What the Atma Center Means to Me
Introducing the North American Gurukul, Inc.
Anniversary Raffle Nets Over $800 for India Children's Programs
Grand Prize Winner: Royce Johnston
Atma Center Calendar of Coming Events
What Would Happen if 400 Students Take Yoga Each Session at the Atma Center in 2008?
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THE YOGA CONNECTION
What the Atma Center Means to Me . . .
Our 10th Anniversary celebration was a hit, the turn out was perfect, and the day-long August 15th festivities were highly successful. But of more lasting value are the dozens of comments submitted by Atma Center students and friends for inclusion in our 10th Anniversary scrapbook located in the store’s reading section. Atmarupa has chosen a few excerpts to share here.
“I have received wonderful insight and growth in every aspect of my life as a result of what I’ve learned here.” – LA
“I believe I am handling my life in a more calm, balanced way.” – JE
“What does the Atma Center mean to me? It means health & well being & community & connection & it is of great value in my life.” – MM
“With the support of the Atma Center I feel inspired to continually open up to life, not just on the mat but in all situations.” – PK
“Atma Center for me is the beauty of pure tradition.” – AK
“The Atma Center is an oasis. It has been an island in the busy stream of my life. It is here that I have found myself again and again.” – TM
“The Atma Center is a place of discovery. Here I have made new friends, discovered strengths, and developed resources. I have confronted & shed fears, inhibitions & preconceptions. In short, the Atma Center is teaching me freedom.” –DS
“I am back after several years away. Atma Center so quickly becomes home. As I practice yoga I love my body more and feel at peace with myself. Thank you.” – NC
“I have learned to honor my limitations and realize that I don’t have to try to be perfect.” –MS
“The Atma Center is a warm, welcoming place that treats everyone with unconditional acceptance.” – DD
“An idea to teach yoga that grew into the Atma Center and became an exceptional opportunity for my own personal growth. A place of endless challenges. Much laughter and many tears. Creating water gardens when the roof leaks. 3600+ days of commitment to help others find that quiet space within where we are connected and at peace.” - Atmarupa
A highlight of the day’s activities was a sidewalk performance by Zack’s Band. Zack is the son of staff member Deb Klein, and featured for this number is our own Kids’ teacher, Lily Goldfarb, on guitar.
Introducing the North American Gurukul, Inc.
The Atma Center is pleased to introduce the North American Gurukul, Inc. (NAG), a newly launched nonprofit organization created to support the growth of SATYANANDA YOGA® throughout North America. NAG, pronounced “nahg”, will work to connect the community of SATYANANDA YOGA® practitioners; to promote ways for individuals to discover the many benefits of SATYANANDA YOGA® through conferences, yogic studies, and research; and to encourage service projects that support the application of yogic principles to daily life. Their website, www.northamericangurukul.org, is set to launch in October. The offices of NAG are currently located at the Atma Center. If you are interested in learning more about the North American Gurukul, Inc. or making a tax-deductable contribution, please contact Atmarupa or Diane Swander at 216-371-9760.
Anniversary Raffle Nets Over $800 for India Children’s Programs
In addition to benefiting the Children’s Programs at Swami Satyananda’s ashram in Rikhia, the 10th Anniversary raffle drawings showered 67 prizes on nearly as many winners. Six tickets were drawn per hour. Below are a few raffle highlights. A complete list is available upon request.
Some "lucky" ticket buyers won multiple prizes. The most amazing and repetitive winner was Ken Finlin, who won an Atma Center T-shirt in four of the first five drawings! We heard he was sewing them together to create a unique patchwork quilt. Then there is Mary Robison, who must have purchased a massive number of tickets! She won a total of five different prizes including a yoga mat, Sarva Soap sampler set, manicure & shampoo from Cut Hair studio and a Dewey's Pizza gift certificate. We want to thank these area merchants, along with others who donated prizes to support our efforts: Sanctuary by Joyce massage; Cedar Lee Theatre passes; Cleveland Metro Zoo passes; more Cut Hair studio haircut & style and manicure & shampoo packages; Mitchell’s Candy sampler; Skye MacDonald massage; Linda’s Images matted photograph; Michelle Liptak massage or Reiki treatment; more Sarva Soap samplers; Tavern Company gift certificates; Bryan’s Marathon oil change; and Stone Oven gift certificate. A BIG THANKS TO ALL OF THESE FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS!
Grand Prize Winner: Royce Johnston
Perhaps the most coveted prize was the grand prize, drawn at 8:00 PM, the finale of the day’s festivities. The Winner of the one year Atma Center Membership ($825 value) was Royce Johnston, who shared this response in an email:
I normally don’t buy raffle tickets but thought that Atma Center was contributing to a worthy cause by sending the donations to the needy in India. When I heard the names of the hourly winners, I left the Atma Center wondering whether my tickets were in the bottom of the jar. Then I returned from book group and my husband gave me the message that “Royce won the grand prize!” I felt like a lucky woman when I realized that my winning gift would contribute to my health by allowing me to develop a new exercise schedule.
I also won a free oil change from the Marathon station. I gave the coupon to my husband who took his truck for an oil change and he received excellent, friendly service. He is sure to return.
Thank you to each of my teachers who have contributed to my feeling of well-being. Since beginning at the Atma Center, my health has gradually improved. I am stronger, have more stamina and enjoy finding new muscles at my retired age. Life is good! Peace and love –
Royce
Atma Center Calendar of Coming Events
| September 19 | Six-Week Class Session begins |
| Sep 29 - Oct 6 | Yogic Studies 1a: Develop a home practice, learn about the theory behind yoga techniques, or begin the journey to Teacher Training with this extraordinary course: 7 days of yoga classes, 10 weeks of feedback from senior teachers. |
| OCt 6 - 13 | Yogic Studies 1b: Focusing on Ayurveda, yogic physiology (chakras included), and more challenging practices, this is a great program for those looking to deepen their study of yoga. Prerequisite: Yogic Studies 1a - option of taking 1a and 1b back-to-back this Fall. |
| Oct 21 | Traveling Teacher Series: Yoga Therapy for Neck and Shoulders: Atmarupa leads this session at RxYoga in Medina, 12 - 2:30 pm. Class size is limited. |
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF 400 STUDENTS TAKE YOGA EACH SESSION AT THE ATMA CENTER IN 2008?
- More calm people in the world
- More sense of community
- More class options
- No rate increases in 2008
- A long awaited pay increase for your teachers
This newsletter is provided to you by the Atma Center, 2319 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. [216-371-9760 www.atmacenter.com] The Atma Center is one of three places authorized worldwide to offer advanced training in Satyananda Yoga through Yogic Studies and Teacher Training courses.