Yoga Bliss Festival 2025! ~ Dive Deep into Inner Bliss

Augusta, MO – July 31 – August 3, 2025

July 31 – August 3, 2025 – You are invited to join the festival for a deep dive into inner bliss, 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 19 sessions, plus 7 meals $670!

• You may purchase a single session ($35) or package of sessions (2 for $68, 3 for $99, 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 nearby towns such as Washington, Defiance, Marthasville, or New Melle. Create your Deep Dive into Inner 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 1 hour window at lunch from 12:30-1:30PM, and dinner from 6:00-7:00PM. Be mindful of your session times, and the type of session you will be attending after the meals so you have adequate time to eat and digest.  These are pre-set menus, see details below.

This year we are creating a deeper dive into Inner Bliss with 2 hour sessions that will allow you to truly engage, and collaborate with your instructors in your experiences!

2025 Schedule is in development and subject to change!!!

Thursday, July 31

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Journey through the Chakras – 2 part series – Part 1: Roots to Radiance – Embodying the first four chakras – Soña Hernandez (Sedona, AZ) – Harmonie Verein – Begin your Yoga Bliss Festival journey with Soña Hernandez as she guides you through an embodied exploration of the first four chakras—the roots of your being to the bridge of your heart. Weave together ancient practices from Toltec Medicine, Ayurveda, and Himalayan yoga, integrating mudras, sound, postures, and meditation. This session is designed to ground, empower, and open your heart, drawing on the visionary wisdom of ‘Yo Soy Satya’—a global movement dedicated to inspiring truth and connection within ourselves and our world. All levels welcome.

10:15 AM – 12:15 PM – Akashic Record Workshop & Guided Meditation Emphasizing Insights and Guidance – Grace Lindsay (Kansas City, KS) – 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 guidance, 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. 

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Roll and Renew Yoga with Myofascial Therapy Balls – Jill Dunlap (Wildwood, MO) – Harmonie Verein – Give your body the care it deserves with a deeply revitalizing practice that releases tension, builds strength, and restores balance from the inside out. This 2-hour Hatha Yoga class blends traditional asana, breathwork, and modern self-care into a grounded, therapeutic experience. The practice begins with pranayama to regulate the nervous system and cultivate awareness to the breath, then moves through a strength-focused sequence designed to build stability and balance. Yoga Tune Up® therapy balls are interwoven throughout the class to target areas of tension and restriction and help improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance body awareness. Class will wind down with restorative poses to support deep relaxation and integration. Come explore the intersection of yoga and embodied self-care.

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Lunch at the Harmonie Verein Basement – Menu TBA 

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Laughter Yoga with Eileen Wolfington (St. Louis, MO) – 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.  This practice was introduced in 1995 by Dr. Madan Kataria, a medical doctor from India.  Laughter Yoga has grown into a worldwide movement with thousands of Laughter Yoga clubs in over 100 countries. Eileen’s guided techniques will inspire you to laugh by yourself, with your family, and with your colleagues.

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Heart and Soul: Bridging Jesus’ Teachings with Yoga Philosophy – Regan Caruthers (Washington, MO) – Harmonie Verein – Explore the profound harmony between the teachings of Jesus Christ and the timeless wisdom of yoga in this heart-opening flow. Through movement, breath, and a Dharma talk, we will journey into the essence of divine love and spiritual alignment. Drawing inspiration from Paramahansa Yogananda’s The Second Coming of Christ, this workshop illuminates how yoga can deepen our connection to God and reflect Jesus’ call to love with all our heart, soul, and mind. Open to all faiths and backgrounds, this experience invites you to cultivate unity, compassion, and inner peace. This workshop offers a sacred space for reflection and healing, bridging traditions to celebrate the universal truth of divine love.

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Heart Body & Soul Retreat Participants Only – Finding Sanctuary Within: A Journey Home to Your Soul – Jenna Angeleigh Israel (Sedona, AZ) – Oaks Crossing Conference Center

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Vinyasa Flow – Deconstructed – Melissa Duchatschek (Washington, MO) – Harmonie Verein – The Sanskrit word “vinyasa” translates to “to place in a special way” or “linking,” emphasizing the connection between the breath and movement. This practice will begin by exploring different options/modifications for flowing through Surya Namaskar A/B (Sun Salutation A/B). The intention is for participants to leave with more confidence in their ability to move safely through these sequences.  Expect to learn how to use props to help build the strength necessary to perform Chaturanga and step through to Warrior, to learn how to modify both A and B series to make them accessible to you, and how to become more comfortable linking movement to breath in a faster paced flow. After the workshop portion of this session, you will be led through an all levels vinyasa flow practice where you will be encouraged to incorporate what you learned. The session will conclude with a relaxing Savasana.

