Introduction to Mindfulness + Meditation

meditation can make a difference

Anxiety is no stranger to our modern world. In the age of fast-paced movement and fear provoking pandemics, the future can feel unsettling. Navigating emotional overwhelm in uncertain times and honing our tools for stress-resilience is a power we can access in this moment. It just takes practice and awareness to access.

We all have the innate capacity to tap into our inner sanctuary of calm, to find ways to rest in the wake of uncertainty and practice a presence that reminds us how good it is to be alive.

in this course You will learn

• Foundations of establishing a meditation practice

• Practices of everyday mindfulness

• Ways to live life engaged and present

• Tools to consciously reduce stress in body, mind + heart

• Techniques to work with challenging emotions

• Ways to clear obstacles and prepare the body + mind for meditation

• Tips to nurture + sustain a daily meditation ritual

Curriculum

Week 1: Foundation of Practice

Establishing intentions for our course. An introduction to mindfulness and meditation. Unearthing the benefits. Creating sacred space and your meditation foundation for practice. Establishing structures for supportive practice.

Week 2: The Art of Attention

A deeper dive into mindfulness. Cultivate curiosity and refine focus. Explore how attention has the ability to transform all parts of life.

Week 3: Relax the Body, Expand the Breath

Recognize common blocks in seated meditation practice. Explore Yogic practices of Pranayama to calm the nervous system. Use the power of the breath as a bridge to the present moment.

Week 4: Transform the Heart Mind

Befriending the mind. Exploring the nature of emotion and the sources of suffering. Discover meditation practices to deepen our relationship with our thoughts and emotions.

Week 5: Practices of Compassion

Widen your circle of compassion from self to others through practices of forgiveness & reconciliation. We will explore the meditation of Tonglen to work with sentiments of suffering.

Week 6: Closing Integration & Ritual

Assimilate and integrate these practices from the inside out. Create rituals to sustain and strengthen your reservoir of calm. 

Various meditations we will explore include: body scan, yoga nidra, breath awareness, mantra, loving-kindness, tonglen and potentially more. Each group has it’s unique ebb and flow and may shift to accommodate the group energy.

What You Get

• Course Manual with research, insights and teachings

• Downloadable Guided Meditations to support your home practice

• Downloadable Pranayama or Breathing Practices

• Three 30-Minute Grounding Yoga Practice to focused on stress reduction, tension release and cultivating calm

• Journal prompts for self-inquiry

• Weekly integration exercises

• Resources to strengthen your journey

• Access to support and inspiration from our community via closed Facebook Group

The Dates + Details

• Dates: TBD

• TBD: 5:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM EST

• 6 Live Class Sessions via Zoom

• 75 Minute Sessions including a 20 meditation, lecture & discussion, journaling & share

• Recorded sessions are available if you miss a session

• Course available for 20 Yoga Alliance CE credit: 7.5 hours in class, additional hours in daily meditation practice, journaling, and integration exercises.

This course is eligible for 10 Yoga Alliance Continuing Education credits.

Partial scholarships are available for those who need support, please apply here.