This workshop will take place in the Arlington Studio and on Zoom. Attend live, and/or access the recording for one month following.
This four-part, monthly community meditation series with meditation teacher Christine Clardy is like nothing you have experienced. With happy celebration of what we have already accomplished for our wellness, we will point ourselves with wise compassion toward the future. Have you have tried meditation alone and given up, believing that it’s just not right for you? Or do you feel comfortable with a private routine but want to enrich that experience? Maybe the pace of world events is unbearable or—on the other end a spectrum—you are suffering a private loss that leaves you grieving. The good news is that throughout human history, people have gathered together in times of jubilation and sorrow. Now is no different.
Each session will include centering, presentation of the topic, guided meditation, silence or journaling, group discussion, and a "Zen in Ten" movement/breath practice.
Attend a la carte or all four - your choice!
*BONUS COMMUNITY TIME!
6:00pm: "Sunday Picnic" - pack an easy, portable bite for yourself as we break bread together, satisfying your belly so your brain can focus on the contemplative work ahead!
6:30pm: Workshop begins
THE TOPICS
Meditation Matters: Sunday, September 22
“Science tells us….” By now we have heard the research. But how does it feel to meditate? What does my own body tell me? And if I don’t feel much, can poets, sages or friends point me in the right direction? Our first meeting will cover basic breathing, basic mudra, an introduction to the R.A.I.N. technique, and allow time for you to start your Fall 2024 Journal.
R.A.I.N. in Times of Trouble: Sunday, October 20
Rain is always falling somewhere, and every living thing makes use of it somehow. Think of the lotus, a commonly evoked symbol in yoga and meditation circles. As it floats on the water’s surface, it represents how our practices elevate us, providing respite from life’s noise and confusion. But as its roots find nourishment in the mud, it represents our need to fully absorb what is at hand and use it as fuel for growth. This meeting will deepen your R.A.I.N. technique, allow time for sharing, and foster a perspective that recognizes the inherent interconnection of both rising above and digging in.
Awakening in Community: Sunday, November 17
Humans are wired for sound. From historic battle cries to modern concert-going, we just want to let it out. This month, after the R.A.I.N., we’ll practice OM-ing and explore our ability to tap into a human mega-mechanism called entrainment, using a combination of Yoga Nidra, gong sound, and healing crystal bowl tones.
The Heart of Mindfulness: Sunday, December 15
Winter solstice draws near. Have we absorbed all we need in order to remain dormant, fully at rest, over the winter? Whatever the answer, we’ll continue to cultivate awareness and compassion, take a look at where we’ve been and create space for what might come next. This culminating session has us re-visiting past practices and journal entries, then setting accessible and sustainable goals for the future.
$35 per session; $120 for the full series of four
