Moving Meditation
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Yoga Techniques and Fitness
Overview
In this lesson, we introduce the teaching of asana as a moving meditation.
Objective
Be prepared to teach asana as a moving meditation.
What You'll Get
Describe the meaning behind “moving meditation” or “meditation in motion.” Explain how you might teach asana as meditation in motion. Since the inhalation and exhalation in asana are usually associated with movement, explain how breathing may be taught during holds. Provide examples of movements that may be a good time for incorporating a breathing or meditation practice.
Meditation in Motion
Moving meditation (or meditation in motion) refers to the coordination of a physical practice with the breath, plus cultivation of awareness, presence, openness and non-judgment.
- At minimum, to teach asana as meditation, teach each movement with an inhale or exhale.
- When holding a posture, you can guide the focus to the breath. This can be simply noticing the breath or it can be counting to a particular proportional length of inhale to exhale (equal length or longer exhale, for example).
- Even while holding a posture, students can accompany each inhale with spinal length and each exhale with deepening into pose, for instance.
- In addition, you can guide students to focusing on body or breath awareness, inviting all thoughts, sensations and feelings to arise and pass without judgment.
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