White Heron Sangha Meditation Center in Avila Village
This class offers a welcoming and accessible doorway into mindfulness meditation — open to beginners, newcomers to sangha, and anyone wishing to deepen or renew their practice.
Our exploration will be rooted in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness — body, feelings, mind, and phenomena — allowing for a guided experience of each as the series unfolds. Together we’ll explore sitting posture, present-moment anchors, lightly guided meditation, and gentle inquiry. We’ll also turn toward what motivates our practice — the aspiration to benefit all beings — and the significance of taking refuge in the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
- Beginners and all levels are welcome!
- Space is limited and registration is required.
- There is no fee for this class and dana (donations) will be accepted.
In one of the Buddha’s earliest teachings on the path for the realization of unbinding, he gives instructions on sustaining focus on the body, internally and externally. In Sanskrit, Yoga means to unite the body, mind and spirit through meditation and movement.
This class will bring together these practices through gentle, mindful movement to help unwind and unbind tension in the body, and will finish with meditation to allow space for relating to the breath, body, thoughts and emotions.
The heart practices of loving kindness, compassion, joy and balanced states will be weaved into our time together.
- Beginners and all levels are welcome!
- Space is limited and registration is required.
- There is no fee for this class and dana will be accepted.
- Bring a yoga mat and any props to support your practice. There are some blocks and cushions available at the center.
Mindfulness through movement is one of my life passions and when beginning yoga many years ago, I was instantly drawn to the connection to the moment through the breath and body. This is still true today and is what guides my meditation practice.
As we age and our bodies change, so do our limitations and abilities. I’ve had to adapt my practice over the years and as an instructor, do my best to offer gentle poses with options that are accessible to many. Releasing and manifesting energy is essential to our health and well-being as well as checking in with how we’re feeling from the inside out.
Each class offers breathwork and a series of gentle poses to alleviate tightness in the shoulders, neck and hips, and increase muscular strength and overall flexibility. Guided movement along with invitations to feel into the moment through the breath and body help cultivate one’s awareness and bring it into every day life.
All levels are welcome! No prior experience is required.
