Welcome to our first special offering of 2018: Wednesday Awakenings!

Over the course of the next few weeks, we are tuning into the voice, tone, tempo, breath, and intention of April Puciata, one of the most mindful and deeply moving teachers we know.

April has generously recorded her meditations for us, and we get to share them with you!

So find a quiet space, dim the lights, and prepare for a potentially life-changing experience. In April’s words,

Many of us know there are physical and mental benefits of meditation. I still often hear from students “but I cannot sit still.” Or “I can’t meditate, my mind is always working.”

That’s exactly why we meditate. The nature of the mind is to wander. Yoga is about quieting the thoughts, stilling the vritti, and beginning to see more clearly who you really are – without labels, titles or thoughts. Yogic teachings have compared our thoughts to ripples when we look into a lake. When our mind is quiet it is like looking at our reflection in the lake with no ripples or waves. There is clarity, our true nature.

Meditation will not change the circumstances of your life, but meditation can help us respond in better ways to what is in front of us rather than react.

I know how challenging it can be. My practice was purely physical for a long time. Asana is important! But I also know and feel the benefits of meditation daily. You can do this!

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April Puciata has been teaching in NYC, Washington DC and New Jersey for over 15 years. The founder and creator of Beyond Om, she has taught trainings throughout the US and leads retreats all over the world. She is passionate about yoga, travel, writing, seva, and helping students stay inspired. She is honored to be offering the first 200 hour teacher training in Cuba at Mhai Yoga Retreat Center in June of 2018. For more information about April you can visit her website aprilyoga.com and follow her in Instagram @aprilyoga_beyondom and Facebook at April (Puciata) Yoga.[/box]