Pause, Breathe, Let Go
Zen Master Sandy Myodo Gougis will lead a relaxing, uplifting, guided meditation. You will also work with the breath to relieve anxiety and stress. Class ends with the drawing of an affirmation card, providing you a positive message to carry with you through the day.
45 minutes.
Meditation has many benefits. It can help you to
45 minutes.
Meditation has many benefits. It can help you to
- Lower stress: There’s lots of evidence these days that excess stress causes lots of illnesses and makes other illnesses worse. Mindfulness decreases stress.
- Connect better: Ever find yourself staring blankly at a friend, lover, child, and you’ve no idea what they’re saying? Mindfulness helps you give them your full attention.
- Improve focus: It can be frustrating to have our mind stray off what we’re doing and be pulled in six directions. Meditation hones our innate ability to focus.
- Reduce brain chatter: The nattering, chattering voice in our head seems never to leave us alone. Isn’t it time we gave it a little break?
- Understand your pain: Mental pain and anxiety are a background noise that can underlie much of what we do. Here’s a chance to see firsthand what’s causing it.
Do Affirmations Work?
A lot of people want to know whether affirmations actually work. The short answer is "yes."
Positive affirmations are phrases you repeat to yourself with the desired outcome in mind. They work because of a scientific principle known as neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity is the ability of our brains to rewire themselves. The whole NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) movement is based on the truth that our words can program our brains and our thinking. Ultimately, the outcome of our thinking can actually be seen in our daily lives.
“Whatever a [person] frequently thinks upon, that will become the inclination of his mind.” - the Buddha
Positive affirmations are phrases you repeat to yourself with the desired outcome in mind. They work because of a scientific principle known as neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity is the ability of our brains to rewire themselves. The whole NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) movement is based on the truth that our words can program our brains and our thinking. Ultimately, the outcome of our thinking can actually be seen in our daily lives.
“Whatever a [person] frequently thinks upon, that will become the inclination of his mind.” - the Buddha
About Your Teacher
Ven. Dr. Sandy Myodo Gougis is a Priest and Zen Master in the Five Mountain Zen Order. A meditator since 1998, she began teaching meditation in 2008. She is the Guiding Teacher of an ever-growing number of Zen Centers in Southern California.
A yoga practitioner since the late 90’s, Sandy is a graduate of the Open Door Yoga Teacher School. Sandy is a Reiki Master, breast cancer survivor, lover of good books and hot tea, and a rescuer of stray animals. Her motto, like that of her Zen Order, is "How may I help you?" You can find her frequently neglected blog at myodojabo.com.
A yoga practitioner since the late 90’s, Sandy is a graduate of the Open Door Yoga Teacher School. Sandy is a Reiki Master, breast cancer survivor, lover of good books and hot tea, and a rescuer of stray animals. Her motto, like that of her Zen Order, is "How may I help you?" You can find her frequently neglected blog at myodojabo.com.
