Winter Qigong Flow — Special Event

Join us for a grounding and revitalizing Winter Qigong Flow designed to support your body and energy during the colder, slower months of the season. Winter invites us inward—toward rest, reflection, and nourishing the deeper layers of ourselves. This special session blends gentle qigong movement, breathwork, and mindful stretching to help dissolve tension, replenish vitality, and restore the natural flow of energy throughout the body.

You’ll move through standing qigong practices that calm the nervous system and warm the body from the inside out, followed by slow, intentional yoga stretches to release stagnation and create ease in the joints. Class concludes with a deeply restorative savasana to help you settle, integrate, and emerge feeling balanced, spacious, and renewed.

This event also offers a beautiful introduction to our new weekly Qigong Flow & Yoga class, beginning January 1st and offered every Thursday from 11am–12:15pm. If you’re looking for a grounding, accessible, and energetically supportive practice to carry you through the winter and beyond, this special class is the perfect place to begin.

Come warm your energy, find your center, and step into the season with clarity and ease.

Join us for a dynamic vinyasa-style practice that seamlessly links breath with energizing, strengthening movement. You’ll move through fluid, intentional sequences with clear alignment cues and supportive options to modify or deepen each posture.

Expect a steady, uplifting flow that builds healthy heat, enhances strength and mobility, and leaves you feeling grounded, refreshed, and reconnected.

All levels welcome — please note, this is a more invigorating flow designed to build energy and strength.

We’re thrilled to welcome Tiffany Poplaski, RYT-200, to our teaching team. With over 15 years of personal practice, Tiffany brings a grounded, accessible, and heartfelt approach to vinyasa yoga. Her background as a nurse practitioner informs her mindful focus on strength, mobility, and the mind–body connection.

She hopes students leave her classes feeling centered, refreshed, and empowered to meet daily life with clarity and ease.

Under the quiet energy of the New Moon—a time for renewal, reflection, and planting seeds of intention—this class invites you to slow down and come home to yourself. Through restorative yoga postures, nurturing bodywork, and the deeply healing practice of Yoga Nidra, you’ll be guided into a state of profound rest and energetic reset.

Supported by props and gentle, mindful touch, the body is encouraged to release tension and restore balance. The practice concludes with Yoga Nidra, or “yogic sleep,” a guided meditation known to calm the nervous system, reduce stress, improve sleep, and access the subconscious for emotional healing and clarity.

As the New Moon symbolizes new beginnings and the fertile darkness from which growth emerges, this practice offers space to pause, replenish, and plant intentions for the cycle ahead.

Register via our schedule

Foundations of Meditation: A 4-Week Introduction

Host: Jill Rand

This 4-week series introduces meditation as an accessible, practical way to calm the mind, settle the body, and cultivate focus and inner balance. Through breath awareness, gentle body scans, and guided attention practices, participants will develop tools to reduce stress, improve clarity, and support overall well-being.

About the Facilitator – Jill Rand

Jill Rand has practiced meditation for decades, studying Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, completing Buddhist teacher training with Dr. Matthew Flickstein, and attending yearly 30-day silent retreats. She founded and directed The Briar Rose Center in St. Augustine, where she offered meditation, yoga, and personal growth programs.

With a B.S. in Psychology, Reiki Master, and licensed Massage Therapist, Jill brings a compassionate, down-to-earth approach to making meditation accessible for everyone.

Over four weeks, students will explore:

• Breath awareness for grounding and focus

• Body scans to release tension and connect with the body

• Observation of thoughts and feelings without judgment

• Practical strategies to bring meditation into daily life

All levels welcome. No prior experience needed.

Why Meditation Matters

Long ago, powerful stress chemicals gave our ancestors the strength to fight a bear or run from a tiger. Today, those same chemicals flood our systems—not because of wild animals, but because of nonstop worries and pressures. A single stressful thought can trigger the same chemical reaction as a real threat, leaving the nervous system in overdrive.

