The Meditation Center

Cancelled for December 26th - Thursday Evening In Person: Gentle Hatha Yoga (Drop In) 5:30-6:45 p.m. Everyone is Welcome
2024-12-26 17:30 - 18:45 (America/Chicago)
Cancelled for December 26, 2024
Thursday Evening In Person Gentle Hatha Yoga (Drop In)

Time: 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Instructors: Varies…Chris Young, Michael Snodgrass, Sunita Gangopadhyay, Susan Guthrie, Eric Ness
Fees: $10.00/class
Thursday Evening DROP-IN HATHA CLASSES (ONGOING)
Everyone is Welcome! These classes are for all levels. Instructors excel at leading the class in relaxation, gentle asana (yoga positions) and pranayama (breath). Relieve stress, achy joints, improve balance at all levels and increase your sense of well being. No registration necessary, just show up.

Thursday Satsang In Person and Via Zoom: "Relax, Rest, and Recover" with Swami Ma Radha Bharati and Lori Beron; Lighting of Hanukkah Candles on the Second Night of Hanukkah with Nikki Strong and Daniel Hertz at 8:30 p.m.- December 26, 2024
2024-12-26 19:00 - 20:30
Thursday Satsang In Person and Via Zoom
December 26, 2024
“Relax, Rest, and Recover”
with Swami Ma Radha Bharati and Lori Beron
7:00-8:30 p.m. CST
Lighting of Hanukkah Candles on the second night of Hanukkah
with Nikki Strong and Daniel Hertz at 8:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome!

5:30-6:45 p.m.: Gentle Hatha Yoga – Cancelled
7:00-8:00 p.m.: “Relax, Rest, and Recover”
with Swami Ma Radha Bharati and Lori Beron
8:00-8:30 p.m. Guided Meditation with Swami Radha
8:30-8:40 p.m.: Lighting of Hanukkah Candles on the second night of Hanukkah
with Nikki Strong and Daniel Hertz
8:40 p.m.: Evening Prayers

Relax, Rest and Recover from the hustle and bustle that typically comes with Christmas: Swami Radha Bharati and Lori Beron will be leading practices to help you let go of tension and stress in your body and mind. No lectures. Nothing is required of you. Yoga mats, cushions and blankets are available at the Center or bring your own. Just come to TMC or participate via zoom. Since you will be lying down on the floor in shavasana for a while, you may want to cover yourself with a blanket or shawl and use a cushion under your knees and a small pillow under your head. After the practices we will sit for meditation.
Practices: (approximately 45 minutes or so)

Tension and Release
Systematic Relaxation
61 Point Blue Star
Shitali Karana relaxation
Yoga Nidra Conscious Rest
followed by Guided Meditation

To support the work of The Meditation Center and register you can donate here or make a general donation by clicking on the “donate” button on the “Support TMC” website page.
Or donate through PayPal.
There is parking available for TMC visitors in the St. Boniface lot across the street from the Center.

Via Zoom – Sunday Morning Guided Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati
2024-12-29 08:20 - 09:30, 2025-01-05 08:20 - 09:30, 2025-01-12 08:20 - 09:30, 2025-01-19 08:20 - 09:30
Via Zoom – Sunday Morning Guided Meditation
with Swami Radha Bharati
8:20 A.M. – 9:15 A.M.
Join for Morning Prayers: 8:20-8:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Meditation: 8:30-9:15 a.m.

Join Swami Radha Bharati on Zoom for a guided meditation on Sunday from 8:20 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Book Study Group Via Zoom with Swami Ma Radha Bharati, Michael Smith, and Jim Nelson 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
2024-12-29 10:00 - 11:30
SUNDAY BOOK STUDY GROUP VIA ZOOM
WITH SWAMI MA RADHA BHARATI, MICHAEL SMITH, AND JIM NELSON
10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Swami Radha, Jim, and Michael will continue the study of spiritual topics in the fall of 2024. The Book Study Group is reading “Guru Disciple Relationship Volume-I by Swami Veda Bharati. Join us for very interesting discussions. Everyone is welcome.

