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DEEPENING OUR PRACTICE, OPENING OUR HEARTS: YOGA, MEDITATION, AND MINDFULNESS

Cindy Dollar & Susan Grant

October 1-4
3 nights
$195 ($97.50 deposit) Dana

Register online at Southern Dharma Retreat Center

Cindy Dollar is the owner and senior teacher at One Center Yoga in Asheville, NC. She has been a certified Iyengar Yoga instructor since 1990 and teaches workshops throughout the southeast US. Cindy has traveled to Pune, India, several times to study with BKS and Geeta Iyengar. In 1997 she was honored by being selected one of 60 women worldwide to attend the International Women's Yoga Intensive in Pune. A student of Zen Buddhism for over 10 years, Cindy mindfully incorporates this compassionate awareness practice into her yoga teaching. Several of her articles have appeared in “New Life Journal,” and she is the co-author of Yoga Your Way, which was released by Lark Books in January 2005.

Susan Grant is a psychologist in private practice and founder of The Mindfulness Center of Asheville. She combines cognitive therapy and mindfulness training in her work with individuals and with groups. She has facilitated introspective skills groups for InnerVision since 1992. These ongoing personal growth groups utilize concepts of Buddhism and mindfulness training for expanding self understanding and for making concrete change in participant's lives. Since 1990 Susan has studied and practiced Soto Zen Buddhism with Nancy Spence, teacher and guide of Anattasati Magga. She is currently completing a 3-year Lay Minister Certification program. Susan brings to her work the awareness of her own journey and the rich rewards of bringing mindfulness to each moment of life.

Mindfulness training teaches us to be present in every moment of our lives….even those moments that are filled with difficult emotions. As we practice mindfulness, we develop the ability to stay present, open-hearted, and compassionate with ourselves and those in our lives who may be "difficult." During this retreat we will use our yoga practice to bring our mindfulness practice into our everyday life and activity. We will experience first-hand the truism that how we are on the mat is how we are off the mat.

Our daily schedule will include a balance of yoga postures, breath awareness, seated meditation, and mindfulness exercises to bring the body and mind to stillness. Each day includes periods of silent and guided meditations, yoga, breath awareness, and structured mindfulness exercises. Evening group sessions will include time to share and integrate insights. The practice of each of these, interspersed with contemplative time, supports the practice of all. Parts of the retreat will be in silence.

Cindy and Susan bring a practical, accessible, and light-hearted approach to the teachings.

susan grantRead more about facilitator Susan Grant: Susan has a B.A. in Religion from Wake Forest University...
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Try this meditation: 
GETTING TO KNOW THE BREATH

A listing of sitting meditation groups in Asheville, NC

Testimonial:
“Susan Grant's Mindfulness Training has been a truly unique and life- affirming experience. It is a cross between meditation, discussion, reading, guided imagery and focused group sharing with the goal of positive understanding and support. The result is a long-lasting awareness, acceptance and general shift in how I perceive my life. Rather than getting trapped in feeling overwhelmed, confused, angry, anxious or depressed, I now tend to catch myself much more quickly, evaluate why I am out of balance, and objectively choose how I want to respond. This allows me to consciously take responsibility for my actions without feeling guilty or out of control. At the same time, the experience is not simply a mental exercise; there is an emotional and spiritual calming that I feel.”