Our Programs

This workshop will introduce you to our systematic approach for mastering meditation. We will learn traditional methods for developing calm, clarity, and wisdom, and for achieving deep, sustained states of relaxation.  Participants will:

· Learn conscious breathing to link body, energy and mind 

· Explore postures and gazes appropriate for different body types and energy levels 

· Practice calm abiding meditation with techniques that anchor the wandering mind 

· Develop clarity, equanimity and non-conceptuality through the practice of insight meditation

· Cultivate the heart of compassion to radiate kindness and inspiration 

· Relax into a deep sense of harmony with your innermost mind

· Transcend dualistic fixation to merge in union with the flow of existence 

· Rest in a fully integrative experience of natural awareness   

In this workshop we will explore the importance of breath control and internal energy practices within the progressive approach to meditation taught in both the Hatha Yoga and Tibetan Buddhist traditions.  

Our workshop begins with a general discussion of the body, breath, energy and mind approach, and then turns to the role of the subtle body in pranayama and tsa lung practice. We explore the energetic physiology of the channels, winds, chakras and subtle essences as they relate to these practices of breath and internal energy. We learn nine increasingly challenging breath and energy exercises including the postures, bandhas, mudras and stages of breath that are utilized in the various techniques. We discuss the benefits of each exercise as well as hints and cautions for safe practice. Finally, we practice all of the techniques to ensure that participants are well equipped to integrate them into their regular yoga and meditation practice. 

In this workshop, we will explore the benefits and techniques of Calm Abiding Meditation as taught in both the Hatha Yoga and Tibetan Buddhist traditions.  Calm Abiding Meditation refers to a wide variety of techniques that all utilize objects of meditation. Meditative objects provide an anchor for the wandering mind, freeing us from the disturbances of thought and enabling us to reach a state of profound calm. 

In our workshop we learn the various types of objects according to the "outer, inner, secret" approach from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. We work with objects related to the body, breath, energy, and the most subtle object of all---mind itself. Finally, we practice each of these methods to ensure that participants are well equipped to integrate them into a regular meditation practice. 

Hacking consciousness means changing our relationship to the world, rather than changing the world itself. We want to hack consciousness to discover who we really are, to explore and ultimately to raise our consciousness. Of course, as we raise our individual consciousness, the world collectively follows suit.

In Tibetan Buddhism, the most profound meditation is called Dzogchen, often translated as the Great Natural Perfection. To accomplish Dzogchen meditation is to simply rest in Awareness itself. We call this Awareness our natural state or the Nature of Mind. It is our true condition, primordially present and spontaneously arising, without manipulation or fabrication of any sort. To simply rest in the freshness of this present moment experience, in a state of luminous and clear non-conceptual Awareness is the pinnacle of meditation practice. This is the Great Natural Perfection.

This workshop introduces basic meditation and mindfulness terminology and techniques specifically focused on enhancing relaxed concentration, reducing stress and tension, and preventing burnout.  In the first part of the workshop, we learn about the different types of stress as well as its causes and consequences.  We discuss the stress response and learn how meditation affects our reactivity to whatever is arising in the environment.  Finally, we learn basic meditation theory including what it is and why it works.  

In the second part of our workshop, we learn six foundational aspects of meditation practice such as postures, gazes and breath.  We learn and practice at four specific meditations that participants can take into their daily lives.  We conclude with tips for building a daily meditation practice.

This workshop presents similar information as our Mediation for Stress Management workshop, including:  

• The causes and consequences of stress
• The stress response
• How meditation affects our reactivity to stress
• Basic meditation theory
• Six foundational aspects of meditation practice
• Four specific meditations techniques
• Tips for building a daily practice

In addition, we discuss the effects of COVID-related stress on the workplace, Finally, we review the results of research into the benefits of meditation that demonstrate a measurable impact on workplace performance.