Happy New Year!

2021 is here, and I am feeling hopeful for what’s to come.

2020 was intense.

There was the pandemic, astounding racial injustice, political unrest, normal routines turned upside down, and a deep relationship with Zoom that no one could have predicted. 🙂

Doing my personal end-of-year review, I’m reflecting on moments of great difficulty, hopelessness, hopefulness, utter disbelief, anger, and… peace and quiet.

Here we are, trying to figure out what might happen next.

It’s a time to embrace the unknown, trust ourselves, and care for ourselves.

Personally, I’ve grown to love this pandemic lifestyle in some ways.

My time has not been without difficulties, but I’ve experienced amazing insights, nervous system restoration, and most of all, a deeper commitment to my personal journey of practice and teaching.

Though isolation has been challenging, I’ve found that living in the country and being close to nature matches my internal rhythm.

I am VERY lucky and grateful that this is working for me, as I know there are many who are deeply struggling.

 

In these last few weeks amidst the holidays, with celebrations that had no semblance of “normal” – and this being the first year without my Mom – I found myself appreciating the ease of smaller gatherings and less commotion.

I’ve also been thinking about the survey results and multiple discussions I’ve had with you, my students, about my 2021 offerings.

 

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Here’s a preview of what we have coming up, to support you through these strange, fascinating, and challenging times…

Dharma Den
Meditation Community

This is a monthly online meditation community for like-minded practitioners who want to incorporate Buddhist philosophy into their everyday lives.

This has been my quest.

I am not a monk, but I have a strong desire for spiritual practice and learning.

Each month I will offer a teaching, meditation, and reading passage to work with throughout the month. Topics will vary, and there will be time for discussion.

Mark your calendar for 1/19 at 3pm EST, and look out for the official announcement email, coming soon!

Your Meditation Year
Online Meditation Course

If you’re a casual or dedicated meditator who wants to take things to the next level, I’m excited to announce that Your Meditation Year is happening again this year.

Through this flexible online meditation course you’ll regularly receive new teachings from me, as well as support and accountability from the community.

You’ll explore foundational techniques that will lay the groundwork for your practice.

We’ll focus on one new technique at a time, to ensure deep integration, and you’ll have the container and accountability of meditating with me on a regular basis.

The course will be streamlined from last year, running in three modules, from February through November.

Look out for more info coming soon!

Mindful Yoga and Meditation
with the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan

This is a comprehensive, balanced class that combines the steady flow of gentle stretches, foundations of basic alignment principles, and Eastern rituals in a breath-centered, mindful practice.

This class is designed to help clear the body of tightness, increase vitality, and prepare the mind for a 10-minute period of guided meditation at the end of class.

Get more details and sign up here.

Commit To Sit
Weekly Meditation

Thanks to all those who continue to show up and commit to yourselves and your practice. You inspire me! This is a simple, 30-minute silent meditation that happens every Wednesday morning on Zoom.

If you’d like to join, sign up here.

Yin Yoga
with the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan

Yin is a passive style of yoga that uses gravity-assisted poses, breath, and guided visualizations to help access the deeper, more “feminine” part of our nature.

This gentle practice increases circulation and facilitates deep release of the hips, hamstrings, and lower back.

Yin yoga helps ease tension beneath the muscles to open up the connective tissue and encourage the flow of energy throughout the body.

Get more details and sign up here.

Qigong
Weekly Class

Our Friday morning classes have been so fun!

If you’re unfamiliar, qigong is a 3000-year-old medical, martial, and spiritual practice that’s intended to move energy in your body.

In qigong we integrate movement, breath, and meditation to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body without taxing the lungs.

This supports emotional balance and physical well being.

Email me to register and I’ll send you the Zoom link.

 

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There will be more special events, trainings, and retreats throughout the year.

Keep an eye on your email inbox.

I am so excited to continue supporting you this year, and so grateful for our community.

Together we can get through anything.

Please feel free to reply to this email with any questions or reflections.

Much love,
Michele