"I love Jon's class - Mindful Meditation. Today was my first class and I feel like this (coming to Dream Yoga Studio) was the best decision I've made in a long time. Jon and his class are fantastic! Thank you so much! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" --Nayona. A
What really matters is not just the practice of sitting but far more the state of mind you find yourself in after meditation.It is this calm and centered state of mind you should prolong though everything you do. - Sogyal Rinpoche
Generosity brings happiness at every stage of its expression. We experience joy in forming the intention to be generous. We experience joy in the actual act of giving something. And we experience joy in remembering the fact that we have given. -The Buddha
Meditation at Dream
Dream Yoga Studio approaches yoga movement and meditation as one integrated, comprehensive practice. Yoga helps your meditation practice and meditation helps your yoga practice. Dream Yoga has an open approach to meditation believing many “skillful” techniques can be used to benefit the practitioner.
In Dream’s meditation classes, you can become familiar with the time-tested, relaxing and restorative qualities of mindfulness meditation. We explore the nature of stress and how meditation can help us lower our stress levels, and be more balanced and healthy.
Dream offers the following:
Meditation Classes
Mindfulness Meditation Yoga Nidra
Meditation Workshops Sitting Meditation Practice Sessions Meditation Private Sessions
Dream Yoga offers several types of meditation classes from introductory classes to guided meditation classes and sitting groups. You do not need to be able to sit cross-legged on the floor to take part in these classes.
Mindfulness Meditation
Classes led by mindfulness meditation teacher Jon Waterman focus primarily on Applied Mindfulness—a secular approach to teaching meditation based on the core teachings in the Buddhist tradition (Dhamma) but presented in a style similar to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a time-tested program which over the past three decades has become well-received in the west. Jon’s popular “Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation & Stress Reduction” classes are especially designed for students who are new to meditation and/or interested in reducing stress. Students with some meditation experience also enjoy these classes to increase their knowledge and skills.
Class and Retreat instructions integrate the sitting posture for meditation with standing, walking (or mindful movement), reclining (deep relaxation) and guided “heart and compassion” meditations. Classes also include mindful stretches before and during meditation to promote comfort, energy, stress reduction and the ability to focus.
Yoga Nidra is a systematic method of guided meditation that's scientifically proven to induce profound physical, mental and emotional relaxation which leads to improved health. Yoga Nidra allows you to experience your inner sanctuary and awaken consciousness in areas in your life often dormant due to tensions.
Each class begins with gentle stretches to loosen your joints, free-up energy, and prepare you for Yoga Nidra . We then move to a comfortable lying down position for Yoga Nidra . The instructor guides you through a series of simple meditations where you bring your awareness to physical sensations, the breath and mental images. The tools/techniques learned can also be used at home for stress reduction and as a prelude to better sleep. No yoga or meditation experience needed. All props provided.
Dream offers experiential workshops that are designed to provide students with tools to reduce stress, heal and feel renewed! You 'll learn techniques of mindful meditation by intentionally cultivating and sustaining a focused attention on sensations in the body. You will learn how to mindfully transition from one posture to another--sitting/kneeling, standing, walking, reclining and gentle stretching. Workshops are crafted to be deeply relaxing, not to push our limits in one posture or another.
Our meditation workshops are often co-sponsored with IMCW (Insight Meditation Community of Washington).
This class is a great way to establish and/or nurture your Vipassana or other silent meditation practice. The strength generated by students meditating together will help you relax, better focus, and go deeper into your experience. And sitting mindfully first thing in the morning will give you greater clarity and insight you can take into your day to work and live more thoughtfully and creatively.
Dream Yoga Studio provides a welcoming, supportive, quiet and comfortable environment for meditation. Cushions, blankets, chairs/other props are provided, or you can bring your own. Please come as you are: Work clothes or pajamas are fine! To experience the gift of silence, no instructions are provided during this class which is led by fellow practitioner Mark Clark. In his 30 years of meditating, Mark has experienced the wonderful power of group sits and is delighted to introduce this practice at Dream Yoga. The class is run on a drop-in basis and dona/donation is appreciated to cover studio costs.
How to Attend: Drop-in basis, no registration required. When: See class calender Cost: Donation is appreciated to cover studio costs.
Students who have done meditation classes and retreats at Dream say the classes have helped them improve mental clarity and their ability to concentrate. They say they’re more creative at solving problems and sleep better. They’ve also reported having improved interactions and relationships with their family and co-workers. Some report having increased energy and more enthusiasm for life.
We know that learning how to sustain our mindfulness both on and off the meditation cushion is essential in recognizing the causes of stress in our busy and demanding lives. It’s also key to reducing stress and anxiety which can rob us of our peace, health and joy.
Scientists have proven that meditation not only reduces stress. It also helps us in these ways:
Strengthen the immune system.
Increase heart health.
Reduce high blood pressure.
Slow biological aging.
Strengthen coping skills.
Sleep better.
Better manage pain.
Heal more quickly.
Help you create positive behavior changes.
Achieve a greater sense of overall well-being.
Come join us. You’ll relax …and you are sure to smile more!
Meditation, the essential yoga practice, brings us into the present moment. Noted Vietnamese Buddhist monk and Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh says this:
“If you think that peace and happiness are somewhere else and you run after them, you will never arrive. It is only when you realize that peace and happiness are available here in the present moment that you will be able to relax. In daily life, there is so much to do and so little time. You may feel pressured to run all the time. Just stop! Touch the ground of the present moment deeply, and you will touch real peace and joy.”
What Does Dana (pronounced “donna”) Mean? What Does It Do for YOU?
Dana…is the act of freely giving or sharing what we have. Its practice helps us develop the qualities of generosity, kindness and letting go.
Dream’s “Sunday Night Restorative” class and other classes at times are taught for “dana.” Dana—or generosity—is a key teaching of the Buddha. Dana also supports a yogi’s practice of karma yoga and the yamas and niyamas—guidelines for conscious living which include ahimsa (the practice of compassion and love); asteya (letting go of false values); aparigraha (non-greediness/possessiveness); and svadyaya (self-study and wisdom).
Dana is a tool that allows you to:
Free your mind and unfold/unbind your heart.
Practice letting go. Release habits of tightly holding on.
Practice sharing with awareness.
Cultivate loving kindness/show our care and compassion for others.
Express gratitude towards those who have supported you in your practice.
Promote positive energy through exchange.
Acknowledge deeper understanding of the interconnectiveness of life.