January 1, 2025 - "Meditation and Tai Chi" with Nikki Strong and Eric Ness In Person at TMC and Via Zoom, Saturday Morning
2025-01-01 06:00 - 09:00
Happy New Year!
“Meditation and Tai Chi” with Nikki Strong and Eric Ness
In Person at TMC and Via Zoom
Wednesday Morning: January 1, 2025
6:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m
Followed by breakfast and morning hike.
This is a no-cost event.
Register here to RSVP.
6:00-7:00 a.m.: Silent Meditation (Himalayan Tradition style!)
7:00-8:15 a.m.: Meditation in Motion – Tai Chi — easy heart-warming movement to wake up the senses, invigorate, and nourish health – open to all levels of experience.
For in-person group at TMC
8:15-9:00 a.m.: Herbal “Coffee”, Tea, and Breakfast Toast (Vegan w/ GF options)
9:00 a.m.: Head out for a morning hike
9:30 a.m.: Meet at the lower parking lot of Fort Snelling State Park to hike to Bdote (Pike Island)

Happy New Year! Cancelled for January 1st - Wednesday Mornings In Person and via Zoom – Gentle Hatha Yoga (Drop-In) with Sig Martell and Rosann Chamberlain
2025-01-01 10:30 - 12:00
Happy New Year! Cancelled for January 1, 2025
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS In Person and Via Zoom – GENTLE HATHA YOGA (DROP IN)

Time: 10:30am to Noon
Instructors: Sig Martell and Rosann Chamberlain
Fees: $12.00/class ($10.00 for seniors and students)
DROP-IN HATHA CLASSES (ONGOING)
Everyone is Welcome! These classes are for all levels. Instructors excel at leading the class in relaxation, gentle asana (yoga positions) and pranayama (breath). Relieve stress, achy joints, improve balance at all levels and increase your sense of well being. No registration necessary, just show up.

Thursday Evening In Person: Gentle Hatha Yoga (Drop In) 5:30-6:45 p.m. Everyone is Welcome
2025-01-02 17:30 - 18:45, 2025-01-09 17:30 - 18:45, 2025-01-16 17:30 - 18:45
Thursday Evening In Person Gentle Hatha Yoga (Drop In)

Time: 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Instructors: Varies…Chris Young, Michael Snodgrass, Sunita Gangopadhyay, Susan Guthrie, Eric Ness
Fees: $10.00/class
Thursday Evening DROP-IN HATHA CLASSES (ONGOING)
Everyone is Welcome! These classes are for all levels. Instructors excel at leading the class in relaxation, gentle asana (yoga positions) and pranayama (breath). Relieve stress, achy joints, improve balance at all levels and increase your sense of well being. No registration necessary, just show up.

Thursday Satsang in Person and Via Zoom: "Musika Medica" with Maja Radovanlija and Molly Sturges - January 2, 2025
2025-01-02 19:00 - 20:30
Thursday Satsang In-Person and Via Zoom – January 2, 2025
“Musika Medica” with with Maja Radovanlija and Molly Sturges
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

5:30-6:45 p.m.: Gentle Hatha Yoga – TBD
7:00-7:30 p.m.: Meditation guided by Swami Radha Bharati
7:30-8:30 p.m.:“Musika Medica” with with Maja Radovanlija and Molly Sturges
8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers
Everyone is welcome!!!

About Musika Medica
Musika Medica is a women-led improvisational music, collective healing and meditation project that weaves together deep listening, musical exploration, and embodied inquiry. Rooted in the practice of attunement, the project responds organically to each unique context, creating experiences that transcend traditional performance boundaries. By collaborating with guest musicians, storytellers, and diverse community voices, Musika Medica crafts immersive concerts, workshops, and restorative performances that invite rest, reflection, and creative wondering.
Founders
Maja Radovanlija is a versatile guitarist and musical explorer whose artistic journey spans continents and musical traditions. Born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia) in 1975, she brings nearly two decades of classical guitar training from Eastern Europe, and Indiana University, Bloomington. Her musical path has been defined by a rich tapestry of collaborations that traverse diverse genres, from Balkan traditional music to jazz, intuitive free improvisation, and experimental soundscapes. Radovanlija is an active member of multiple distinguished ensembles, including the Szilard Mezéi ensemble, Minneapolis Guitar Quartet, Ensemble Studio6, MM Guitar duo, the Linda Chatterton-Radovanlija guitar/flute duo, and the Satu Jiwa improvised music collective. Her innovative approach to music-making reflects a deep commitment to cross-cultural musical dialogue and creative expression.
Molly Sturges is a healing-centered composer, soundrest artist, musical improviser, meditation teacher, and community healing facilitator, with over three decades working at the intersection of music, ceremony infused improvisation, collective healing, contemplative practice, and social justice. A United States Artist Fellow in Music, Molly brings depth and innovation to her research and creative endeavors. She has led and participated in a wide range projects including community sourced arts activations, creating and performing music for circus, sound installation creation, directing creative music ensembles and creating-directing Lifesongs, an intergenerationald music and end of life project for over twelve years. Currently Molly serves as a senior researcher in music and health and as founder/director of Waking The Oracle, an arts, earth kinship, and wellbeing project at University of Minnesota’s Medical School and Center for Spirituality & Healing. www.mollysturges.com
CONTACT
Maja Radovanlija, mradovan@umn.edu , 763-300-9795
Molly Sturges, mollysturges@gmail.com , 505-660-9473