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Dinner at the Harmonie Verein Basement-Menu TBA

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Myo Yin with Sound Healing – Kathy Kessler (Sedona, AZ)  and friends – 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 a 2 hour Myo Yin practice 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 provide hands-on assist throughout the practice.   Music and crystal singing bowls will complement the practice and take you on a journey deep within your being. 

Click here to register for Thursday!

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.

Friday, August 1

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Journey through the Chakras – 2 part series – Part 2: Wings of Wisdom – Journey from Heart to Crown – Soña Hernandez (Sedona, AZ) – Harmonie Verein – Continue your transformative journey with Soña Hernandez as we move from the heart’s wisdom to the ethereal realms of the upper chakras. Through a seamless blend of breath, movement, sound, and energy work, discover how ancient traditions and modern insight can awaken your soul’s highest potential. Rooted in Toltec, Ayurvedic, and Himalayan teachings, this session invites you to expand into clarity, intuition, and spiritual connection—illuminating the path of truth within and beyond. All levels welcome.

 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM – Arise, Awake! Bliss is Who You Are!  Classical Yoga in the Modern Age – Theory, Principles and Practice – Swami Sankarananda (West Virginia) – Oaks Crossing Conference Center – 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.

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Inspiration Activation Breath Work – Shenee Alexa Booth (Illinois) – 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.

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Lunch at the Harmonie Verein Basement – Menu TBA 

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Akashic Record Workshop & Guided Meditation Emphasizing Energetic Healing – Grace Lindsay (Kansas City, KS) – 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 healing as well as information from this sacred resource. She will lead the audience in a guided meditation in the Records 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.  

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Slow Flow, Deep Stretch, Long Savasana – Kathy Kessler (Sedona, AZ) and opening and closing live music by Damiyr (Sedona, AZ) – Harmonie Verein – Join Kathy Kessler for a Slow Flow Yoga Practice with time to feel into the transitions of movement from one shape to the next, connecting with breath to guide the movement. Explore Sun Salutation, and smooth transitions in and out of various postures threaded together by breath. Then pause in deep stretches to open the body and the fascial system.  Lastly a long Savasana with restorative postures to take time to allow for the deep dive within.  Live music with Damiyr for the open and close of the practice.  All levels welcomed! “I look forward to seeing you on the mat.”

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – SoulCollage: A Path to Wholeness (small group 12 maximum) – Jenna Angeleigh Israel (Sedona, AZ) – Oaks Crossing Conference Center – Step into a creative and intuitive journey of self-discovery. Join us for a transformative workshop where we will explore the light and shadow within, welcoming all parts of ourselves home through the powerful practice of SoulCollage. What to Expect: Creative Self-Exploration – Tap into your soul’s wisdom through imagery, intuition, and reflection. Using the SoulCollage process, you’ll  create at least two unique cards that offer insight into your inner journey. Guided Meditation & Movement – Deepen your connection to yourself with gentle movement and meditation, creating space for reflection and self-discovery. Honoring All Parts of You – Through this deeply expressive practice, we’ll embrace both the seen and unseen aspects of ourselves, finding wholeness in the process. Come as you are, and leave feeling more connected to your heart, soul, and creative spirit.

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Journey from Yang/Yin/Nidra Bliss with Gong – Dhyanashanti (St. Louis, MO) – Harmonie Verein – This Yang/Yin/Nidra Bliss with Gong session offers a unique and transformative experience, blending the dynamic energy of Yang with the passive surrender of Yin, the deep relaxation of Nidra, and the vibrational sound healing of the gong. Participants can expect to feel calm, centered, and deeply relaxed, with a sense of renewed energy and vitality. The sequence of the session is tailored to promote deep release  of tension, relax the fascia, soothe the emotions and balance the nervous system.  Consider bringing your eye pillow.

