ANOTHER YEAR with the HEART SANGHA The Source of a True Smile is an Awakened Mind |
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Hello, dear sangha, This is truly a joyful new year for us. January 1st marks the beginning of another cycle within our beloved space, on sacred land, adjacent to Lake Michigan, with all of you. Our prayer flags have come to know many seasons, sunrises and sunsets, and we delight in the thought of how many souls we have been able to touch these past 5 years as a sangha (3 years as a dedicated center). We acknowledge that each of you has become the most wonderful family: a source of wisdom, compassion and refuge in countless times of light and dark. Thank you, dear ones, for standing so steadily with us. As I was contemplating the year past and the year ahead, the word "smile" kept floating into my consciousness. I thought of the iconic image of the Buddha sitting with soft eyes and a kind effortless smile on his face. In may years of Buddhist study I have been both fascinated and bewildered by his expression. Smiling, or laughing, depictions of the Buddha have occurred in various art forms for centuries to serve as a representation of what is within reach for each of us. We remember that the Buddha (and the many incarnations) is a human being just like you and me. We may draw much inspiration from the images; seeing each as a loving nudge to emulate pure compassion, wisdom and true happiness (enlightenment). The Buddha's smile serves as a reflection of his inner state of peace. His state of peace existed not only with himself but also with the world all around. His secret, so to speak, lies in the mastery of the mind through the tool or practice of meditation. In practice we grow the heart to greater capacities of bliss, of peace, understanding. We may even gain motivation as we begin to experience firsthand that this comes to benefit not just us but all sentient beings everywhere. True happiness is infectious. It feels important for me to mention that this smiling expression is not to be confused with sentiments of complacency, false optimism, ignorance or a means of covering over. When we smile from our hearts, we are actively saying "yes" and confidently taking our place in the flow with what is real and true. This month we train in smiling. We continue to slow down to take genuine interest in our lives. We learn through mindfulness that we need not contract or disconnect (the ultimate source of suffering) from life. In fact, we may relinquish the struggle and allow things to flow gracefully. Take time throughout the day to close your eyes and to rest your face and bones. Rest your attention on the breath. Offer the breath your kindness and say "yes" to what you notice, sense, feel, experience. Smile to your breath. Smile with your eyes, with your lungs, your mind. All of us may choose to grow our companionship with the breathing body. We may practice when we wake, when we brush our teeth... any moment is a supreme container for growing true happiness. All of us may choose to rest our kind awareness on breathing no matter the activities happening in the body-mind. This is about permission, folx. Sense how deeply you can offer permission for life to flow uninterrupted. Say "yes" to all that is and allow peace and confidence to take the lead. "If a child smiles, if an adult smiles, that is very important. If in our daily lives we can smile and, if we can be peaceful, not only we, but everyone, will profit from it. If we really know how to live, what better way to start the day [or the year] than with a smile? Our smile affirms our awareness and determination to live in peace and joy. The source of a true smile is an awakened mind." - Thich Nhat Hanh Wishing abundance to you now and in the moments ahead. We cannot wait to serve you in 2022! With a joyful heart, Meg Lucks and Team Heart Highlights: + Livestream class additions via Zoom beginning January 3rd, 2022 + Masks are required, regardless of vax status, at this time of virus surge + Yoga Nidra transforms into a monthly workshop for deep rejuvenation + Adaptive Yoga for teens and adults is now a weekly class offering + Michelle takes a short leave to support Afghan refugees + Registration for Meg's NEW 25-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Apprentice Program is now open- see programs and info HERE + Mini-courses in the year ahead for both students and teachers - teachers may earn continuing education credits for YA + Registration for YTT 2022 opens soon- see dates and info HERE |
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Mindful Mental Health: Depression Support Circle w/ Meg & Heidi, 1/5, 7-8pm (Save the Date 2/2) Navigating and treating depression takes creativity and a whole village. In this mindful mental health circle, we will be discussing the intersection between mindfulness practices and mental health, in specific, depression. We warmly invite you, your family/ friends and community to gather, to commune and to practice. We are hopeful that this time in the Heart community may become a supportive compliment to your current *treatment journey. *Please understand that our facilitators are mindfulness professionals and not psychologists, counselors, social workers, or medical professionals. We are happy to share resources and introduce you to medical professionals and support services for more dedicated or specific support, should you require it. | | |
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New Year Gong Bath Sound Meditation Saturday January 8th, 6:30-8pm with Michael Bettine of Gongtopia Gong Meditation is all about sound and its effects on the human body & energy systems. The vibrations work at a cellular level and help with stress, fatigue, depression, anger, and blocked energy. Sound therapy can support the release of blockages at the Chakras and Nadis. // Michael is a dedicated teacher and author, and is recognized as an authority on gongs and metal percussion. $35 WAITLIST! | | |
