Yoga Bliss Festival 2024!  ~ Creating Bliss in Community 

Augusta, MO – August 1-4, 2024

August 1-4, 2024 – You are invited to join the festival for a community experience, on the mat for 4 days of yoga, breath work, meditation, singing, fellowship, GF meals, and activities at the Harmonie Verein Cultural Center at 5333 Hackmann Road and at Oaks Crossing Conference Center 5520 Locust Street, Augusta, MO.  We all have to do our own journey, yet we do not have to walk alone.  You are welcome to come alone, or gather friends, family or your partner and create memories in a held space to cultivate BLISS.  Please take a look at the schedule and sign up for the sessions, along with mindful meals – lunches and dinners.

Sign up for the entire Yoga Bliss Festival with 23 sessions, plus 7 meals $522, savings $228!

• You may purchase a single session ($25) or package of sessions (2 for $48, 3 for $72, and the more sessions you purchase the better the value.  For detailed price list scroll to the end of this page.)  Build it your way! 
• Please sign up for your first selection for a practice at the festival.
• Then purchase the number of sessions you would like for the entire festival.
• Next, after completing the purchase, add yourself to each and every session you plan to attend, as class sizes are limited.
• Meals count as a session, please keep this in mind when you choose your package and sign up.  
• If you need assistance please call Kathy Kessler 314-369-6804 or Halcyon Spa 636-228-4110.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

We encourage you to also make it a full day or weekend experience with hiking and mountain biking in Klondike Park and Matson Hill Park nearby.  Ride a bike or take a leisure walk on the beautiful Katy Trail State Park.  Enjoy the shops in town or visit a local winery or the brewery after yoga.  You may like to make reservations at Root Food +Wine for a foodie experience with fine dining.  Stay the night at a local B&B in Augusta, or near by towns such as Washington, Defiance, Marthasville, or New Melle. Create your BLISS!

Food Provided by – Enchanted Owl Inn:  Enchanted Owl Inn is nestled in the wooded hills overlooking Augusta, Missouri.
Lunch and Dinner sessions are all Gluten Free and Vegetarian.  They can be purchased with a session package.  These meals will be available for a 3 hour window for you to start at your leisure between sessions.   Be mindful of your session times, and the type of session you will be attending after the meals to you have adequate time to eat and digest.  These are pre-set menus, see details below.

Thursday, August 1

7 AM –  Opening to Bliss: Chakra Clearing Dynamic Yoga with Juli Schuster (Dutzow, MO) at the Harmonie Verein – Discover the transformative power of chakra clearing as we journey through the energy centers of the body, seeking balance and harmony. Through gentle movement, breathwork, and guided meditations, we awaken and open each of the seven chakras, inviting in healing energy and cultivating a deeper connection of body, mind, and spirit.

9 AM – Akashic Record Meditation with Grace Lindsay (Kansas City, KS) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – Join Grace Lindsay to connect with the realm of the soul for a deep and meaningful experience in the dimension of Light called the Akashic Records. Grace will explain what the Akashic Records are, how to access them, and how to receive information from this sacred resource. She will lead the audience in a guided meditation in the Records so they can experience being in the energy of the Akashic Records themselves, and receive information, messages, or insights that may come to them during our time together in the Records. After the guided meditation, Grace will answer audience questions and invite participants to share their experiences in the Records, as time allows. This 90-minute session will begin at 9 AM, please arrive 15 minutes early to register and settle on your mat. Please bring a blanket or bolster to sit upon, and bring a journal if you’d like to write about your experience in the Akashic Records. You may also wish to bring an eye cover if desired during the guided meditation.

9 AM – Morning Salutations with Sangita Devi (Asheville, NC) at the Harmonie Verein – Wake up your body, deepen your breath and expand your heart as you salute the sun with Sangita! In this class you will learn the primary morning sun salutations, with recommendations for customizing the practice to best serve your body. Combined in an all level vinyasa flow, you will leave this class ready to take on the day with a full tank of energy!

11 AM – Mindful Flow with Restorative Savasana Yoga with Kristen Ambrosi (Fairfield, CT) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – Establish a grounded foundation through centering; cultivate physical and emotional wellbeing through slow flowing practice; and integrate through restorative savasana. Align attention with intention, find space within body and mind, and come home to yourself with awareness and ease. Infused with readings, invitational mantra, and a curated playlist, this mindful sequence of movement and postures aims to meet and support you as you are. With the goal of less striving and more arriving, strenuous vinyasas, arm balances, and inversions will not be a part of this practice. Appropriate for all levels with the ability to move comfortably between the ground and standing.

11 AM – Accessing the Wisdom of the Heart with Regan Caruthers (Washington, MO) at the Harmonie Verein – This session will provide you an introduction to HeartMath, a transformative method for reducing stress and building physiological coherence in the nervous system which leads to better decision making, greater focus and more resilience. Proven effective in over 400 peer reviewed studies to reduce blood pressure, anxiety, and improve emotional well being, sleep and focus. This session will include a brief introduction to the underlying science as well as provide you with a few transformative HeartMath tools.

Lunch 12 noon to 3 PM at the Harmonie Verein Basement – Salad Bar – greens, veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds, legumes, ancient grains, and homemade salad dressing provided for you to create your own unique salad.   Watermelon Gazpacho Soup and Snack Packs. Please select a half hour time slot when registering for the window when you would like to be served, you may linger in the dining area as long as you choose.

1 PM – Intuitive Alignment – Jessica Caimi (St. Louis, MO) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – In this playful workshop you’ll gain practical skills to develop, recognize, and trust your intuition. We’ll discuss how you can care for your body and energy in ways that support your intuitive nature, learn about the “clairs” or psychic senses and how to come into compassionate relationship with your unique intuition.

1 PM – Arise, Awake! Bliss is Who You Are!  Classical Yoga in the Modern Age – Theory, Principles and Practice with Swami Sankarananda (West Virgina) at the Harmonie Verein – Who wants to be Happy? Who wants to be Loved? It is amazing that in this hectic and constantly changing modern time each of us still seek exactly what we have always sought. Love. Peace. Joy. These are real, though we learn that they are not where we think that they are. Yoga shows the way. This workshop is for all ages and all levels.  We will explore through discussion and practice the pre-ancient Yoga and Vedanta as these relate to this modern life and see together how it can enliven and awaken us. How we, together with the aid of the sages of Yoga and the Universal, through our own practice, can find and live in the fullness that we seek. We’ll discuss the human experience – the universal nature of it in addition to all of our apparent differences. What is it? Why do we suffer? Is there a way to end suffering, and what is the way? We’ll bring into our discussion wisdom from the Raja Yoga Sutras (Patanjali or Ashtanga Yoga) and the Bhagavad Gita, along with some of the Upanishadic sharing. And we will, through our discussion and time together, see how it works, how it fits together with our lives. Finally we’ll explore keys to successful and continuous practice while we live our lives.

3 PM – Finding Sanctuary Within a Journey Home to Your Soul with Angely (formerly known as Jenna Israel – Sedona, AZ) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – Are you seeking clarity and connection with your true self? Do you find yourself caught in repetitive patterns, longing for deeper purpose, self-love, and inner peace? Join us on a transformative journey of self-exploration and healing. This group offers a sacred space for you to embark on a profound inner journey. Together, we will delve into the depths of your soul, unraveling the intricate map of your life’s journey to understand how and why you became who you are today. Through reflective exercises, group discussions, and experiential practices, we will explore the questions that often linger in the heart: Why did I become so lost and disconnected from my heart?, How can I break free from repetitive patterns that no longer serve me?, What is my true purpose, and how can I align with it?, How can I cultivate greater self-love, acceptance, and compassion?, Where can I find more joy and peace amidst life’s challenges? Throughout our time together, we will create a soul map that includes ; inner child work, emotional exploration, belief examination, and strategies for cultivating self-compassion. By nurturing a deeper understanding of ourselves and embracing our vulnerabilities, we pave the way for profound healing and transformation. Join us as we embark on a journey of self-discovery, authenticity, and reclaiming the connection to our heart and soul. Together, let us uncover the pathways to joy, peace, and fulfillment that reside within us all. Finding sanctuary within awaits you, ready to guide you home to the essence of who you truly are.