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Somatic Intuition: Exploring the many aspects of your intuitive nature (small group 6 maximum) – Jessica Caimi (St. Louis, MO) – Halcyon Spa – Step into a transformative experience that reconnects you with the deepest layers of your inner knowing. This workshop is a guided journey into embodied intuition—exploring all aspects of your internal guidance. Together, we’ll explore the multidimensional nature of intuition: Physical: Learn to listen to the wisdom of the body through sensation, posture, and movement. Emotional: Understand how feelings act as intuitive messengers and how to discern their guidance. Mental: Quiet the noise of the mind to tune into inner clarity and spontaneous insight. Energetic: Sense and work with subtle energies to expand intuitive sensitivity. Spiritual: Open to guidance from beyond the personal— symbols, synchronicities, and the collective field. Through somatic practices, guided meditation, embodied movement, intuitive exercises, and group reflection, this workshop helps you trust the intelligence that lives beneath the surface—an intelligence that is whole, embodied, and deeply connected. Whether you’re newly awakening to your intuition or ready to deepen your relationship with it, this space invites you to reclaim your inner authority and rediscover what it means to know from within.

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Dinner at the Harmonie Verein Basement-Menu TBA 

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM – Breathing Art Viewing & Creation, and Breathing & Gentle Yoga Practice – Angela Lamb (St. Louis, MO) – Oaks Crossing Conference Center – Angela will take you on a breathing art immersive and meditative experience as you view her work. She will then help you practice the breathing exercises featured while also offering a gentle yoga practice. Lastly, you will learn from the artist, her creation techniques to unleash your inner creativity and imagination. Angela’s immersive meditative breathing art and practice will leave you nourished, grounded, calm, and creative.

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – An Evening of Kirtan Bliss – Ananda Das (Sedona, AZ) – Harmonie Verein – Let the rhythm of your heart align with the captivating melodies and healing vibrations as Ananda Das, the internationally acclaimed musician, takes center stage. His music is a catalyst for healing hearts and inspiring joy and devotion. Through a magical blend of kirtan, devotional melodies, soulful ballads, and energetic rock and reggae songs, Ananda Das invites you to join him in a sacred community where your heart can open and your spirit can soar.

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 2

7:45 AM – 9:45 AM – Communing with Nature: Exploring the Sacred Connection Between You and Mother Earth – Jenna Angeleigh Israel (Sedona, AZ) – Oaks Crossing Conference Center – Step into the embrace of the natural world and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Join us for a transformative retreat as we explore our deep connection with Mother Earth and uncover the wisdom and renewal she offers. What to Expect: Healing Power of Nature – Immerse yourself in the restorative energy of the natural world. Through guided practices and contemplative experiences, learn to attune to nature’s rhythms and harness its healing potential for your body, mind, and soul. Silent Walk on the Katy Trail – Experience the tranquility of a mindful, silent walk through nature. Open your heart and senses to receive the subtle messages and guidance the earth has to offer. Exploring Your Personal Connection with Nature – Through reflective exercises and group discussions, deepen your awareness of your unique  relationship with nature. Explore how the natural world has shaped your journey and continues to nurture your soul.

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Sunrise Flow – Elaine Blackmur (Washington, MO) – Harmonie Verein –Expect 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. There will opportunities throughout the practice for reflection and medtiation.  She states, “When I lead Yoga, I always offer options and modifications so everyone feels content and successful after Savasana. The breath and staying in the present moment are the focal points of my classes.”

10:15 AM – 12:15 PM – Japa Yoga – from Sound to Silence – Swami Sankarananda (West Virginia) – 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.

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Blissful Union: Embodying Radha & Krishna in Sattva Yoga – Ananda Das (Sedona, AZ) – Harmonie Verein – Immerse yourself in the divine love story of Radha and Krishna with a special Sattva Himalaya Kundalini Yoga class. This session is a celebration of love, devotion, and the harmonious union of the divine feminine and masculine energies within us all. Embark on a heartfelt journey through specially curated kriyas, asanas, and meditative practices that embody the essence of Radha’s devotion and Krishna’s divine love. This class is an invitation to explore the depths of your heart, to open to unconditional love, and to experience the joy and bliss that comes from a deep connection with the divine.

