Introduction to Meditation
6-week online course
Introduction to Meditation
6-week online course
This 6-week online course is designed for anyone who spends time during their busy life providing care to others, and who would like to find stillness through a meditation practice at home. My goal is to make meditation as accessible as possible and give you tools to stay calm and focused during the ups & downs of life.
Sometimes the most important thing you can do in your day is take a deep breath.
In this course, we will:
Learn about the chemicals that make the brain happy: dopamine, endorphin, oxytocin, and serotonin, and discuss how they relate to the ups & downs of life
Discuss the benefits of meditation, including meditation’s effect on the “happy” brain chemicals listed above and the Default Mode Network
Learn how to stretch and use props to make sitting in meditation comfortable
Experience restorative yoga, breathing techniques, and a variety of meditations that are appropriate for those who are beginning to meditate or trying to establish a more consistent practice
Create an individualized plan to help you begin – and stick with – a home meditation practice
Each week we will have 3 types of reading:
Yoga talk: Concepts from yoga and meditation practices that provide a framework for understanding meditation
Science talk: What are some of the things going on in your brain and body that contribute to feelings of happiness, anxiety, depression, pride, contentment, etc., and how can we recognize and understand these feelings as they come & go?
Real talk: How to take these concepts and weave them into your life, what to realistically expect with your practice, and how
Then we will have a sampling of meditation and breathing exercises for you to try out.
Breathing exercises (about 4 minutes): Short exercises to help you settle into your body and connect with your breath
Meditation Practice (ranging from 6-20 minutes): Visualizations, affirmations, and other guided meditations
Homework & additional info:
Daily meditation: You’ll be expected and encouraged to meditate every day (yes, every day!) to help this new habit stick
Additional info (optional): I’ll also share what I'm doing in my meditation practice, as well as books, podcasts, and articles that dive deeper on some of the subjects we cover.
Make time to prioritize your peace
There will always be things on your to do list and reasons that now may not feel like the right time to start a new practice. But by prioritizing your self-care, you’ll be able to flow through life’s ups and downs with more self-compassion and grace.