Green Lotus Yoga Studio Ashtanga Shala

Yoga and Meditation Weekend Retreat August 21-23 - Rejoicing in the Summer ~ Resetting for the Fall. At Aryaloka Retreat Center - link in the bio.

With yoga and meditation we can cultivate a beautiful tranquility in the body and heart. We will explore how each practice enriches the other, contributing to a sustained calm that can change the way we live, and our perception of the world around us.

With a combination of classes introducing breath and movement techniques, stillness and sitting practices, we’ll dive deep into resetting our bodies and nervous systems for the fall. Restorative yoga allows space to relax in supportive postures for longer periods of time with the aid of props. In this way we receive the full benefit of rest and renewal, deep stretching, and release of tension, stress and fatigue. We will also practice deeply relaxing Yoga Nidra to allow participants to integrate the postures and embrace healing within the body.

Our meditation teaching will focus on ways of creatively working with body/energy awareness in the mindfulness of breathing and the metta or loving-kindness practices. We will explore the metaphors of spaciousness, light and warmth as they are embodied in our felt experience and as they relate to a lived experience of kind awareness.

This retreat is suitable for all levels of practitioner, including beginners. Please bring your own yoga mat and any favorite props. We do have props and meditation cushions/chairs on site.

Dh. Singhasuri Lona Kovacs, ordained Buddhist and certified yoga instructor, has been a yoga and meditation practitioner and teacher for 35 years. She combines her early practices of integrative, restorative and yoga nidra with over 20 years of Ashtanga Vinyasa training both in the United States and India. Her teaching style is intuitive, clear and nurturing.

Dh. Suddhayu has been teaching meditation and Buddhism and leading retreats since 1998. He has a deep love of the processes of meditation practice, as well as poetry, myth and creative ritual. He currently works full-time for Dharma initiatives as Chair at the Portsmouth Buddhist Center and Chair and Manager of Aryaloka.

Yoga and Meditation Weekend — Aug 21, 6pm to Aug 23, 2:30pm

With yoga and meditation we can cultivate a beautiful tranquility in the body and heart. We will explore how each practice enriches the other, contributing to a sustained calm that can change the way we live and our perception of the world around us.

We will explore ancient Buddhist meditation techniques that lead to stillness and calm, restorative yoga as well as the mindful movement of vinyasa. Vinyasa emphasizes the importance of breath with movement, and develops a strong foundation for any yoga practice.

No prior experience is necessary. Suitable for complete beginners or those with an established practice.

*Please bring a yoga mat. We have plenty of props, but If you prefer your own props like bolsters, straps, or cork or foam bricks, please feel free to bring. Participants may consider bringing a notebook with a pen, a water bottle, and warm socks or slippers. We provide meditation cushions and blankets, as well as meditation chairs and benches. Our onsite book and gift shop has many great titles on meditation and Buddhism. Link in the bio. ✨

Led by —

Dh. Singhasuri (FKA Lona Kovacs), Ordained Buddhist and certified yoga instructor, Singhasuri has been a yoga and meditation practitioner and teacher for 35 years. She combines her early practices of integrative, restorative and yoga nidra with over 20 years of Ashtanga Vinyasa training both in the United States and India. Her teaching style is intuitive, clear and nurturing. She draws from a lifetime of working closely with plant and earth-based education and knowledge along with her love of ritual magic and wisdom.

Dh. Suddhayu has been teaching meditation and Buddhism and leading retreats since 1998. He has a deep love of the processes of meditation practice, as well as poetry, myth and creative ritual. He currently works full-time for Dharma initiatives as Chair at the Portsmouth Buddhist Center and Chair/Manager of Aryaloka.

THIS WEEKEND! Connect to your body by connecting to the earth with earth-based ritual, yoga and meditation practices. All levels are welcome. Come practice with us!

Yoga and Meditation Weekend — Spring Awakening: Connecting to our Bodies, Connecting to the Earth; Friday April 17, 6pm to Sunday April 19, 2:30pm. Link in the bio.

Join us for a weekend of energizing renewal as we wake our winter bones and lift our bodies into the light of spring. The weekend program will be centered in stillness, mindful movement, and meaningful ritual.
With yoga and meditation we can cultivate a beautiful tranquility in the body and heart. We will explore how each practice enriches the other, contributing to a sustained calm that can change the way we live, and our perception of the world around us.
We will explore ancient Buddhist meditation techniques that lead to a vibrant stillness, as well as the mindful movement of vinyasa. Vinyasa emphasizes the importance of breath with movement, and develops a strong foundation for any yoga practice. Meaningful ritual and the chanting of mantras will bring participants into a more direct engagement with their imagination as we explore the relationship between the inner and outer world. No prior experience is necessary. Suitable for complete beginners, or those looking to go deeper in their practice.

Led by:
Dh. Singhasuri (FKA Lona Kovacs), Ordained Buddhist and certified yoga instructor, Singhasuri has been a yoga and meditation practitioner and teacher for 35 years. She combines her early practices of integrative, restorative and yoga nidra with over 20 years of Ashtanga Vinyasa training both in the United States and India. Her teaching style is intuitive, clear and nurturing. She draws from a lifetime of working closely with plant and earth-based education and knowledge along with her love of ritual magic and wisdom.

Dh. Śuddhāyu has been teaching meditation and Buddhism and leading retreats since 1998. He has a deep love of the processes of meditation practice, as well as poetry, myth and creative ritual. He currently works full-time for Dharma initiatives as Chair at the Portsmouth Buddhist Center and Chair/Manager of Aryaloka.

