Yoga for Peace & Joy Workshop
The Yoga for Peace and Joy workshop is designed to help participants cultivate a deep sense of happiness and tranquility both on and off the mat. Through a series of gentle asanas and flowing sequences, the body will release tension and create space for peace. Pranayama practices will focus on soothing the mind and calming the nervous system, promoting emotional balance and a sense of inner joy. A guided meditation will invite reflection on sources of happiness and contentment, offering tools to reconnect with this sense in daily life. Participants will also learn simple, practical ways to nurture joy, gratitude, and mindfulness, empowering them to bring more happiness into their everyday experiences.
Charity: Chicago Food Depository
We strive to end hunger by connecting our neighbors with healthy food and advancing solutions that address the root causes of hunger.
About Your Teacher…
Sam, a Southern California native, radiates the sunshine energy of her roots wherever she goes. With six years of experience as a nurse in the fast-paced and demanding environments of the emergency room and post-surgical units, Sam found herself seeking solace and peace during the tumultuous times of the COVID pandemic. In 2020, while working on the frontlines, she discovered the calming embrace of hatha yoga through online practices. Unlike the intense hot yoga classes she was accustomed to, hatha yoga invited her to slow down and explore her inner landscape.
Driven by a growing curiosity about hatha yoga, Sam embarked on a transformative journey to Guatemala, where she completed her first 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at the serene Lake Atitlán. Immersed in the natural beauty and vibrant community of fellow yogis, she participated in several kirtan groups and developed a desire to learn the harmonium, aspiring to infuse her practice with the melodic chants of this ancient instrument.
A visit to her brother in Chicago during the summer of 2022 led to an unexpected twist in her journey—she fell in love with the city and decided to stay. Continuing her nursing career, Sam discovered Moksha Yoga Center in the fall of 2023, where she embarked on her Astanga journey. Inspired by Daren’s profound teachings, she will complete Moksha’s Teacher Training in the Fall of 2024 with the intention of deepening her knowledge and practice. Sam now dreams of creating a class space where yogis can come together, share their energy, and embark on their inward journeys. With her unique blend of medical expertise and yogic wisdom, she provides a nurturing and supportive space for all who seek the transformative power of yoga.
Certifications
200hr Awakened Spirit Yoga 2022
200hr Moksha Yoga Center 2024
Favorite Quote
Let my heart turn to practice.
Let practice become a path.
Let this path dissolve confusion.
Let confusion become wisdom.
~Ken Mcleod
Weekly Class Schedule:
Saturdays, 1-2:15pm | Vinyasa 1-2 Astanga Inspired
Wednesdays, 8:30-9:45am | Vinyasa 1-2 Astanga Inspired
Certification: Moksha Yoga Center 2024 | 200hr
Yoga for a Cause: A Series of Donation-Based Classes
sponsored by Moksha Yoga’s Teachers-in-Training
Join us for a transformative series of yoga classes that not only nurture your body and soul but also make a meaningful impact on our community. At Moksha Yoga Center, we believe in the power of collective action and the ability of yoga to inspire positive change. That’s why we are excited to launch “Yoga for a Cause,” a special series where all donations will directly support, helping those in need.
Each Moksha teacher trainee is required to teach a workshop for their teacher training certification final with a topic of their choice and donations given to charity. These classes are open to all levels, whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to yoga. Our skilled instructors will guide you through practices that emphasize mindfulness, balance, and connection, while fostering a spirit of generosity and compassion. By participating, you’ll not only deepen your practice but also contribute to a greater good. Every breath, every pose, every moment on the mat becomes an act of giving, supporting vital programs that uplift lives. Let’s come together, stretch beyond our limits, and create ripples of kindness that extend far beyond the studio. Your presence matters, and so does your contribution.
Schedule of Workshops
Yoga for Compassion with Lucy Tilly
Sept 28, Saturday 10:45-12:30pm
Yoga for Running with Victor Pruneanu
Oct 5, Saturday 10:45-12:30pm
Yoga for Peace & Joy with Sam Torres
Oct 12, Saturday 10:45-12:30pm
Yoga for the Nervous System with Marissa McNerney
Oct 19, Saturday 10:45-12:30pm