Meditation is literally the heart of yoga and a key element of an effective practice, offering profound benefits for everyone.
However, meditation isn’t always taught and practiced appropriately, and as a result so many people think they “can’t” meditate, or believe that it isn’t for them.
Join Jivana Heyman and special guests, Ann Swanson, Tracee Stanley, Dr. Rashmi Bismark, Shawn J. Moore, Aarti Inamdar and Oneika Mays, to explore the intersection of yoga and Buddhist teachings on meditation and mindfulness, as well as accessible techniques for creating a meaningful personal practice.
In this online course, we’ll explore ways to deconstruct myths around meditation and find inroads to practice that are both safe and effective.
We’ll also explore effective tools for teaching meditation that are trauma sensitive and supportive of all practitioners.
To make these practices accessible, we need to begin by taking a deep dive into the ancient yoga teachings. Part of this journey will include understanding where meditation fits in the yoga system, and how it naturally flows from a practice of asana and pranayama.
With a thorough understanding of the role of meditation in yoga, we can then look at ways of making it accessible and applicable to our contemporary lives. We can also compare and contrast the ways that meditation is taught in the yoga and Buddhist systems to give us greater insight.
ON-DEMAND COURSE OVERVIEW
Making Meditation Accessible is a 19-hour online training - now available for on-demand enrollment!
On-Demand enrollment includes 1 year of access to the Making Meditation Accessible course replays (10 sessions), recorded live & online in May-July 2024, led by Jivana Heyman, and special guest presenters, Ann Swanson, Tracee Stanley, Dr. Rashmi Bismark, Shawn J. Moore, Aarti Inamdar and Oneika Mays.
*Each session is 2 hours duration, except for Session 1 which is 1 hour - and available as a FREE course preview!
Session 1 (FREE PREVIEW)
“But My Mind is Too Busy to Meditate!” Finding Your Way Into Practice
with Jivana Heyman
Do you ever think, “My mind is too busy to meditate?” The misunderstanding that meditation requires a peaceful mind can stop so many of us from exploring this profound practice.
Here’s the thing: You can meditate with a busy mind, and still get tremendous benefits.
In this opening session (available as a free course preview!), Jivana will offer an overview of the fundamental concepts behind meditation from a yoga perspective, and share four options for practice that can make it more easeful and welcoming.
He’ll address the impact of trauma on the nervous system and how we can find a personal practice that works for each of us.
Check out the first session of Making Meditation Accessible (On-Demand) as a FREE course preview!
If you are curious about this new on-demand online course with Jivana Heyman and guests, we invite you to check out the first session as a FREE course preview.
Enter your details below to register to receive access to the introductory 1-hour session with Jivana Heyman, "But My Mind is Too Busy to Meditate!” - Finding Your Way Into Practice, which was recorded live & online on May 30th, 2024, as a preview of the full 19-hour course.
*You'll be taken directly to the captioned session recording, however we'll also email a link for you to access it. Please check your Gmail promotions tab or spam / junk mail folder if the replay email doesn't land in your main inbox, it may be there!
Session 2
Ethics as Preparation for Meditation
with Jivana Heyman
In this session, Jivana will explore the classical yoga approach to meditation as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
He’ll review ashtanga yoga, the eight limbs of yoga, and how they work together towards cultivating a meditative state.
In particular, he’ll spend time exploring how the ethical teachings of yama: ahimsa (non-harm), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahamacharya (continence), and aparigraha (non-greed), can support our meditation practice.
Session 3
Diverse Minds, Diverse Meditation Techniques
with Jivana Heyman
Join Jivana for a deep dive into the subtle ways that we can adapt and experiment with different meditation techniques to create a supportive personal practice. This includes learning how to integrate different practices together, such as mantra, breath, and visual focus, as well as exploring other forms of meditation such as walking meditation, puja (devotional practice), and prayer.
Accessibility also depends on understanding our own personal needs and abilities so we can find a practice that is both safe and effective for us. So, part of this journey is understanding our mind and which practices are supportive for us personally.
Session 4
Meditation for the Real World
with Ann Swanson
We know meditation is good for us, but many find it esoteric and intimidating. They envision needing an extra 20 minutes daily to sit on a cushion on the floor in perfect silence. It doesn’t have to be that way. In this workshop, Accessible Yoga Instructor and author of Science of Yoga, and Meditation for the Real World, Ann Swanson, will share insights and techniques for integrating meditation into our lives.