Meditation offers another way. By cultivating awareness, we create a “cushion” between events and our reactions. Instead of being swept away by stress, we can pause, stay calm, and respond with clarity. Over time, thoughts lose their grip, anxiety eases, and we experience greater balance in the present moment.

What You’ll Walk Away With

• Practical tools for stress relief and relaxation

• Improved focus, clarity, and attention

• Greater body awareness and calm

• Confidence to continue meditation practice at home or in a group

register via our schedule

Join us for an evening of connecting with your local community over a shared meal. This event is free, all we ask is that you bring a dish to share for our potluck style dinner.

You can RSVP at info@anahataschoolhouse.org

We look forward to seeing you there!

unbecoming
A 1-day workshop on reframing the past to create the future you want

Price: $55

Hosted by: Sammy Orelien & Jala Mohnkern

Your story isn’t a weight; it’s a treasure chest. When you learn how to reframe it, you open the lid, revealing the treasures of transformation.

Every one of us has experienced moments when we felt rejected, inadequate, or like we didn’t belong. In those moments, we formed interpretations about ourselves and the world - stories that once helped us survive but may now be holding us back. Over time, these stories replay like an old record, limiting what we see as possible.

In this workshop, you’ll break free from those limiting narratives by reclaiming authorship of your life. Through powerful exercises and shared insights, you’ll rewrite your story from the perspective of your future self, one rooted in your truth and potential, not your limitations. You’ll leave feeling a sense of freedom and empowerment to create a future that aligns with who you are meant to be.

Takeaways:

• Recognize the stories that still influence you today.

• Spark new possibilities and reclaim your power.

• Gain clarity on how you want to show up in the world, starting now!

• Connect with a supportive community of others on a similar path.

Join us for a full day of free classes! No preregistration required and you are welcome to attend as many classes as you would like. Mats & props will be provided for those who need them. In between classes we will be offering tours of our Healing Arts Center. We look forward to seeing you there!

Open House Schedule:

9-9:45am Gentle Yoga with Ellen Dilthey

10-10:45am Power Flow with Chelsea Mitchell

11-11:45am Restorative Yoga with Gail Sookey

12-12:45pm Intro to Ayurveda (Lecture) with Hilary Garivaltis

1-1:45pm Hatha Yoga with Sara Ruby

2-2:45pm QiGong Flow with Jala Mohnkern

3-3:45pm Kundalini Yoga & Gong Bath with Howard Rosenberg

Join us for this special event led by Gail Sookey. This class will be half restorative yoga and half yoga nidra - the yoga for sleep.

Studies show that yoga nidra helps calm the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response), it helps bring balance to support immunity, digestion & stress management, and the practice of yoga nidra stimulates the pineal gland to release melatonin, which is an antioxidant & may help support blood pressure, cortisol levels & induce restful sleep.

New moon themes will be highlighted and integrated into the class's intention.

Register via our class schedule!

Come nourish your body, heart, and connections with a shared meal. At this time of year, when the days grow shorter and loneliness can sometimes creep in, we gather to celebrate togetherness and the abundance of the season.

Please RSVP and let us know what dish you plan to bring. This dinner is open to all in the community (not just studio members), so bring a friend or neighbor and join us in creating warmth, connection, and joy around the table.

RSVP via email to info@anahataschoolhouse.org

Qigong Flow for Autumn: A Workshop

Autumn is a season of transition, a time when nature prepares for the stillness of winter. The cooler air and shorter days can have a profound effect on our physical and emotional well-being. Qigong offers gentle yet powerful practices to help us navigate this time with greater ease and grace.

In this workshop, you will:

• Explore how Qigong helps release what no longer serves you, creating space for renewal

• Ease seasonal discomforts, like tension, stress, colds, and allergies - through breathwork and self-massage

• Clear stagnation with gentle purging practices to restore balance and energy flow

• Strengthen immunity and cultivate resilience with Qigong Flow to support you through the months ahead

When we align with the rhythm of nature, we can embrace the season and enjoy the blessings each season has to offer.