3 PM – Heart Opening Vinyasa Flow with Melissa Duchatschek (Washington, MO) at Harmonie Verein – Vinyasa means a gradual progression or a step-by-step approach that systematically and appropriately takes a student from one point and safely lands them at the next point. In this 90 minute class students will be guided through a series of energizing postures that build toward a peak pose. Our focus for the practice will be opening the heart center and strengthening the core. Options are always available, allowing students the opportunity to work toward the pose in a way that supports them where they are in that moment.

5 PM – Healing with the Chinese Elements with Dr. Becca Blake  at Oaks Crossing Conference Center  – Join Dr. Becca Blake on a journey through the five Chinese Elements. You will learn the characteristics of each element, what your dominant element(s) are, what disorders to watch out for if your element becomes unbalanced, and how to nourish each one to maintain optimal health.

5 PM – Myo + Yin Yoga + Visualization with Kathy Kessler (Sedona, AZ) and Eileen Wolfington (St. Louis, MO) Sound Healing Part 1 at the Harmonie Verein –  Kathy Kessler will lead in a Myo Yin Practice, sharing her passion for Myofascial Release (MFR) and Yin Yoga and connecting the community in friendship.  She will lead 2 back to back – 90 minute Myo Yin practices that will blend the concepts of MFR with a Yin Yoga Practice with hands-on touch.  Learn how to use contract relax, rebounding, unwinding, self care tools, and visualization practices.  Kathy will have hands-on assist with Bozenna Johnson and Judy Ragowitz.  This is a co-lead experience with Kathy leading the practice, sound healing and hands-on assist to create a deep listening within through the practice of Myo Yin. Part A – Eileen Wolfington will assist with a live Sound Healing Concert.  She will take you on a sound journey during the Myo Yin Experience for a deep dive within oneself – feeling, releasing and practicing resonance listening.

7 PM – Myo + Yin + Restorative Yoga with Kathy Kessler (Sedona, AZ) Part 2 with Lullabies at the Harmonie Verein – Kathy Kessler will lead in a Myo Yin Practice, sharing her passion for Myofascial Release (MFR) and Yin Yoga and connecting the community in friendship.  She will lead 2 back to back – 90 minute Myo Yin practice will blend the concepts of MFR with a Yin Yoga Practice with hands on touch.  Learn how to use contract relax, rebounding, unwinding, self care tools, and visualization practices.  Kathy will have hands on assist with Bozenna Johnson and Judy Ragowitz.  This is a co-lead experience with Kathy leading the practice, sound healing and hands on assist to create a deep listening within through the practice of Myo Yin. Part B – Vocalists and friends of Kathy will assist you in a lullaby experience of live music during the Myo Yin Practice taking you to the next level of softening and releasing bracing and holding patterns.  Part A and B can be done individually or as a 3 hour experience.  

Dinner 6 PM to 9 PM at the Harmonie Verein Basement- Grilled Portobello Mushroom served over Quinoa Tabbouleh with Feta.  Please select a half hour time slot when registering for the window when you would like to be served, you may linger in the dining area as long as you choose.

Click here to register for Thursday!

Friday, August 2

7 AM – Labyrinth Presentation and Walk with Eileen Wolfington (St. Louis, MO) at Harmonie Verein – Take time to quiet your mind, self-reflect, reduce stress, and thoughtfully focus through this active form of meditation and contemplation.  A blissful walk stimulates you to make decisions, resolve an internal or external conflict, and to practice patience and mindful attention.  Where will the path lead you?

9 AM – Communing with Nature: Exploring the Sacred Connection Between You and Mother Earth with Angely (formerly known as  Jenna Israel – Sedona, AZ) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – Step into the embrace of the natural world and embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and healing. Join us for a transformative retreat experience as we delve into the rich tapestry of our connection with Mother Earth and uncover the profound wisdom and healing she offers. What to Expect: Healing Power of Nature: Immerse yourself in the restorative energy of the natural world and discover how it can support your journey of healing and transformation. Through guided practices and contemplative experiences, you’ll learn to attune to the rhythms of nature and harness its profound healing potential for body, mind, and soul. Silent Walk on the Katy Trail: Embark on a silent journey along the serene paths of the Katy Trail, allowing yourself to be enveloped by the tranquility of nature. As you walk in mindful silence, open your heart and senses to receive the powerful messages that nature is eager to share with you, guiding you towards deeper insight and connection. Exploring Personal Relationship with Nature: Through reflective exercises and group discussions, delve into your personal relationship with the natural world. Explore your unique connections, memories, and experiences with nature, and uncover the ways in which it has shaped your journey and nurtured your soul. Join Us: Experience the transformative power of reconnecting with Mother Earth and rediscover the profound wisdom and healing that awaits you in the natural world. “Communing with Nature” invites you to journey deep into the heart of nature, where you’ll find solace, renewal, and a sense of belonging.

9 AM – Sattva Himalayan Kundalini Yoga: Fearless Heart – Ananda Das (Sedona, AZ) at Harmonie Verein  – We have had to be spiritual warriors to not get caught up in all the fear that has been pushed on us from what seems every angle. Are you looking for some support and practices to strengthen your courage and overcome your fears?   Sattva Himalayan Kundalini Yoga is an ever-evolving and inclusive practice of meditation, kriya, asana, movement, pranayama, radical aliveness, and timeless wisdom. It integrates the science of Hatha and Kriya Yoga from ancient lineages, incorporating purification sequencing, so each journey has a subtle cellular shift, dynamic mind-body experience, as well as a mindful meditative experience.  It is very powerful for stabilizing emotions, reducing anxiety, decreasing fear, and deep healing. It’s wonderful for cultivating joy, bliss, love, peace, stillness and a feeling of radical aliveness.  Come experience this incredible technology to support you in facing and overcoming your fears!

11 AM – Art Workshop – The Art of Rejoicing with Angela L. Chostner (St. Louis, MO) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – As a creative expression facilitator, Angela  invites participants to rediscover their own sacred space and sense of delight. Guiding participants into a meditative state, Angela creates a safe container for creative exploration through simple yet profound art activities. Participants contribute to a community art project and bring home a personal expression of their own heart. No experience necessary, supplies included.

11 AM – Heart Opening Slow Flow with Regan Caruthers (Washington, MO) at the Harmonie Verein – In this practice, we will focus on connecting to an open heart while also staying grounded as we move in slow flowing interconnected movement.  We will learn how to stay in a conscious relationship with the energy of gratitude to inform each breath and each movement as we create a slow moving, harmonious flow.  Come experience the power and intelligence that  originates from an open and grateful heart.

Lunch 12 noon to 3 PM at the Harmonie Verein Basement- Salad Bar – greens, veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds, legumes, ancient grains, and homemade salad dressing provided for you to create your own unique salad. Carrot Apple Soup and Snack Packs.  Please select a half hour time slot when registering for the window when you would like to be served, you may linger in the dining area as long as you choose.

