisdom of God, is the song of God and sings God’s praises.”). He has also received Self-Realization Fellowship training based on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, through SRF in California; serves the congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Saint Petersburg as Chairman of the Worship Committee, and had, prior to his yogic training, received initiation and training in Transcendental Meditation™ as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. He attributes his spiritual awakening (a gradual and ongoing process!) to having explored ALL of these paths, then taking action.
Ram Gian and his wife, Vandana, a fellow Amma devotee, teach at Awaken Yoga Center, in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Door County, Wisconsin. They co-host ‘spiritual retreats and travel the world with friends and fellow yogis and Amma devotees, visiting holy places, healers and spiritual teachers including Amma (planned for 2011), the Dali Lama (planned for 2012), and the Golden Temple (planned for 2012). If you would like to join them in any of these activities or would like additional information, please contact them via email at: RamGian@GottaGettaGuru.com.
Sacred Marriage Yoga
Master Self Control * Learn Forgiveness * Gain Respect
Learn to see the GREATNESS in your partner and yourself!
Learn to LOVE deeply, passionately and unconditionally!
Kundalini Yoga and Meditation can help you learn to live life from a place of love and compassion, remain poised and calm even when in emotionally distressing situations, and perhaps most importantly, it can help you be strong, stable and yet forgiving, even when hurt. It has transformed my life and my sacred relationship. It can transform yours, too!"
On November 10th, I begin offering couples a once a week, six week program called the “Sacred Love, Sacred Marriage – Kundalini Yoga & Meditation Rendezvous.” I invite you to try an introductory one hour class first; it’s just $10 per person.
“The Rendezvous classes will be available as either private – one couple per session @ $65/class or semi-private – two couples @ $40/couple/class. Class time is approximately 95 minutes and they may be taken and paid for a week at a time – with no obligation to continue if not 100% satisfied. Couples may select any available time slot from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm on a first come, first serve basis.
Classes that are scheduled for between the hours of 11:30 am and 6:00 pm may be hosted at Ram Gian’s private location or at a location of the clients’ choice (e.g. their home).
Brinda Chalnick - Awaken Yoga Centers of St. Petersburg & Clearwater
Brinda Chalnick has practiced, studied, and taught yoga since 1999. In January of 2002, she received her 200-hour certification through Atlanta Yoga Fellowship and Peachtree Yoga Center under the gifted instruction of Graham Fowler and Gina Minyard. She has since studied and taught around the country learning from such notable teachers as Rodney Yee, Shiva Rea, John Friend, Sianna Sherman, Mitchel Bleier, Erich Schiffman, and Saul David Raye.
In her teaching, she offers guidance through a series of movements designed to release tensions, create openings, and bring the body and breath into harmonious balance. She has taught yoga to all ages from children to seniors, and feels the deepest gratitude and fulfillment for the chance to share the beauty of yoga with others. Of other notable importance she holds her master’s degree in Geography, and has since retired from her full-time corporate career to be a full-time mom to her six year old daughter, Summer Raye.
Megan Gray - Awaken Yoga Centers of St. Petersburg & Clearwater
For the past 27 years Megan Gray, M.A. has worked tirelessly as a Yoga Instructor, Counselor and Group Facilitator.
Ms. Gray uses Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT – sometimes called “Tapping”) as well as energy healing techniques and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy with her students.With the use of visualization, clients actively participate in their own healing process using breathing and visualization exercises.She creates an atmosphere that consists of love and harmony. Her child-like spirit is both catching and inspiring.
