Enter, Meditation.
Yes, the secret is out and the buzz about meditation is true!
Meditation is an ancient practice that continues to grow in popularity, and for good reasons. Recent studies have shown that a meditation practice can relieve stress, reduce blood pressure, enhance our concentration, and create feelings of calm, connection, and joy. However, these are just the by-products of meditation; there is much more to meditation than meets the eye.
In this course you will not only learn to meditate, but you will also receive weekly lectures to deepen your understanding of the science, philosophy, and history of meditation, recorded meditations to listen to at home, and a workbook with journal prompts, tips, and exercises.
Life is sometimes difficult, stressful, and challenging. We can’t control what happens, but we do have the potential to change the way we relate to those things.
Through meditation, we can begin to build awareness and presence – finding spaces in between thoughts, feelings, and the activity of daily life where we can drop into being. From this place of awareness, we can work to better understand ourselves, connect to ourselves and others, build compassion, foster change in our lives, and find a deeper sense of contentment. But that doesn’t mean we’ll feel clear, calm, and kind as soon as we start or finish. Since the mind is always changing, our experience might feel different each time we meditate.
We meditate not to be good at meditation, but to be good at life.
What you'll receive
• 4 x 2-hour workshops consisting of guided meditation practices, Q&A, and lectures on science, theory, philosophy, and history, so that you gain a deeper understanding, with a different theme each week
• 4 x recorded meditations to listen to at home in between sessions
• A 23-page workbook including theory, journal prompts, short exercises, and tips to keep you motivated each week
• One-on-one support in creating a sustainable mediation practice tailored to suit your lifestyle
This course takes place over 4 Saturdays.
The weekly outline below may slightly vary. Each day you can expect pleasant arrival/check-in, gentle movement, meditation practices, thorough guidance, science based lectures and time for questions. You may like to bring a notebook along as there will be journal prompts, and time for reflection and note-taking.
WEEK 1 - science of meditation & stress
• Why meditate, the Stress Response Cycle and the Science of Stress
• Breath-based Meditation
• Intention Setting and Journal Prompts
• Cultivating a Sustainable Meditation Practice
• Yoga Nidra and Radical Rest
• The Wandering Mind
• Dzogchen Introduction (Nature of Mind)
WEEK 2 - compassion and the heart
• Compassion for Self and Others – Philosophy and Science
• Heart Chakra Meditation
• Tender and Fierce Self-Compassion
• Advanced Compassion Philosophy (Bodhisattva path)
• The Four Immeasurables (Brahmaviharas) and the Six Perfections (Paramitas)
• Journal Prompts for Personal Growth and Connection
WEEK 3 - movement & the body
• Somatics and Embodiment – Science of the Body and Movement
• Journal Prompts and Body-based Exercises for Mindfulness and Presence
• Pranayama Techniques
• Sensory Meditation
• The Koshas and The Chakras
• Mantra and Sound
• ‘Four Dimensions’ Meditation
WEEK 4 - from the inside out, and beyond
• Beyond This Course; Trusting your Home Practice
• Intention Setting and Journal Prompts
• The Healing Potential of Meditation
• ‘RAIN’ Meditation for Difficult Moments
• Integration of Advanced Practices into Daily Life
• 'Inner Core' Meditation
• Container Exercise
• Optional Full-Day Silent Retreat Guide
I first stumbled across yoga as a teenager and have since incorporated movement, meditation, and pranayama into my life as avenues for healing, release, and rest. Years later, I’m continually inspired by the many ways in which yoga can facilitate both individual and collective healing. My approach to sharing and teaching yoga is centered around exploring themes of connection, compassion, and contentment within yourself and with those around you. In class, you can expect fluid and explorative flows that emphasise free movement and expression, while cultivating a sense of connection, presence, strength, and inner peace. Warm and open in my approach, I teach through a trauma-informed lens, and invite everyone to come as they are - just as they are. I truly believe that if we begin with a gentle curiosity, we can all develop strength, flexibility, compassion and endurance throughout the whole self. When I’m not on the yoga mat you can find me FaceTiming my Dog who lives in Australia, baking caramel slice or trying a new art & craft.