1 PM – Buti  Bliss Yoga with Dhyana Staicu (St. Louis, MO) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center  – Buti means “a secret remedy, or cure.”  It combines deep core toning and energetic activation, jumping or plyometrics added cardio dance into one dynamic, high-intensity, total body workout.  Structural progression meets the freedom of an organic practice combined with dynamic movement and music.  Transform your entire body from the inside out and tap into your endorphins in this fun Buti Bliss class.

1 PM – Bhakti Vinyasa with Sound Healing with Sangita Devi (Ashville, NC) at the Harmonie Verein – In this all level vinyasa yoga class, Sangita takes students on an embodied practice of movement, as an act of devotion and love. Using Sanskrit mantras, ancient stories and Vedic philosophy to set the tone, students will be guided through a creative vinyasa flow, ending in a musical savasana experience.

3 PM –  Strength and Balance Vinyasa Flow with Melissa Duchatschek (Washington, MO) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – In this slo-flow, vinyasa style practice, we will be developing strength and balance. With a strong focus on proper alignment, we will use the breath to flow through a series of postures that will help strengthen your entire body. Traditional, and a few unique, balance postures will be sprinkled throughout the session, offering the opportunity for you to be curious and playful in your practice!

3 PM – Pelvic Floor MFR Yoga with Sarah Helle, PT, PhD, LMT, CHNC, RYT-500 (Glen Carbon, IL) at the Harmonie Verein – The Pelvic Floor MFR yoga class will integrate gentle movement, meditation, and MFR yoga to create health and balance for the pelvic floor. This class is appropriate for any beginners to advanced yogis that want to create balance in the pelvis and develop connection to the deep root of the body.

5 PM – Inspiration Activation Breath Work with Shenee Alexa Booth (Illinois) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – This unique self-embodiment journey blends awareness, intention, movement & sound within a conscious connected breathing practice. Commonly known as transformational breathwork, this active guided meditation uses diaphragmatic breathing in a circular pattern to energize your entire being, increasing vitality, joy + bliss! Your breath is your life force, therefore the quality of your breath directly relates to the quality of your life. Breathwork is a powerful tool for readjusting the lens through which you are experiencing your life and bringing you back into alignment with your truest self. This is an integrative practice which affects all facets of your being, returning you to your most natural state of self healing and harmony. Many people experience palpable release of creative blocks and undesired patterns in the nervous system, along with an energetic rebirthing that leaves them with less anxiety, better sleep and feeling more clarity with their true purpose.​​  Other benefits of Breathwork include improved immune functioning, release of toxins, easier focus and concentration, release of stored trauma, elimination of habits, ability to self regulate under strong emotional states, deeper meditation and inner peace.  Props: Yoga mat or pilates mat, Minimum 2 Blankets per person; 1 for under body, 1 for over, 1-2 Pillows or bolsters per person; 1 under knees while laying on back & optional behind head, Eye Mask (bandana or strip of cloth works fine), Journal & writing utensil, and Water bottle.

5 PM – BALM Yoga: Practice and Restore with Kristen Ambrosi (Fairfield, CT) and Sangita Devi (Ashville, NC)  at the Harmonie Verein – Establish a grounded foundation through centering; cultivate physical and emotional wellbeing through slow flowing practice; and integrate through restorative savasana. Align attention with intention, find space within body and mind, and come home to yourself with awareness and ease. Infused with readings, invitational mantra, and a curated playlist, this mindful sequence of movement and postures aims to meet and support you as you are. With the goal of less striving and more arriving, strenuous vinyasas, arm balances, and inversions will not be a part of this practice. Appropriate for all levels with the ability to move comfortably between the ground and standing. Kristen will lead the practice, assisted by Sangita Devi.

7 PM – Akashic Record Meditation with Grace Lindsay (Kansas City, KS) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – This second Akashic meditation will focus on healing (insights and guidance may also come through as with the first Akashic meditation on Thursday morning). Grace will give a brief introduction to the Akashic Records and then lead a guided meditation that focuses on energetic healing, including emotional, mental, or spiritual healing as well as physical healing. Everyone in the room will experience something different and unique to their situation, and it has the potential to be a rich experience for attendees.After the guided meditation, Grace will answer audience questions and invite participants to share their experiences in the Records, as time allows.This 90-minute session will begin at 7 PM, please arrive 15 minutes early to register and settle on your mat. Please bring a blanket or bolster to sit upon, and bring a journal if you’d like to write about your experience in the Akashic Records. You may also wish to bring an eye cover if desired during the guided meditation.

7 PM – Kirtan and Heart Songs Concert – Ananda Das (Sedona, AZ) at the Harmonie Verein – “I remember the day that it really clicked for me… kirtan and devotional music in absolutely crucial for my healing, awakening and connection to the divine.  Not only that, but it’s my mission to share this with as many people as I can and to inspire others to feel the potency of this practice.” Ananda Das.  Kirtan is the call and response chanting of mantras that directs the mind toward infinity and blasts the heart open ecstatically. Ananda Das will also be sharing his devotional heart opening English lyrical songs.  His music is wonderful for healing your heart, de-stressing, connecting to your joy feeling inspired and merging with the divine.  Come experience it for yourself!

Dinner 6 PM to 9 PM at the Harmonie Verein Basement- Thai Basil Eggplant  Please select a half hour time slot when registering for the window when you would like to be served, you may linger in the dining area as long as you choose.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for Friday!

Please purchase your first selection for a practice at the festival,  purchase the number of sessions you would like for the entire festival, after completing the purchase, add yourself to each and every session you plan to attend, as class sizes are limited.  Meals count as a session, please keep this in mind when you choose your package and sign up.  If you need assistance please call Kathy Kessler 314-369-6804 or Halcyon Spa 636-228-4110.

Saturday, August 3

7 AM – Sunrise Yoga with Elaine Wheeler Blackmur (Washington, MO) at the Harmonie Verein – She will kick off Saturday of the Yoga Festival – Bliss with several Sun Salutations (and Sun Salutation variations), chest openers (opening the heart), twists, safe inversions, balance, all the bends (forward, side, &  back), and a few strength postures as well (side planks, including on hand and forearm, dolphin), and more. She states, “When I lead yoga, I always offer options and modifications so everyone feels satisfied and successful after Savasana. The breath and staying in the present moment are the focal points of my classes.”

9 AM –  MFR Yoga with  Sarah Helle, PT, PhD, LMT, CHNC, RYT-500 (Glen Carbon, IL) at the Harmonie Verein – The MFR Yoga class will integrate gentle movement, meditation, and JFB Myofascial Release Principle to create health and balance for the body.  We will explore the concepts of John F. Barnes (JFB) Myofascial Release and apply them to yoga postures, along with integrating self care tools to enhance the experience.  This class is appropriate for any beginners to advanced yogis that want to create balance in the body, and release deeply held tension patterns and restrictions and develop connection to the deepest parts of your being.

9 AM – Morning Salutations with Sangita Devi (Asheville, NC) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – Wake up your body, deepen your breath and expand your heart as you salute the sun with Sangita! In this class you will learn the primary morning sun salutations, with recommendations for customizing the practice to best serve your body. Combined in an all level vinyasa flow, you will leave this class ready to take on the day with a full tank of energy!

11 AM – Laughter Yoga with Eileen Wolfington (St. Louis, MO) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – Bring more oxygen to your body and brain as we combine laughter exercises with yogic breathing techniques to cultivate joy and bring out your inner child.  Laughter reduces stress, helps keep your mind positive, and strengthens your immune system.  In lieu of traditional Yoga poses, you’ll experience gentle stretching, chanting, clapping, eye contact, and creative body movement.

