Embodied Presence: Autumn Mindfulness Session

Join me for Embodied Presence, a 6-week mindfulness session to support your resilience as we move through the autumn season. This session is open to anyone who has practiced meditation with me before or those who are looking for a group to sit with.

Each class will include a short centering practice followed by an introduction to that night's philosophical theme and practice. Our formal meditation practice will be 20-23-minutes long, followed by a brief relaxation practice. Each class will include time for conversation and questions following each practice - because learning is often deepened through conversation.

What type of meditation will we be doing? 

I have studied and practiced various forms of meditation over the last 20 years and tend to work with practices that come from both Buddhist and yogic traditions. I have also studied trauma-informed approaches to mindfulness and teach with this awareness in all of my classes. You do not have to identify as a Buddhist or a yogin to do these practices. I will always aim to explain what we are doing in ways that are simple, safe, and accessible while acknowledging the traditions of practice that I have benefited from.

My personal approach to practice focuses on these key pillars - 

•  Embodied Presence - meditation is a whole-body practice, not just something we do with the mind, this is the foundation for our practices of mindfulness, the place we start, and the place we return to again and again
• Awakening the Witness - developing mindfulness
• Strengthening Concentration - this is a superpower that we learn how to train in through practice
• Developing Inquiry - once basic mindfulness & concentration have been established we can begin the more advanced practice of inquiry, this is where we become deeply aware of our mental/emotional patterning and can begin to create new ways of responding to our experience
• Compassion-Based Practices - mindfulness + compassion is a winning combination that will transform your relationship with yourself, to others, and to the world around you. For this reason, compassion-based practices are always part of what I teach

Do I need to sit for meditation practice?

While there is good reason to practice meditation in a seated pose I am more interested in you being comfortable because I don't believe you can gain as much benefit from the practice if you are struggling with your posture. I will provide options for practice which include sitting on a meditation cushion, using a chair, standing, walking or reclining.

Do I need to have meditation experience to take part? 

No, you do not. I will provide instruction and we will have room for questions at the end of every class. It is my aim to offer a class that will be equally beneficial for those with experience as well as for those who are new to the practices of mindfulness.

What will I need for class? 

All you really need for this class is a relatively quiet place to practice and an hour to yourself, along with a yoga mat if you have one, a meditation cushion or chair, and a couple of blankets. Additional props such as yoga bolsters, blocks or eye pillows can be nice but are not necessary.

Class Details

• Thursday evenings Oct 7th- Nov 11th 2021 at 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm PST
• On Zoom, please attend live if you can, a recording will be available after class
• Upon sign up, you will get an email sent to you with info about how to join the class

Pricing 

6 Class Session: $80