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Lunch at the Harmonie Verein Basement – Menu TBA 

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Ripples:  Light, Water & Sound – Angela L. Chostner (St. Louis, MO) and Eileen Wolfington (St. Louis, MO) – Oaks Crossing Conference Center – Tap in to your inner light with joy, creativity and intention! Learn how to structure water with intention, followed by a meditative  painting session accompanied by a crystal bowl sound bath. **There is a $10 supply fee per person that you pay at the venue the day of the session.**

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – A Journey of the Heart – Damiyr (Sedona, AZ) – Harmonie Verein – Join Damiyr for an acoustic journey into the heart. Refill yourself with love and ignite your passion. Damiyr’s music will open up your emotional body and remind you who you are. His stories will touch you to the core. He utilizes classical guitar, a voice like honey, incredibly touching lyrics, audience participation and call and response to create an unforgettable experience. 

4:00 – 6:00 PM – Free Your Voice through Mantra and Bhakti – Ananda Das (Sedona, AZ) – Oaks Crossing Conference Center – Do you ever feel like your voice is stuck — held back by fear, self-doubt, or the belief that you’re “not a singer”? You’re not alone. So many of us silence our own expression, afraid to be heard. This masterclass is here to change that. Through powerful vocal techniques, sacred mantra, and the heart-opening path of Bhakti Yoga, you’ll learn to break through blocks, release your voice, and sing with freedom and soul. If your heart longs to express, to connect, and to feel more alive — this is your invitation.

4:00 – 6:00 PM – Pelvic Floor MFR Yoga – Sarah Helle, PT, PhD, LMT, CHNC, RYT-500 (Glen Carbon, IL) – 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.

4:00 – 6:00 PM – Guided Meditation Sound Journey (small group 6 maximum) – Eileen Wolfington (St. Louis, MO) – Halcyon Spa – Your body is a finely tuned instrument designed to respond to frequencies that can calm your mind, soothe your soul, and revitalize your entire well-being.  Backed by research, sound baths have been proven to melt away stress, tension, and anxiety leaving you feeling refreshed, balanced, and at peace.  Embark on this transformative journey and be enveloped in the vibrational sounds of crystal quartz and Tibetan singing bowls, chimes, an ocean drum, a rain stick, and more.  Whether you choose to sit or lie down, allow yourself to be transported to a place of inner tranquility.  Your sound journey awaits!

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Dinner at the Harmonie Verein Basement-Menu TBA 

6:30 – 8:30 PM – Restorative Bliss: A Journey into Deep Rest and Renewal – Allison Chrisman (Roberstville, MO) – Oaks Crossing Conference Center – In a world that often emphasizes constant productivity, restorative yoga presents a rare chance to simply exist. It’s about releasing tension, embracing stillness, and allowing both the body and mind to recover and rejuvenate without the pressure to perform. This practice invites a surrender into peaceful quiet, letting the earth provide support. The class begins with a guided meditation to help center attention, encouraging a deep breath to ground into the present moment. As external distractions fade, the body softens, preparing for a restful experience that fosters complete relaxation. Following this, gentle, mindful movements allow the body to open and release built-up tension. These deliberate, slow motions guide the body into a state of tranquility, inviting a deeper sense of calm and ease. Next, the focus shifts to restorative yoga — a practice centered on stillness, support, and deep relaxation. Props are used to help fully release into each posture, offering support and allowing the breath to flow naturally. Unlike more active forms of yoga, this practice emphasizes surrender, creating space for healing on both physical and emotional levels. As the body rests deeply in each supported posture, the nervous system is given a chance to reset and begin its natural process of self-repair. The class concludes with Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation that brings the body and mind into a state of profound rest, often described as “yogic sleep.” This deeply restorative practice leaves you feeling revitalized, at ease, and peacefully restored.

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Meditations and Drum Circle – Roger and Amelia Williams (Marthasville, MO) – Harmonie Verein – We will gather in circle to help you release old patterns of behavior that no longer serve your highest good. Please join us for a one-of-a-kind unique experience of sound and rhythm.  First, 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 Labyrinth Meditation Board is in this meditation. The boards allow any level of meditator to bring depth to their practice.  Second, get ready to drum!  No drumming experience is necessary and we 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 that 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. We can’t wait to meet you.