11 AM – Kundalini Yoga and Gong with SiriAtma Kaur CCHT with ACHE, KRI Level 2 Teacher (St. Louis, MO) at the Harmonie Verein – Kundalini Yoga is based on angles and triangles. Different angles we make with our body stimulate our glandular system and strengthen the nervous system. These new glandular secretions in the higher centers of the pineal and pituitary gland help to regulate our hormonal system and create this ‘uplifting’ or ‘balanced’ feeling that practitioners often described as well as the ability to ‘shut off’ and calm down. Many exercises also work to increase the circulation of spinal fluid affecting also the cerebral spinal fluid to refresh us, rejuvenate us and increase mental clarity. This is physically how Kundalini Yoga creates a new state of ‘awareness’ as the Yoga of Awareness. Through creating rhythm with movement, breath, mantra, mudras, body locks (bhandas) and focus with the eyes (drishti) gives new patterns to the body and lights up the mind, stimulates the brain to align our patterns and habits with our full potential. Kundalini Yoga works through the chakra system balancing the energy centers of the body and corresponding glands and organs to create a new energy flow and body balance. It cleanses and rejuvenates the body, clears and focuses the mind while uplifting the spirit!  Gong Sound Healing:  A good gong session often feels like you are floating in outer space, blurring the lines of where you end, and where the vast vast cosmos begins. From the very first strike of the mallet, you feel it – you’re in for a ride. It is said that any and all sounds that can possibly exist can be created from the gong. Within 3-90 seconds the mind realizes that there is no way to organize or predict what it’s hearing, and you feel as if your mental reset button has been pressed. This happens because the sounds of the gong are not harmonious. The experience tends to take you into a Theta brainwave state, which is like a dream state – things are coming up from the subconscious mind. One might experience vivid visualizations or emotions similar to a dream, the difference being that the gong is helping to actually clear the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind can eventually “fill up” and begin to spill into the unconscious mind, at which point our work to clear the garbage becomes much more challenging. A gong meditation, like any meditation, is essentially like taking a mental shower. Just as we clean our bodies to keep them healthy and pleasant, it is necessary to clean/clear the mind to keep up a state of optimal balance and well-being. The advantage of sound healing meditation is simply that you do not have to do anything but let go and let the gong take you wherever it is you need to go!  As we all know, letting go is not always easy. Sometimes we notice the junk being drawn up from the subconscious and we might attach to it. The attachment might feel somewhat unpleasant if we experience self-judgement, sadness, or any other thought or emotion stemming from fear. In those brief moments it is extremely helpful to focus on the sound and ride that sound current into the Infinite. Remember, this crud is being drawn up to be cleared OUT. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, opening the eyes and watching as the sounds are created proves to be very grounding. A good cleansing cry can be a beautiful release, and is very common in Kundalini Yoga classes and gong sound healing sessions. The gong offers many of the same benefits as Kundalini Yoga and meditation practice – balancing one’s glandular, circulatory, and nervous systems. A “gong bath” bathes recipients in the sound vibrations helping to alleviate stress while inducing deep relaxation and restoration. Time often goes by very quickly – 90 minutes may feel like only 10 minutes. The experience is different for everyone, everytime. There are of course the variables of different gong types, and the different intuitive processes and styles of each sound healer, but remarkably the most impactful variant is due to the ever-changing arrangement of the extremely fine hairs inside one’s ears which determines how each session will be received. One constant tends to be how awed and amazed attendees feel as they share “where” they went during their experience, and the testimonies of lasting impacts of self-awareness.

Lunch 12 noon to 3 PM at the Harmonie Verein Basement- Salad Bar – greens, veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds, legumes, ancient grains, and homemade salad dressing provided for you to create your own unique salad.  Summer Harvest Soup and Snacks Packs.  Please select a half hour time slot when registering for the window when you would like to be served, you may linger in the dining area as long as you choose.

1 PM – Japa Yoga – from Sound to Silence with Swami Sankarananda (West Virginia) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – This workshop is 2/3 practice and 1/3 theory and principles. It is for all ages and all levels.  Japa Yoga consists of chanting a Divine word or phrase repetitively. Those who practice know it as the best purifier of thought, word and deed in this Kali Yuga. It is widely known that meditation rewires the brain in deeply beneficial ways. It is less widely known that repeating sacred mantra does the same in even less time. The better the practice the faster the transformation. Join us as we explore the relationship between mind, thought, mantra, and happiness. This workshop focuses primarily on practice, with discussion of the science of sound through our program.

1 PM –Yoga for First Responders – Relieving Daily Stress Through the Practice of Yoga, Mindfulness and Breath Work with Billie Kincaid (O’Fallon, MO) at the Harmonie Verein –“Bringing this practice to Augusta Bliss Festival allows YFFR to show how anyone can benefit from using this specific practice in everyday life.”  YogaShield® Yoga for First Responders® (YFFR) is a non-profit organization that is committed to providing training for first responders and military personnel incorporating breath work, mindfulness and simple yoga positions that support them with the day to day stressors of their professions. Join Billie as she introduces you to a series of practices, taught in practical and beneficial movements that are easy to understand and execute. YFFR is targeted for first responders and military personnel, however retired personnel, the spouses, partners, family members who support first responders, volunteer first responders and anyone who is involved in public safety will greatly benefit from this experience. This session is open to everyone.

3 PM –  Opening Your Voice with Ananda Das (Sedona, AZ) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – Has the magic of kirtan, call and response mantra chanting, captured your heart?  After 15 years of doing kirtan, recording mantra albums and touring, I’m ready to offer you a voice opening experience  that will completely blossom your relationship to your voice, music abilities and yoga practice.  This practice will give you confidence, understanding and inspiration to lead chants in yoga classes, song circles or simply to deepen on your devotional path. It will help you open your voice, bring joy into your life and fill your heart with sweetness.  This Voice Opening Practice is designed for people of all levels. Even if you just want to come to sing, come! You’ll be amazed at how much you learn and grow to appreciate mantra music, bhakti and your love for life.

3 PM – Restorative Yin/Nidra/Sound Bath Immersion with Dhyana Staicu at the Harmonie Verein – This triple reset class is suitable for all levels of students. We will start with Yin Yoga asanas or poses, which generally target the connective tissues of the hips, pelvis, lower spine, neck and shoulders.
The poses are simple, they are held for 3 to 7 minutes to allow those areas accessed to be infused with good blood flow and energy thus allowing them to balance, open and heal. This will allow us to embody our physicality, and subdue the mind. We will continue with a guided full body relaxation called Yoga Nidra, or Yogic sleep, where we take the body into a deep relaxation and keep the mind aware so we can do some important reprogramming. We will infuse our theta wave mind with new imprints, desires and intentions, called Sankalpa. We will end by traveling on the sound waves of the Gong that mimics the sound of our Planetary system. This experience will purify and quiet the mind as the sounds are not harmonious and will reset the brain waves in 30-90 seconds. On a physical level, the gong releases tension and blocks in the body, it stimulates a higher functioning of the glandular and nervous system, it increases prana (our vital life force), and improves circulation. Anyone in need of stress reduction, recovering from trauma, struggling with addictions, insomnia, or nerve damage will benefit from the pure vibrations of this ancient instrument. See you on the mat!

5 PM – Hip Focused Vinyasa with Regan Caruthers (Washington, MO) at Oaks Crossing Conference Center – In this hip centered practice, we will focus on releasing tension, creating greater mobility and openness in the hips.  We will connect to the emotions that are stored there and with each exhale we will mindfully release.  The hips are the emotional junk drawer of our system and by challenging ourselves to get better acquainted with our hips we learn to better process and release the  emotion and traumatic memory that no longer serves us.

