I am setting up this GoFundme for a family that pours their heart into their work and welcomes every visitor in as their family. Over the last six years, I have worked with the Ram family in India with yoga and cultural retreats. It is a way for people to experience the culture that many of us teachers and eastern knowledge practitioners benefit from daily. As well we can give back and support a local family working to create and build their business and support their growing family in India.

Chappe Ram is from a Farming Family. His Father and Grandfather grew apples in Vashistha without crop from their first 15 years of work.

At age 20, Chappe started work in local tourism, specializing in Indian Himalayan High Altitude treks as a guide. In 2011 he held his first yoga Retreat in the Himalayas, incorporating asana, meditation, trekking, and camping. In 2016 he opened a small travel agency, trained in Himalayan Kundalini, and was joined by his yogi son Ganesha.

His goal now is to create a yoga center with a guest house for people to stay in for retreats and training. Using part of the apple orchard that has access to the main road leading out from the village, a yoga center here would have more availability for local travelers to stay and could more easily house yoga events for international visitors to experience this mountain village culture. Here, visitors can partake in the beautiful local trekking, hiking, festivals, food, family, yoga, and meditation seated in the glory of this sacred Himalayan village of Vashisht, near Manali where 3 Vashisht temples sit, Rishi Vashisht meditated long ago, and blessed the area with natural flowing hot springs.

This fundraiser is raising money to support Chappe and his family in their next endeavor. We are hoping to raise 15,000 USD to create the guesthouse and yoga shala. I have been to the build site. When I was there last they did puja for blessing in this space and now we are apple to offer our blessing from afar.

Anything you can donate is so greatly appreciated. You can follow @openlotus_yoga and @yogi___ganesh to meet the family, stay connected, and hopefully plan your trip to a beautiful new yoga space.

Fear in the body can weakens the immune system and cause anywhere from cardiovascular damage to gastrointestinal destruction. Fear of the unknown is something we all live with in some capacity, the biggest unknown being death. This mortality work is a 3-month process where we confront our own mortality to expand the lives we are living. When confronting our fears and willingly stepping into this unknown through the process of journaling, meditating, and questioning, we can welcome the lessons from the losses in our lives, confront our own bodily attachments, bring ease to hard conversations, and make moves now to build a sense of security for our future. With the purchase of this course, you will receive the Mortality Workbook, 4 prerecorded audio meditations, and 4 separate hour-long sessions which cover homework, tools, and resources to conclude your 3 month course.

Kinstretch is part on the Functional Range Conditioning system that works to improve joint health, mobility, and control. It involved exercises that increase functional range of motion, meaning flexibility that is supported by strength. This kind of training is imperative to maintaining a healthy body as we age. Gianna is a FRCms trained in Kinstretch and a veteran yoga teacher with over 16 years of movement coaching. She combines the science backed system of Functional Range Conditioning with the vedic science of the hatha yoga system to help yoga practitioners move in the most healthful way. Over the course of 2 hours you will train your body to better explore your favorite positions. 

FUNCTIONAL RANGE CONDITIONING FOR THE YOGI

Learn to maximize your movement potential and better explore your favorite postures.  Kinstretch is a part of the Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) system that works to improve joint health, mobility, and control.  It involves exercises that increase functional range of motion, meaning flexibility that is supported by strength.  This kind of training is imperative to maintaining a healthy body as we age.  In this two-hour workshop, you’ll combine the science-backed system of FRC with the Vedic science of the hatha yoga system so that you can learn to move your body in the most healthful way possible.

Thursday, January 9th from 6 pm-8 pm

105F ANDERSONVILLE

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ENERGIZE & EMPOWER: CRAFTING YOUR SACRED SADHANA

A Sadhana is a daily spiritual practice and is one of the most important instruments for developing oneself and reaching a higher level of consciousness.  Working with the ancient art of tantric healing (kriya, pranayama, meditation, and mantra), this two-hour workshop will take the focus of your practice beyond the physical form to center the mind, explore the connection to the subtle body, and promote profound shifts within.  You’ll be provided with the tools and guidance you need to develop your own at-home Sadhana.  Wear comfortable clothing as there will be some light movement.