Ann will share how even one-minute meditations and strategic breathing breaks can make a difference. She will share how meditation can offer support through common challenges, such as overwhelm from doomscrolling, waking up in the night with a racing mind, or living with chronic pain, to find peace in a hectic world. Ann will offer science-backed techniques with immediate results that will help you, and your students, build a sustainable meditation practice that works. Plus, she will answer common meditation questions and bust the myths based on science.
Session 5
Meditation is a Gift to Our Soul
with Tracee Stanley
Meditation is the art of devotion to deep inner knowing and embodiment of our inherent radiance.
In this session, Tracee Stanley, author of Radiant Rest and The Luminous Self, will share tools and techniques to help create a sustainable daily meditation practice, anchored in devotion and rooted in the wisdom of the Himalayan Masters.
Tracee will discuss foundational elements of meditation practice, including:
- The eight qualities of breath
- Circular breathing
- So Ham Meditation
- What does it mean to Meditate?
The session includes Q&A and reflections.
Session 6
Inviting Nature's Elements into Your Practice
with Dr Rashmi Bismark
Explore how rhythms of Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space enliven inner rhythms of awareness in this workshop with Dr Rashmi Bismark, MD, MPH.
Dr Rashmi will review relationships between Nature's elements (pañcamahābhūta) and consciousness through Samkhya, Ayurvedic, and Tāntrik philosophies, while contextualizing the elements within various styles and aspects of meditation practice.
Through this session you will be invited to consider the ways elements can be both hindrances and accessible gateways to presence.
Contemplative practices will be interspersed within the workshop, including the RAIN practice for self-compassionate inquiry.
Session 7
The Heart of Accessible Practice: Exploring Meditation through the Six Paramitas
with Shawn J. Moore
In the rich tapestry of Buddhist teachings, the Six Paramitas serve as a simple guide for cultivating a life of compassion, wisdom, and mindfulness. The Six Paramitas are essential expressions of bodhisattvas, brave individuals who dedicate themselves fully to the enlightenment of all sentient beings. These timeless principles—Generosity, Ethics, Patience, Effort, Concentration, and Wisdom—offer a holistic approach to personal development and spiritual awakening.
This session delves into how the Six Paramitas can be seamlessly integrated into meditation teaching and practice, emphasizing inclusivity, empathy, and a deep connection to our inherent goodness. By interpreting these ancient teachings for contemporary life, we'll uncover practical methods to broaden the reach and depth of meditation, making it a truly accessible tool for transformation.
Session 8
Calm Your Mind: Classical Yoga
& Meditation for All
with Aarti Inamdar
Many worry about starting a meditation practice because they can't imagine what it means to "blank their minds'.
Ancient sages and rishis from South Asian traditions shared that meditation isn't about blanking our minds, but about cultivating focus.
They taught ways to prepare the mind and body gradually, using practical techniques and methods to support students in their meditation journey and help them open into awareness.
In this session, Aarti Inamdar will share a classical and accessible approach to meditation practice to aid in finding calm and concentration in our overstimulated modern world.
Session 9
Meditation Unbound
with Oneika Mays
This workshop will explore adapting mindfulness practices to create an inclusive meditation experience, the benefits of mindfulness, and practical techniques to make it accessible for everyone. Our goal is to foster presence, focus, and self-compassion in a way that feels comfortable and enjoyable for all practitioners. We'll dive into various mindfulness techniques, such as body scan meditation, breath awareness, and gentle mindful movement. You'll learn how to modify these practices to accommodate various needs, ensuring that everyone can participate at their own pace and comfort level.
Oneika will also share an experiential guided meditation, where we'll apply the learned techniques and witness the power of mindfulness firsthand. You'll leave this workshop with a wealth of tools and strategies to make mindfulness practices more adaptable for diverse populations. Join us on this journey to cultivate a more mindful, compassionate, and authentic world, one breath at a time.
Session 10
Building a Practice
with Jivana Heyman
In this final session, Jivana will review all the previous learning that we’ve done together and aim to weave it all together into a cohesive learning.
He’ll also discuss the nuances of creating a supportive personal practice that can support us through the ups and downs of life, including building a practice from the bottom up, and how to incorporate what works best for you.
He’ll also review some basic tips for teaching meditation so that yoga teachers and yoga therapists can keep their students safe and offer them a supportive and even transformational meditation experience.
What graduates are saying about Making Meditation Accessible:
"This was maybe the best training I’ve participated in.
Jivana gathered together an amazing group of teachers.