5 PM – Inspiration Activation Breath Work with Shenee Alexa Booth (Illinois) at the Harmonie Verein – This unique self-embodiment journey blends awareness, intention, movement & sound within a conscious connected breathing practice. Commonly known as transformational breathwork, this active guided meditation uses diaphragmatic breathing in a circular pattern to energize your entire being, increasing vitality, joy + bliss!  Your breath is your life force, therefore the quality of your breath directly relates to the quality of your life. Breathwork is a powerful tool for readjusting the lens through which you are experiencing your life and bringing you back into alignment with your truest self.  This is an integrative practice which affects all facets of your being, returning you to your most natural state of self healing and harmony. Many people experience palpable release of creative blocks and undesired patterns in the nervous system, along with an energetic rebirthing that leaves them with less anxiety, better sleep and feeling more clarity with their true purpose.​​  Other benefits of Breathwork include improved immune functioning, release of toxins, easier focus and concentration, release of stored trauma, elimination of habits, ability to self regulate under strong emotional states, deeper meditation and inner peace. Props: Yoga mat or pilates mat, Minimum 2 Blankets per person; 1 for under body, 1 for over, 1-2 Pillows or bolsters per person; 1 under knees while laying on back & optional behind head, Eye Mask (bandana or strip of cloth works fine), Journal & writing utensil, and Water bottle.

7 PM – Mindful Flow with Restorative Savasana Yoga with Kristen Ambrosi (Fairfield, CT) at Oaks Crossing – Establish a grounded foundation through centering; cultivate physical and emotional wellbeing through slow flowing practice; and integrate through restorative savasana. Align attention with intention, find space within body and mind, and come home to yourself with awareness and ease. Infused with readings, invitational mantra, and a curated playlist, this mindful sequence of movement and postures aims to meet and support you as you are. With the goal of less striving and more arriving, strenuous vinyasas, arm balances, and inversions will not be a part of this practice. Appropriate for all levels with the ability to move comfortably between the ground and standing.

7 PM –  Meditations and Drum Circle to Reconnect You to Your Core! with Amelia Williams (Marthasville, MO) at the Harmonie Verein –  Please join me for a one-of-a-kind unique experience of sound and rhythm. You will sit or lie down as I drum you into a blissful transformational state of meditation: one drum, one beat. Listen and experience as the drum becomes a living sound of your heartbeat. This experience is similar to a sound bath but different. A drum will be used instead of crystal bowls.  Second, we will meditate with the Zen Labyrinth Meditation Boards.  The labyrinth is a tool for spiritual expansion and growth with over 5000 years of history. As totems symbolize certain powerful energies in the world, the labyrinth is a symbol and practice reflecting an internal spiritual journey.  You will experience how grounding and sacred a Zen Board is in this meditation. The boards allow any level of meditator to bring depth to their practice.  Third, get ready to drum!  No drumming experience is necessary and I have 30 plus drums and rattles to share. We will gather in a circle and feel the rhythm of Mother Earth and our heartbeats combine to create an experience you won’t soon forget.   The healing drum pattern projects onto the body a supportive resonance or sound pattern the body can attune to. This sympathetic resonance forms new harmonic alignments opens the body’s various energy meridians and chakras, releases blocked emotional patterns, promotes healing, and helps reconnect us to our core.  This experience sets you on a new energetic journey. I can’t wait to meet you.

Dinner 6 PM to 9 PM at the Harmonie Verein Basement- Gnocchi Pomodoro GF.  Please select a half hour time slot when registering for the window when you would like to be served, you may linger in the dining area as long as you choose.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for Saturday!

Please purchase your first selection for a practice at the festival,  purchase the number of sessions you would like for the entire festival, after completing the purchase, add yourself to each and every session you plan to attend, as class sizes are limited.  Meals count as a session, please keep this in mind when you choose your package and sign up.  If you need assistance please call Kathy Kessler 314-369-6804 or Halcyon Spa 636-228-4110.

Sunday, August 4

All Events will be held at the Harmonie Verein on Sunday

8 AM – Finding Your Center: Coming Home to Your Body, Heart, and Soul with Angely (formerly known as Jenna Israel – Sedona, AZ) – Discover the power of returning to your authentic self and reclaiming harmony within. Join us for a transformative group experience designed to guide you on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. In “Finding Your Center,” we delve deep into the intricate connections between mind, body, and soul, exploring the profound relationship that exists within. Through a blend of experiential learning, introspective practices, and playful exploration, you’ll uncover the keys to unlocking your true essence and finding balance amidst life’s challenges. What to Expect: Understanding the Nervous System: Gain insight into why the nervous system can become dysregulated and learn practical techniques to return to a state of balance and ease—your natural state of being. Changing the Channel of Your Life: Through interactive exercises with headphones, explore the power of shifting your perspective and how it directly influences your body’s responses. Learn to navigate the different states of being with grace and resilience. Mind-Body Connection: Delve into the intricate dance between your mind and body, discovering how thoughts, emotions, and sensations intertwine to shape your experience of life. Cultivate awareness and presence to harmonize these elements and find greater alignment within. Tools for Regulation: Explore heart-centered meditation practices and effective tools to regulate your nervous system, empowering you to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and resilience. Learn practical strategies to support yourself when triggered, fostering a deeper sense of self-compassion and inner peace. Join Us: Embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation as we come together to explore the depths of our being and rediscover the essence of who we truly are. “Finding Your Center” invites you to reconnect with your body, heart, and soul, and embrace the joy and fulfillment that arise from living in alignment with your authentic self.

10 AM – Myo + Yin Yang Yoga Fusion and Sound Healing with Kathy Kessler (Sedona, AZ) and Sangita Devi (Asheville, NC) –  This experience will include Yang – active vinyasa flow and holding postures to create the fire within, complimented by Yin – postures in stillness and stretch with hands on assist to create spaciousness and quietude with Sound Healing.  Kathy Kessler and Sangita Devi will co-lead this practice to take you on a deeper journey within.

11:45 AM – Final Community Meal  at the Harmonie Verein Basement- Salad Bar – greens, veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds, legumes, ancient grains, and homemade salad dressing provided for you to create your own unique salad.  Corn Chowder Soup and Snack Packs.

 1 PM – Cacao Ceremony with Ananda Das (Sedona, AZ) – Ananda has been leading cacao ceremonies since 2010.  While traveling in Guatemala in 2009, Ananda had a profound experience with the spirit of cacao. He went on to connect with a cacao shaman in Lake Atitlan who shared with him his way of holding cacao ceremonies and how to connect with the spirit of cacao. Upon Ananda’s return to the states, he began to share ceremonial space with this special cacao he brought back from Guatemala.  Since 2010, he has shared over 100 ceremonies both nationally and internationally and even led a cacao ceremony intensive at the Esalen Institute.

3 PM – Living Your Yoga Bliss: Mindful Art and Moving Meditation with Juli Schuster (Dutzow, MO) – In our yoga class infused with mindful art, we embrace the symbolism of the sacred circle. Through a gentle yoga flow including circular movements, and easy, mindful artwork based on the circle, we begin to foster a sense of connection and harmony of body, mind and spirit.

5 PM – Yoga Nidra & Theta Healing – Jessica Caimi (St. Louis, MO), artist, intuitive, somatic practitioner, psychic channel, and energy healer – This class combines the somatic awareness and consciousness exploration of Yoga Nidra with the intuitive energy work of Theta Healing. You’ll be led on a journey of body based awareness, guided imagery, and intuitive downloads to bring you back to a feeling of wholeness. Through the process, you’ll also have the opportunity to release old belief systems that may have caused blocks or stagnation. Expect to leave feeling calm, centered, and uplifted.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for Sunday!

