Golden Lotus School of Yoga

During this special weekend you will have an opportunity to submerge into the heart of Song of the Morning, saturating in the peaceful ambiance of our 800 acres of sacred woodland forest along the beautiful Pigeon River.

This retreat will be held during our most colorful time of year, at the peak of the autumnal season!

This is a wonderful retreat for souls new on the spiritual path and those who would like to learn more about the depths of yoga and what Song of the Morning has to offer.

Please visit: songofthemorning.org to view the schedule and to register!

"SECRETS OF YOGA FROM DETROIT'S MR. BLACK AND INDIA'S YOGANANDA"
~~ Eileen Wood Jasnowski, reprinted in Self-Realization magazine,1967

💜🙏 YOGACHARYA OLIVER [Oliver Black, standing far right] conducted his last Kriya Initiation as a Minister of Self-Realization Fellowship in June of 1989 at Song of the Morning Ranch. He consciously left his body at the age of 96 on September 16 of the same year.

There is a new kind of man in the sphere of the...mystics in loincloths. He is J. Oliver Black, a great American yogi. He conducts Raja Yoga (meditation) services at the Detroit Institute of Arts every Sunday. The dapper Black seems as far removed from the sparsely clad Indian as can be imagined. He looks more like a prosperous Midwestern executive, mainly because he is one.

Black made his fortune in the automobile industry during the early twenties. …The story as he tells it is vivid and vibrant. But one is inclined to disbelief; the star of such a drama would have to be in his mid-seventies.

“Of course I am,” he admitted. “My wife and I celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary last April. I’ve never felt better in my life.”
The reason? A chance encounter with Yogananda, the great Hindu Master...

“Yogananda set me straight. When I first met him 35 years ago I was afraid to get half a mile away from a drug store. I was a regular hypochondriac. I took aspirins for headaches, and laxative pills, and probably would have taken tranquilizers if they’d had them. …“I was a victim of inner pressures, too, like all my colleagues. The automobile giants made their fortunes — and then seldom lived to enjoy them… I was close to 40 when I met Yogananda…He changed the whole direction of my life…

“I retired in 1951,” said Black. “Then I stayed on the board of directors of my company for a while until Yogananda told me to give it up, too. He said my true work was to teach, not preach. I didn’t think I was competent to do that, but he just looked at me with his dark, compelling eyes, and said, ‘That’s what you think, Oliver.’ So I did what he said, and I’ve never been happier. …

“I have never had anything afford me greater joy than my work in yoga. You can’t love life unless you give. Everybody’s joy is my joy — and that’s the most delicious drink you can imagine. But very few have tasted it. Most men haven’t learned how to forego selfish habits in this lifetime. Yogananda used to say, ‘If you’re stingy with God, He’ll be stingy with you.’" . . .

💓 READ MORE of this long and very interesting article first published in Detroit Magazine, and SEE a photocopy of a letter from Paramahansaji to Yogacharya Oliver; see more photos of him with Paramahansji and others, and with Daya Mataji
* Yogacharya Black renewed his ordination to give Kriya Initiation every year through SRF, as do the monastics, until his passing
https://yoganandasite.wordpress.com/2018/09/11/secrets-of-yoga-from-detroits-mr-black-and-indias-yogananda-srf-magazine/

“We should pattern our life by a triangular guide: calmness and sweetness are the two sides; the base is happiness. Every day, one should remind himself: “I am a prince of peace, sitting on the throne of poise, directing my kingdom of activity.” Whether one acts quickly or slowly, in solitude or in the busy marts of men, his center should be peaceful, poised.”

Excerpt From
Where There is Light
Paramahansa Yogananda
https://books.apple.com/us/book/where-there-is-light/id1140309310
This material may be protected by copyright.

During our most recent in-person yoga teacher training session we learned new asanas, yoga philosophy (the 1st niyama - saucha), the endocrine system and how it relates to yoga (taught by our community osteopathic physicians). We had many spiritual discussions as we sat in satsang, nourishing our souls, establishing soulful connections and divine friendships.

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new online store featuring custom Teacher's Association & School of Yoga merchandise!