Sunday Book Study Group Via Zoom with Swami Ma Radha Bharati, Michael Smith, and Jim Nelson
2025-01-05 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-01-12 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-01-19 10:00 - 11:30

Via Zoom Winter 2025 "Yoga Sutras Series - Kaivalya Pada" with Dr. Stephen Parker (Stoma) Psy.D., 500-RYT
2025-01-06 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-01-13 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-01-20 19:00 - 20:30
In January “Yoga Sutras” Winter 2025 Series – Kaivalya Pada
Via Zoom
with Dr. Stephen Parker (Stoma) Psy.D., 500-RYT

Mondays: January 6 – 27, 2025
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Begins at 7:00 p.m. with Meditation guided by Stoma
Study of the “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” with Dr. Stephen Parker (Stoma) Psy.D., 500-RYT

Chapter 4, the Kaivalya Pada

Cost: $55.00 for the series
$15.00 for drop-in
If you live in a time zone that does not allow for you to attend the Yoga Sutras sessions in real time, register for the 4-week series and you will be sent Vimeo links to the recorded sessions as soon as they are uploaded to Vimeo

Cost: $55.00 for the 4-week series
$15.00 for a single session
Register here for all four sessions
Register here for a Single Session on January 6, 2025
Register here for a Single Session on January 13, 2025
Register here for a Single Session on January 20, 2025
Register here for a Single Session on January 27, 2025
If you live in a time zone that does not allow for you to attend the YogaSutras sessions in real time, register for the 4-week series and you will be sent Vimeo links to the recorded sessions as soon as they are uploaded to Vimeo.

Everyone is welcome!

Join Dr. Stephen Parker (Stoma) for this special ongoing study of the text, the “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.” We will the study the fourth chapter, the “Kaivalya Pada.”
We also will be using as texts either “The Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali,” or “The Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali with Bhasvati,” both by Swami Hariharananda Aaranya. Or you can use any commentary on the “YogaSutras” that you have available.

Tuesday Evening In Person "Yoga for Stress Relief" Series with Eric Ness Tuesdays: Ongoing
2025-01-07 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-01-14 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-01-21 18:00 - 19:00
6 pre-register drop-in spots will be available each week.
Please pre-register online to reserve your spot!
Tuesdays On-Going In Person “Yoga for Stress Relief” Series with Eric Ness
6:00 -7:00 p.m. CST
Limited to 6 students
6:00-7:00 p.m. CST
$10.00 for a single session
Register here
Are you a busy professional struggling to find balance in the chaos of modern life? Do you yearn for a moment of calm amidst your hectic schedule? “Yoga for Stress Relief” is designed with you in mind.

Are you a busy professional struggling to find balance in the chaos of modern life? Do you yearn for a moment of calm amidst your hectic schedule? “Yoga for Stress Relief” is designed with you in mind.
Why This Class?

Tailored for busy lifestyles: Flexible attendance – come when you can, leave if you must.
Stress-busting techniques: Learn practical methods to manage stress in daily life.
Accessible to all: No prior yoga experience or fitness level required.
Mind-body connection: Discover how to use your breath and body awareness as anchors in stressful situations.

