8-week course: „A Luminous Mind: Meditation Essentials“ with Anya Kinneavy
Oct 22 – Dec 17 (Nov 19 no class) 
Th 19.30-20.45
Studio Sonne & Online
English
120€ in studio/ 100€ Online only

In a world that is loud, distracting and overwhelming, meditation is a powerful tool to ground, re-connect and discover a sense of inner home. We often hear about the benefits of meditation, yet it can be difficult to know where to start and to keep the momentum alone. Together with Anya, a teacher with 20+ years‘ experience in meditation, we will explore the essentials of this powerful practice together in an accessible, down-to-earth way with space for your questions and discussion. 

Why meditate?
Meditation is at the heart of yoga – in fact, it is its most ancient aspect. It is an essential practice for any yoga practitioner. Our thoughts have an immediate effect on our wellbeing. And in the whirlwind of push and pull in the mind, it’s easy to forget that we can influence how our minds operate, and therefore how we feel and act. The quality of our mind directly affects how we function in all aspects of life – at work, in relationships, our decision-making, our sleep quality… Meditation helps us to shift from distraction, anxiety and overthinking, into a state of greater objectivity, grounding and ease.

⁣This 8-week course will explore the essential aspects of meditation – why we practice, how to practice, managing common obstacles along the way and practically bringing its wisdom into everyday life.⁣

You’ll have an accessible (and even enjoyable!) route into a regular practice.

We will explore meditation as a tool to:
– Reduce stress.
– Find ease with emotions.
– Recognise habitual thought patterns.
– Boost self-awareness.
– Regulate overthinking.
– Find self-acceptance, grounding and lightness.

Our weekly topics will include:
– Mindfulness – what exactly it means & how it works.
– The mental filter.
– Self-talk and the inner critic.
– Emotions: the balance of objectivity and non-suppression.
– Reactivity.
– Finding a subject/object relationship with thoughts.
– The wider goal of meditation.

Structure of Each Session (approx):
– 5 min Rest to arrive.
– 30 min Theory and discussion.
– 10 min Gentle yoga stretches.
– 25 min Guided meditation.
– 5 min Practice to take home.

Meditation takes some time and practice. Usually many personal questions arise along the way, and it is important to understand why we meditate. Apps are limited in this regard. Taking a course with an experienced teacher in a supportive group is hugely valuable for long-term, lasting benefit.  Everyone is welcome to join, with or without prior experience in yoga or meditation!

This 8-week course is held in Studio Sonne and online via Zoom. If you choose to book the online-only course, you will receive the Zoom info to join the course together with your booking confirmation via email. If you book the course in Gelber Raum, you will also receive access to the Zoom link.

Please register here for the course in Studio Sonne.
Please register here for the Online only course.

Feel free to write to me with any questions: info@yogainenglish.berlin / www.yogainenglish.berlin

Anya Kinneavy has taught yoga and meditation in Berlin for many years, having founded ‘Yoga in English Berlin’ in 2009. She runs regular classes and teacher trainings as well as courses in yoga philosophy and meditation. Her teaching stays true to the whole path of Yoga, remaining rooted in its rich philosophy throughout its movement, breath and meditation practices. Her classes prioritise a friendly, pressure-free environment with plenty of different options in which all students can feel included and welcome. She teaches mindful, breath-centred flow yoga to ease physical tension, guiding students to enjoy openness in the body and calm in the mind.