We're currently running a presale on all items now through Labor Day weekend (Sept. 5). We've got everything from t-shirts and hoodies to journals, yoga mats, bags, and water bottles.

Visit our new online store at https://goldenlotusyoga.org/online-store/ to reserve yours today!

Our Golden Lotus School of Yoga Presents: A Paramahansa Yogananda Retreat

“Spirit & Nature Dancing Together: Embodying the Divine Child Within”

Come play with us through submerging in the joy of yoga as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda, beloved guru to Song of the Morning’s founder, Yogacharya Oliver Black!

Within this retreat, we will explore the playful expression of Spirit as we embody the Divine Child within, honoring Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings:

“In the spiritual life one becomes just like a little child, without resentment, without attachment, full of life and joy.”

"You have come to earth to entertain and to be entertained."

"Chanting is another way of awakening devotion. The great devotee Ramprasad realized God through his devotional songs; as did Sri Chaitanya, who danced in ecstasy as he sang the name of God."

"I am the love that dances human puppets on strings of emotions and instincts, to play the drama of love on the stage of life"

Please go to songofthemorning.org to learn more and to register!

Why Paramahansa Yogananda Was A Man Before His Time

"Yogananda taught his students hatha yoga as a way to prepare the body and mind for meditation. He developed a system of “energization exercises,” which he said “charge the body with the life current of the universe” and “keep the diseases from settling.”

https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/sneak-preview-awake-life-yogananda/

Why Paramahansa Yogananda Was A Man Before His Time Learn his story and see the unconventional biopic, which is, as yoga documentaries go, gripping, inspiring, dare we say, epic, even.

Our Golden Lotus School of Yoga is centered around Paramahansa Yoganandaji’s teachings. He is the author of the international spiritual classic, The Autobiography of a Yogi.

Within this 200 hour yoga teacher training program, we have each student sign up for and read the Self-Realization Fellowship lessons.

These are booklets written by Paramahansa Yogananda about yoga philosophy, pranayama and meditation techniques to help connect you with the Divinity that exists within your own heart.

Click the link in our bio to learn more!

In Sanskrit, a community coming together for spiritual nourishment is called a sangha, which is one of the core values of our yoga teacher training program.

Within this program you will have an opportunity to be a part of a sangha of souls who have been growing roots since 1970. Connections that are made here often turn into deep friendships that last lifetimes.

Every weekend longtime members from our community, staff, guests and our yoga students when they’re here, all come together to pray over and bless a vegetarian dinner at 5pm (often fresh from our organic garden!).

For more information about our yoga teacher training program, please visit our link in our bio!

In Sanskrit, a community coming together for spiritual nourishment is called a sangha, which is one of the core values of our yoga teacher training program.

Within this program you will have an opportunity to be a part of a sangha of souls who have been growing roots since 1970. Connections that are made here often turn into deep friendships that last lifetimes.

Every weekend longtime members from our community, staff, guests and our yoga students when they’re here, all come together to pray over and bless a vegetarian dinner at 5pm (often fresh from our organic garden!).

For more information about our yoga teacher training program, please visit our link in our bio!

This past weekend was a very special weekend for our Golden Lotus Yoga Teacher’s Association.

We embarked on filming our first promotional video for our teacher training program. It’s the first time this has been done since it’s founding in the 1950’s!

We had a team of videographers on the grounds at , our home base. It was a beautiful weekend and lots of footage was captured of our teachers, wildlife, and indoor and outdoor yoga & meditation spaces. They even brought a drone for some aerial views of the property!

Thank you Nick and Brittany - Media Potion for being so kind, fluid, respectful and graceful with your filming of our sacred home. It was a joy to collaborate and work with them.

So much gratitude 🙏🏻

Special thought for Father's Day

In creating this universe God revealed two aspects: the masculine or fatherly, and the feminine or motherly. If you close your eyes and visualize vast, illimitable space, you become overwhelmed and enthralled - you feel naught but pure wisdom. That hidden, infinite sphere wherein there is no creation, no stars or planets - only pure wisdom - is the Father.

