Aligned, Relaxed, Resilient

Aligned, Relaxed, Resilient
Author: Will Johnson
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 153
Release: 2000-07-05
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 0834828189

The emphasis on the mind in meditation can be somewhat misleading: If we pay attention only to mental processes and overlook the experience of the body, we can remain stuck in our heads and not be able to break free of the involuntary thinking that we find so claustrophobic and toxic. This short, practical guide helps us embrace the fact of our embodiment—the experience of the sensations, movements, and gestures of the body—and to realize that mindfulness is the natural state of awareness of a body that has learned how to experience its feeling presence. Johnson takes us through the three primary principles of the posture of meditation: alignment, relaxation, and resilience. He devotes a large part of each chapter to specific practices to help the reader experience different aspects of physical presence. This book is of interest to meditators of all traditions—Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, Jews, and others—as well as therapists, bodyworkers, and anyone interested in body-centered psychology and other natural modes of healing.

Aligned, Relaxed, Resilient

Aligned, Relaxed, Resilient
Author: Will Johnson
Publisher: National Geographic Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2000-07-05
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 1570625182

The emphasis on the mind in meditation can be somewhat misleading: If we pay attention only to mental processes and overlook the experience of the body, we can remain stuck in our heads and not be able to break free of the involuntary thinking that we find so claustrophobic and toxic. This short, practical guide helps us embrace the fact of our embodiment—the experience of the sensations, movements, and gestures of the body—and to realize that mindfulness is the natural state of awareness of a body that has learned how to experience its feeling presence. Johnson takes us through the three primary principles of the posture of meditation: alignment, relaxation, and resilience. He devotes a large part of each chapter to specific practices to help the reader experience different aspects of physical presence. This book is of interest to meditators of all traditions—Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, Jews, and others—as well as therapists, bodyworkers, and anyone interested in body-centered psychology and other natural modes of healing.

The Posture of Meditation

The Posture of Meditation
Author: Will Johnson
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 176
Release: 2020-08-25
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 0834842912

The 25th anniversary edition of the classic, comprehensive guide on meditation posture and how to carry its benefits into everyday life—for practitioners of all skill levels When it comes to meditation practices, the body is as important as the mind—a fact that may come as a surprise to the many people who regard meditation as a strictly mental activity. But, as Will Johnson shows, the physical aspect of the practice is far too often underemphasized. The alert-yet-relaxed sitting posture that is the common denominator of so many meditative techniques is a wonderful aid for clearing the mind and opening the heart, but it also works to activate the natural healing energies of both body and mind. In this essential guidebook, Will Johnson shows how meditation, too often misunderstood as a mental practice, can be immeasurably enriched through an embodied approach. The Posture of Meditation features a range of simple practices based on the principles of alignment, relaxation, and resilience. This classic book—now with a new section detailing the transformative power of the path of somatic meditation—has helped thousands of people to begin their meditation practice, to refine it, and to experience depths they never thought possible.

Balance of Body, Balance of Mind

Balance of Body, Balance of Mind
Author: Will Johnson
Publisher: Green Dragon Books
Total Pages: 268
Release: 1993-11-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0893341630

Ancient Buddhist meditations and modern Western somatic therapy are united in this fascinating book. Both philosophies — and their healing capabilities — recognize that a structurally balanced human body is the key to a mentally and emotionally balanced human mind. This book explains the beautiful simplicity of these healing techniques and how to make them part of your life. Following its path, you’ll learn how to attain the spiritual and physical balance needed to create your own optimum environment through: -Understanding the experience of balance -Balancing time, present time and change -Balancing sound, vision and the components of reality -Balancing your heart and breath -Balancing “luminous vision” and the “luminous world” -Understanding suffering and its causes -Understanding your heart and breath and how they work together to help create balance What readers are saying about this book: “This book signals a new and sorely needed vitality in a field which, even though it is about life, so often seems to bring out the gray and pedantic in its champions.” — Peter Melchior, senior faculty member, the Guild for Structural Integration

Breathing through the Whole Body

Breathing through the Whole Body
Author: Will Johnson
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 74
Release: 2012-01-25
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 1594777101

