|
|
Insight Meditation South Bay offers a variety of programs that integrate movement, creative activities, energy arts, and healing processes with mindfulness-based meditations to enhance embodied awareness. "The way of nurturing life requires that one keep oneself as fluid and flexible as possible. One should learn how to exercise naturally, observing the fact that flowing water never stagnates and a busy door with active hinges never rusts or rots. Why? Because they exercise themselves perpetually and are almost always moving."
-- Sun Ssu-mo Movement disciplines are introduced during IMSB Day-Long and Half Day Programs in which guest teachers join Shaila to combine the teachings of Insight Meditation with one of the movement disciplines featured below. You can find biographies of guest teachers with the movement descriptions. All programs are suitable for experienced and beginning practitioners. Students participate to the extent they enjoy, and may replace the movement session with an individual walking meditation if they wish. Please see the calendar of events for upcoming programs. Dynamic Awareness -- Expressive MovementActors study to become present in the body, detached from judgement and aware of the subtle movement of thoughts and emotions as they shift with subtle changes in the body. By directing the mind inside, allowing, and practicing detached observation, one can become present with what is and develop a sense of community around a shared humanity. These workshops at IMSB bring together a deep exploration of movement with silent meditation and have generated enthusiasm for developing this unique approach and applying it to subtleties of the inner life. Developing an awareness of presence in movement opens a pathway for bringing meditation into daily life.
Feldenkrais Method -- Awareness Through MovementThe Feldenkrais Method® is a learning process that uses simple movements to encourage new ways of moving with comfort and ease. The group form of the work, called Awareness Through Movement®, uses movement sequences that deepen our capacity for awareness and guide us toward freedom from self-limiting habits. While students lie on the floor, respectful of themselves and their comfort, the teacher verbally guides them through simple movement sequences. Through this "giving space to your self" students gain freedom of movement, relief from discomfort and a sense of well being.
PilatesPilates focuses on postural symmetry, abdominal and spine stabilization, mind/body control, and strengthening through the complete range of motion of all joints. Instead of isolating muscle groups, the ”whole body” is trained, integrating the upper and lower extremities with the trunk. The result is strong, long and lean muscles with equal strength ratios.
QigongQigong, which literally translates to "energy skill" or "energy manipulation", is the ancient art and science of working with one's subtle energy. Medical Qigong incorporates simple yet profound postures and movements, along with the breath and the focus of one's mind to achieve greater health, awareness, concentration, balance, and stillness of mind.
Marcy Reynolds, B.A. is a longtime student of holistic health having taught yoga, nutrition and western herbalism. Chronic fatigue led her to the self-healing practice of Qigong which has been instrumental in her recovery and continues to bring depth, peace and healing to her life and the lives of her students. Marcy has been teaching meditation and Qigong in California since 1997 and is a member of the Teachers’ Council at Vipassana Santa Cruz. To find out more about workshops and classes with Marcy, please visit www.wildcoastqigong.com. Yoga
Iyengar and Yin YogaMastery of the body and the breath is a gateway to mastery of the mind. Iyengar yoga includes focus on correct body alignment and the theraputic aspects of the asanas. In addition one learns to breathe smoothly, deeply and evenly so the energy can flow unobstructed,making the mind quiet. As one progresses, there is a powerful cumulative effect which allows for deeper penetration within the individual bringing the mind and senses under control making one ready for meditation. Yin yoga is characterized by passive poses held for several minutes each. It targets the tendons and ligaments in the joints and spine lengthening these tissues over time. It is an ideal method of physical conditioning for prolonged meditation.
Raja YogaTamara Perkins is a certified Raja Yoga teacher, filmmaker, and activist. Inspired by the opportunity to ease suffering and open paths to healing and empowerment, she teaches in diverse environments including men's and women's prisons, grief support programs, schools, and youth development conferences. Childhood exposure to Yoga and Tibetan Buddhism through her father has helped form the foundation of Tamara's practice. Tamara is founder and director of Apple of Discord Productions, a film production company born of a combination of creativity, service and activism (www.trustcommunity.org). Find out more at www.tamaraperkins.com. Yin YogaYin Yoga is the relaxed practice of floor poses for three to five minutes at a time. The practice emphasizes release of connective tissues of the hips, thighs, pelvis and lower spine. Because floor poses allow each of us to find a stretch that allows opening, yin yoga works well for novices and experienced yogis. Because the poses are held, yin yoga allows us to explore sensation with kindness and patience and prepares the body and the mind for longer meditation practices. Renate Kempf has practiced yoga for over twenty years and is a certified yoga instructor at the 200 hour level. Her training includes yin yoga certification with Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers. Renate has also been a Structural Integration bodyworker for over ten years. She sees clients in her office in Palo Alto. See www.azureheart.com for more information about Renate's work. |
|