Virtual Morning Yoga Immersion

Sunday, August 9th 7:00 - 8:00pm - Introduction

Monday, August 10th - Friday, August 14th

Zoom Meeting every morning 6:30 – 8:00 am

Sliding Scale: $10–$100
Venmo: @Meghan-Maris

The August Morning Immersion will be taking place during the ripest time of the year as we enter into the harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere. Often during mid-August, people are on vacations, enjoying the delights of the season and indulging their senses. But this summer is not a typical summer. A different approach is being asked of us and we would be wise to heed the call. As August is typically a fiery month, we can consciously harness this energy to build our vitality and awaken creative capacities hidden dormant in our mind.

During the June Morning Immersion, we worked with the 5 kleshas or the afflictions responsible for creating and perpetuating our individual and collective suffering. Following the kleshas, the Yoga Sutras address the role of cause and effect or the law of karma. Patanjali explains that when we understand the dynamics of karma, we possess the ability to prevent future suffering for ourselves and contribute to establishing balance in the collective conscious field.

It is said that each one of us has come to this planet to fulfill a particular role. Some of us may be naturally attuned to our purpose, but for many of us, we may not come to this conclusion for much of our lives if at all. Under the guise of the kleshas, we hypnotically move through our days, years and decades seeking outer success taking little time to tend to the garden of our minds. The mind is no different than the garden in your backyard. When you take the time to care for your plants, their vitality, beauty and brilliance shine forth, but if you neglect your garden, the weeds take over stifling the growth of your bounty.

Caring for the mind begins with understanding how it functions. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is not only a treatise on the mind’s functioning, but provides guidance on how to align ourselves with our highest purpose. When we have awareness of our mind’s tactics, we can interrupt unproductive thought patterns which may result in undesirable effects and derail us from our highest purpose. Dharma is, “that which supports,” and when we live in accordance with our dharma or purpose, we are connecting to the essence of who we are, why we are here and how we can be of service to the world. Even if we are unsure about what our particular role is at this time, we can work toward the goal of collective freedom for all. Collective freedom begins with individual awakening.

By the time this immersion takes place, we will only have about a quarter of 2020 left. Many decisions and their built in consequences will be in front of us to make and the many consequences due to our previous decisions will need to be reckoned with. The presidential election will be on our heels and we may even already be in or headed to another quarantine. The decisions we make now matter. We have the power to prevent future suffering for ourselves and our community. Supporting harmony and collective freedom rests upon clear purpose and a strong vital sheath.

Our task during the Morning Yoga Immersion will be to dedicate ourselves to yogic practices which cleanse the body, mind and subtle channels through which our vital force flows. Together, we will investigate the laws of karma and dharma and learn how to directly apply these teachings to our lives. The practices will prompt us to observe and redirect our mind’s attention strengthening our ability to interrupt unproductive thought patterns which squander our vitality and create future, although unnecessary, suffering. This immersion will be an opportunity to ground ourselves in the present moment and utilize our current circumstances to awaken to our purpose and consequently be of support to the soul of the world.

The Soul of the World

We will meet via Zoom for our sessions together. I have added a Sunday evening discussion in order to introduce the topics of karma and dharma, as well as, provide a few suggestions to prepare for the week of morning practice.

If weather and wifi permit, perhaps you may want to move your mat outside and commune with the rising sun. This may not be feasible nor practical, but since we are outside of the walls of the studio, we can test new ways of practicing together. If you do have time to borrow or buy yoga blocks, a strap and blanket, these props will be an aid to our practice. I have plenty of props if anyone would like to borrow some from me!

In order to make this opportunity available for all, I am offering this course on a sliding scale. Please pay what feels appropriate, given your current situation. The suggestion is $10 - $100. Donations accepted through Venmo: @Meghan-Maris