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Yoga Nidra for Vitality w/ Meg Lucks, Sunday 1/23, 1:30-2:45pm Join Meg for supreme self-care, one Sunday afternoon per month! This Yoga Nidra practice is designed to revitalize, restore and re-pattern your subconscious programming for better sleep, renewed vitality and a deeper connection to inner wisdom. Yoga Nidra is an immensely powerful meditation technique, and one of the most accessible Yoga practices to develop and maintain. Note that this is practiced within a supportive savasana. $25 | | |
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Somatic Movement + Yin Workshop w/ Michelle Warren, Sunday 1/30, 1-2:30pm During this workshop we will be exploring various somatic movements that will allow us to relate to our bodies and brains as self-sensing, self-organizing, and self-renewing. Honoring the vast intelligence and wisdom of our bodes and the felt sense we have access to, using that as our guide. This guide enables us to have subtle conversations with ourselves to support deeper healing. $35 | | |
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Language of Yoga Mini-Course w/ Meg Lucks, Saturday 2/12, 1-5pm It is essential that we immerse ourselves in the intelligent language that carried Yoga for thousands of years. Join us to understand the basics of how to read and pronounce the sacred seed sounds of Sanskrit with precision. Mantra and song are central to this workshop experience! Participants will practice chanting to appreciate and experience rhythm, tone and pronunciation of what scholars refer to as a perfect language. This course reinforces the importance of honoring the source of yogic tradition by making common Sanskrit words more accessible to every practitioner. $75 | | |
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Metta Retreat March 25-27 Northern Kettles During this workshop we will be exploring various somatic movements that will allow us to relate to our bodies and brains as self-sensing, self-organizing, and self-renewing. Honoring the vast intelligence and wisdom of our bodes and the felt sense we have access to, using that as our guide. This guide enables us to have subtle conversations with ourselves to support deeper healing. Click for more info! | | |
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Weekly Yoga Class Schedule We ask that all students arrive a minimum of 5-10 minutes before class to get settled and centered. Give yourself a full 15 for your first visit! MONDAY 6am Classical Yoga with Meg + Zoom 5:30pm Candlelight Yoga with Meg + Zoom 7pm Community Meditation with Meg TUESDAY 6am Hatha Yoga with Meg + Zoom 4pm Yin + Restorative with Rose + Zoom 5:30pm Classical Yoga with Gino WEDNESDAY 6am Peaceful Sunrise Vinyasa with Michelle (On hold 1/26-3/30) 5:30pm Mindful Vinyasa with Ally + Zoom THURSDAY 6am Hatha Yoga with Meg + Zoom 4:30pm Gentle Vinyasa with Michelle (Heather takes over 1/27) Yoga Nidra moves to workshop format with Meg FRIDAY 6am Classical Yoga with Meg + Zoom 4:30pm Adaptive Yoga for Teens & Adults with Rose + Zoom SATURDAY 7:30am Yin + Intention with Meg + Zoom 9am Mindful Vinyasa with Ashley SUNDAY See Our Workshops below or HERE Heart Center takes rest on Saturday, January 1st: New Years Day! www.theheartrevival.com/yoga Masks are required for all non-vaccinated students. We strongly encourage that ALL students wear a mask while practicing within the center. Want to show your love for the heart mission? Surprise a loved one with a gift certificate for our center. Certificates may be used on any events, workshops and class packages! Click HERE |
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It takes a village... Dear sangha, The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which roughly translates to union. Over the last three years we have built a community of connection together. We have been there for each other as we have transitioned through the challenges that continued to come before us. This road together has made us a spiritual family and one that takes great joy in the triumphs of one another (mudita). Know that I feel so blessed to be apart of this special union “yoga" with all of you. As many of you may be aware, last fall, many Afghan people suddenly lost everything and sought safety. I have been given the opportunity to step away from Heart for a few months and assist with supporting them as they work through their transition. This is a great transformation for all involved. In 2022 my practice shifts beyond the mat, to be apart of something greater than myself. My intention, during my time away, is to build Yoga all around me, wherever I shall go. I greatly look forward to sharing more with you upon my return in April. While I fulfill this work, Ayurvedic Practitioner and Yoga Teacher, Heather Burkart, will be facilitating the Thursday 4:30pm Gentle Flow. Learn more about Heather and her brilliant work HERE. Feel free to enjoy a small article about where I will be and whom I will be supporting during my deployment. CLICK HERE Om Shanti Shanti Shanti: may you have peace in your mind, peace in your words, and peace in your Heart! Michelle |
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We are pleased to announce that our Adaptive Yoga class for teens and adults is now a weekly offering on our schedule! This class is led by the magical Rose Widmann! She curates each week to support her students to move, groove, breathe and be! Classes are 45 minutes in length and available in-center and via Zoom livestream. Package exceptions apply for families, please inquire if this is you! Register HERE! |
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A Path with Heart: Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Apprentice Program with Meg Lucks Click the image for more information! |
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