Introducing: Yoga Philosophy As Practice mini-series

The practice of yoga goes well beyond the physical postures we do in a 60 minute class. Join instructor, Lauren Turner to explore some of the principles and concepts of yoga’s rich philosophy in a special 4-part series.

Each week, we’ll explore a different yogic principle or concept and weave it throughout our practice. We’ll begin with short discussion on the topic, which includes commentary on its relationship with what we know about brain science. Then we will bring this into our practice with complimentary movement, breath work and meditation.

This series only dips its toes into the vast and expansive history of yoga, but will offer students a fresh prospective of what yoga has to offer - whether looking at it through a philosophical Eastern lens or through a Western scientific lens.

This week’s session
Pratyāhāra: Overcoming distractions in meditation

Pratyahara or “withdrawing of the senses” is the 5th of 8 limbs of classical yoga. Being able to retract from the sensory input of external objects is a critical step before one can enter deeper meditative practice. However, our minds are wired to prioritize the stuff of the senses - sounds, sights, smells, sensations and tastes. In brain science we identify the “amygdala” as the alarm system. With pratyahara, we learn how to disarm it.

This practice incorporates evidence-based and trauma-informed techniques to help bring the body’s nervous system into the rest and digest mode - a key step in turning down or off the mind’s alarm system. This will set us up to explore this first phase of meditation - the withdrawing of the senses.

Guests will be invited to complete a (optional) short feedback form as part of one of Lauren’s assignments to complete her advanced teacher training.

Date: May 12th 9:30am-10:30am
Edwards Hall @ Open Spirit Center in Framingham
Cost: $20 for drop-in or $60 for the 4 week series