This 1 1/2-hour experience is led by Breathe meditation teacher training graduates Michael Cruz and Mellissa Nguyen. The attendee will learn how to incorporate a blend of mindfulness and metta (loving kindness) meditation styles as tools for living in the present moment and healthily processing experiences and feelings/emotions. Respectful discussion and questions are welcomed and encouraged. The session will end with a meditative sound bath with both crystal and Himalayan sound bowls. Open to all levels.
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
Join meditation guides Michael and Mellissa for an evening of self-discovery and developing tools and techniques to heal the self through self-awareness and self-compassion. The attendee will learn how to incorporate a blend of mindfulness and metta (loving kindness) meditation styles as tools for living in the present moment and healthily processing current and past experiences and feelings/emotions. Respectful discussion and questions are welcomed and encouraged. The session will end with a meditative sound bath with both crystal and Himalayan sound bowls. Open to all levels.
The meditation techniques in this workshop will include:
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness is “paying attention to something, in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.” This is the most researched style of meditation and is commonly used in corporations, schools, hospitals, and other professional settings. Mindfulness is ultimately a way to uproot the habits of the mind that cause unhappiness or negative behaviors that harm ourselves or others.
Metta Meditation (Loving Kindness)
Metta is a Pali word that means benevolence and consists of silent repetitions or phrases. It uses specific words or phrases to evoke a loving feeling. The phrases can be for ourselves, general or specific, geared towards a specific persona or generalized for an entire group. These phrases can be used as a tool to come back to when the mind begins to wander.
WHAT IS SOUND MEDITATION
Sound and gentle vibration impact the sympathetic nervous system as your brain waves synchronize to the vibrations of the bowls. The harmonic vibrations engage the relaxation reflex and slow down the respiratory, brain and heart rate and disrupt the pain reflex, creating a deep sense of well-being.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Michael (they/them) is the son of immigrant parents from the Philippines and is a second generation Filipino-Chinese Asian American. They are a licensed doctor of physical therapy, Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher, and meditation guide. Michael completed their 200-hour meditation teacher training at Breathe and has benefitted from using mindfulness meditation techniques to process past experiences, shed light on racial issues being a member of the AAPI community living in the United States, and work towards social justice.
Mellissa (she/her) is a second-generation, first-born daughter of Vietnamese refugees. In her professional life, she leads sustainability in healthcare. She is a 500 hr Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher and 200 hr certified meditation teacher. Meditation has helped heal her high functioning anxiety and Type A personality while coming to peace with a turbulent upbringing. It has given her moments of pause in her fast, busy life so that she can respond to all that life brings rather than reacting. She hopes to share her experiences using mindfulness techniques as tools for better mental health and self-awareness.
Price: $55
Friday, May 28th – 7:00-8:30PM