Please purchase your first selection for a practice at the festival,  purchase the number of sessions you would like for the entire festival, after completing the purchase, add yourself to each and every session you plan to attend, as class sizes are limited.  Meals count as a session, please keep this in mind when you choose your package and sign up.  If you need assistance please call Kathy Kessler 314-369-6804 or Halcyon Spa 636-228-4110.

Food Provided by – Enchanted Owl Inn:  Enchanted Owl Inn is nestled in the wooded hills overlooking Augusta, Missouri. The Enchanted Owl Inn is a new Bed & Breakfast which caters to bicyclists and nature lovers. You can be close to the amenities of town while enjoying beautiful and relaxing surroundings.  We have three rooms; Snowy Owl with a queen size bed, Barn Owl with a queen size bed, Great Horned Owl with a king size bed and optional additional queen size wall bed, all rooms have their own ensuite bathroom.  Breakfast is included, Dinner is available nightly for an additional charge.  Menus change with the seasons; vegetarian, vegan and other dietary needs can be accommodated upon request.  Follow us on Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/enchantedowlinn1  or visit our website https://enchantedowlinn.com/

Meet the Leaders:

New Leaders in 2024

Kristen Ambrosi, RYT-500, E-RYT 200, YACEP – Nourished by the profound simplicity and transformative nature of yoga, Kristen Ambrosi guides practices to center the body, connect with the breath, create space within, and cultivate the tools to navigate the journey of life.

For two decades, Kristen has immersed in a comprehensive array of yoga styles, studying with numerous master teachers to inform and inspire her own evolution as a practitioner and instructor of yoga and meditation. Inspired by the interconnectedness of all beings and the integration of mind, body and spirit, Kristen encourages mindful practice exploring our relationship with strength and softness, resistance and receptivity.

Guiding movement and stillness, mantra and silence, Kristen brings enthusiasm and knowledge to her group classes, private sessions, workshops, and retreats. Through skillful sequencing and alignment-based instruction, Kristen blends attention with intention, providing a welcoming, safe practice for all.

Dedicated to the experience of yoga as union, Kristen aims to weave together a peaceful heart and quiet mind with the balanced energy of an aligned body, trusting that a harmonious practice on the mat has the potential to translate into wholeness off the mat.

Welcomed for her warm presence and moving vocals, Kristen has been invited to studios and festivals to lead the call-and-response practice of kirtan. Kristen is a harmonium and chanting instructor, Blessingway facilitator, and regular program assistant for her respected restorative teacher, Jillian Pransky. A contemplative painter of contemporary art, Kristen creates commissions and collections honoring the fullness of human experience; her work has been frequently exhibited. A mother of three, Kristen resides in coastal Connecticut between the woods and the water.

Dr. Becca Blake – Dr. Becca Blake is a chiropractor and certified acupuncturist. She decided to pursue holistic health care after battling with chronic health issues that no one had an answer for. After graduating Cum Laude from Logan University in 2021, she practiced a chiropractic technique that facilitated her healing journey- upper cervical chiropractic. A year later, she pursued her passion for acupuncture and herbal medicine. A year and a half of mentorship allowed her to hone her acupuncture skills and develop a very unique technique that combines the powerful healing techniques of both upper cervical chiropractic and Chinese medicine. She is now serving patients in the Tower Grove South community, facilitating at sound bath + acupuncture events around St. Louis and giving talks about the healing power of complementary medicine. Best of all- she is healthy and thriving!

Angela L. Chostner – is a St. Louis painter, poet and Reiki master. Collectors who resonate with her work have described it as “more than art” and “speaks to the parts of me that need light, joy and love.”  Her paintings and poetry provide a portal to the sacred space within. As a creative expression facilitator, she invites participants to rediscover their own sacred space and sense of delight. She facilitates workshops and creates sacred space for events and engages in community collaborations. Angela’s paintings and drums have been featured at the 2022 and 2023 Yoga Bliss festivals. She is a contributing author in the bestselling book, “Shine Your Soul Light,” a book that shares empowering stories of 11 international visionaries. At her core, Angela believes: “Within us all is the capacity to love without reservation, express ourselves fully, and see the beauty in each other and ourselves.”

Contact at: www.AngelaLChostnerArt.com instagram.com/@achostner/ achostner@gmail.com

Swami Sankarananda Saraswati  (Peace Swami) – Swami Sankarananda is a simple pilgrim of peace and a servant of God in our path of awakening to the One Truth. Living much of his adult life as a businessman in the tech industry, he realized the selfish pursuits were meaningless and through grace came to the pursuit of God, or highest Self, and dedicated his new life to service of this Self in all. In 2012, Swamiji renounced his worldly way of life and traveled to the Himalayas, receiving darshan and life guidance at the feet of Swami Premananda and Swami Ramaswarupananda, disciples of Swami Sivananda. He took initiation as a Sanyassi, or monk, in 2013.  He received Divine Guidance to walk pilgrimage, and inspired by the life and teachings of Peace Pilgrim, in 2013 he began a coast to coast walk in faith, asking for nothing, 7,000 miles across the United States. He shared parts of the journey on social media and also documented the process in his book “Pilgrimage Home”.   When asked about the inevitable challenges that must have been experienced, Swami smiles, “really the only problems which I have ever encountered were in my mind.” Completing his walking pilgrimage in 2016, he continued traveling in a donated motorhome named “Prema” (“Divine Love”). Today he resides in West Virginia. He meets with spiritual aspirants who invite him into their communities, and as he tours the U.S., he offers talks, workshops and retreats in the same spirit of pilgrimage, including the “Be Still and Know” Silent Retreats held at various Yoga studios and spiritual centers across the country. Swami is supportive of all forms of Yoga; and while striving to hold to and honor his lineage he also honors all lineages, teachers and saints of every tradition. He is grateful for all who are involved in the propagation of Yoga, including all who are stewards of Yoga and all those who are just beginning their practice. He wishes to actively support and encourage all in their paths to discover the highest human potential within us. Whether it is through pilgrimage, retreats, workshops and satsangs, providing individual counsel, gifting spiritual books, or offering a smile and kind word to a stranger, Swamiji continues in offering his life to do his best at embodying the guidance to Love All and Serve All. May all beings be happy and at Peace.

Eileen Wolfington – retired as a physical wellness coordinator. Coupled with her prior work experience as a community health worker, Eileen’s experiences inspired her to motivate others to live in harmony in mind, body, spirit, and soul.  She has studied healing touch, energy medicine, grief movement, education and support, and guided sound-bath facilitation.  Her interests include learning about complementary forms of medicine and studying about death, dying, and end-of-life education.

Returning Leaders from 2023

Elaine Blackmur, RYT-200 –  Mindful Movement, LLC is a Group Fitness Instructor  has been leading classes for over 18 years and is currently at the Four Rivers Area YMCA and Anytime Fitness, both in Washington, Missouri.  She holds an A.A. degrees in Fashion Merchandising & Liberal Arts, B.A. Recreation & Leisure Studies from San Francisco State University, Univ. of Missouri Extension Master Gardener.  In addition she has trained and is certified in ACE Group Exercise Instruction, AFAA Group Exercise Instructor; Black Belt – Tae Kwon Do (former instructor); KickBoxing/Step Aerobics;  Les Mills BODYFLOW, BODYPUMP (AIM 1 level), & SPRINT (Cycling Intervals); LIVESTRONG; PiYo Strength; Reebok/YMCA Indoor Cycling Training; Silver Sneakers – Classic and Yoga; Turbo Kick; Yoga RYT 200 hours; YogaFit Level 1; Member of Yoga Alliance; and Zumba.

