Seek the Still Point: Kundalini Yoga & Meditation

The trauma inherent in our turbulent times calls for self-care and reflection in addition to deep listening, witness consciousness and an open heart. Kundalini Yoga can meet each of us where and as we are, can help develop a particular kind of strength and endurance that leads to contemplative activism.

Workshop Description

Suitable for beginners (those with no yoga experience) as well as more advanced yoga practitioners, this Kundalini Yoga and Meditation workshop is not about how to perfect yoga postures (although it does address proper alignment). Rather it is about showing up and staying present. It is about how to use the body and mind as well as the voice, the brain, the heart—simply our whole selves—to open and gain deeper access to true, embodied worship. Through both movement and stillness, the yoga is your guide to a more authentic and heart-centered way of walking the earth every day.

The yoga sessions will include various mixes of asana (posture), mudra (hand positioning), mantra (chant), and meditation. Emphasis will be on relaxation and restoration of the body to prepare for meditation, and there will be a period of deep rest at the end of the yoga sequence each day. Following each day’s yoga session, we will move into traditional silent meditation, followed by worship sharing. There will be a small amount of lecturing on Monday. This lecturing is more by way of explanation and clarification than about yoga pedagogy. On Wednesday and Friday, we will have shorter sessions of yoga to allow participants to ask practical questions, share their experiences of the yoga practice over the course of the week, and interact with one another.

Experiential portions of the workshop will include a mix of sitting and standing, with the majority of time devoted to sitting, including for traditional silent meditation. Those who cannot sit on the floor on a yoga mat are welcomed and encouraged to use a wheel chair, regular chair, an exercise ball or any other props that will allow them to feel included and enabled, as well as comfortable. Worship sharing also may be done seated in chairs or on the floor, depending on our room assignment and available resources.

Please plan to dress in clothing that is stretchy and allows for freedom of movement. A personal yoga mat is essential, as well as other personal props, and a light covering for meditation, in case our room is kept cold. Disinfecting will be done in the yoga space each day for those attending in person to assure that we follow whatever COVID protocols are in place in summer 2023.

Leader Experience

For nearly 30 years, I have been an active teacher and teacher trainer for Kundalini Yoga and Meditation. I am also a practicing yoga therapist and healer, and a college instructor. I have led more than half a dozen yoga (and one chant) workshop(s) at FGC gatherings since 2008.