Intro To THAI MASSAGE
A Weekend Intensive with Mary Goodman
Saturday, May 18, 12-7pm & Sunday, May 19, 9-6
Optional Monday Practice jam
May 20, 7-10pm (at different location) 
Join Mary Goodman in an intimate training environment to deepen your understanding of the ancient practice of Thai Massage, a healing art that promotes flexibility, inner organ massage, oxygenation of blood and quieting of mind. Thai Massage is strongly interwoven with Buddhist philosophy, including a particular emphasis on the practice of unconditional loving kindness, or metta. Through deep muscle stretching, joint release and emphasis on breath, Thai Massage offers many of the same benefits as yoga. It is an interactive form of bodywork, quite unlike any other Western or Eastern forms, with a rhythmic dance taking place between giver and receiver. This training is perfect for yoga practitioners and teachers looking to expand their repertoire for assisting asanas, for massage therapists looking to expand their practice, or those simply interested in beginning to learn massage. At course's end you'll be able to give a full 90 minute Thai massage head-to-toe or toe-to-head
$225 ~ payments can be made by personal check, cash, credit card, paypal, or direct bank transfers ~ register here! Sliding scale pricing available for lower income students. Couples welcome, no partner or massage/yoga experience necessary. There will be 45 minutes for food on both days, pot-luck style dishes are encouraged but there are also many fine eateries in the Arlington Center area. See Mary Goodman's Facebook page for more information

KIRTAN with Shubalananda & Ashley plus special guests
Saturday, May 18, 7:30pm
Created by ancient Indian rishis from Vedic mantras, kirtan is a yoga of sound - an evening of beautiful music and heartfelt call-and-response singing. No previous experience is necessary to experience its emotional depth, yet powerful as it is, kirtan is effortless and incredibly enjoyable. Shubalananda (Larry Kopp) has been leading kirtan for many years, having studied with Neem Karoli Baba, Sathya Sai Baba, Karunamayi and Shree Maa. His guitar & harmonium playing and voice of experience gives his kirtan a power and a heartfulness that is shared with all who join in. Find out more at www.shubalananda.com. Freely offered ~ please make a donation!

THE POWER OF THE HIP JOINTS
Feldenkrais with Josh Schreiber
Sunday, May 19, 2-4:30pm ~ note new time!
Where are your hips? Most of us think of the hips as the big bones at the top of the pelvis on either side, rather than the joint that connects the leg and pelvis, deep inside the muscles of the hip. These are the largest muscles of the body, yet the tension that most of us carry around that area leaves us unable to take advantage of the power those muscles can provide. Figuring out where the hip joint actually is in our body, and learning to balance the muscles that surround them, is essential to any efficient and powerful action, from walking and running, to throwing, swimming, and much, much more. In this workshop you will learn to integrate the function of your legs and back and open to the natural power of your hip joints. $28 or class card x 2 at the door ~ Workshop #2 in the Feldenkrais® Walking series

BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY LECTURE SERIES
Conversations At The Edge
Monday, May 20, 7:45-9:45pm
This monthly CE program presented by the Institute For Meditation & Psychotherapy is intended for psychotherapists interested in Buddhist psychology, meditation, or mindfulness. Each lecture will address theoretical and clinical issues at the interface of mindfulness and psychotherapy, with topics ranging from addictions to lovingkindness to the latest research in neuroscience. These evenings offer an opportunity to gather with colleagues in an informal setting to explore the expanding intersection between Buddhist psychology and modern psychotherapy. Most lecturers are long-term meditation practitioners with specific areas of clinical expertise. Didactic presentations will be followed by Q&A and discussion, moderated by Tom Pedulla, LICSW. 2 CEs are offered each evening to psychologists, social workers, nurses, LMFTs and LMHCs. $30/door, $25/IMP Members
Tonight: MINDFULNESS IN ADDICTIONS TREATMENT AND RECOVERY with Zev Schuman-Olivier, MD ~ This presentation will review the current scientific literature on mindfulness-oriented approaches to addiction treatment and recovery. Principles for integrating mindfulness and meditation into treatment will be described. The presenter will outline the emerging scientific evidence supporting neurobiological, psychological, and physiological mechanisms through which mindfulness practice benefits addiction recovery