Sunday, January 12th from 2 pm-4 pm

105F WICKER PARK 

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Gianna has been passionately teaching people to move for over 15 years. As a yoga teacher, gymnastics coach, and Functional Range conditioning ms, she offers her students the tools necessary to believe in and train their bodies to move better for longer. This workshop will focus on hip mobility to accessing both strength and flexibility to improve your yoga practice and movement life.

Date: Saturday February 1, 2025

Time: 1:15-3:45

Exchange: $40

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Bali Hot Yoga + Hot Pilates Vacation

Bali, Indonesia | March 14 – 25, 2025

Join us for an unforgettable yoga and pilates vacation in heavenly Bali!  We will spend 7 nights in Ubud and 4 nights in Northwest Bali.  Practice hot yoga and hot pilates daily, explore meditation, experience the Balinese culture, and reconnect to discover a healthier, happier you. You deserve it all! This incredible immersion, perfect for beginners and seasoned yogis alike, will allow you to leave the stresses of your daily life behind while exploring and enhancing your practice in one of the most magical, spiritual, and blissful locales in the world.

What’s Included?

UBUD

March 14 – 21 , 2025

• Enjoy eight days and seven nights of luxury accommodations at a gorgeous 4-star hotel in the heart of Ubud.

• Breakfast daily at the hotel, five delicious lunches at the yoga centre cafe, and four gourmet dinners at some of Ubud’s best restaurants, and unlimited filtered water refill.

• Welcome blessing ceremony, traditional Balinese water purification ceremony, and transportation and entrance fees for group trips which may include Gunung Kawi Temple, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Padang Padang Beach, Uluwatu Temple, and Jimbaran Bay.  

• Learn how to make Balinese offerings (Canang Sari)!  Each Balinese offering is a prayer of peace and helps to promote balance and harmony in our world.

• Utilize traditional ingredients and preparation methods, the opportunity to explore and learn Balinese cooking with an onsite cooking class led by one of Ubud’s top chefs.

• One 60-minute Balinese massage from the yoga centre’s world class therapist.

• Transportation from Ngurah Rai / Denpasar International Airport (DPS) to Ubud on March 14th. 

• Transportation to Northwest Bali or Ngurah Rai / Denpasar International Airport (DPS) on March 21st.

Ubud

Our gorgeous 4-star hotel  is located in a lively yet peaceful area of Ubud (Central Bali) and is less than a 10 minute walk to the yoga centre where we will be practicing our classes.  Hotel amenities include three large pools, a gorgeous rooftop garden, spa/wellness/massage services, laundry service, and so much more.  All rooms feature a king sized bed or twin sized beds, air conditioning, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping. 

NORTHWEST BALI

March 21 – 25, 2025

• Enjoy five days and four nights of luxury accommodations at a gorgeous 5-star resort in beautiful Northwest Bali.

• Breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner daily and unlimited filtered water refill.  

• 30-minute kayak or stand up paddle board rental. 

• Transportation, guide, and entrance fees for our trek to the Sambangan Waterfall and the Melanting Temple tour.  

• Off the boat snorkeling or diving trip to Menjangan Island. (extra fee) 

• Transportation from Ubud to Northwest Bali on March 21st. 

• Transportation from Northwest Bali to Ngurah Rai / Denpasar International Airport (DPS) on March 25th.