What to Expect
In this class, you’ll experience:

Gentle, mindful movements to release physical tension
Guided relaxation techniques to reduce stress
A supportive, non-judgmental environment

This isn’t a high-intensity workout – it’s a journey towards inner peace and resilience. Whether you’re on-call, can only stay for part of the class, or need to step out for a phone call, you’re welcome here.
The Benefits

Reduced stress and anxiety
Improved focus and productivity
Tools to manage daily stressors more effectively

Join us and discover a new way of navigating life’s challenges. Your path to a calmer, more centered you begins here.
Eric Ness has been teaching meditation and yoga for over ten years. His teaching is based on the experiences that he had while immersed in a meditational environment. He deepened his study of meditation while participating in the residential program at the Meditation Center. He also trained for three years at the Swami Rama Institute for Meditation in India. His calm teaching style brings students the tools they need to move toward a peaceful state of mind. Eric is a member of the TMC Spiritual Committee.

Meditation II Hybrid Class - Superconscious Meditation: Tuesdays: January, 7, 14, 21, 28, February 4 and 11, 2025
2025-01-07 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-01-14 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-01-21 18:30 - 20:00
Meditation II Hybrid Class – Superconscious Meditation
Tuesdays: January, 7, 14, 21, 28 and
February 4 and 11, 2025
Instructors: Lori Beron and Paul Emerson, Ph.D.
6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Section 1: (live at the Meditation Center, can zoom when you can’t make it)
Section 2 (zoom only)

Register here.

Meditation II focuses on powerful and practical yoga practices that quiet and focus the mind; decreasing our emotional reactivity which often creates stress and pain in our relationships. Students will also receive 8 free CD’s or MP3’s of Swami Veda’s penetrating and inspiring lectures on yoga psychology and philosophy. These audios create an interactive atmosphere for discussion of questions and insights generated by the lectures.

Lori Beron is an initiate and certified teacher through the Himalayan Yoga Tradition as well as a Certified Holistic Nurse, she has an MA in Holistic Health Studies and is employed as an RN on a surgical oncology unit at the University of Minnesota Health.

Lori took a 3-year Vanaprastha Vow from Swami Veda Bharati during the 2013 Sangha Gathering. (Vanaprastha-a stage in life where one lessens worldly attachments.)

Paul Emerson, Ph.D. is a biomedical engineer who has worked on dialysis, respiratory and cardiac products. At various times he has been a research scientist, manager of clinical research with a major biomedical company, software engineer and a university instructor. He holds 12 patents in the areas of dialysis, sleep therapy and implantable cardiac devices. For the Meditation Center he has been the local go-to person on the physiology of breathing and is a scholar of the ancient yogic texts. He has been teaching yoga and related subjects since 1976 and was certified in 1980 by the Rockford School of Yoga.

After you sign-up for the class on the The Meditation Center’s website, a Zoom registration link (to join the meeting) will be sent to you the day before the first class begins.

Wednesday Mornings In Person and via Zoom – Gentle Hatha Yoga (Drop-In) with Sig Martell and Rosann Chamberlain
2025-01-08 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-01-15 10:30 - 12:00
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS In Person and Via Zoom – GENTLE HATHA YOGA (DROP IN)

Time: 10:30am to Noon
Instructors: Sig Martell and Rosann Chamberlain
Fees: $12.00/class ($10.00 for seniors and students)
DROP-IN HATHA CLASSES (ONGOING)
Everyone is Welcome! These classes are for all levels. Instructors excel at leading the class in relaxation, gentle asana (yoga positions) and pranayama (breath). Relieve stress, achy joints, improve balance at all levels and increase your sense of well being. No registration necessary, just show up.

Thursday Satsang Via Zoom and In-Person Viewing at TMC: “Meditations from the Tantras” with Gary Gran CYT, DAy - January 9, 2025
2025-01-09 19:00 - 20:30
Thursday Satsang Via Zoom and In-Person Viewing at TMC – January 9, 2025
“Meditations from the Tantras” with Gary Gran CYT, DAy
7:00-8:30 p.m. CST
Everyone is Welcome!

