Our soft opening in October 2019!

Viewing the centre and the work that has been completed so far is happening ... after some difficulties and delays we have Launched a soft opening (Oct 2019) with Channa classes to begin with . We aim to fully open again in 2020 with the full center launch... The land lord has confirmed and and finalized the 20 year lease from April 2017. He is very pleased we have completed the work and we have begun holding classes again for the community. Channa has step by step , since returning from Europe to finalize and fund the work with the help of the community.

"Our vision is bringing the wellbeing to the individual and personally catering for their own healing. Creating tools and a space so they can connect to them self, creating a ripple effect to a much broader understanding of life to connect to the nature of family, communities and nations so that we have the capacity to be greater global citizens with greater realizations.” Channa Dassanayaka

We are collecting final Funding and raising awareness to support renowned teacher Channa Dassanayaka. He will continue his service of healing and wellness to the community through the much-needed practice of yoga and mediation.

After nearly 15 years of unconditional generosity served from his home every day, Channa has chosen to continue the valued work along with some other great teachers and gifted team members of the community to create a space to help others in need. Channa being important member of the community and a great teacher to so many, the need to relocate a new space in Northcote.

Dassanayaka Yoga has been a pivotal part of the Community of Northcote in Melbourne for many years. It is a sanctuary of healing for many people suffering from anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and stress-related illnesses to name a few. Cases such as these are more common than ever with many people becoming overwhelmed with the current mental health system.

Many people are desperately seeking alternative methods, in order to not only treat the symptoms, but to get to the root cause of their suffering. Channa’s guiding support allows deep healing to take place and he has been the greatest assistance to many people. For all of us, a community-based mindfulness practice is so very important in the current social and political climate.

Renovating a new studio for the community. We now need some assistance to finalize the final work including getting the rear of the property completed .

Due to the enormous increase in Melbourne rental prices we are left with no choice but to move. Channa has been doing everything in his power to be able to stay in Northcote, as so many people have individually come to him to express how much he is needed as a guiding light in the community. Thankfully, he has had the offer to move into another space nearby. This allows him to continue to teach and serve the community that he has helped for so long, however the space needs major renovations in order to be serviceable for the community.

The new venue has taken over 2 years to fully renovate and Fully re build while coving rent and business overheads. This has become very difficult for Channa to find and maintain alone. Being in the unknown and trying to finalize the centre and raising funds from Europe and USA has become difficult and the financial funding is due to arrive by end of December for Channa to complete the centre with his own funding capacity.

For so long has been very disconcerting for Channa and the yoga community, however Channa never deviated from his practice of open-heartedness, giving beyond generously in his service and love. It is now time for so many of us to repay his generosity with our support - so that Channa and his team can complete building the new special centre for the community to continue its practice.

July /August/September and October we need to raise some short term funding to keep the project alive until Channa returns in November or December 2019 with his team to complete the final work in the yoga Studio to prepare for opening in 2020.

Here’s what we’re doing About it...

Demolition of the dilapidated interior of the building had begun in early 2017. Rebuilding the centre from the ground up is allowing fresh new energy to vibrate through the space. Without a doubt, the space Channa is creating is going to be very special, and it will serve the community in so many different ways. We will keep you all updated with photos etc. as the building stages go ahead. Fundraising events are being organised by the community to also assist with the construction. This is definitely our time to give back, and help create a space for Channa to teach in the new studio.

We begun in early 2017. The sale of Channa’s personal items has already raised $25,000 to fund the first stage of the project. This included a large community fundraising event on the 4th of March which included the sale of many of Channa’s personal items, while his cooking and Sri Lankan Flavours book menu was on show. This has allowed us to begin the demolition and purchase some floor and ceiling materials. We have some valued tradesmen in the community donating time and materials. We now need some further assistance to complete the new centre.

Channa spent the past 2 years traveling through USA and Europe working and raising the funds needed to complete the centre.

We are nearly finished,

You can join us.

Any ongoing or final amounts the centre can raise and put towards, will fund the final work internally to prepare the full opening in 2020 and will also help us to expand the teachings to the wider community after Relocating.

Resume classes in 2019 is going well our priority is 2020 for March to fully Re- open and we will continue updating and raising the awareness with funding throughout the transformation.

And here’s some amazing perks for you supporting. We are so grateful for the support - we are also giving back with Classes, retreats and the New Dyoga mats are now available for donation payments.

New yoga mats : we were hoping to save for the opening, however we have pre ordered the new DYoga mats that are now available for pick up when the perk is selected. It should be a one off ($150) donation , this will go towards ensuring basic costs of the property can be maintained until Channa arrives back soon in 2019 , Channa will come back to fund and complete the centre to open in 2020.

Please note perks will be updated and are available for certain times when retreats and classes are available to attend. Our volunteer team will be happy to show you around 13 Yeomans Street property and show the progress.

We are so very Grateful for your generosity and support in ensuring that the new centre is completed. It will serve the community for many years to come.

Best Wishes

Dassanayaka Yoga Community Northcote

This is the state of the Building prior to take over

All internal and external work was completed by Dassanayaka Yoga Northcote (we are nearly finnished Stage 1.) Opening 2020 for classes

Before renovations and extensions...

After Renovations and planning permits approved the extensions...

Before renovations to the internal building

And ...

and..

Now we have finished renovations on two full bathroom fitouts and two newly built treatment rooms. All interior work is 95 percent complete and needs small fit off and final building checks.

Below Photos are between mid to late 2018. The stop work order from the council has been lifted and we can continue the work again to finish..

And ofcoarse the New yoga and meditation studio...

We ask you come and see for yourself as we would like you to experiance and see for yourself all the work that has been done over the past 2.5 years.

Final plans and permits have been approved by the council to complete the full stage 2. (which will have a portable kitchen and food service avalable for the community and the new internal practicing Ayurveda centre will also be completed in stage 2. of the project throughtout 2020-2021, First we will open the yoga studio and begin classes as soon as possible.

We will see you soon for a class! thank you again for all your wishes and kind words of support...

some photos below of the soft opening and those who have supported over the 2.5 year journey to launching and re opening again in 2020.

Best Wishes,

Dassanayaka Yoga / Uniting Awareness center Northcote.

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