Satsang and Kirtan with Allison Denni
An afternoon of Satsang and Kirtan with
Allison Dennis
Rooted in alleviating modern suffering through ancient wisdom,
Allison inspires universal alignment and authentic expression
by encouraging consistent practice and empowering Self-discovery.
Sunday June 14th at Saint Anne’s Chapel and Retreat Center
3244 McNair Rd., Tarboro, NC 27886
Minimum donation advance: $20.00 Adults, Students $15.00, Children free.
Minimum donation at the Door: $30.00 Adults, Students $20.00, Children free.
Contact us about scholarship options.
Bring Yoga mat, cushion, water and a veggie snack to share
Schedule:
2:00-3:30: Indian Mythology and Stories that Heal:
There’s an interesting assumption we collectively hold, that the modern age has progressed beyond old wisdom and tribal ways, and that we’re superior to what we were. We believe quite intrinsically that our advancement has afforded us more happiness. The aim of this talk is not to debate this idea, just to create wonder around it? To see both sides of the coin with clarity. We’ve no doubt advanced in relation to technology, but how happy are we really in direct relation to it? What are we missing as a culture without the fire we stare into with our neighbors, not because we like them the most and invited them, but because they live close by and are invited by way of proximity.
If you’re familiar with the work of Joseph Campbell, his research revealed that the same essential story rises up at the same time in a variety of different cultures. It’s as if that story has a consciousness all it’s own and understands what the people to need to hear in order to move forward.
Stories were a part of society long before television, movies, news, and radio. Our ancestors sat around fires and recounted tales of heroism, deceit, triumph, and failure so that we might understand ourselves and one another better. The stories weren’t connected to commerce. They were healing tools.
Join Allison as she sets the stage for what a Living Myth is and tells a few stories that hopefully enliven the heart and soul.
3:30-4:30: Veggie Snack Potluck Refeshment
4:30-6:00: Kirtan and Sound Healing: Join Allison for some chanting, breathing, and listening to divine mantras and sacred lullabies. Vibrational Sound Healing practices help us relax the mind and body, deepen into our meditative and intuitive states, and subdue the emotional storms. Mythological stories will be interspersed and chant books will be provided. Allison will play a variety of Indian instruments including harmonium, tanpuri, and the shruti box.
Bio: Allison Dennis holds a BFA in Musical Theatre with a Minor in Music from ECU where she studied Sanford Meisner’s acting technique for two years. She sang in jazz, funk, and folk bands, recorded and performed as a singer-songwriter, and performed supporting and leading roles in a variety of plays and musicals.
As a child Allison was a competitive gymnast, even training with Bela Karolyi one summer.
In NYC at the turn of the millenium, she acted and sang in Off Broadway shows, and ultimately flew in the wildly popular Argentine circus De La Guarda. A back injury during a show brought her to yoga in 2001.
A herniated disc with nerve impingement made movement quite painful for the first three years of the injury, so her entry point to yoga was the philosophy of India, not the poses. She concentrated on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras for a decade while becoming a yoga asana teacher as therapy for her own physical pain. Once mobility returned after sincere dedication to physical therapy and pilates, Allison was finally permitted by her Physical Therapist to take on an asana practice. Within months she had signed up for her first Yoga Teacher Training.
Her training experience includes:
- Prem Sadasivananda, 500 hours of TT in the Sivananda lineage, 2005
- Body Therapy Institute, 650 hour Massage Therapy Program, 2006
- David Life, Sharon Gannon, and Manorama, 300 hour Jivamukti TT, 2008
- Swami Swaroopananda, Patanjali Raja Yoga TT, 2010 – 2013
- Mark Whitwell, Yoga of Heart TT, 2011
In addition to countless hours of continuing education and the aforementioned teachers, Allison has been deeply influenced by the classes, travels, tours, encounters, dinners, conversations, and extended satsangs she’s shared with Edwin Bryant and Dr. Robert Svoboda.
From 2010-2018 Allison owned and operated Heart of Yoga School out of Carrboro, NC where she designed and taught three distinct yoga teacher trainings, culminating in a full 800 hour YTT program. She led nineteen long-term trainings while managing the School, guiding curious seekers to become teachers and home practitioners.
In 2010 Allison began her friendship with Nada Yoga Master, K. Sridhar. He inspired Allison to apply her love for music to the practice and study of Indian music and has been her primary mentor and teacher for some time. He also supported her interest in astrology as she began studies with Komilla Sutton, Renay Oshop, and now Steven Highburger.
Prem Sadasivananda has remained a shining light for Allison’s spiritual development; he and Sridhar often encouraged Allison to visit India. Life finally allowed that to happen in 2016. She’s returned every year since, spending about two months a year there deepening her understanding of the Indian culture that Sridhar and his wife Camilla introduced her to.
Allison is currently traveling about sharing her love of music, healing, and ancient knowledge. https://allisondennis.com/