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 3

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Walk with a Grateful HeART (Labyrinth Walk) – Angela L. Chostner (St. Louis, MO) and Eileen Wolfington (St. Louis, MO) – Harmonie Verein – Find peace within by walking the labyrinth, and engage in heart opening, playful creative activities that release blocks and nurture a deep sense of gratitude within.

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Myo + Yin/Yang Yoga Fusion and Sound Healing – Kathy Kessler (Sedona, AZ) and Eileen Wolfington (St. Louis, MO) –  Harmonie Verein – This experience will include Yang – active Vinyasa flow and holding postures to create the fire within, complimented by Yin – postures in stillness, following the principles of Myofascial Release and stretch creating spaciousness and quietude.  Lastly Sound Healing at the end of the practice to take us deep within our beings. Kathy Kessler lead this practice to take you on a deeper journey within, with fellow leaders and friends sharing poetry and readings during the Myo + Yin portion and Sound Healing to close the practice for deep relaxation.

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Lunch at the Harmonie Verein Basement – Menu TBA 

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – MFR Yoga – Sarah Helle, PT, PhD, LMT, CHNC, RYT-500 (Glen Carbon, IL) – Oaks Crossing Conference Center – 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.

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Cacao Ceremony – Ananda Das (Sedona, AZ) – Harmonie Verein – Experience a sacred Cacao Ceremony guided by Ananda Das, featuring Guatemalan ceremonial cacao—a revered plant medicine known for its heart-opening and healing properties. Cacao gently supports emotional release, deepens meditation, enhances clarity, and fosters a profound sense of connection to self and spirit. In this intimate circle, participants gather to honor the directions, spirit, and sacred plant medicines. As the rich, earthy cacao is shared, Ananda offers healing heart songs to guide the journey inward, creating a soundscape for reflection, release, and renewal. The ceremony invites deep connection and authenticity. Each participant is welcome to share from the heart, be witnessed, and feel held in a supportive community. This is a space for emotional healing, spiritual alignment, and awakening to deeper love and presence. Come as you are. Leave feeling nourished, connected, and renewed—aligned with the wisdom of the heart.

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Heart Body & Soul Retreat Closing Ceremony – Retreat Participants Only (Oaks Crossing Conference Center)

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Embodied Bliss: A Restorative Sound Journey – SiriAtma Kaur (St. Louis, MO) – Harmonie Verein – Bliss lives beneath the noise—quiet, steady, always waiting. This two-hour journey invites you to return to that inner stillness through restorative yoga, guided hypnotherapy, and healing sound. As your body melts into supported rest, your mind is gently guided inward. Crystal singing bowls and the Mercury planetary gong create a soundscape that soothes the nervous system, clears mental fog, and awakens deep inner peace. Come to soften. Come to receive. Come to remember the bliss that’s already yours.

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 Bed & Breakfast who caters to bicyclists and nature lovers. You can be close to the amenities of town while enjoying beautiful and relaxing surroundings.  They 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, and all rooms have their own en-suite 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 2025

Allison Chrisman, Certified Chopra Coach, RYT 200 – 1st year Festival Leader – Allison’s passion for yoga and holistic wellness was ignited by the Yoga Bliss Festival in Augusta, MO, where she was introduced to a deeper understanding of the mind-body-soul connection. This transformative experience led her to complete her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Yandara Yoga Institute in Mexico. She studied asana, pranayama, meditation, chanting, and Yogic philosophy. As a Certified Chopra Coach, Allison offers a supportive environment to help you create and achieve the vision you have for yourself. She works with individuals who are ready to reconnect with their true self and uncover the deeper meaning and fulfillment they’ve been seeking. It’s not about reinventing yourself; it’s about unlocking your inner wisdom, embracing your authenticity, and discovering the purpose that has always been within you. Allison’s coaching blends ancient wisdom with modern tools, drawing from the teachings of Deepak Chopra to guide individuals toward clarity, self-awareness, and lasting transformation. Her approach integrates mindfulness, meditation, and somatic processing, helping clients reconnect with their inner wisdom, live with purpose, and align with their truest desires. Whether you’re seeking enhanced well-being, greater clarity, or improved relationships, her coaching is tailored to your unique journey. If you’re ready to elevate, expand, and evolve, let Allison guide you toward unlocking your full potential. She looks forward to meeting you on the mat! For more information on Allison’s coaching offerings, contact her directly: www.allisonchrisman.com, allison@allisonchrisman.com, or (573) 239-4765.

