Meditation

I am a lover of meditation. I believe in its power to heal us at a deep level and to make life sweet.

My teaching is informed by my deep immersion in the wisdom and practices of Yoga—especially Shaivism, which is considered the pinnacle of the Yoga traditions.

I also love and teach secular meditation, mindfulness, and awareness practices. Such practices can offer a deep, direct encounter with your own awareness, and a beautiful intimacy with the present moment.

In both private and group classes we learn how to work with the mind. We strengthen our ability to concentrate and to focus our attention, and we learn easeful ways to relax into meditative states.

As we explore meditation, it’s enormously helpful to open and work with the three main centers: the third eye center, the heart center and the hara, the belly center. When we drop into our heart and hara, we access the deeper wisdom of our body.

One of the great effects of meditation is this: You enter into a deeper relationship with your own happiness, your own contentment. Meditation is all about discovering a vast reservoir of happiness that is yours, ready for you to claim.
– Gurumayi Chidvilasanada
Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open?

– Rumi

These are some of the topics we typically explore in introductory meditation classes:

  • The “View”
  • Your intention for your meditation practice
  • Attitude of ahimsa, non harming; being gentle with yourself
  • Yoga poses that prepare the body for meditation
  • Seated posture
  • Tuning into the breath
  • Gentle breathing practices that calm the mind
  • Working with thoughts
  • Mantra
  • Bringing awareness to (and opening) the three centers – the third eye center, the heart center and the hara, or belly center
  • Easeful meditation practices for relaxing into spaciousness
  • Direct path practices for the felt sense of “I am”
  • The body scan to strengthen concentration and become familiar with awareness
  • Homework: meditation and self-inquiry practices

 

One-to-one meditation instruction is available in person and via the phone and Skype.

 

Getting Started Series

Includes:

  • Phone consultation
  • Three  hour-long sessions once a week, for three consecutive weeks
  • Recommended daily practices and background reading
  • Questions answered via email and phone

 

For more information or to schedule a private or group session or series: Contact Alice

Meditation is your true nature.... Peace is your natural state. It is the mind that obstructs your natural state.

– Ramana Maharshi

Musings on Meditation

"My mind is too busy to meditate" and other common obstacles. Learn what has helped others overcome the common obstacles to meditating.

The physical practice of yoga offers many people their first experiences of meditative states. As we rest in the breath or in sensation, our attention naturally turns inside.