~Paramahansa Yogananda

If you are a Golden Lotus yoga teacher, we would love to have you join us during our very special (and free!) members only retreat next weekend!

Please copy and paste the link below to see the full schedule and to register for your accommodations: https://songofthemorning.secure.retreat.guru/program/glyta-teachers-retreat/

If you are planning on attending for any portion of this retreat, regardless of accommodations, please email Jaye Lynn Thibodeau at [email protected] to RSVP, so that we can get an estimated head count.

If you're interested in becoming a GLYTA teacher, please go here:
https://goldenlotusyoga.org/

We are looking forward to seeing our members there!

"So shall we leave 'footprints in the sands of time'--spiritual footprints of good vibrations, which those who come after us will feel. If we increase those vibrations by our love for God and service to His work, think how wonderful will be what we leave behind us." ~Paramahansa Yogananda

Our yoga school is located in the middle of a peaceful woodland forest in northern Michigan along the Pigeon River. During our weekend training sessions with the students we are often visited by these beautiful beings and can occasionally witness them dancing about while placing their bodies in different postures, similar to asanas. Does the natural word inherently know the techniques to connect with the Divine (yoga) in its DNA?

Every star of heaven, every pure thought, every good act shall be a window through which to behold Thee.

~Paramahansa Yogananda

We completed another beautiful yoga teacher training weekend at Song of the Morning Yoga Retreat!

Our special topic this session was on how to design an effective hatha class; smoothly linking asanas together, incorporating themes, and integrating pauses between sets of postures to calm the mind, harmonize our energy and connect with the Divine presence within. Our students are now preparing to teach their first classes!

And to top it all off, our (mostly) logo was officially hung on the Domes (our yoga classroom)!

A special thank you to for creating such a beautiful and sacred piece of art for his GLSY karma yoga project from last years training!

I am fearless
I am made of the substance of God
I am a spark of the Fire of Spirit
I am an atom of the Cosmic Flame
I am a cell of the vast universal body of the Father
"I and my Father are One"

~Paramahansa Yogananda

Gazing one Sunday morning at the masses of blossoms that decorated the temple, the Master said:
"Because God is Beauty, He created loveliness in the flowers that they might speak of Him. More than anything else in nature they hint at His presence. His shining face peeks out of the windows of lilies and forget-me-nots. In the fragrance of the rose He seems to say: 'Seek Me.' That is His mode of speech; otherwise He remains silent. He shows His handiwork in the beauty of creation, but doesn't reveal that He Himself is hidden there."
~Paramahansa Yogananda

"Avoid a negative approach to life," the Master told a group of disciples. "Why gaze down the sewers when there is loveliness all around us? One may find some fault in even the greatest masterpieces of art, music, and literature. But isn't it better to enjoy their charm and glory?
"Life has a bright side and a dark side, for the world of relativity is composed of light and shadows. If you permit your thoughts to dwell on evil, you yourself will become ugly. Look only for the good in everything, that you absorb the quality of beauty."

~Sayings of Paramahansa Yogananda

"Avoid a negative approach to life," the Master told a group of disciples. "Why gaze down the sewers when there is loveliness all around us? One may find some fault in even the greatest masterpieces of art, music, and literature. But isn't it better to enjoy their charm and glory?
"Life has a bright side and a dark side, for the world of relativity is composed of light and shadows. If you permit your thoughts to dwell on evil, you yourself will become ugly. Look only for the good in everything, that you absorb the quality of beauty."

~Sayings of Paramahansa Yogananda

We had yet another physically, mentally and spiritually nourishing session during our yoga teacher training last weekend.

The training included 2 hatha classes, Paramahansa Yogananda Energization Exercises, chanting, silent nature walk, in-depth study of anatomy, asanas, pranayama, joint freeing exercises while allowing space for conversations to flow and deepen into a true satsang. 🙏🏻

We are so blessed to have this opportunity to learn, grow, connect with each other, ourselves and the indwelling omnipresent Oneness of all. 🕉

And thank you to Kendra Kendra Hubbarth-Bohr for leading such a lovely meditative hike to Yoganandaji’s shrine. 💚