Meet the Instructor:

Jala Mohnkern brings a grounded, heart-centered presence to her yoga and Qigong classes. A Pittsfield native, she recently returned to the Berkshires after 30 years in Pittsburgh, where she worked as a pharmacist and first discovered yoga during her pregnancy in 2004. What began as a way to relieve physical discomfort soon evolved into a transformative practice that inspired her to share its benefits with others.

She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training through the Himalayan Institute in 2015 and now teaches Hatha, Flow, Restorative, and Gentle Yoga.

Jala blends yoga and Qigong, supported by her YoQi® Qigong certification, to encourage energy flow, emotional balance, and inner calm. Drawing from both Eastern wisdom and her background in Western medicine, she is passionate about empowering others to access the body’s innate ability to self-heal through mindful movement, breath, and lifestyle.

Join us for an Ayurvedic journey of self-care that will help you thrive as you navigate the transition from summer to Fall.

This workshop will provide you with recipes, a personal plan, and a simple meditation practice to manage the effects of the seasonal transitions.  

You will:

• Learn the basic theory of the doshas with an emphasis on Vata dosha – the air dosha

• Learn about some diet-balancing tips and go home with some delicious recipes

• Put a personal seasonal plan together that is suited just for you

• Participate in and learn a simple meditation practice, including breathwork to ground the Vata dosha and transitional season of autumn.

Join us in person for $65 (includes a freshly prepared vegetarian lunch and herbal tea) or virtually for $50 - visit our schedule for the virtual registration!

Ayurveda is the oldest traditional system of medicine in the world, dating back over 3000 years. Explore this rich science of health and longevity as Hilary shares its practices and insights.

• How do we get out of balance?

• What can we do to restore balance?

• How do we maintain this balance in everyday life?

Ayurveda has offered insights to these very questions for thousands of years and what was true then is still true today with a few modern twists and perspectives.

Come learn the simplicity of this system as you are guided through the basic framework. You will walk away with personal tools that will get you started on the path to balance.

Register (for free) via our class schedule!

Come nourish your body, heart, and connections with a shared meal. Please RSVP and let us know what dish you plan to bring. Open to all in the community, not just members of the studio.

RSVP via email to info@anahataschoolhouse.org

Ayurveda is the oldest Traditional system of medicine in the world, dating back over 3000 years. Explore this rich science of health and longevity as Hilary shares it’s practices and insights.

• How do we get out of balance?

• What can we do to restore balance?

• How do we maintain this balance in everyday life?

Ayurveda has offered insights to these very questions for thousands of years and what was true then is still true today with a few modern twists and perspectives.

Come learn the simplicity of this system as you are guided through the basic framework. You will walk away with personal tools that will get you started on the path to balance.

Register (for free) via our class schedule!

Can't make it in person? Join us online via Zoom!

Join Link Here

Meeting ID: 845 9973 9685
Passcode: 750310

Join us for this special event led by Gail Sookey. This class will be half restorative yoga and half yoga Nidra— yoga for sleep. New moon themes will be highlighted and integrated into the intention of the class.

Register via our class schedule!

Teacher: Ann Farrell

Class: Restore & Sound Bath every Wednesday at 6:30 PM starting Wednesday, September 3rd

Class Description: Settle into stillness with this deeply relaxing 60-minute class combining gentle restorative yoga and a continuous sound bath. You’ll be guided through approximately four supported postures, each held for several minutes to encourage deep rest and release. Throughout the class, soothing sounds from crystal bowls will help calm your nervous system and promote inner harmony.

This class is open to all levels, including complete beginners. No experience needed - just come as you are and allow yourself to unwind.

More info coming soon!

Register via our class schedule!

Join us at the Schoolhouse for an evening of connection, great conversation, and delicious food.

This is a potluck-style gathering, so bring a dish to share and enjoy the diverse flavors and creativity of our wonderful community.

