Unwinding the Body, Breath, and Mind into Presence: Anatomy of Meditation — ONLINE

Finding ease in your practice and enlivening your subtle body

Join us for a weekend of fun and relaxation as we guide you through therapeutic experiences that will help you find ease, comfort, and joy in your meditation practice. Often we avoid meditation due to physical limitations or discomfort, and this need not be the case. Come learn how you can adapt your meditation seat and posture so that meditation is a place of refuge and nourishment for body and soul. 

Arturo, known as the “Anatomy Whisperer” brings humor and wisdom to his teaching, with over 30 years of educating yoga teachers, body workers, and movement specialists across the globe through his classes in Anatomy, Kinesiology, and Therapeutic Touch. He has a unique gift for translating complex scientific concepts into tangible teachings for his students, raising awareness of how the body works. Arturo will offer experiential anatomy and ergonomic advice as it relates to finding ease in meditation. 

Lopön Chandra, a Dharma and Yoga teacher for over 20 years, will guide you through gentle yoga sequences, simple Buddhist breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditations on the subtle body so that you have a first hand experience of your ‘subtle body anatomy’ and how your physical posture can help to open up the flow of prana so that you feel energized by your practice. 

In this weekend retreat you will have the opportunity to:

• Unwind the root (hips, psoas and legs)
• Unwind the core (the spine, diaphragm and breath)
• Unwind above (shoulders, jaw and mind)
• Learn how alignment can support your optimal meditation posture
• Learn therapeutic exercises and movements to bring more comfort and ease to your meditation
• Find ways to adjust your meditation set-up to be right for you
• Learn about physical anatomy principles that will help you have a long lasting meditation and yoga practice
• Experience of subtle body anatomy and learn how to cultivate your vital energies
• Learn the “gentle vase breath,” jamlung, for developing greater levels of comfort and concentration

Who Should Attend? 

• This retreat is open to all.

To prepare for this retreat, you will need:

• A tennis ball or lacrosse ball
• A yoga strap or belt
• A small piece of saran or similar wrap
• Please wear comfortable clothing for gentle movement and meditation, have your meditation space set up so you can practice in it, and have a yoga mat or similar size carpet/floor space available to move about in.

Please enjoy this video of Lopön Chandra and Arturo Peal offering an introduction of what to expect in this retreat.

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 Online Program 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.

Saturday, May 6, 2023
9:00am – 11:30am MDT: Opening Session
1:00pm – 3:30pm MDT: Session

Sunday, May 7, 2023 
9:00am – 11:30am MDT: Session
1:00pm – 3:30pm MDT: Closing Session