My biggest takeaway was that we need to “un shame” our practice and the practice of others, and that we as teachers and practitioners can find what our community needs and create it without dogma or overly strict lineage restrictions.
This training was empowering for me!! I'm immensely grateful."
– Michele M., course participant, 2024
"I truly was amazed by the wealth and breadth of knowledge shared in this course.
Starting with Jivana on the first day of the course, already I was learning and absorbing accessible and real content for creating a safe and authentic meditation space for my own students. Each week, thereafter, each session, I was blown away by the diverse array of content, presented from the perspective of all these incredible teachers."
– Jennifer N., course participant, 2024
On-Demand access is now available!
ENROLL NOW
making meditation accessible:
sharing the heart of yoga with all
with Jivana Heyman & guests
(On-Demand)
Tuition for this 10-part on-demand online training is $399-$499 USD sliding scale
We also offer partial scholarships.
Tiered Pricing Explained:
- Community Rate (supported by your peers)
- Sustainer Rate (covers your enrollment)
- Supporter Rate (covers your enrollment + supports your peers)
If you are able to enroll at the Supporter or Sustainer Rate, your contributions support the ability to offer a lower rate to community members experiencing financial difficulties.
If you would like to clarify which pricing tier is most appropriate for you, please refer to this helpful graphic by Alexis J Cunningfolk:
The Green Bottle: Where You Fall On The Sliding Scale
Intention of Equity Pricing Structure:
Please take a moment to consider the intention of our scholarship program and equity pricing structure, which was created in order to amplify training access for those who hold marginalized identities and those experiencing significant financial hardship.
If neither of those qualifications apply to you, we ask you to please consider other payment options, including using the tiered equity pricing structure and payment plans, or supporting others in our community who have decreased access to financial resources by enrolling as a Sustainer or Supporter, if this is accessible to you.
ON-DEMAND ENROLLMENT
Single upfront payment.
Includes 1 year of access to the captioned replays of the 19-hour Making Meditation Accessible online training, recorded live & online in May-July 2024, and associated resources.
Community Rate
$399 USD
Sustainer Rate
$449 USD
Supporter Rate
$499 USD
PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
If our tiered pricing options are financially inaccessible, please click here to access our partial scholarship application form.
Check out Jivana's FREE Yes Meditation (for a busy mind)
In this five-minute meditation guided by Accessible Yoga founder and lead facilitator of our Making Meditation Accessible online course, Jivana Heyman, we’ll celebrate the mind and its ability to be creative. There’s a misconception that a clear mind is the goal of meditation. However, in this practice, we’ll let the mind be free, recognizing that it’s part of ourselves and becoming aware of the quality of our mind. Any time a thought, image, memory, or even strong feeling comes to mind, we’ll acknowledge it with the word yes.
What graduates are saying about Making Meditation Accessible:
"My biggest takeaway from the Making Meditation Accessible course was the reiteration of the idea that we are not broken, we are whole - practice out of love for yourself and practice to get to know oneself. This was shared by a few presenters and every time it came up, it really landed in my heart.
I also loved hearing so many perspectives, from science-based to Buddhist to Classical and everything in between."
– Sara L., course participant, 2024
"The Making Meditation Accessible course helped me discover that a meditation practice does not need to follow a specific set of "rules" to be "right". Just like yoga, we can access the practice of meditation in many ways using many different styles and techniques.
All the presenters were knowledgeable and engaging. I appreciate the diversity of the presenters and learning more accessible techniques to practice and teach mediation. This was a wonderful course."
– Cheri T., course participant, 2024
Course Facilitator: Jivana Heyman
Jivana Heyman (he/him), C-IAYT, E-RYT500, is the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, an organization dedicated to increasing access to the yoga teachings and supporting yoga teachers. He’s the author of Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body; Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage & Compassion; and The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga: Best Practices for Sharing Yoga with Every Body.
Over the past 30 years of teaching yoga, Jivana has focused on welcoming all people to practice and celebrating our individuality and our differences. His work has focused on dismantling ableism in the yoga world, as well as emphasizing the intersection of yoga and social justice. His books, classes, and trainings support yoga teachers and yoga therapists in finding ways to bring creativity and collaboration into their teaching while still respecting the ancient yoga tradition.
