A ROADMAP TO WELLNESS

Why do we practice yoga? Why do we meditate, breathe with awareness, or spend mindful times in nature? Why do we adhere to practices that we understand are of benefit, but can be challenging for us to sustain? Often we are looking to sustain or increase our health and happiness, and to engage proactively with our lives.

In these turbulent times, we know that anchoring our body and mind in the present moment is an invaluable tool that can bring a sense of ease into our lives. Being present with our body, or full embodiment, is a skill that we can develop. We can increase our immunity, soothe our hearts, and live longer and happier by making some choices around diet, exercise, sleep, and lifestyle.

Our practices in relaxation and mindful awareness support all of this. When we are at ease and in the present moment, we are more self-aware and inclined to make positive choices. Lao Tzu, a philosopher accredited with the founding of Taoism, says this: “If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

We all want to feel contentment and experience good health. Another way to frame that would be to say we don’t want to live chronically with anxiety, depression, stress, or other strong emotions like fear and anger. It isn’t easy in this world. Sometimes we may be so habituated to feeling a certain way that we forget that more fulfilling ways are even possible. After years of practice I still sometimes fall into old patterns of thought at times. Fear and anxiety can try to find their way in. Sadness arises that requires care and processing. But practices like mindfulness of body and mind, and the things they can teach us, definitely bring a deeper understanding to these human emotions that affect us all, and give us tools to work with to maximize our wellbeing and adaptability. When I’m more self aware, at ease, and embodied, I relate more lovingly to the world, to helping others, to being more open and generous, to feeling more positive about myself.

It helps to have a roadmap that guides our way. When we mindfully head in a particular direction, we get there with less delay. Classes and practices can offer the support of structure and, more importantly, a sense of shared experience and community.

While each of the classes I offer moves us into a state of wellbeing in which relaxation and transformation can take place, once there we may want to add to our toolbox to look inside more deeply. I have long used the Twenty Count Medicine Wheel as an integral part of my personal roadmap. From the ancient Mesoamericans, it offers a simple and yet profound way of looking at the qualities and sacred aspects of our existence through a lens that is ordered and interrelational, mathematical and deeply spiritual. The course will offer a brief overview of the wheel, and then with a focus on the teachings of the cardinal directions we will engage in discussion and ask ourselves some valuable questions to give us insight and inspire wisdom in our lives. The sessions will be both fun and profound, including guided meditation, journeying, explorative discussion, and creativity.

FALL SESSIONS

I hope you join me for classes or sessions coming up this fall. We will continue Chair and Qi, and Yin Yoga online. I also invite you to explore The Twenty Count Medicine Wheel to look at life through the integral lens of an ancient wisdom tool and map. All courses are on my website, www.dalepearsonyoga.com, and online registration is easy.

YOGA IN THE YARD

AD HOC

If weather permits I will hold some ‘ad hoc’ Yoga in the Yard sessions. I will always give an advance email, and the classes are drop in. If you want to be added to the list please email me.

CHAIR AND QI

WEDNESDAYS 11 AM TO 12 NOON

SEPTEMBER 8 TO OCTOBER 27

8 SESSIONS

$80

Chair Yoga and Qi Gong are excellent and accessible ways for everyone, older adults, individuals coping with flexibility or balance issues, or for those recuperating from joint issues or chronic pain to reduce stress, loosen and stretch painful muscles, and improve the circulation of qi (energy) and blood. They also reduce anxiety, help lower blood pressure, protect joints, and build strength and balance. We experience improved mobility, flexibility, and sense of wellbeing.

In this class we incorporate knowledge of the energetic meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine, practice accupressure, breath work, and include guided meditation to provide us with all the elements needed for a healthy, balanced life. Each class offers simple movements to gently stimulate our mental, physical and emotional health.

YIN YOGA

TUESDAYS 7:30 PM TO 8:30/8:45 PM

SEPTEMBER 7 TO OCTOBER 26

8 SESSIONS

$80

Yin Yoga is a slow, mindful practice that takes us deep into a field of self discovery. We activate and nourish our connective tissues, awaken the energetic meridians to promote health, and cultivate mindful awareness. Expect to feel a deep sense of relaxation and release throughout your whole body in this practice that will access your parasympathetic nervous system and leave you feeling restored and refreshed. You will sense a deep release of long held tensions that may reside in your muscles, joints and tissues. At the same time, Yin teaches us how to be calm, patient and non-reactive.

THE TWENTY COUNT MEDICINE WHEEL

In this introductory series, we’ll look at the Twenty Count Medicine Wheel based on the sacred number system of ancient Mesoamerica, and use it as a map to guide us into self inquiry and insight. We’ll have a brief overview of the wheel as a whole, use our intuitive expression to connect with its symbology, use guided meditation to open to the answers of specific self directed questions, and reflect on the answers that arise. We’ll take a journey with our sacred animal to feel its full embodiment. This pathway will open your awareness and illuminate your insight into relevant questions of our existence. You will need a notebook and pen, felt marker, and several small stones to create your own symbolic wheel. A minimum number of participants are required for this course to move forward.

THE TWENTY COUNT MEDICINE WHEEL

MONDAYS 7:30 TO 9:00 PM

SEPTEMBER 27 TO NOVEMBER 8

8 SESSIONS

$140