Northwest Bali

For the second part of our Bali adventure, we will be heading to Northwest Bali!  This undiscovered part of Bali is quiet, peaceful, and serene.  You’ll enjoy the ultimate luxury 5-star resort glamping experience while taking in the incredible landscapes of the area — imagine being surrounded by crystal clear blue waters, enchanting mountains and forests, and mangrove coastlines!  The resort is spread across 40 acres of tropical gardens and features a beach club with restaurant and bar, two infinity pools, diving and watersports center, spa/massage/wellness services, laundry service, and more. All accommodations feature a queen sized bed or twin sized beds, air conditioning, en suite bathroom and shower, WiFi, and daily housekeeping.

RETREAT OPTION 1 – UBUD & NORTHWEST BALI

March 14 – 25, 2025
(12 days/11 nights in Bali)

Single Occupancy/Solo Room (Ubud & NW Bali): $3,999 

Single Occupancy/Solo Room (Ubud) & Double Occupancy/Shared Room (NW Bali): $3,499

Double Occupancy/Shared Room (Ubud) & Double Occupancy/Shared Room (NW Bali): $2,999

RETREAT OPTION 2 – UBUD ONLY

March 14-21, 2025
(8 days/7 nights in Bali)

Single Occupancy/Solo Room: $2,499

Double Occupancy/Shared Room: $1,899

EARLY BIRD RETREAT PRICING STARTS AT $1,899 (flights to/from Bali are not included). Prices increase by $300 on January 1, 2025.

To check availability and book your once in a lifetime vacation, please contact retreat@105F.com.

Space is limited and bookings are first come, first served.

EMAIL retreat@105f.com for more info!!

India Motorbike Trip 2025

August 15-26, 2025

A once-in-a-lifetime trip, Gianna and Lotus Retreats are taking you on an unforgettable journey through the northwest exploring Ladakh. Ladakh has been contested by India and Pakistan since the dissolution of British India in 1947. After the cease-fire agreement of 1949, its southeastern portion went to India and the remainder to Pakistan. China gained control of its portion of Ladakh when its forces entered the region in the early 1960s.

For this trip, you will arrive and depart from Delhi, fly to Leh, motorbike through Lamayuru, an area known for its monasteries and lunar-scapes, then to Nubra Valley riding through scenic vistas and orchards, to Pangong Lake which is an area that only re-opened to tourism in the last 3 years, scoot over the Changla Pass at 17688 ft in elevation, and return to Leh to fly back to sunny Delhi. You will go through a variety of climates and ecosystems as well as varied emotions. This is a trip for the motorcyclist looking for an adventure.

Schedule

Day 1 – Arrive in New Delhi, India

Gianna and/or a guide will meet & greet you at the airport IGIA, (Indira Gandhi International Airport), arriving around midnight. Transfer with a private bus or taxi to your hotel accommodation in central New Delhi for overnight stay.

Day 2: Visit Delhi – Full day explore Delhi by Minibus. Spend the night in the Hotel.

Explore Old Delhi: spice market, you can do rickshaw rides in old Delhi. Sikh temple and market. evening back to Delhi. This allows anyone who may have had flight issues or baggage problems to get things sorted and get acclimated to the time change before getting on a bike.

Day 3: Fly to Leh – Free day- By walking to explore the market, Leh Town. 3500 MTRS high. Climatize to high elevation.

Day 4:  Local tour ride, get used to your bike, small hike,and Spituk, Shey Thiksey Hemis Monastery. Full day riding.

We will spend the night in Leh.

Day 5: Leh to Dah Hanu by Lamayuru 200 kms 5 Hrs ride , 3390 MTRS

Visit Lamayuru Monastery, ride to Dah Hanu to the Aryan village, the original Vedic people. Night stay in a delux camp/tent.