Connect with Jivana:
jivanaheyman.com | @jivanaheyman | facebook.com/jivanaheyman
Guest Facilitators:
ANN SWANSON
Ann Swanson (she/her) MS, C-IAYT, LMT, ERYT500, teaches meditation to busy people with busy minds. She is the author of the internationally bestselling book SCIENCE OF YOGA and Meditation for the Real World, which illuminates the fascinating science behind meditation with step-by-step practices to help you find peace in everyday life. Ann wasn’t a naturally “chill person,” and meditation didn’t come easy to her. Overcoming chronic pain and anxiety led her to India to study yoga, to China to explore tai chi, and to earn a Master of Science in Yoga Therapy. Now, Ann blends cutting-edge research with ancient wisdom, resulting in realistic techniques you’ll find yourself integrating into your day! Order her new book at MeditationForTheRealWorld.com for exclusive bonuses.
Connect with Ann:
www.annswansonwellness.com
@scienceof.yoga
Youtube - @AnnSwansonWellness
TRACEE STANLEY
Tracee Stanley (she/her) is the author of the bestselling books Radiant Rest: Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation and Awakened Clarity and The Luminous Self: Sacred Yogic Practices & Rituals to Remember Who You Are - by Shambhala Publications. Tracee is the founder of Empowered Life Circle, a sacred community and portal of practices, rituals, and Tantric teachings inspired by more than 28 years of studentship in Sri Vidya Tantra and the teachings of the Himalayan Masters. As a post-lineage teacher, Tracee is devoted to sharing the wisdom of yoga nidra, rest, meditation, self-inquiry, spiritual ecology, and ancestor reverence. Tracee is gifted in illuminating the magic and power found in liminal space and weaving devotion and practice into daily life.
Connect with Tracee:
www.traceestanley.com
@tracee_stanley
facebook.com/traceeyoga
DR RASHMI BISMARK
Dr. Rashmi Bismark (she/her), MD, MPH, is a mom, writer, and board-certified physician specializing in Preventive Medicine whose clinical practice is focused on facilitating mindfulness-based programs to support whole health. Her experience in public health, health behavior, lifestyle medicine, and complementary therapies informs her work as a certified yoga and mindfulness meditation teacher. Dr. Rashmi has been teaching meditation for Yoga Medicine trainings with Tiffany Cruikshank since 2017. As the daughter of immigrants, a mom, and humble steward of Yoga from the Indian diaspora, she hopes to inspire mindful ways of engaging with life for her generation and generations to come. Her first picture book, FINDING OM, was published in 2020 (Mango & Marigold Press).
Connect with Rashmi:
www.rsbismarkmd.com
@rashmibismark
SHAWN J. MOORE
Residing at the intersection of leadership and mindfulness, Shawn J. Moore (he/him) creates sacred spaces for stillness and self-inquiry to help changemakers align their strengths, intention, and impact. Through his integrative approach, he holds transformative containers for self-renewal, personal discovery, and capacity-building that ease clients on their journey towards peace, clarity, and freedom. Shawn has an intuitive way of weaving all that he has learned on his path to help those on the inner journey of discovery to reflect on those questions – including meditation, sound healing, yoga nidra, and coaching. Shawn developed and leads his own meditation teacher training - Inward Illumination™ Meditation Teacher Training.
Connect with Shawn:
www.shawnjmoore.com
@shawnj_moore
AARTI INAMDAR
Aarti Inamdar (she/her) is a student and teacher of classical hatha yoga, trained by her elders and lineage teachers. Aarti shares the teachings of yoga as sacred ancestral wisdom traditions, and has been a steward of these traditions for 17 years.
Her online yoga studio hosts asana, pranayama, meditation, and philosophy classes and courses. She runs virtual and live corporate wellness sessions and immersive retreats. She mentors individuals one-on-one to support them in their healing, wellness and health journeys. Her goals are to support her students in their personal lives and facilitate peace of mind, focus and health using the tools that yoga provides.
Connect with Aarti:
www.aartiyoga.com
@aarti.inamdar
facebook.com/yogawithaarti
ONEIKA MAYS
Oneika Mays, (CMI, E-RYT, LMT) is a multi-hyphenate facilitator who leads with joy, passion, and wisdom.
She is a grounded leader with lived experience that centers on mindfulness and transformation.
As a Black, queer feminist she brings a poignant lens to building a world that is more compassionate and understanding. With deep roots and knowledge in Buddhist and yogic teachings, Oneika delivers practical application and authentic connection through her facilitation skills.
With openness and vulnerability, she facilitates the space to talk about change and embrace every part of ourselves.
Connect with Oneika:
linktr.ee/oneikamays
@oneikamays
