Sword in the Stone: A Mindful Winter Yoga Retreat with Randal Williams

Kripalu yoga teacher, Randal Williams.
Visit him at www.randalwilliams.com.

When I did my Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training I had the great, good fortune to meet Randal Williams. He is a senior instructor at the Kripalu Center in Lenox, MA and he is one of the most wonderful, compassionate and knowledgeable teachers I have ever encountered. If you are looking for a winter retreat that will revive you, and bring focus and peace to you life, please consider his upcoming offering below.

He also has a special offering of a free audio meditation (details below). I highly recommend this. Randal's voice and words are soothing beyond description. His CD, Gentle Yoga: Blade of Grass - A mindful yoga experience is one of my favorites.

At this time we are all in the process of a tremendous change. The world today is unlike anything we've ever experienced or been challenged by and if you pay attention you can even sense the collective contraction and breath holding that is finding it's way around the globe.

Now, however, is also an opportunity for personal transformation - as Viktor Frankl stated, 'When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.'

Across cultures throughout the world, the winter solstice is such a celebration that honors change. Set amidst the cosmic dance of change, the solstice also invites us to effectively clarify the depth and direction of our lives. Wherever you find yourself and however you celebrate this particular solstice season I wish you the kindest regards and blessings for you and your family.

Consider also that when you make time for personal retreat you can effectively reflect on, appreciate or simply be with the quality and content of your life, and support a conscious turning point in the direction of your life, personal narrative and path. If you are looking for a supportive experience for solstice retreat then look at the opportunity to come and enjoy some time for yourself through 'a mindfulness retreat' with me and like-minded others at the beautiful and supportive Kripalu Center this December 19-21 - for more information select Solstice Retreat.

In this retreat weekend of communal celebration and exploration, you will

1. Access the intelligence of life force
2. Learn to cut through obstacles and meet your needs, discover purpose
3. Practice mindful walking, yin (restful) and yang (engaging) yoga postures, and meditation.
4. Come away refreshed and inspired to step into the next chapter of your life
5. I would also like to use this opportunity to share a link to FREE guided relaxation audio - 20 minutes in length - which you can enjoy - I recommend laying in bed with headphones on to listen to the track after a warm bath.

Peace & Blessings,

Randal

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Meditation on Change: from the Kripalu Yoga Teacher's Association

Monk's Pond, The Kripalu Center, Lenox, MA

The article below is reprinted from the KYTA (Kripalu Yoga Teacher's Association) Newsletter that I recieve every month. KYTA is an incredible part of the Kripalu family, and does a terrific job supporting it's teachers around the world.

For more on Kripalu Yoga and the Kripalu Center in Lenox, MA click here. For more information on KYTA, click here.

Meditation can be extremely helpful when we are in the midst of change, giving practitioners a new perspective.

Below is a meditation from Module One of the 500-Hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher Certification, called "Awareness of Sensation," provided by Megha Nancy Buttenheim, creator, director, and facilitator of Module One.

Sit or stand as you are, just being yourself.
Focus on being aware of the sensations in you, entering a state of allowing.
Open the field of awareness to the world of sensation.
Notice the pleasant and unpleasant.
Notice the neutral, the loving, the joyful.
Welcome everything.
Notice breath.
Notice everything arising and passing, arising and passing.
Body is alive.
Energy is present.
Just be.
Look at any fear that might be coming toward you.
Remember the breath is here just like a friend holding your hand as you cross a busy street.

If you are currently enrolled in the 500-Hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training, or would like to begin your advanced training, the next module will be held January 16-25, 2009 which will be led by Jonathan Foust (Sudhir). The main focus is an inquiry into bringing more meditation into your personal practice and teaching.

Megha has designed Module One to offer yogis the opportunity to study with some of the best Kripalu teachers. Jonathan Foust (Sudhir) leads a 2 1/2 day meditation retreat. Lee Albert teaches positional therapy techniques to assist students in yoga postures. Anatomy sessions are led by Kripalu yogi and body worker Chris Holmes. Garrett Sarley (Dinabandhu) or Stephen Cope offer discourses in the meditation of life and Megha directs the practice teach component. Sadhana sessions are led by Kripalu faculty such as Sudha Carolyn Lundeen, Rudy Peirce, Jairaj Randal Williams, Jurian Hughes, Grace Jull, Jami Macarty, and Megha.

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