You do not need to be a member of Anahata Schoolhouse to join – all are welcome! If you’re unable to bring a dish, we kindly suggest a donation of $10-$20 to support the Schoolhouse.

We can’t wait to see you there! 

To RSVP, please email us your name and what you plan to bring at info@anahataschoolhouse.org!

When: august 22nd, 6 PM
Cost: Class price
Hosted by: Gail Sookey

Unwind and restore your inner calm with a special session of Restorative Yoga paired with Yoga Nidra. This class is designed to release tension, promote deep relaxation, and nurture your body and mind. Let go of the stresses of daily life as you experience profound rejuvenation through guided meditation and gentle postures.

Yoga Nidra, often called “yogic sleep,” is a guided meditative practice that brings the body into deep relaxation while keeping the mind gently alert. Rooted in ancient yogic tradition, this powerful practice supports nervous system regulation, stress reduction, and deep rest. By entering a state between waking and sleeping, students are guided through body awareness, breath, and visualization techniques that promote healing, mental clarity, and emotional balance. Just 30-45 minutes of Yoga Nidra can feel as restorative as several hours of sleep.

Register from Class Schedule.

Flow & Restore

every thursday - beginning august 7th

A balanced, all-levels class that begins with a dynamic, energizing flow to awaken the body and clear the mind. The second half invites you to rest deeply in supported restorative poses, helping to release tension and promote a deep sense of calm and clarity.

This class is designed to support both physical vitality and mental ease - perfect for anyone seeking to recharge towards the end of the week.

Meet the Instructor:

Chelsea Mitchell joins Anahata with a warm and authentic presence. A Pittsfield native and graduate of Radiance Yoga, she brings a deep passion for mental health and holistic well-being to her classes.

With over 15 years of experience as a social worker, Chelsea understands the importance of creating space to slow down, step away from the noise of daily life, and reconnect with the self. Her teaching reflects that mission - grounded, nurturing, and attuned to the needs of mind and body alike.

In her own words:

“I always say, you never feel bad after going to yoga! Yoga is the perfect way to get out of our heads and focus only on what’s happening within the four corners of our mat. I love the way yoga fuels our brain and our body, further deepening the mind-body connection we all need.”

Register from Class Schedule.

CANDLElight sound & energy bath

When: July 26th

Cost: $25

Hosted by: Sarah & Sonia Cohen

Join Sacred Light Healing for an evening bathed in sound healing frequencies and candlelight, where time slows down and you are invited to simply be.

Relax in the soothing tones of crystal singing bowls, flow chimes, Tibetan bowls, ocean drums, and other gentle healing sounds. Each vibration is an invitation to go inward.

Register below:

When: july 25th, 6 PM
Cost: Class price
Hosted by: Gail Sookey

Unwind and restore your inner calm with a special session of Restorative Yoga paired with Yoga Nidra. This class is designed to release tension, promote deep relaxation, and nurture your body and mind. Let go of the stresses of daily life as you experience profound rejuvenation through guided meditation and gentle postures.

Yoga Nidra, often called “yogic sleep,” is a guided meditative practice that brings the body into deep relaxation while keeping the mind gently alert. Rooted in ancient yogic tradition, this powerful practice supports nervous system regulation, stress reduction, and deep rest. By entering a state between waking and sleeping, students are guided through body awareness, breath, and visualization techniques that promote healing, mental clarity, and emotional balance. Just 30-45 minutes of Yoga Nidra can feel as restorative as several hours of sleep.

Register from Class Schedule.

Join us at the Schoolhouse for an evening of connection, great conversation, and delicious food.

This is a potluck-style gathering, so bring a dish to share and enjoy the diverse flavors and creativity of our wonderful community.

You do not need to be a member of Anahata Schoolhouse to join – all are welcome! If you’re unable to bring a dish, we kindly suggest a donation of $10-$20 to support the Schoolhouse.

We can’t wait to see you there! 

To RSVP, please email us your name and what you plan to bring at info@anahataschoolhouse.org!