Explores the Buddha’s own words on breathing meditation for healing, wholeness, and a deeper understanding of his teachings • Explains the complete series of steps in the Buddha’s Satipatthana Sutta for refining awareness of the breath, from posture and center of gravity to extending breath awareness beyond the nostrils, lungs, and abdomen to the entire body • Shows that stillness in meditation refers only to the mind, not to the body • Reveals breath to be a direct agent of healing for chronic tensions and an agitated mind Explaining how stillness in meditation refers not to a rigid and frozen body but to a quality of mind, Will Johnson examines the Buddha’s own words at the core of the Satipatthana Sutta: “As you breathe in, breathe in through the whole body; as you breathe out, breathe out through the whole body”--an instruction often overlooked in the majority of Buddhist schools. Exploring the Buddha’s complete series of steps for deepening awareness of the breath, he shows how to invite natural, responsive movement back into the posture of meditation by extending breath awareness beyond the nostrils, lungs, and abdomen to the entire body--a practice that unifies the breath, body, and mind into a single shared phenomenon. Showing how the flow of breath is directly affected by chronic tensions in the body and in the mind, Johnson explains that when breath starts flowing through more and more of the body, it becomes a direct agent of healing, massaging and melting any areas of tension it touches and moves through, whether physical or emotional. By breathing through the whole body in accordance with the Buddha’s instructions on breath, the body becomes much more comfortable, the mind starts resolving its addiction to thinking, and meditative practice deepens much more rapidly, allowing the teachings of the Buddha to be directly glimpsed and revealed.

Yoga Journal

Yoga Journal
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 200
Release: 2000-09
Genre:
ISBN:

For more than 30 years, Yoga Journal has been helping readers achieve the balance and well-being they seek in their everyday lives. With every issue,Yoga Journal strives to inform and empower readers to make lifestyle choices that are healthy for their bodies and minds. We are dedicated to providing in-depth, thoughtful editorial on topics such as yoga, food, nutrition, fitness, wellness, travel, and fashion and beauty.

Meditation 101

Meditation 101
Author: Amie Hill
Publisher: iUniverse
Total Pages: 126
Release: 2002-10-28
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 9781469786643

Back in 1968, after a friend gave me a few basic instructions on how to begin meditating, it wasn't long before I realized that I was seriously in need of more information on the subject; thus began for me a lifelong informal investigation into the planet's numerous meditation traditions. Because I'm a practical person (and one for whom "because I said so" has never been enough of an answer), I soon discovered that it was important for me to examine the "why" behind those traditions—the physiology, psychology and purpose of sitting in meditation; its relationship between physical and mental experience; therelationship of each meditation technique to the spiritual tradition which taught it; the relationship of meditation to "real life." Along the way, I encountered some remarkable teachers and writings, and every time I found a tidbit of learning (whether from actual experience, from the words or actions of a teacher or from a specific text) which created an "aha!" moment of clarity and discovery for me, I made a note of it to share and compare with other meditators. What I've put into this book is the cream of those practical suggestions, useful quotes, clarifying metaphors and relevant bits of scientific information—things which have not only helped me stick to a meditation practice through thick and thin for over 30 years, but have shown me (and others) the way to real moments of understanding. This is the book I wish someone had given me all those years ago!

The Posture of Meditation

The Posture of Meditation
Author: Will Johnson
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 176
Release: 2020-08-25
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 1611808006

What does it mean to awaken through the living body? In this essential guidebook, Will Johnson shows how meditation, too often misunderstood as a mental practice, can be immeasurably enriched through an embodied approach. The Posture of Meditation features a range of simple practices based on the principles of alignment, relaxation, and resilience. This classic book—now with a new section detailing the transformative power of the path of somatic meditation—has helped thousands of people to begin their meditation practice, to refine it, and to experience depths they never thought possible.

A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook for Anxiety

A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook for Anxiety
Author: Bob Stahl
Publisher: New Harbinger Publications
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2014-12-01
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN: 1608829758

If you have anxiety or suffer from panic attacks, little things like driving, being at a party where you don’t know anyone, or even going to the grocery store can seem overwhelming. But these little things are a part of everyday life, and if you try to avoid them, you may end up feeling alienated, lonely, and unfulfilled. Furthermore, simply avoiding anxiety-causing situations will not help you to conquer your anxiety. If anything, it can make it worse! So how can you take control of your anxiety symptoms, once and for all? In The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook for Anxiety, three mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) experts provide mindfulness meditations and exercises to help sooth anxiety, understand common triggers, and live more fully in the moment. Developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, MBSR is a powerful, evidence-based treatment model that fuses mindfulness meditation and yoga, and has been proven effective in treating a wide range of chronic disorders and diseases. The mindfulness practices in MBSR help you to cultivate a greater awareness of the connection between your body and mind, and can help you identify and move past the toxic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that lie at the root of your anxiety. If you are ready to take the first step toward managing your fears, anxiety, and worry, this book can help show you the way.

Mindfulness for Therapists

Mindfulness for Therapists
Author: Gerhard Zarbock
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 200
Release: 2015-01-20
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1118760425

Mindfulness for Therapists presents an innovative eight-week mindfulness protocol designed to aid therapists—which may be worked through alone or in small groups Presents the first complete mindfulness program designed to improve the personal and professional well-being and effectiveness of therapists themselves Features an 8-week introduction to mindfulness in the form of exercises designed to help therapists develop their own meditation practice and apply it to their lives Integrates key research that includes the Five Facets of Mindfulness, the Three-Person-Perspectives approach, and the neurobiological foundations of mindfulness training Supported by online meditations and exercises for therapists