On a week that has a heavy cultural association with love, and many complexities for that reason, I offer reflections on what it means to have a yogic relationship to love. We talk about the dance of attachment, aversion and awareness, what different spiritual traditions teach about these concepts and my own growth in these areas. Together, we practice a meditation for non-attachment and heart awareness. // 6:13: yoga philosophy discussion, 30:34: guided meditation // Stay connected on Instagram: https://instagram.com/laura__tara/

Together, we explore the healing and therapeutic effects of being held, energetically and emotionally. We practice a breath technique for tending deeply to the nervous system and holding ourselves in kind presence. // 3:39: yoga philosophy discussion, 15:12: guided breath meditation // Stay connected on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura__tara

This week, we lean into some mental health talk, discussing the risks, benefits and effects of the ever-increasing mental health discourse on social media. Then, we go into contemplative practice together, one of the tools I offer clients in my role as a mental health professional. // 4:06: discussion, 41:46: guided meditation // Stay connected on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura__tara/

A uniquely-formatted check-in episode to remind us all to take refuge in the heart. // Stay connected on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kashiatlanta/

We're moving through a lot right now, based on what's happening with our seasons and our planets. I'm offering some validation and affirmation around this, as I've developed the skills to do through therapeutic training, then offering the only prediction I'll ever make: newness is coming. New cycles are on the way. I explain why, then we practice a guided meditation for settling in enough to receive the newness on the horizon. // 3:29: yoga philosophy discussion, 28:39: guided mediation // Stay connected on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura__tara/

To celebrate episode 69 of the Awareness Offerings Podcast, we're talking about the ways that sexuality intersects with spirituality. We unpack what the yoga tradition tells us about sexual energy and get curious about ways to be on the spiritual path without shame, then practice a guided meditation for embodiment - the antidote to any shame that tells us our bodies are impure. // 3:46: yoga philosophy discussion, 49:08: guided embodiment mediation // Stay connected on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura__tara/

It feels like we're in a season of emptiness with winter in full swing, but fullness, too, as we navigate the restart and renewal that our culture often pushes for in the month of January. In this first Awareness Offering of 2023, I explore my relationship to fullness and a remembrance that The Emptiness, spiritual spaciousness, is always contained there, too. Together, we practice a guided meditation for finding moments of refuge in The Emptiness. // 4:02: yoga philosophy discussion, 24:07: guided meditation // Stay connected on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura__tara/

In my final Offering of 2022, I turn toward empowerment by detailing my process as a yoga teacher deciding that I do not, generally, want to give any kind of adjustments in my yoga classes. I talk about the foundations of this decision, from hands-on adjustments and bodily autonomy to verbal adjustments and affirming choice, then we practice a guided empowerment meditation to affirm choice for ourselves. // 6:35: yoga philosophy discussion, 39:00: guided empowerment meditation // stay connected on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura__tara/

This week's episode is a personal reflection as I prepare to graduate with my Master's in Social Work. I name my intentions and vision, honor my own resilience through this process, then take some time to name the more complex layers of getting an MSW and entering the mental health field. It is its own practice of awareness. // Stay connected on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura__tara/

I recently heard teacher Jessamyn Stanley give an incredible definition of yoga practice in which she reminded us that it's a space to "let that shit breathe." As in, to make room for the complexities mind rather than expecting it to be calm. This inspired an interesting and supportive visualization in my own meditation practice, and offered me a lot of helpful teachings around shifting my relationship to my mind and myself. This week, I'm sharing them with you, and we practice that visualization meditation together. // 5:46: yoga philosophy discussion, 22:30: guided visualization meditation // Stay connected on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura__tara/