5:30-6:45 p.m.: Gentle Hatha Yoga with Sig Martell
6:15-7:00 p.m. Vegan Soup
7:00-8:00 p.m.: “Meditations from the Tantras” with Gary Gran
8:00-8:30 p.m. Guided Meditation with Swami Ma Radha Bharati
8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers

In 1984, Swami Veda, then known as Dr. Usharbudh Arya, presented a series of workshops and lectures on ‘Meditations from the Tantras’ in Minnesota. On June 11, 1985, he presented a summary version of these talks at the Himalayan Institute of Glenview in Glenview, Illinois. The room was packed.
In this workshop, Swami Veda detailed a particular sequence of meditations from the tantric tradition. He explained that they weren’t intended for our daily practice, but that they were meant to educate us, and demonstrate the practices as given within the tradition.
So why are these teachings relevant to us today? They are as relevant today as they were 40 years ago and 1,000 years ago, because they hold the key to our healing, the healing of our relationships, and the healing of our earth.
During tonight’s satsang, we will share these universal teachings from personal notes taken during the workshop. Please join us as we ponder the healing message of the tantric tradition. All are welcome.
“Tantras are an extremely ancient body of texts. Tantra, like mantra, like yantra – they cover practically everything there is in the universe, but by way of a method as well as philosophy of personal experience.”
~ Swami Veda Bharati~
Gary Gran, CYT, DAy. was in attendance at the 1985 workshop and will be sharing theteachings from his personal notes. He and his wife Cynthia have been treading the Himalayan path since the late 1970s. They met at the old Glenview Center in Illinois and have served the tradition in various capacities over the years. They are both certified yoga teachers and Ayurvedic educators. They have published more than eighty articles on yoga, meditation and Ayurveda. They are currently wintering in Tucson, Arizona where they enjoy desert gardening, cooking and hiking.
To support the work of The Meditation Center and register you can donate here or make a general donation by clicking on the “donate” button on the “Support TMC” website page.
Or donate through PayPal.
There is parking available for TMC visitors in the St. Boniface lot across the street from the Center.

Global Full Moon Meditation via Zoom from Palatine - Monday, January 13, 2025, 9:00-10:00p.m. CT
2025-01-13 21:00 - 22:00
Monday, January 13, 2025
Global Full Moon Meditation Via Zoom
9:00-10:00 p.m. CDT
This Full Moon Meditation via Zoom will begin at 9:00 p.m. guided by (TBD) followed by a silent meditation until 10:00 p.m.
This event is courtesy of the Palatine Himalayan Yoga & Meditation Center – HYMC.
To get the Zoom link and for more information aregarding the global full moon meditation schedule
visit HYMC’s website here.
“You are lovingly invited to sit in meditation for an hour wherever you are, in your home or with friends. Total beginners and longtime practitioners, non-initiates and initiates are welcome. If you cannot sit for the entire hour, sit as long as you are able; as Swami Veda has said, ‘Let the quietness of the mind continue even after you rise..’” (Courtesy of AHYMSIN.org January 2023 newsletter).
Everyone is welcome!
“Yoga Philosophy views the mind as Universal field; its waves passing through us and becoming our individual minds. This Universal mind is a radiant force and is also known as a Universal Guru within.”
“When all sit together at the same time even in different parts of the world, they connect to the Universal Guru mind and generate a strong field, like so many magnets being joined together and forming a much stronger magnet; the strength of each then equals the combined strength of all.”
– Swami Veda Bharati –

Thursday Satsang Via Zoom and Viewing at TMC Via Zoom: "A Year of Self-Study at SRSG and Other Sacred Places" with Susana Matos Allongo - January 16, 2025
2025-01-16 19:00 - 20:30
Thursday Satsang Via Zoom and Viewing at TMC Via Zoom – January 15, 2025
“A Year of Self-Study at SRSG and Other Sacred Places”
with Susana Matos Allongo
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome!

5:30-6:45 p.m.: Gentle Hatha Yoga – TBD
7:00-8:00 p.m.: “A Year of Self-Study at SRSG and Other Sacred Places” with Susana Matos Allongo
8:00-8:30 p.m. Guided Meditation with Swami Ma Radha Bharati
8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers

In spring of 2023, Susana was at SRSG when applications for the Gurukulam program opened up. She applied and hoped to spend her year in Rishikesh but the Guru had other plans. She was not accepted, so she asked for guidance from above on how to spend a year in places where she could deepen her practices and work on her mind and emotions.
This will be an audio and visual presentation on her travels and spiritual purification experiences that include silence, meditation, surrender, etc. at various sacred sites.
Susana Matos Allongo lives and works in Puerto Rico and LA as a film and television assistant director, writer and director. She was initiated into the Himalayan Tradition in 2023 at SRSG and has spent time at the ashram and has traveled to other places in pursuit of spiritual purification.
