Guest Teacher Program
Insight Yoga and Meditation Retreat – Cultivating Compassion
with Marije E. Paternotte
November 2 – November 8, 2024
About The Retreat
You are invited onto the path of exploring Loving Kindness and Compassion. Practicing yoga and meditation – especially in a retreat setting – is a radical act of self-care. Loving kindness is the natural expression of our heart. It is the foundation of our practice and reminds us to ‘befriend’ ourselves, and all experiences and circumstances, whether we actually like it or not. Through practicing Loving Kindness we are inevitably led to Compassion; the desire to act to alleviate the suffering of others. This way, our personal and collective integrity, and responsibility for the Earth is encouraged. Our practice becomes more meaningful. When we create changes in ourselves we change the world.
This Retreat is for serious practitioners and yoga teachers who enjoy the practice of yin yoga as a doorway into mindfulness meditation and Buddhist practices. The retreat format of this program, which includes two days of silence, will lead to a deeper understanding and a practice that is solidly rooted within.
Program outline
- Exploration of movement (Yang), stillness (Yin), and breath practices to elicit a wholesome expression of Chi in the body, fostering vitality and overall well-being;
- Practice of Yin yoga sequences to target the upper body enhancing breathing capacity and shoulder mobility, Heart and Lung Chi, and to manage specific mind states;
- Development of self-observation without judgment through writing, conscious communication, and meditation practices, leading to greater self-awareness, personal growth and self-compassion;
- Learning about and practicing the four foundations of Mindfulness;
- Investigating the teachings of the Four Mind Changings (The Seven Points of Mind training by Atisha, or: Lojong practice), and cultivating loving kindness, compassion and resilience, thus deepening the connection with yourself and others as a path to genuine care for humanity and true happiness.
Program hours
The program will start on Saturday November 2, 2024 at 7:30 pm
