The Wakeful Body: Yoga and Meditation as an Integrated Path - ONLINE

UPDATE: July 27, 2023 – We regret that this program has been canceled and will not be offered in the 2023 season. Registration is no longer available. 

Tara Mandala Online is pleased to invite you for weekly program over a series of six weeks with Lama Willa Blythe Baker

Many of us have a complicated relationship to the body. In its vulnerability to aging and illness, we tend to think of our body in ordinary or even pejorative terms. Yet many meditation masters of the past have taught that the body is a temple, a mandala, a profound source of wisdom. How do we reconcile these two perspectives?

In this six-week course, participants will explore the body as a domain of practice and wisdom, diving deep into the physical, energetic and cognizant dimensions of experience. Through dharma instruction, contemplative yoga and study, participants will learn how to bring awakening from the realm of ideas into the truth of embodiment. 

Two-hour live weekly meetings include:

• Dharma Instruction
• Guided meditation and Vajravinyasa yoga
• Live discussion with Lama Willa, alternating with occasional peer sections (breakout groups)

Resources include:

• Course Syllabus with weekly reading assignments
• Bibliography for further exploration of embodied practice
• Guided Meditations (pre-recorded), available on SoundCloud
• Exclusive access to pre-recorded yoga videos

Required Reading: 

• • The Wakeful Body: Somatic Mindfulness as a Path to Freedom by Willa Blythe Baker
  • “Embodiment,” Insights Initiative essay on the Mind and Life website by Willa Blythe Baker

Recommended Practice Supports 

• Yoga mat 
• Yoga blanket 
• Meditation cushion 

Who Should Attend? 

• This is open to everyone.

Recording Access: 

All participants will have a 1-year access period to the recordings. 

What is a Tara Mandala Online Program?

Tara Mandala offers online programming via live and pre-recorded curriculum that give you the opportunity to access dharma teachings, engage in guided practice, experience personal retreat and hands-on learning, while connecting with other participants through easy-to-use online platforms and an engaged community network. When needed, the program description and schedule will inform you in advance if and when a specific online session must be attended live if a direct transmission (Tib. lung) may be given. Access to recordings of all sessions will be available for additional viewing for one year. 

Tara Mandala Program Pricing

GENEROSITY RANGE 

Choose an amount within this range if you have the financial security and capacity to support Tara Mandala at a higher level. The contributions we receive within this range make it possible for us to offer a below-cost Access Range to those practitioners with a limited income.

 This range is for you if you:

• Own your own home and live comfortably without financial worry
• Have investments and savings 
• Easily have access to money in times of need or emergencies
• Have the desire to help make the Dharma more accessible to others

SUSTAINABILITY RANGE  

Choose an amount within this range if you have the financial capacity to sustain Tara Mandala’s ability to offer high-quality programs. The contributions we gratefully receive within this range enable us to keep our prices low while covering the basic program costs. 

 This range is for you if you:

• Have the capacity to meet your basic financial needs
• Make your rent or mortgage and other monthly payments 
• Are generally able to purchase new items and experiences for yourself
• Can afford to take trips and go on retreats

ACCESS RANGE  

Choose an amount within this range if you have limited financial capacity or are currently experiencing financial hardship. The contributions we gratefully receive within this range go toward covering costs and are supported by contributions of those who choose the Generosity Range.

 This range is for you if you:

• Have difficulty meeting your basic financial needs 
• Are experiencing housing, employment, or income instability
• Live paycheck-to-paycheck and and lack money in times of need
• Face challenges due to devaluation of your currency against the US dollar. 

Offering dana to the teacher: The practice of offering dana, which means “generosity,” is the traditional offering the student makes to the teacher as a symbol of appreciation, gratitude, and reciprocity for receiving the precious teachings. Information on offering dana to the teacher will be provided during the virtual retreat. To learn more about dana and suggested dana ranges, please click here. 

Payment Plans and Financial Assistance
Tara Mandala offers two types of financial assistance: Deferred Payment Plans and Scholarships. You may apply for one or both of these types of assistance. Read the terms carefully as outlined on the financial aid application. Please see this page for further information.

Sustaining Sangha:
If you are currently a member of our Sustaining Sangha, you may apply your Retreat discount to this course.

Click Here for Our Online Programs Cancellation and Refund Policy

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
The live sessions of the program are listed below. All times are Mountain Daylight Time. 
Please use this link to see how this daily schedule translates into your timezone.

Wednesdays
September 6 – October 11, 2023
8:00-10:00 am (Mountain Daylight Time)