New direction for meditation class

At the request of one of the students in my meditation class, who wanted a more body-centered meditation experience, I am working up creating a new class series. I envision it as a hybrid class, incorporating yoga asanas, pranayama, meditation techniques, and spiritual discussion. I will probably incorporate influences from  hatha, yin and restorative yoga, kundalini yoga, and Chinese Taoist meditation. And of course breathing exercises and meditation.

To be honest, this I have had an idea for a class like this for some time now. I just wasn’t sure it was what people wanted. But since someone has now asked, well….let’s do it!

I'll be leading this class during the first hour of Thursday night meditation, from 6-7 pm. I think it will be a really nice preparation for the hour of meditation that follows.

I'm excited!

Intentions for 2012

One area of yoga practice that I frankly usually forget to do, but am trying to get better at, is setting an intention for the day's practice. I used to do this regularly years ago, but as time went on I have let the habit slip. An intention for yoga practice is something you contemplate at the beginning of your practice, as you center yourself. It could be a physical intention for your yoga, like staying with the breath, or relaxation. Or the intention could be something you want in your life, like love, or joy, or peace. Recently I have read about a format for an intention that I particularly like: “I let go of _______ and embrace ________.” I like this because we all both carry things we would like to be rid of, and at the same time desire to bring new things into our lives. I like it also because how can we make room for the new if we don’t make room by clearing out the old? I decided that, this year, instead of a resolution or goal for New Years, I would set an intention for the new year. I did lot of thinking about what intentions I wanted to make for the new year. On New Years Eve day, I made two lists. One list of the things that I want to invite and embrace in my life, and one of things I am willing to let go of. I want to embrace: Expansion Possibility Ease Joy Freedom Enjoying being where I am right now Letting My Light Shine To make room for those, I am willing to release: Impatience Worry Resentment Struggle Hiding Attachment to outcome Basically, I think it all boils down to this: I intend to let go of tension, and embrace expansion and surrender.