Awakening Sundays

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

The freedom to express ourselves is a glorious thing. Many of us grapple with this. Whether we feel it professionally (perhaps as a yoga teacher, facilitator or leader), in intimate relationship (where it can be particularly vulnerable), creatively (whether you are an artist or not), with our families or in the world (when our views may be different than others) and even within ourselves (where critical mind can be an oppressive force)- we often meet with resistance to our full and free expression. In these workshops, we will explore what inhibits that expression and how to unearth the obstacles. We will also play with the expression itself- in wild and wonderful ways!

We will use the practices of Yoga, Meditation and Inquiry, as well as some creative play to support the unravelling of what blocks our innate lifeforce... in service of liberating free and full expression. Join us!

The morning will begin with a vinyasa flow practice, followed by meditation including instruction and guidance. From there, we'll move into a teaching where we will introduce a topic and then develop it through the practice of inquiry - a partner-based exercise aimed at self-exploration and illumination. To close, we will allow space for questions and reflections followed by a gentle restorative yoga practice to assist with integration.

These workshops are designed to create a space for deepening practice along with the cultivation of sangha (community). This is an opportunity to come together with other practitioners, to establish a strong, steady, well-resourced field of support- which the Buddhists refer to as the "third jewel," sangha. It is a space to take our practice deeper, beyond the mat, into the realms of philosophy & psychology, energetics, self-study (svadhyaya) and ultimately... awakening.

Rosemary will be joined by Simon Moyes for these workshops. Simon is a certified Zen teacher in the Soto Zen Lineage of Suzuki Roshi and was a Zen monk for 5 years. His passion is bringing the wisdom of the Zen tradition into our contemporary culture through mindfulness and emotional intelligence. He has worked with Google and the United Nations and is a lead teacher and curriculum designer at the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute. Simon is also a long term student in the Diamond Approach, and was first introduced to yoga when he was practicing meditation in India 25 years ago. When not teaching he can be found tending to his bees and doing contemporary dance.