Shenee Alexa Booth (she/her/they) – Shenee is a creator and visionary who’s life is dedicated to being in service to others. At the foundation of her teachings is transformational breathwork as a tool for intentional life design. She blends breathwork with complementary modalities to create a unique + dynamic experience that is a true energetic rebirthing!  

With a background in both the healing arts & permaculture, Shenee offers an integrative approach to wellness, encouraging clients to consider their physical, mental and emotional states, as well as the quality of their breath and relationship to their environment. She works with clients both virtually & in person through sessions, workshops, programs & immersive retreats both locally + internationally.  

Website:  www.inspirationactivation.life
Email: shenee@inspirationactivation.life
IG: @shenee_alexa  www.instagram.com/shenee_alexa
IG: @inspiration_activation  www.instagram.com/inspiration_activation
Facebook: Shenee Alexa Booth www.facebook.com/shenee.alexa.lmt
Facebook: Inspiration Activation www.facebook.com/inspirationactivation

Jessica Caimi – Jessica Caimi is an artist, intuitive, somatic practitioner, psychic channel, & energy healer specializing in helping highly sensitive people. She helps clients who desire positive change in a variety of areas including health, relationships, creativity and career to clear subconscious blocks through their body and energy so they can thrive in their life and creative endeavors. She especially loves working with artists, writers, business owners, and other creative professionals who feel stuck or weighed down by their empathic nature, health issues, or past trauma. Clients are supported in quickly getting to the root cause of their issue, and shifting energy to allow for greater health, ease, and inspiration. Jessica believes that healing doesn’t have to be traumatic and that you can feel safe, supported, and nurtured as you shed layers and re-imagine your story.

Regan Caruthers –  Regan Caruthers is a spiritual teacher, inner life coach and trauma informed yoga instructor who for many years led HeartMath retreats and programs for the Institute of HeartMath in Boulder Creek, CA their headquarters.  A former executive in the educational software industry, she now dedicates her life to teaching and coaching her clients in developing a more intimate and disciplined inner life through yoga, meditation, coaching, and her Ready to Awaken courses.  Regan’s path was informed by her early schooling where she meditated daily, practiced Tai Chi, and learned about the power of self-love and conscious thought.  A published author, Regan, a Creve Coeur native, recently moved back to Missouri from Santa Cruz, CA. She has begun teaching free yoga as an act of service to the surrounding communities each Wednesday and Saturday at her spiritual enrichment center called Aset located on her 10 acre estate in Washington, MO. For more information go to www.asetyogacenter.com

Ananda Das – has a passion for sharing his love for devotion (bhakti) and the yogic practices. With over 15 years on the yogic path, he brings a devotional depth to his offerings which imparts a transmission and empowerment for the diety in his classes/workshops.

Ananda had been a dedicated practitioner and teacher of Kundalini Yoga as taught by the Kundalini Research Institute since 2006. In April 2020, life shifted his trajectory and he fell in love with the Sattva Yoga tradition.  He completed a 300hr teacher training along with an 18 day, 60 hour course on the Bhagavad Gita just outside Risikesh, India.  Both were taught by Anand Mehrotra, a himalayan yogic master who has profoundly inspired him on the yogic path.

In addition to his BA in international and sustainable business, he has a minor in East Asian Religions and studied yogic philosophy at the University of Oregon and the Dharmalaya (2003-2009)

Dhyanashanti, Yoga/kundalini yoga Teacher, life coach, and CHT with RTT – In 1991 when I came to the US from Romania I realized that I was not seeking a new land, I was seeking myself. Luckily this led me to the sacred path of YOGA. I started practicing from an old French book called “Je perfectionne mon yoga” (I perfect my yoga) which I found in the old antique basement store on Delmar. In 2000 I did my training at Kripalu and soon after Pilates. In 2005 I became certified in the Chinese ancient martial/healing art of Qigong. I added many other yoga styles to my portfolio, such as kundalini, Vinyasa, yin yoga, power yoga. In 2012 I became more drawn to Meditation= Raja Yoga (yoga of the kings which in the ancient times was indeed reserved for the kings). I studied and practiced meditation with Buddhist monks and went on several silent retreats. I am very excited to share this knowledge with those of you that are intrigued by the mind and its intricacies and have a genuine interest on how to tame this “DMonkey” to our benefit. I am a lifelong learner and always try to improve myself in order to benefit and serve others. My health field background, my knowledge of human anatomy and kinesiology, my own experience with chronic pain and my belief that we deserve to be our best had lead me to create a unique yoga style. It incorporates what I learned not only from books or teachers but most importantly from the wisdom of my own body. I strongly believe that we have a duty towards ourselves and to society. I trust that everyone that comes to yoga is seeking the same: to improve the quality of their life, to find meaning and purpose, to increase their awareness of their body in order to prevent disease, to improve mindfulness in order to perform better and diminish stress, to become more open hearted and more compassionate towards ourselves and others so we can vibrate closer to the energy that created us.  See you on the mat! Namaste

Melissa Duchatschek – is a native of Washington, MO and opened Present Moment Yoga in 2011. She discovered the benefits of a regular practice in 1999 while looking for something to support her mind and body after childbirth. Quickly recognizing the amazing benefits that linking breath and movement have, she dove deeper into all aspects of the practice and became certified to teach.  Melissa’s teaching style is focused on making yoga accessible to all levels, challenging her students to achieve their goals through intelligent sequencing and mindful modifications, and helping them to learn more about the practice of yoga and about themselves.

Sarah Helle, PT, PhD, LMT, CHNC, RYT -500 –  Sarah is the owner of Optimize Health & Wellness in Glen Carbon, IL. She has been a physical therapist for 29 years and has always been dedicated to learning with a passion for understanding and providing care that addresses an integrative mind/body connection for her clients. Sarah completed her PhD in Natural Health in 2010. In 2015, she received her massage therapy licensure. With her love of movement, she completed her 500-hour yoga teacher training certificate in 2017. Sarah has integrated a certification in health and nutrition coaching and reiki-master level training into the care she provides. Clinically, at the core of her wholistic program for her clients is her expert-level training in John Barnes’ Myofascial Release (MFR). She has continued to study the art of MFR on an ongoing basis since 2010. She has been providing pelvic health care for clients since 1995, throughout the spectrum of patient populations: adolescents, pregnancy, adult and geriatric populations. Sarah is grateful to have the honor to have worked with many women and men in optimizing their understanding of the body and assisting each heal on a deep, personal level. In addition to a fulfilling career, Sarah is a wife, mother to 3 boys, and 2 family dogs. Hobbies include cycling, taking walks, spending time with her family, and dinners out with friends.

Angely (Jenna) Israel, LPC, MA, – is a dedicated yogi with a practice spanning since the 90s. Introduced to Yoga during her first pregnancy, she has remained a committed student ever since. Passionate about silence and the dharma, she is a devoted practitioner of Vipassana meditation, frequently attending silent retreats to deepen her practice.

As the co-owner of Sanctuary Bridge Transformations, Angely leads transformative retreats worldwide, guiding participants on a journey to reconnect with their hearts and authentic selves. Committed to ongoing support, she offers an online aftercare program, providing accountability and motivation for individuals staying true to their path.

With over 25 years of experience in somatic-based therapies, Angely has assisted individuals from all walks of life in healing trauma and reclaiming their truth. Her passion lies in facilitating others’ connection to their hearts, fostering authentic self-discovery through mindfulness, meditation, ceremony and body-centered therapies.

