Reconnecting with Our Roots and Each Other: Reflections from “A New Vision”

Our recent Annual GLYTA Teachers’ Retreat, “A New Vision,” held from April 17 to 19, 2026, was a beautiful weekend of fellowship, spiritual renewal, continuing education, and reconnecting with the heart of Golden Lotus Hatha Yoga. More than simply a gathering, the retreat served as a meaningful opportunity to revisit our mission with “new eyes,” deepen our personal practices, refine our teaching skills, and strengthen the bonds within our spiritual community.

This year’s retreat also marked an exciting new chapter for GLYTA, as invitations were extended to past graduates across generations of the Golden Lotus School of Yoga community. Throughout the weekend, teachers and graduates shared meaningful conversations, laughter, fellowship, meals, meditation, and time together in sacred space. The joyful spirit of the gathering often brought to mind the “Happy Hive” of devotees that Paramahansa Yogananda lovingly referenced: sincere souls coming together in friendship, spiritual practice, and divine remembrance.

We were deeply grateful for all who helped make the weekend so meaningful, including:

Kaye Thomas-Hogan
Kendra Hubbarth-Bohr
Amy Levert
Roy and MaryAnn Thibodeau
Marilyn Beker
Christine Lucke
Sandra McCurdy
John Pfluecke
Will and Wendy Page-Echols
Joe Stermer
Barbie Brown
Joell Ackerman
Justine Markey
Nate Heater
Sharon Frost

Innovations in Teaching: Chair Yoga and Interactive Hatha

One of the highlights of the weekend was the introduction of GLYTA’s new Chair Yoga Teacher Training Certificate Program. As part of our continuing vision to support the growth of our teachers and expand opportunities for service, GLYTA offered supportive incentives and continuing education credits to retreat participants interested in further study.

The retreat also featured engaging and lighthearted Hatha classes that encouraged participation, creativity, and connection. Interactive tools such as the “flashcard” method created a joyful learning atmosphere while offering teachers new ideas and approaches that may continue to be explored during future GLYTA retreats and trainings.

Connecting Past to Present: Fellowship with Yogacharya

A special “Fellowship with Yogacharya” gathering served as a beautiful bridge between our history and our future. Listening to recordings of Yogacharya J. Oliver Black offered many attendees a renewed sense of closeness, inspiration, and gratitude for the spiritual foundation upon which Golden Lotus Yoga was built. His wisdom, humor, devotion, and dedication to God continue to guide and shape the spirit of GLYTA today.

Throughout the weekend, laughter and fellowship were abundant. One especially memorable moment came when Justine surprised Kaye with a playful mockup of a future book inspired by the many retreat attendees who kept encouraging her to finally write one. The lighthearted gift quickly became a favorite topic of conversation and added to the joyful spirit of the gathering.

Looking Forward

As GLYTA continues to grow and evolve, weekends like this remind us that our roots remain strong. Through fellowship, spiritual practice, service, and devotion to God and Guru, we continue carrying these teachings forward together for future generations.

We are energized by the momentum and inspiration generated during this retreat and look forward to continuing this path of growth together.

A photo gallery from the weekend can be viewed below, and we hope these moments help capture some of the joy, connection, and inspiration shared throughout the retreat.

We would also love to hear your thoughts and ideas for future classes or workshops you would like to see offered through GLYTA.

Please feel free to reach out to us at glyta@goldenlotusyoga.org with your suggestions or ideas for future programming.