Yoga and Meditation Weekend: Kindling the Fire

Kindling the Fire — Transforming the Heart with Yoga & Meditation, Oct 25-27

Much of what we work with in spiritual life is the varied and sometimes unpredictable weather of our inner world. Finding consistent energy for yoga and meditation, as well as dealing with what comes up in practice, are challenges we all face. Sometimes we may feel blocked, scattered, or too rough around the edges to effectively integrate our practice into our lives.

The Brahma-Viharas (sublime abodes) are a series of meditation practices, common to Buddhism and the yogic tradition, that work directly with the energy of the heart. Through the cultivation of unconditional love, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, we give ourselves the space to be with how we actually feel, to meet that with a kind awareness, and to find a greater capacity for positive emotion. With a focus on metta, or unconditional loving-kindness, we will kindle the warmth of our hearts.

With the mindful movement of vinyasa we will focus on breath synchronized movement to open the heart and produce an internal heat that detoxifies the muscles and organs. This results in improved circulation, a light, strong body, a tranquil mind, and good support of meditation practice. We will also explore restorative hip opening and heart opening sequences, as well as yoga nidra – the powerful yogic sleeping meditation pose. 

*Please bring a yoga mat. We have plenty of props, but If you prefer your own props like bolsters, straps, or cork or foam bricks, please feel free to bring. Participants may consider bringing a notebook with a pen, a water bottle, and warm socks or slippers. We provide meditation cushions and blankets, as well as meditation chairs and benches. Our onsite book and gift shop has many great titles on meditation and Buddhism.

This retreat is residential and meals/housing are included in the price. Please see the note below about donations for teachers.  You can access helpful information about attending retreats at Aryaloka here.

Led by —

Dh. Singhasuri (FKA Lona Kovacs), Ordained Buddhist and certified yoga instructor, Singhasuri has been a yoga and meditation practitioner and teacher for 35 years. She combines her early practices of integrative, restorative and yoga nidra with over 20 years of Ashtanga Vinyasa training both in the United States and India. Her teaching style is intuitive, clear and nurturing. She draws from a lifetime of working closely with plant and earth-based education and knowledge along with her love of ritual magic and wisdom. 

Dh. Suddhayu has been teaching meditation and Buddhism and leading retreats since 1998. He has a deep love of the processes of meditation practice, as well as poetry, myth and creative ritual. He currently works full-time for Dharma initiatives as Chair at the Portsmouth Buddhist Center and Manager of Aryaloka.
 

A Culture of Generosity and Support
In the tradition of passing on the Dharma freely, our Dharma retreat and workshop facilitators offer their work without charge and are not paid. We recognize the value in what they do and want to thank them for their time, energy and wisdom. A financial gift can help support our facilitators to afford them the opportunity to lead. Please consider making a donation towards their support. There is often a cash collection and a thank you card that is passed on the retreat, though one can also make a donation directly to facilitators with a check, and some use money transfer services such as PayPal or Venmo. Thank you for your generosity.
 

How are we coming together safely?

• Please take a Covid-19 rapid test on the day of the event (Aryaloka does not provide this test). A negative rapid test is required for entry; please take a photo of your test results and present at the door. 
• If you know you have been exposed to Covid-19 within a five day period of the event’s start-time, we ask that you not attend in-person.*  Stay up-to-date with exposure guidelines here.
• Masks are optional unless otherwise stated.
• If you have recently recovered from Covid-19, stay up-to-date with CDC guidance here as to when you’re clear to be back in public.*
• If you have cold or flu symptoms, we ask that you do not attend in-person.*
• We have installed new air purifiers with virus-destroying technology!
• There are new cleaning and sanitation protocols.

*Zoom options are available for many events. Transfer of fees or refunds are also available for illness or illness-preventative related absence. Please email info@aryaloka.org if you have any questions about our safety protocols. Aryaloka may adjust these policies in relation to current, local infection rates, and will keep retreatants posted on such changes.


At Aryaloka, we strive to make our programs available to everyone regardless of their financial circumstances. Our fee structure allows you to pay according to your means. 

The Event Rate is our actual fee for the event. It is for people paying their rent or mortgage, and who can afford occasional or regular leisure expenses such as dining out. Any payment above the advertised fee is a tax-deductible donation. 

The Mid-Level Reduced Rate is for those who are paying their mortgage or rent, though experience a consistent tightness in budget that makes extras like leisure activities or unexpected expenses difficult or impossible. 

The Base-Level Reduced Rate is for those without an income or with an income low enough that making ends meet is a challenge. 

Those whose circumstances are not included above can email the office to make other arrangements. info@aryaloka.org