For more information, visit www.sanctuarybridgetransformations.com

SiriAtma Kaur, CCHT with ACHE, KRI Level 2 Teacher – SiriAtma Kaur comes from the heart. Her encouraging teaching style reminds students to do their best and be gentle with themselves. Her warmth is felt through her kundalini yoga classes, her sound healing workshops, and her hypnotherapy sessions. SiriAtma’s fascination with the subconscious mind is evident given her degree in psychology and her studies & teachings at the School of Metaphysics. She also holds a certification in SuperHealth technology, which helps heal addictive behaviors with Kundalini Yoga, meditation, and Nutrition. She is a mom of 3 boys, and is dedicated to nourishing them with A home full of love, plant-based meals, and free of chemicals. Teaching them all that she has learned along the way is always her first and foremost goal, however she often states that they are her greatest teachers.

Kathy Kessler, PT, LMT, RYT-200 is the owner of Halcyon Spa, Salon and B&B.  The vision for a yoga festival came to her more than 10 years ago and now as the spa celebrates it’s 23 year anniversary she is creating the 3rd Annual Yoga Bliss Festival.  She grew up on a dairy farm in Augusta, MO and feels her roots in Augusta.  She is a 1994 graduate from St. Louis University with a degree in Physical Therapy;  2000 graduate The Healing Arts Center with certificate in Massage Therapy; 2013 graduate West-East Yoga with Jamie Sanchez with RYT-200; and participated in the 300 hour yoga training virtually with Brett Larkin during the pandemic.  Kathy moved to Sedona, AZ in 2019 when offered a full-time position as a PT at John F. Barnes Clinic -Therapy on the Rocks.  She knew her soul was being called west and changed her entire life.  She continues to come back to Augusta regularly and is thrilled to bring yoga, MFR, and this festival to Augusta, MO with friends from Sedona and locally to create this experience.

Billie Kincaid is originally from North Dakota and has lived in Missouri for over 40 years. For 25 years she worked as an RN and retired in March 2016. In December 2018 she attended a beginners yoga workshop at Detox Yoga in Wentzville, MO and became interested in what yoga could offer, leading her to take the 200 hour yoga teacher training in May 2021, and in November 2021 Billie started teaching the 50+/beginners class at Detox Yoga. Along with her 200 hour yoga teaching training, she has her teaching certificate in Yin Yoga and recently finished her 300 hour yoga teacher training. Billie’s teaching consists of a gentle flow for all ages and all levels. She is married to a retired first responder who has depression and addiction issues from the stress of being a first responder. Experiencing first hand from being a secondary trauma survivor and caregiver to her husband, with her yoga training Billie became involved with YogaShield® Yoga for First Responders® and is now a certified teacher of YFFR. Billie says, “The yoga community is where I have found my solace.  Yoga is  so much more than movement.  It becomes your heart and soul.  A place to quiet your mind, be humbled and know that you are enough.”

Grace Lindsay is an Akashic Record expert and Reiki Master with over 20 years of professional experience. She is a Master Teacher of beginning and advanced Akashic classes and a gifted Akashic Record Reader.  Grace has done Akashic Record readings from coast to coast and internationally as well. Widely acknowledged for her skill and compassion in bringing forth meaningful information from the Record, she is passionate about introducing others to the Akashic Record through readings, classes, meditations, events, and healing sessions.  Grace has master’s certifications in three Reiki disciplines, with additional training in Nervous System Energy Work. She combines the traditional training of Usui Reiki with the compassionate energy of Karuna Reiki® and the power of Holy Fire® Reiki to provide a powerful yet relaxing Reiki session that can be felt on many levels.  Grace has pioneered Akashic Reiki as a potent modality that combines the healing properties of Reiki with the high-vibrational wisdom of the Akashic Record to form a powerful foundation for transformation.   Grace gives Akashic Record Readings and Akashic Reiki sessions both in-person and remotely via telephone and online videoconferencing (Zoom). See Grace’s website, AkashicGrace.com, for more information.

Sangita Schroeder, +500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Kirtan Singer – My first teacher Raji Thron, shared a Zen quote with me once that has best summed up my understanding of yoga. “We rise by that which we fall”.  Yoga found me in 2004 after a tragedy had brought me to my knees. I dragged myself to the yoga studio every morning at 6:30am for a rigorous 2 hour vinyasa yoga class that would bring me to rest in my body and my breath. I know now that those first 10 years of steady practice were the basis of everything that would transform in my life and what would eventually bring me home to my heart.  In 2011, grace once again guided me to teacher David Newman and the practice of bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion. While traditional yoga postures and breathing calmed my nervous system and strengthened my body, the practice of chanting sacred mantras literally cracked open my heart and revealed the grief and longing that was holding me back from feeling connection with others and with God/Universe/Love. Offering the practice of kirtan, call and response chanting, with others has been the greatest source of joy in my life. In 2022 I released a debut album of sacred mantras called “Shine”, available on all major streaming platforms.  I have been fortunate to learn from great teachers over the past 20 years who have inspired me to discover my own style of teaching yoga. I enjoy combining sacred movement through postures, mantra and breath awareness, and encourage students to take “meditative moments” throughout the practice to feel what the body is expressing and what the heart needs to heal. Each class concludes with a “savasana sound bath” using mantras set to melody, offering students the opportunity to dive deep into the loving space of pure awareness.  From this sweet place yoga begins…

Juli Schuster – Juli began her yoga journey 14 years ago when her doctor handed her a prescription containing one word- “yoga”. That was the beginning of a consistent home practice. Her first yoga retreat led to a strong desire for, and appreciation of, community. Upon returning home, she began looking for her own yoga “home”. She found that at a local studio, where she was inspired to learn more and become a certified instructor through their 200 hour teacher training program. Today, her goal is to continue to immerse herself in the study of yoga and meditation and to pass that knowledge and inspiration along to others. She is currently pursuing her 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification. When Juli is not practicing or teaching yoga, she can be found teaching art to her high school students, making art, or spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren.

Amelia Williams has been a life coach since 1998. In the years since then, she has facilitated many workshops, women’s circles, lectures, classes, book study groups, and more.  Today she is enjoying a new but old path of meditation and drumming. She travels around the state teaching why meditation is important to our mental health and staying connected to who we are.  She teaches people that the Zen Labyrinth boards make meditation easy and fun. She started meditating in November 2014 because she was being immobilized by anxiety and panic attacks.  She has meditated in one form or another every day since then. She added drumming to her classes last year.  She bought her first drum in 2000.  She enjoys helping people find their natural rhythm with the help of a drum.  Amelia is a certified Master Spirit Life Coach, certified in Time Management, certified in Couples Relationship Coaching, certified in Plant-Based Nutrition, and is a Mind/Body Eating Psychology Practitioner. She continues to see clients one-on-one in person, on the phone, or on Zoom.

Festival Pricing –

Purchase single session or multiple sessions – lunches and dinners count as a session, along with all the yoga, breath work, sound healing and meditations.  We encourage you to customize the experience for YOU!  

Please purchase your first selection for a practice at the festival,  then buy the package you would like, after completing the purchase, add yourself to each and every session you plan to attend, as class sizes are limited.   Meals count as a session, please keep this in mind when you choose your package and sign up.  

• Entire Festival with 23 sessions, plus 7 meals $522
• Single Session – $25 
• 2 sessions – $48
• 3 sessions – $72
• 4 sessions  – $95
• 5 sessions – $111
• 6 sessions – $133
• 7 sessions – $155
• 8 sessions – $177
• 9 sessions – $199
• 10 sessions – $222
• 11 sessions – $232
• 12 sessions – $252
• 13 sessions – $272
• 14 sessions – $290
• 15 sessions – $310
• 16 sessions – $330
• 17 sessions – $345
• 18 sessions – $360
• 19 sessions – $380
• 20 sessions – $395
• 21 sessions – $414
• 22 sessions – $433
• 23 sessions – $444
• 24 sessions – $460
• 25 sessions – $475