Damiyr – 1st year Festival Leader – From the echoing subways of New York City to screens and stages across the country, Damiyr is an artist whose voice transcends the ordinary. Known for his raw, emotional performances and soulful interpretations, Damiyr has captivated audiences with music that speaks to both the struggles and the beauty of the human experience. His journey, which began in Brooklyn, NY, has been one of resilience, passion, and relentless artistry, allowing him to hone a style that is uniquely his own. He has been seen/heard on America’s Got Talent, Celebrity Undercover Boss, Uproxx Uncharted, Hot 97 featured by Wu Tang, The Big Quiet and on YouTube with 11+ million views.

Jill Dunlap – 1st year Festival Leader – Jill is the founder of Wildwood Yoga & Wellness, a thriving studio that has served its community for over 10 years. She began practicing yoga in 1996 and has been teaching since 2002, now holding over 2000  hours of training. Jill is an E-RYT 500, YACEP, certified Roll Model® Method Practitioner, Reiki Master, and a trained sound healer and sonic massage practitioner. Her teaching style is grounded, intuitive, and therapeutic—blending functional movement, breathwork, and self-myofascial release to support physical and emotional well-being. She often weaves in sound healing and energy work to create a deeply immersive experience. A mom to three boys, Jill brings authenticity, compassion, and a touch of magic to everything she offers. Her classes are a space to reset, reconnect, and return home to yourself.

Soña Hernandez – 1st year Festival Leader – Visionary Healer, Yoga Master & Founder of Yo Soy Satya. A true luminary in the world of holistic wellness, spiritual transformation, and sacred living, Soña is the visionary behind Yo Soy Satya, a global movement dedicated to inspiring, empowering, and illuminating the path of truth within ourselves, each other, and the planet. A renowned E-RYT 500 Yoga Instructor and teacher of teachers, Certified Holistic Practitioner, and Reiki Master, Soña’s journey is one of profound personal healing and transformation. After overcoming near-fatal injuries, anxiety, addiction, and deep emotional wounds, she devoted her life to guiding others toward self-discovery, empowerment, and healing. Rooted in the ancient wisdom of Toltec Medicine, Ayurveda, and Himalayan yoga traditions, Soña’s teaching style is an elegant fusion of depth, grace, and authenticity. Trained by some of the world’s most esteemed sages, her approach seamlessly integrates breath, movement, sound, and energy work to awaken the soul. With a deep reverence for nature, movement, and sacred wisdom, Soña curates luxury retreat experiences that are both transformational and deeply immersive. Her presence alone invites a shift—a call to return home to oneself, to embody truth (Satya), and to embrace the limitless potential within.

Angela Lamb – 1st year Festival Leader – Angela Lamb is an artist, art educator and yoga instructor. She began her career in New York City as a graphic designer and art director. Once becoming a mom, and needing more flexibility, she started artisticsoup.com, a successful photography company that is now in its 18th year. Faced with a chronic autoimmune illness in 2014, Healthy Life Nation (www.healthylifenation.com) was born, and as she was learning how to improve her health she discovered that what she was learning could help others. Angela decided to document her journey in an award-winning health documentary called “Un-Inflame Me: Reversing the American Diet & Lifestyle.” during which she reversed her illness and has been well since 2017. Since then she has created many health resources to help others including: “Superhero Healthy Henry Discovers Planet Earth” children’s book, “The Art of Natural Healing” docuseries, “Heathy Life Nation: A Health Optimization Adventure Series” docuseries and “Bonding with My Bunnies: Yoga Lesson Plans for Families & Children” book. In 2015, Angela became a PiYo instructor and a certified Adult and Kid’s Yoga Instructor in 2020. She has taught both adult and kid’s yoga classes, and kid’s art and yoga classes plus adult mindfulness art classes for many branches of the St. Louis County Libraries. Angela also teaches a weekly Power Yoga class for Optum, and has taught a yoga and art camp for the St. Louis City Libraries and Kid’s and Adult Yoga classes at many St. Louis area gyms. She also teaches art classes at a private St. Louis school 2 days a week for grades PreK4 – 8th grade.  Angela began Breathing Art in 2024 when she became fascinated with fusing her two worlds of art and yoga together creating an immersive, meditative experience for viewers. Her work explores the connection between breathing, meditation, and artistic expression. It aims to capture the essence of calm, peace, and the profound connection between the inner self and the outer world through art. The work highlights breathing exercises and mindfulness practices, while often associated with personal well-being, can also be potent tools for artistic exploration and the creation of evocative artworks. The goal of Angela’s work is to calm the bodies and minds of the viewers and place them into a meditative relaxing dreamscape. www.healthylifenation.com, artisticsoup.com

