Online vs In Person Meditation Classes

Which sounds more appealing to you:

1. You enter a clean, calm space with dim lighting and peaceful music in the background. You settle into your seat or yoga mat, smile at the new friends around you, and immerse yourself in a guided practice of gentle movement, centering, breathwork and meditation. The class concludes, you ask questions or give thanks and drive home feeling relaxed.

2. You change into comfy clothes, find a space to sit or recline in your home, click an email link on your tablet, phone or laptop and are greeted by familiar faces on the screen. You follow the guided centering, breathwork and meditation practices, and get sleepy (or fall asleep). The class concludes, you can choose to type into the Chat feature or unmute to reflect, ask questions or give thanks, and you exit the class to shuffle off to sweet slumber.

There is no right or wrong answer - both online and in-person classes create positive change! Week after week I witness clients relaxing into the present moment.

Some of us need to break free from our home or office and immerse in a community space. Thanks to Method Health Club in Ashburn, Virginia, I'll be hosting monthly in-person Mindfulness Clinics for people who are ready for transformation. In the comfortable group fitness space we have room to start with gentle stretching to let go of the day. We have chairs, yoga balls and mats to sit or recline on...and I always offer a quiet "intermission" for you to change positions (usually people slide into an even more relaxed state as the body lets go of unnecessary tension).

Online classes offer us the gift of staying home as we clear the clouds of worry and doubt with mindful practices. Attendees are comfortable, pets wander in to rest, young children can snuggle up close to a meditating parent or be monitored without need for childcare services. People usually get sleepier at home, and can choose to stay to talk with me and classmates for as long as they wish.

BONUS BENEFITS OF ONLINE CLASSES:

• Attend with a friend from any time zone! Most of us are in the Eastern Time Zone but we regularly see friends from Central and Mountain Zones.

• Family can watch you choose mindfulness. Your partner or kids will see you modeling a "time in" and they'll feel your energy shift to peace and calm. Let them listen to class if they're curious.

• You create your home practice space. This space becomes associated with quiet time. One client created a cozy space on the floor of her closet! Her small space includes a seat, a shelf for inspiring mindful objects like seashells, photos, and a essential oil - and it's quiet!

BONUS BENEFITS OF IN PERSON CLASSES:

• I serve tea. You don't have to drink it, but it's nice to gather for class and greet new people as we talk over tea.

• You'll surrender to the present moment easily. I'll monitor time for all of us so that you can let go. There is nothing to do but be present with us.

• I'll hand you treats. I'll always bring an object for fidgeting hands to hold and you can take these stones or shells home with you as a reminder of your practice. Picking them up again will transport you back to the peace you feel at Method Health Club with us.

Both in-person and online classes, private sessions and workshops create positive change.

Contact me for a free 15-minute consultation to see which options will best meet your needs.

See you soon! ~ Beth