Onel Perez and Chris Croteau present Kundalini Astral Journey (KAJ) - a powerful energy transmission modality that activates your vital life force by merging Kundalini energy with the frequency of non-duality. This is not a practice in the traditional sense - KAJ is a surrender-based energetic activation designed to open your channels, clear emotional and energetic blockages, and elevate your consciousness.

As modern-day New Age shamans, Onel and Chris have each walked unique yet complementary paths toward deep inner work and spiritual embodiment. Chris brings experience through Stoicism, plant medicine, Tantra, Shamanism, and, more recently, KAJ. Onel’s background includes Reiki, Yoga, Tantra, Shamanic healing, and KAJ. Together, they hold safe and intentional space for intuitive energy transmission, ceremony, and integration, supporting individuals and groups through the full arc of the healing journey.

✨ What to Expect

During the session, you’ll lie down on your yoga mat with palms facing up, eyes closed, and heart open. Music will support the frequency shift as energy is transmitted through a subtle yet powerful presence and touch. Each session is unique to the receiver - whatever your soul is ready to release or embody will naturally rise to the surface. You may feel meditative stillness, spontaneous physical movement, or deep emotional release. KAJ invites your Higher Self to speak through the body and return you to your innate wholeness.

🌟 Benefits of KAJ Include:

• Expanded consciousness & deepened intuition

• A sense of lightness, clarity, and nervous system reset

• Release of stress, anxiety, trauma, and dense emotional energy

• Activation of your chakras and energetic alignment

• Strengthened connection to your higher self, spirit guides & cosmic energy

• A return to inner stability, empowerment & purpose

🔥 KAJ May Support:

• Purifying the body for Kundalini to rise

• Optimizing chakra flow & transmuting blocked energy

• Enhancing your natural magnetism & rewiring the nervous system

• Clearing mental fog and bringing awareness to your inner divinity

🧘 Before You Arrive

To prepare your body to receive this light frequency:

• Stay well hydrated (coconut water or water with lemon recommended)

• Avoid caffeine before the session

• Eat light or fast for 3 hours prior (fruit or juice if needed)

• No drugs or alcohol 24 hours before

• Wear comfortable clothing

• Arrive 10 minutes early with your yoga mat

When: june 27th, 6 PM
Cost: Class price
Hosted by: Gail Sookey

Unwind and restore your inner calm with a special session of Restorative Yoga paired with Yoga Nidra. This class is designed to release tension, promote deep relaxation, and nurture your body and mind. Let go of the stresses of daily life as you experience profound rejuvenation through guided meditation and gentle postures.

Yoga Nidra, often called “yogic sleep,” is a guided meditative practice that brings the body into deep relaxation while keeping the mind gently alert. Rooted in ancient yogic tradition, this powerful practice supports nervous system regulation, stress reduction, and deep rest. By entering a state between waking and sleeping, students are guided through body awareness, breath, and visualization techniques that promote healing, mental clarity, and emotional balance. Just 30-45 minutes of Yoga Nidra can feel as restorative as several hours of sleep.

Register from Class Schedule.

Sacred Touch: A Healing yoga experience
Sunday, june 22nd | 5:00 PM

Join Dr. Nancy & Aly for another edition of Sacred Touch, a deeply nourishing 90-minute experience that weaves together mindful movement, intentional breathwork, and the healing power of touch and sound.

This special class is more than just yoga - it's an immersion into rest and renewal. As you're guided through a gentle, heart-opening flow, you'll receive supportive hands-on assists, yoga massage, marma point balancing, and Reiki to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit.

We'll close with a grounding Himalayan singing bowl sound bath, allowing the healing vibrations to settle into your system and integrate the evening’s practices.

🧘 All levels welcome
🌿 Space is limited to preserve the intimacy of hands-on healing - early registration is encouraged!
💫 Investment: $30
📍 What to Bring: A yoga mat (extras available), water, and anything that helps you feel cozy.

Come rest, receive, and reconnect. Your body and soul will thank you.

Register from Class Schedule.