The Art of Reflection (or the Art of Skillful Thinking).

Does anyone else sometimes find themselves either thinking obsessively or not thinking enough, zoning out as such. How do we best reflect, what is skillful thinking? 

In our Mindfulness Practices we take a curious, compassionate approach to investigating the thinking mind while keeping our perspective open and adaptable by connecting with the body. You might hear this called expanded awareness or vipasanna meditation (which translates to insight meditation). The idea is to take the awareness into the body to wake up the more expansive areas of the brain, it can also be called meta awareness or dual awareness. A participant in a recent practice described it as being aware of the whole package, aware of the body as well as also being aware of all other processes going on, the emotions, sensations, changing thinking patterns. She said it felt very calm and comforting and complete, as if all the pieces of her had come together. 

Like any art, reflection can be explored, practiced and developed. We sometimes do this in small groups in Mutton Lane yoga studio with a blank page and a pen to help us clarify thoughts and sometimes categorize them. We take an open, light-hearted approach to putting language on our experience in chosen moments, breaking them down into thinking (thoughts or narrative), emotional tone, and body senses and sensations. Learning like this, in a welcoming, safe group, keeps things interesting for us, it keeps our learning rich and alive. We discover how much we all have in common as humans, our shared human condition. We also discover how unique we all are, each one of us having a brand new discovery and awakening each time we practice. Each one of us changing, moment by moment as we simply rest in the moment and thrive. 

Reflection leads us to a deeper understanding of life and to the fullness of wisdom. All too often we are pulled by the whim of the thinking mind, it’s unfounded fear and unnecessary repetitive patterns. With contemplation and insight we notice what we are thinking and we broaden the frame of how we think about it. In opening our awareness like this, including in our field of awareness the sensations of the body, we are opening up with our highest executive functions in the brain, the pre-frontal cortex.

Collectively called ‘Contemplative practices’, derived from the word ‘to contemplate’, practices like yoga, meditation, mindfulness and tai chi invite us to hold a spacious container in the physical body while we take ourselves to places of quiet reflection. In Mutton Lane Yoga Studio mini-retreats, in our beautiful supportive environment, I guide you through reflective practices to lead you to deeper insight. 

Join us for our last one in the current series of four:

Wednesday July 10th: Half-day Retreat for learning, immersion and practice. 

Similar to a yoga workshop, we will start with movement, hopefully on the sunny deck. The intention for the movement is to move mindfully to bring the attention to the body - we will flow through a full range of motion yoga practice so everyone gets a good stretch throughout the whole body and a feeling of vitality and connection. We will sit outside sipping our tea and coffee for a short education piece supported by handouts, discussion, and journaling. Please bring a pen and a notebook (I’ll have spares!) The latter part of the class includes mindfulness practices designed to be quieter and more relaxing so you leave feeling completely rejuvenated. 

Tickets via Eventbrite: https://sylviafergusonevents.eventbrite.ie *Please note the Eircode and the gate code in your booking confirmation. 

Please bring: The code for the gate (in your Eventbrite booking confirmation). A warm coat you can move in for outdoor standing poses. Layers for inside the studio (a hoodie or sweatshirt, cosy socks, an eye pillow or scarf for over the eyes if you like darkness for relaxation).

Sylvia is teaching regular weekly yoga classes in Community Centres in Rathfarnham and Firhouse. Monthly Saturday morning workshops are usually 10am-12noon, Full Moon Meditations are are 7-8pm. All events are listed on the events and workshops page of the website and booked via Eventbrite. Outdoor yoga in Marlay Park in summertime. 

Bookings are via Eventbrite please. 

For updates please sign up for the newsletter on the homepage of sylviayoga.com. 

Sylvia has a range of online classes if you'd like to explore her style of teaching from home.