Day 6: Dah Hanu to Leh Via Alchi—150 KMS -3500 Mtrs’

We’ll take you to visit one of the oldest monasteries of Ladakh – the Alchi Choskar Monastery, which is renowned for its architecture and ancient wall paintings. The monastery was built by the great Buddhist translator Lottsava Rinchen Zangpo. We’ll have lunch in the restaurant run by the monastery

Day 7 – Leh –Nubra Valley 3050 MTRS  Over Khardungla 5602 mtrs 5 hrs-120 KMS

Today we ride to Khardungla Pass. This is the world’s highest motorable road – the Khardungla pass at a thrilling 5602 meters 39 km from Leh. Descend to Nubra valley, Visit Diskit Monastery in Nubra valley. Evening Sam Dune where you can ride a Double hump Camel. Night stay in Fixed camp / Homestay.

Day 8: Nubra to Pangong lake 4350 MTRS. 175 KMS  -8 HRS ride

Here we follow the Skyok River to Panglong Lake which is the highest salt lake connected with India and China. We will spend the night staying in a deluxe Camp.  

Day 9: Pangong Lake to Leh to go over Changla pass 5360 MTRS -225 Kms – 7 Hrs

Ride to Leh over Changla Pass and visit a remote village.

Day 10: This is a just in case day open for time to catch up or take more time as these trips can be unpredictable.

Day 11:- Fly to Delhi, - Free day

Day 12: Fly home  

Checkout from the Hotel Before 11 a.m. You can keep your Luggage in reception. Evening transfer to airport flight to onward  

What Does This Tour Include?

• All transfers within India, airport to airport.

• Motorcycle 500cc Enfield.

• Permits for Restricted areas of Ladakh,

• Accommodation (twin-sharing hotels /homestay and camping)

• Breakfast and dinner in the hotel in the Ladakh region.

• English-speaking rider guide

• medicines including oxygen cylinder

• mechanics with all necessary spare parts

• back-up vehicle with spare part

• fuel on Bike

• Lunch is either packed or very simple in the local tea shop.

What Does This Trip Not Include?

• Visa

• Travel Insurance and medical evacuation

• Personal expenses

• Tips

• Bottled water

• Monument entrance fees

• International flights

• Lunch and Dinner in Delhi

• Any damage to the motorcycle must be covered by the rider. 

Accommodation Options

Accommodations range from small hotels or guesthouses to deluxe/fixed tents, to homestay. We will be in multiple locations with varying options.

Necessary Documentation

Riders must bring with them the appropriate travel insurance and documents as follows:

• Full Motorcycle License - valid

• International Driving License / Permit - valid  

• You are required to bring your travel insurance policy with you on the tour. Please print off a photo copy and keep it safe. As well as the address of your travel insurance company. Riders are requested to hand over the insurance numbers and addresses to our guide.

• Without these documents you will not be able to take part in your chosen tour (your safety is our primary concern).

What You Will Need

• A snood or (Dust Mask) for keeping dust and cold  out of your nose

• Sunglasses or bike glasses

• Sun hat

• Thick warm as well as light socks

• Lightweight sleeping bag, we recommend you to pack for -10c

• Travel towel

• Kidney-belt can be helpful support for the long hours of riding

• A fleece is good for under your jacket

• Day Pack to carry a water bottle, rain suit, and other stuff you will use during the day

• A money belt or waist pack in which to carry your passport and other valuables

• Very strong bungee cords or cargo nets

• Basic first aid kit: a few band-aides and antiseptic cream

• Any regular medication you need

• Spectacles: bring spares, or your prescription with you

• Helmet

• Knee protection and other armor that makes you feel comfortable

• Waist belt

• Riding gloves

Cost Per Person

Double room occupancy ----------3290 USD

Single room occupancy ------------3750 USD

Pillion/ Passenger -----------------  350 USD Less than riders

Extra Charges -----Bike damage charges will be extra (Security deposit of $300)

You have the option of Joining via car if you want to join the wild ride not from a motorcycle. The price per person with a car tour varies depending on how many people book a car. Please email info@giannayoga.com for details and reservations.

Single room --------460 USD extra on the total amount for moto or car participants.

Your initial $500 deposit is subtracted from your total cost. The $500 deposit is nonrefundable!

The last day to sign up is April 1st, 2025.