Yoga and Meditation Weekend — Spring Awakening: Connecting to our Bodies, Connecting to the Earth; Friday April 17, 6pm to Sunday April 19, 2:30pm. Link in the bio.

Join us for a weekend of energizing renewal as we wake our winter bones and lift our bodies into the light of spring. The weekend program will be centered in stillness, mindful movement, and meaningful ritual.
With yoga and meditation we can cultivate a beautiful tranquility in the body and heart. We will explore how each practice enriches the other, contributing to a sustained calm that can change the way we live, and our perception of the world around us.
We will explore ancient Buddhist meditation techniques that lead to a vibrant stillness, as well as the mindful movement of vinyasa. Vinyasa emphasizes the importance of breath with movement, and develops a strong foundation for any yoga practice. Meaningful ritual and the chanting of mantras will bring participants into a more direct engagement with their imagination as we explore the relationship between the inner and outer world. No prior experience is necessary. Suitable for complete beginners, or those looking to go deeper in their practice.

Led by:
Dh. Singhasuri (FKA Lona Kovacs), Ordained Buddhist and certified yoga instructor, Singhasuri has been a yoga and meditation practitioner and teacher for 35 years. She combines her early practices of integrative, restorative and yoga nidra with over 20 years of Ashtanga Vinyasa training both in the United States and India. Her teaching style is intuitive, clear and nurturing. She draws from a lifetime of working closely with plant and earth-based education and knowledge along with her love of ritual magic and wisdom.

Dh. Śuddhāyu has been teaching meditation and Buddhism and leading retreats since 1998. He has a deep love of the processes of meditation practice, as well as poetry, myth and creative ritual. He currently works full-time for Dharma initiatives as Chair at the Portsmouth Buddhist Center and Chair/Manager of Aryaloka.

Coming up next weekend! Spacious time to warm up, de-stress, center and shine ✨

yoga and meditationYoga and Meditation Weekend — Feb 20, 6pm to Feb 22, 2:00pm

With yoga and meditation we can cultivate a beautiful tranquility in the body and heart. We will explore how each practice enriches the other, contributing to a sustained calm that can change the way we live and our perception of the world around us.

We will explore ancient Buddhist meditation techniques that lead to stillness and calm, restorative yoga as well as the mindful movement of vinyasa. Vinyasa emphasizes the importance of breath with movement, and develops a strong foundation for any yoga practice.

Open to All: All experience levels are welcome and no prior experience of Buddhism or meditation is required. Suitable for complete beginners or those with an established practice. LINK IN THE BIO

Vegetarian Cooking Workshop —
How to create a healthy vegetarian diet
April 26, 2-6pm

Learn how to make nutritionally balanced and delicious meals with whole food! Topics will include questions about protein, carbs, veganism, vegetarian “meat”, processed food, gluten allergies, working with tofu and tempeh, and more.

We will explore how to work with the harvest of the seasons, how to eat local on a budget, and how to create delicious and satisfying vegan and vegetarian meals.

Everyone will participate in preparing a perfectly balanced, beautiful meal which will be shared. Spaces are limited so book soon!

Dh Singhasuri began her studies in nutrition with a ten-year apprenticeship with a Kushi Institute Macrobiotic Teacher and graduated as a Macrobiotic and Dietary Consultant. During this time she explored growing food in the mountains of New Hampshire, foraging in the wild, and cooking for hundreds of people seeking healing. Singhasuri studied Ayurveda while attending her first of many residencies at the Kripalu Institute in the Berkshires. She continued her academic and lifestyle interest in Ayurveda and Indian cooking while studying at a school of yoga in India. As a yoga practitioner and a yoga teacher, maintaining an understanding of this science has been paramount to sustaining her yoga, meditation and pranayama practices with steadiness and ease for over 30 years.
Singhasuri’s love of the natural world sparked interest in Environmental Science while attending Naropa University in CO for her undergraduate studies. This time learning about deep ecology, eco-psychology, sustainable living, organic gardening and wildcrafting led her to apprentice as an herbalist with Rosemary Gladstar in the mountains of Vermont. Singhasuri’s approach to health and healing, plant-based medicine and vegetarian/whole food cooking is an expression of living in harmony with the natural world. She strives to maintain equanimity and to stay open to the wisdom of ancient traditions and all growing things.


This workshop includes a vegetarian dinner. LINK IN THE BIO to access helpful information about attending workshops at Aryaloka.

Kindling the Fire — Transforming the Heart with Yoga & Meditation -with Dh. Singhaśūrī and Dh. Suddhayu: Oct 17, 6pm to Oct 19, 2:30pm
LINK IN THE BIO - NEARLY FULL!

Much of what we work with in spiritual life is the varied and sometimes unpredictable weather of our inner world. Finding consistent energy for yoga and meditation, as well as dealing with what comes up in practice, are challenges we all face. Sometimes we may feel blocked, scattered, or too rough around the edges to effectively integrate our practice into our lives.

The Brahma-Viharas (sublime abodes) are a series of meditation practices, common to Buddhism and the yogic tradition, that work directly with the energy of the heart. Through the cultivation of unconditional love, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, we give ourselves the space to be with how we actually feel, to meet that with a kind awareness, and to find a greater capacity for positive emotion. With a focus on metta, or unconditional loving-kindness, we will kindle the warmth of our hearts.

With the mindful movement of vinyasa we will focus on breath synchronized movement to open the heart and produce an internal heat that detoxifies the muscles and organs. This results in improved circulation, a light, strong body, a tranquil mind, and good support of meditation practice. We will also explore restorative hip opening and heart opening sequences, as well as yoga nidra – the powerful yogic sleeping meditation pose.