Returning Leaders 2025

 

Elaine Blackmur, RYT-200 – 4th year Festival Leader – Mindful Movement, LLC, is a Group Fitness Instructor leading classes for over 20 years and is currently at the Four Rivers Area YMCA in Washington, Missouri. She holds 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 is trained and certified in ACE Group Exercise Instruction, AFAA Group Exercise Instructor; AFAA Pilates; Black Belt – TaeKwonDo (former instructor); KickBoxing/Step Aerobics; Les Mills International – BODYBALANCE, BODYPUMP (AIM 1 level), SHAPES, & SPRINT (Cycling Intervals); LIVESTRONG; PiYo Strength; Reebok/YMCA Indoor Cycling Training; Silver Sneakers – Classic, Ener Chi, & Yoga; Turbo Kick; Yoga RYT 200 hours; YogaFit Level 1; Member of Yoga Alliance; and Zumba.

Shenee Alexa Booth (she/her/they) – 4th year Festival Leader – 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 – 3rd year Festival Leader – 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 – 3rd year Festival Leader – 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

Angela L. Chostner – 2nd year Festival Leader – 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

Ananda Das – 4th year Festival Leader – Ananda Das captivates hearts around the globe with his deep devotion to spiritual music and yogic traditions. Celebrated for his collection of over 16 albums and more than three million streams, his voice carries the power to stir souls and awaken minds. A devoted teacher of Bhakti Yoga, he offers transformative singing classes and mantra workshops, helping individuals unlock the profound power of their voices in devotion. His teachings in Sattva and Kundalini Yoga are a blend of dynamic kriyas and calming asanas, designed to propel personal growth and spiritual awakening. He also masterfully leads cacao ceremonies to open the heart, celebrate community and bridge ancient rituals with contemporary spiritual practice. Ananda Das stands as a pillar of inspiration and transformation in the global devotional community.

Dhyanashanti, Yoga/kundalini yoga Teacher, life coach, and CHT with RTT– 4th year Festival Leader – Welcome to my yoga practice.I have been practicing and teaching for almost three decades. I have studied and practiced in India and locally  and incorporated the nectar of many traditions of yoga and meditation.   As a dedicated and passionate yogi, I strive to create a safe and nurturing environment for students to explore their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. With a strong foundation in the original yoga teachings,  my classes blend traditional techniques with modern insights to help you cultivate strength, flexibility, balance and a sense of well being and connection. I believe that yoga is a journey, not a destination, and I’m honored to guide you along the way. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, I invite you to join me on the mat and discover the transformative power of yoga for yourself.

Melissa Duchatschek – 4th year Festival Leader – 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 – 4th year Festival Leader – 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.

Jenna Angeleigh Israel, LPC, MA – 4th year Festival Leader – 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 – 4th year Festival Leader – SiriAtma is a devotee on the path of love & wisdom. Her fervent love is deeply felt in all of her offerings.  She nurtures with gentleness and playfulness in her facilitations. She is deeply steeped in the realm of the subconscious, and a teacher of ancient wisdoms of yoga & gong sound therapy. She is a clinically certified hypnotherapist (CCHT), and a well of knowledge in kundalini energy. She is Mom to 3 sons, however she mothers all who come to her seeking liberation.

Kathy Kessler, PT, LMT, RYT-200 – 4th year Festival Leader – 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 its 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.

Grace Lindsay – 3rd year Festival Leader – 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.

Swami Sankarananda Saraswati  (Peace Swami) – 2nd year Festival Leader – 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.

