“Yoga Asana: Gate of Ease and Joy” Retreat THIS WEEKEND
I am very honored to be returning to teach at my fourth retreat at Zen Mountain Monastery this weekend. There are still spaces available. If you are interested in exploring meditation, Zen practices and living, and five and a half hours of Iyengar yoga come to Mt. Tremper and have a weekend vacation close to home!
Yoga Asana: Gate of Ease and Joy
Zen Mountain Monastery, Mt. Tremper, New York
Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8, 2008
(arrive around 5-6 for dinner, leave on Sunday around 12 after lunch)
“Asana” is a Sanskrit word meaning “seat.” It is defined as a steady posture done with ease, joy and completion. In zazen, creating the ease and stability of the body is often as difficult as finding stability in the mind. When the body is correctly aligned, one feels remarkable stillness and strength. As Master Dogen emphasized, “Sitting zazen is simply the peaceful and joyful gate of the dharma.”
In this popular annual retreat at ZMM, appropriate for beginners and yoga practitioners of all levels, we use Iyengar Yoga to explore the intricacies of asana in the seated posture. By looking at how we sit in zazen and by making small adjustments to our posture, we can bring more ease and stillness to the body and mind. We also create a simple and effective daily routine that supports our zazen. This year’s emphasis will be on opening the groins, hips, back, and shoulders to create freedom and space in the body.
For “non-Zenners” this is a great opportunity to try out traditional Zen Meditation in a monastic setting. The main monastery is a beautiful historic building right off of Rt. 212 before you get to Phoenicia, NY. The Zen Program for the weekend entails two “easy” sitting sessions of 25 minutes each with a walking meditation between, both morning and evening. You are allowed to sit in chairs, if cross legged sitting is not possible. Beginning meditation instruction will be given on Friday night. The yoga program will be broken into morning and afternoon periods.
For a reveiw of the 2006 retreat by Zen student follow this link:
http://barbaraborisyoga.com/?page_id=183
Total Cost (including room, food, and yoga) is $275. (MRO Students $225.)
Register through www.mro.org
845 688-2228
Ina Becker will be substituting this Sunday’s class while I am at the Monastery.