02-21-24: Sara-Mai Conway,
Integrating Mindfulness, Meditation and Yoga Asana
00:19: Sean Fargo introduces Sara-Mai Conway
06:51: Guided meditation led by Sara-Mai (sensing into posture)
13:55: The simple act of sitting in a posture and paying attention
15:10: Sara-Mai introduces today’s topic
15:45: Are yoga and meditation two separate things?
17:35: Today’s invitation for yoga teachers and/or meditators
20:30: Defining yoga as union (of what?)
28:59: The physical and mindful applications of the 8 limbs of yoga
35:00: Samadhi and assuming it’s the goal your students are after
40:12: Questions & Discussion
47:35: The importance of decentralizing asana
50:30: Structuring our asana class as if it were a meditation
53:41: Beginning with intention
56:20: Using intention as a guide for asana sequencing
1:01:15: Using cues that support intention
1:03:41: Using silence and encouraging people to become their own guides
1:09:00: Ways to insert formal meditation into an asana class
1:14:33: Guiding meditation in savasana, and why we might not
1:16:05: The importance of our personal mindfulness practice
1:18:07: Closing with a ‘dedication’
1:22:35: Questions and discussion
1:23:36: Trauma-sensitivity around silence
1:33:31: The use of music and allowing for more time in silence
1:37:01: Encouraging self-compassion and setting expectations
1:40:48: When do yoga, meditation and mindfulness start and stop?
1:44:26: Some things yoga teachers can do to create a sense of safety
1:48:10: Mudra practice as a reminder to be mindful
Resources:
Get a copy of the slides here.
ABOUT SARA-Mai
Sara-Mai is a yoga and meditation instructor. She found yoga in 2006 when looking for new ways to cross train for her own competitive racing. She was immediately impressed by the athleticism and physical challenge of the practice. Years later, it is the spiritual side of the practice that keeps yoga part of her daily regimen. Sara-Mai's classes are informed by her athleticism as well as her spiritual studies in Buddhism.
Sara-Mai completed a Masters Degree in Sport Management at the University of San Francisco in 2004 and is a 1999 graduate of Tufts University. She is a certified Experienced 200-hour Yoga Teacher under Yoga Alliance and a certified 500-hour Remedial Yoga and Applied Mindfulness Advanced teacher with Bodhi Yoga Spain under the Independent Yoga Network (UK). In addition, she has completed several hours of continuing education in meditation and Tibetan Buddhist studies.
Off the mat, she can be found adventuring throughout Southern Baja and beyond with her husband, Travis, and their two dogs, Sport and Bijou.