 

Amelia Williams with Roger Williams – 2nd year Festival Leader – 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 how the Zen Labyrinth boards, which she and one of her son’s hand makes, 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 two years ago.  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 and her husband co-facilitate community drum circles monthly.

Eileen Wolfington – 2nd year Festival Leader – 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.

Past Leaders 2022 – 2024

Kristen Ambrosi, RYT-500, E-RYT 200, YACEP – Festival Leader 2024 – 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.

Jenna Angeleigh Israel, LPC, MA, – Returning Festival Leader – 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

Elaine Blackmur, RYT-200 – Returning Festival Leader – Mindful Movement, LLC, is a Group Fitness Instructor leading classes for over 20 years and is currently at the Four Rivers Area YMCA in Washington, Missouri. She holds 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 is trained and certified in ACE Group Exercise Instruction, AFAA Group Exercise Instructor; AFAA Pilates; Black Belt – TaeKwonDo (former instructor); KickBoxing/Step Aerobics; Les Mills International – BODYBALANCE, BODYPUMP (AIM 1 level), SHAPES, & SPRINT (Cycling Intervals); LIVESTRONG; PiYo Strength; Reebok/YMCA Indoor Cycling Training; Silver Sneakers – Classic, Ener Chi, & Yoga; Turbo Kick; Yoga RYT 200 hours; YogaFit Level 1; Member of Yoga Alliance; and Zumba.

Dr. Becca Blake – Festival Leader 2024 – 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!

Shenee Alexa Booth (she/her/they) – Returning Festival Leader – 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 – Returning Festival Leader – 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 – Returning Festival Leader – 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

Angela L. Chostner – Returning Festival Leader – 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

Ananda Das – Returning Festival Leader – 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– Returning Festival Leader -Welcome to my yoga practice.I have been practicing and teaching for almost three decades. I have studied and practiced in India and locally  and incorporated the nectar of many traditions of yoga and meditation.   As a dedicated and passionate yogi, I strive to create a safe and nurturing environment for students to explore their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. With a strong foundation in the original yoga teachings,  my classes blend traditional techniques with modern insights to help you cultivate strength, flexibility, balance and a sense of well being and connection. I believe that yoga is a journey, not a destination, and I’m honored to guide you along the way. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, I invite you to join me on the mat and discover the transformative power of yoga for yourself.

Melissa Duchatschek – Returning Festival Leader – 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 – Returning Festival Leader – 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.

Jenna Angeleigh Israel, LPC, MA, – Returning Festival Leader – 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– Returning Festival Leader – SiriAtma is a devotee on the path of love & wisdom. Her fervent love is deeply felt in all of her offerings.  She nurtures with gentleness and playfulness in her facilitations. She is deeply steeped in the realm of the subconscious, and a teacher of ancient wisdoms of yoga & gong sound therapy. She is a clinically certified hypnotherapist (CCHT), and a well of knowledge in kundalini energy. She is Mom to 3 sons, however she mothers all who come to her seeking liberation.

Kathy Kessler, PT, LMT, RYT-200 – Returning Festival Leader – 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 – Festival Leader 2023-2024 – 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 – Returning Festival Leader – 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 – Festival Leader 2022-2024 –  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 – Festival Leader 2023-2024 – 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.

Swami Sankarananda Saraswati  (Peace Swami) – Returning Festival Leader – 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.

Amelia Williams – Returning Festival Leader – 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 how the Zen Labyrinth boards, which she and one of her son’s hand makes, 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 two years ago.  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 and her husband co-facilitate community drum circles monthly.

Eileen Wolfington – Returning Festival Leader – 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.

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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 19 sessions, plus 7 meals $670
• Single Session – $35
• 2 sessions – $68
• 3 sessions – $99
• 4 sessions  – $132
• 5 sessions – $165
• 6 sessions – $199
• 7 sessions – $231
• 8 sessions – $262
• 9 sessions – $297
• 10 sessions – $333
• 11 sessions – $360
• 12 sessions – $385
• 13 sessions – $415
• 14 sessions – $444
• 15 sessions – $468
• 16 sessions – $495
• 17 sessions – $524
• 18 sessions – $555
• 19 sessions – $585
• 20 sessions – $615
• 21 sessions – $630
• 22 sessions – $644
• 23 sessions – $655
• 24 sessions – $660
• 25 sessions – $665