Yoga nidra, an ancient practice is gaining some popularity in treating individuals who experience anxiety and restlessness. This practice is featured in this month’s issue of Yoga Journal and offers the following practice guide. Invite yourself to also listen to the audio-guided practice by following the link below, presented by Richard Miller, who has introduced this practice to individuals in the military, schools, hospitals, and jails.
Exploring the 10 Steps of...
When we think of exercise, we often think of our bodies. We exercise to keep ourselves physically fit, be in charge of preventing various health issues, or to just let go and feel good. We also know that there are ways to exercise our brain. Maybe, you completed this morning’s Sudoku or crossword puzzle or will watch tonight’s Jeopardy. I want to tell you about another brain exercise that is...
When I began practicing mindfulness meditation formally 4 years ago, it was on a whim. A classmate of mine, who led meditation at the UVM Mindfulness Practice Center, invited me to join him during their drop-in hours. I began to attend regularly and also took a few mindfulness-based courses that contributed to my psychology degree. The positive effects mindfulness can bring to our minds and spirits quickly fascinated me.
I currently work in...
We are happy to present the following events, workshops, and classes this October at VTCYT.
Free Groups & Events
Workshops & Classes
VTCYT recognizes yoga and meditation as therapy, not just a component of what we offer here. We recognize that talk therapy can only take a person so far. We believe that healing occurs when an individual is invited to be with themselves in a deeper way through movement and breath. Currently, yoga and meditation is seen as a compliment to traditional therapies. Here at VTCYT, we believe yoga and meditation is the main dish.<...
VTCYT is please to offer individual mindfulness meditation instruction, facilitated by our graduate level intern, Catherine Schiller. Mindfulness meditation is an opportunity to deepen one's awareness of one's internal and external experiences, moment to moment. Mindfulness allows one to bring a gentle curiosity, with openness, compassion, and non-judgement to these experiences. Mindfulness meditation can allow one to develop skills that may be helpful for a particular ailment or concern including depression, anxiety,...
Two weekends ago, I decided to dedicate some time to just myself while attending a two day retreat at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I experienced what I call the “full spectrum” of everything you could imagine that would come up while being in silence for those two days. Pleasure, pain, pain and pleasure at the same time, boredom, joy, etc.
One fascinating moment occurred when...
The March issue of Shambhala Sun explores who meditation has been researched over the past few decades as well as provides "Living Proof" of how meditation can affect one's life and overall well-being. Isabel Adon, a social worker in the Bronx shares why she is "Living Proof." Read an excerpt below or find the latest issue to read for yourself.
http://www.shambhalasun.com/index.php?option=com_content&task...
Metta, or loving-kindness, is a practice in which one cultivates compassion and softness towards one’s self and others. Give yourself and others this gift and follow this Metta prayer by Sharon Salzberg, below.
Take a few deep breaths, relax your body. Feel your energy settle into your body and into the moment.
May I live in safety. May I be happy. May I be healthy. May I live...
Many of the individuals I meet with to teach and practice mindfulness meditation always ask me about how they can maintain their practice independently. It may be helpful to have a guide. Please follow the link below to be connected to Dr. Arnold Kozak's complete collection of mindfulness practices. Guided practices include basic mindfulness meditation practices, mindful walking, yoga, and specific practices for anger and pain.
http://exquisitemind.com/learn...
Interested in the Mindfulness for Teens or Mindful Parents Support groups but missed the first meeting? No worries! Groups are still open for participants to join. Feel free to come this upcoming Monday, September 12th.
Mindfulness for Teens 3:30-4:30
Mindful Parents 5:45-6:45
For a detailed schedule, check out our events page.
I watched change happen for seven silent days. A lot happened. That is the short-form version of my experience on a recent mindfulness meditation retreat. Change is beautiful and interesting. However, that perspective is not always the relationship we may have towards change. I have often heard and experienced that change is hard, but we can rely that it is always happening, in fact change must happen. My retreat experience opened my eyes further...
I came across an article today in the New York Times that explored the seemingly increased interest in meditation - only, especially among many New York yoga studios. Yoga, which can invite us to be exposed to meditation and to our internal selves if we allow it, seems to be inviting many yoga students to practice meditation soley. As a meditation instructor and intern here at VTCYT I have noticed an increased demand for...
I am excited to offer a Meditation and Mindfulness workshop at VTCYT, which starts next Tuesday, Sept. 13. There are many concrete, measurable benefits from meditation -- decreased anxiety, enhanced immune system, better focus and concentration, improved relationships, and more -- but meditation at its best is not about fixing or improving anything. What becomes increasingly clear through sustained and regular practice is the paradox that what produces all these benefits is allowing everything to...
I am excited and looking forward to facilitating Mindfulness for Teens and Mindful Parents starting a week from today, March 5. I am also pleased to offer these groups to the community for no charge.
Mindfulness for Teens provides opportunity for Teens to learn and practice mindfulness based practices that includes formal meditation, mindful eating, mindful movements, and mindful listening in a group setting. Teens will also discuss areas in which mindfulness...
Check out this article on meditation!
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2012/11/meditations-positive-residual-effects/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11.15.12%2520%281%29#.UKT3Ol0o_MY.email
As I continue my internship here at VTCYT, I am please to offer free individual mindful parenting, meditation instruction, and counseling starting November 1. Each session will be one hour and slots are available now on Monday's 2:00-7:00 p.m., and Tuesday and Friday mornings, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. If you are interested, please inquiry by calling the center, 802-658-9440 or emailing Catherine.E.Schiller@gmail.com.
Mindful parenting instruction...