Yoga

Whether you are new to these practices or they are old friends, yoga and meditation offer us greater peace, balanced abundance, and what my own meditation teacher refers to as “unreasonable happiness.” As an Anusara-Inspired yoga teacher and a teacher of meditation for over 15 years, I can guide you to well of practice from which you can drink deeply.

When you move into the light through yoga and meditation, despite whatever is happening at the surface of life… no matter how turbulent… you begin to trust that, in truth, underneath it all… there’s peace.

In time, this allows you to ride the waves of life with ease and equilibrium.

Yoga: Meditation in Motion

I like to talk about yoga and meditation together, because they are intertwined. Yoga doesn’t only mean the flow of asanas, or postures. And meditation is not distinct from yoga in the least! As a matter of fact, meditation might be considered the pinnacle of yogic practice.

But for many people, learning to sit still in meditation is even more challenging than a strong asana class. This is why we often think of yoga as meditation in motion.

The poses in yoga help our bodies get in proper alignment, which in turn prepares us to align with our true selves. When we are aligned with our true selves, we naturally come to the still point of meditation – closer to the inner light.

That leads us to a dedicated meditation practice, which opens our hearts to seeing the world in a different light.

What are the benefits of yoga and meditation?

One of the amazing things about yoga and meditation is how physically and emotionally healing they both are.

Research shows that meditation is a proven stress reliever that actually lowers blood pressure. Yoga also has been used to successfully treat headaches, back pain, and even chronic illness.

Yoga also:

• Aids digestion
• Relieves depression and grief
• Creates lightness, humor, and balance
• Increases strength and flexibility
• Weight loss and reduced food cravings
• Reduces stress
• Reduces loneliness when practiced in community
• Improves self-esteem

And, among the benefits of meditation:

• Long-term meditators experience 80% less heart disease and 50% less cancer than non-meditators
• Shown to decrease chronic pain, migraines, and PMS symptoms
• 75% of people with insomnia are cured and 25% improve with meditation
• Gives focus and clarity to the mind
• Can lead to spiritual awakening and fulfillment

While yoga is certainly a way to health, fitness, weight loss and beauty, it also offers us so much more. The practice teaches us emotional balance. We become less agitated, less angry. We begin to practice ahimsa, meaning that our aggressive urges and thoughts decrease and we think and act positively toward others. It promises a sense of lightness, even humor. And let’s not forget the fact that yoga is so much fun!

Because of all these benefits, the practice of asana is an end to itself.

Yet yoga is also a gateway to meditation. By aligning the body, yoga prepares us for a mediation practice. And while it certainly isn’t necessary to have an asana practice in order to meditate, it can be quite helpful. Especially for those who have trouble sitting still.

My Approach

I teach both the postures of yoga and practice of meditation from the perspective of Tantric Yoga, the crown jewel of thousands of years of Yoga philosophy and practice methodology. The yoga asanas are considered by Tantric Yoga to prepare one for deep meditation and awakening.

In Tantric yoga, we study both the practice of meditation and the theory behind it.We come to know ourselves as vibrational beings of light. Created out of higher — what some would call divine – consciousness, we are actually a manifestation of consciousness itself.

Yoga and meditation lead to understanding our true nature. They take us from seeing ourselves as limited little egos to a greater understanding of our true nature. They allow us to see our inner connection with all that is. As such, they increase our natural expressions of compassion, universal friendliness, delight, and awe.

As futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard has written, we are “moved out of our egos into our essence.”

We may come to these practices because we are having a difficulty in our lives, but many of us stay with them because of the subtler, deeper, and inspiring discoveries that move us, even propel us into the light.

Who taught you, Joni?

I became a yoga teacher because I felt the light of consciousness filling me in my own yoga practice, and I wanted (no, I felt compelled!) to share this with others.

Indeed, there is nothing more gratifying and inspiring than to see the light begin to shine from a student who finds their own perfect alignment to spirit in a pose. Or to hear a student cry out, “I feel it, I feel the energy flowing through me!”

I first learned to teach yoga under the tutelage of a close student of Angela Farmer, one of the world’s great teachers of “inner body” yoga. Later I studied under many skilled Anusara Yoga™ teachers, and am now a registered Anusara-Inspired Yoga™ teacher and a Yoga Alliance Certified teacher.

I began teaching meditation over 25 years ago as part of my clinical practice as a psychologist and psychotherapist. At the time I practiced Buddhist- inspired Vipassana or Mindfulness Meditation and Christian Contemplative prayer. I’ve also studied guided meditation, visualization, and other psychological techniques for increasing well-being and reducing stress.

Over the years, as my study and practice of yoga developed, I began to teach meditation from a tantric yogic perspective.

(By the way, Tantra yoga is a respected and even scholarly approach to yoga first developed in the 9^th century CE. It’s not at all what’s represented by some contemporary sexual practices.)

I study with Paul Muller-Ortega, a master teacher who studied with Siddha Masters and the founder of Transcendental Meditation. In this lineage, one learns to meditate on a mantra, which helps the mind to focus and expand. I now offer personal consultation in the practice of meditation as well as regular class offerings.

How do I get started, or deepen my practice?

My “MEDITATION BASICS AND BEYOND” class is designed for all levels of meditators, beginners and continuing students alike. The class meets weekly for four sessions, and covers the basics of meditating, as well as illuminative insights and experiences. It’s very helpful for those who want breathe life back into a long-standing practice or to connect with deeper inner realms. Please see the Workshops Page upcoming dates. You can call me to register: (707) 258-1426.

Yoga One-on-One, or Practice With a Small Group of Friends… or a Loved One

Yoga was originally taught through one-on-one transmission from teacher to student. Returning to this tradition, I offer private and semi-private yoga instruction for individuals who wish to expand and deepen their practice of asana, breath, and meditation. Some beginning yoga students who don’t feel quire ready for the poses of a class also prefer this option.

I also teach classes for couples seeking to deepen their practice and relationship, and small groups of friends or coworkers by request. These one-day or multi-week classes are tailored to your request and can be taught at your home or at my home studio. These are great ways to practice stress management.

Also, please see the Workshops Page for upcoming workshops on Yoga and Reiki and other topics.

Call me to learn more: (707) 258-1426.

How has Joni helped other people through yoga and meditation?

The thing I cherish most about Joni’s classes is the joy. After her yoga
classes I feel a sense happiness to go along with the contentment and
reflective state that yoga induces. She somehow makes each class seem
new and explorative, leaving me looking forward to the next class. Her
methods remind me not to get too serious about yoga but to keep things
light; floating any tension away and not forcing things. Thanks Joni!

- Bob McGuire

Read other student stories here.

Resources

Find yoga and meditation resources here.