Special Evening! TANTRA: The Art of Conscious Loving
with bestselling author Charles Muir 
Wednesday, May 22, 8pm
Would you like to enhance your sensual and emotional life? ~ Are you interested in expanding your ability to be spiritually and sexually intimate? ~ Would you like to experience the joys of being a more selfless, generous, and pleasured lover? ~ Do you feel you have more to learn about sensual and sexual communication and emotional partnership? Tantra is a 4,000-year-old Indian tradition that will help you address these and many other questions relating to your sensual, sexual, emotional, and spiritual lives - and also to your intimate relationships. Join Charles Muir, the internationally acclaimed teacher and interpreter of Tantra in a preview of the upcoming Boston area workshop, The Art of Conscious Loving/Beginner Weekend, May 24th-May 26th. For info please contact Penny Goldmuntz at 781-643-5252 or email Boston@sourcetantra.com. Charles will demonstrate some basic principles of tantra, tell his story, and talk about the upcoming weekend. He will also be available to sign his bestselling book Tantra, The Art of Conscious Loving. $10 at the door

Sunday Morning DHARMA TALK with Lama Tsering Ngodup
Sunday, May 26, 10-12n
You’re invited to receive Buddhist teachings (dharma), practice meditation, and experience the relevance and benefits of Buddhist philosophy and meditation in daily life. People of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs are welcome to this freely offered biweekly event ~ donations gratefully accepted 
Tsering Ngodup is a lama, or spiritual teacher, authorized to teach by HH ShaMar Rinpoche. He has devoted over twenty years to sharing the religious and spiritual teachings of Tibetan Buddhism in the West. He has traveled across the world, translating and interpreting Buddhist teachings for highly accomplished Tibetan lamas and masters from all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He is currently a chaplain at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Brookline, MA

SOUND HEALING CIRCLE with Brad Brockmann & Comma Williams
Sunday, May 26, 7-9pm ~ doors open 6:45, close 7:20
Join us on the last Sunday of the month to explore the transformative healing powers of sound. You will both co-create and receive sound healing, and learn how to improvise music with a healing intention. Bring your favorite instruments or just yourself, your voice and your love. Prior musical or healing experience is welcome but not required. We look forward to seeing you! Suggested donation $5-15

THE YOGA OF ENERGY FLOW 200Hr Yoga Teacher Training
with Daniel Orlansky, Liz Owen, Chip Hartranft, & Carrie Tyler
Friday-Sunday, May 31 - June 2 ~ view details

PARTNERSHIPS IN FOCUSING with Roberta Whitney
4 Fridays, June 7-28, 7:30-9:30pm
Spring invites a new relationship with Life energies. We might feel it as we go out for a run, stroll alongside a morning breeze or open wide a window. Focusing gives us a tool to explore, name and harness this energy toward what we most seek. Come learn the art of Partnership and enjoy both a unique opportunity to companion life energy in another and experience the way in which a partner deepens your personal Focusing experience. We share our deepest human connection often in presence of another...and surprisingly we can do so easily Focusing with someone whom we have just met...someone who does not know our life story. The workshop series does require that you have a basic understanding and experience with Focusing. You can meet this requirement in a session with the instructor prior to the first class - visit focusingnewengland.com. $80/person for the series/$25 per evening

Special Event! HEALING TAO with MASTER MANTAK CHIA
Friday-Thursday, June 7-13
Join the legendary master of Healing Tao for all or any part of this weeklong intensive workshop. For details & registration please visit bostonhealingtao.com or email Marie Favorito at mcftao@verizon.net
Schedule
Friday, 6:30-9:30pm
Saturday, 12-7pm
Sunday-Thursday, 9:30-5

Live Improv! An Evening With TRUE STORY THEATER
Saturday, June 8, 7:30pm
True Story Theater, an Arlington-based improvisational theater company, wants to hear about your life. This troupe of skilled listeners will honor each story through the power of improvisatory drama, music, and movement. The stories you share will magically be brought to life as we explore this important common theme.  Come celebrate our community, bring a friend, share a special story, or just watch, listen and enjoy! $15 or class card at door ~ $10 for students/elders/low income ~ all are welcome
Touching the Fire of Empathy How has empathy healed you and others? Share your experience at a special fundraising performance and reception. Refreshments, an "Untold Stories of True Story Theater" game, and stories about the power of Playback Theatre in Boston and across North America. Donations to support our community work will be invited but are not required

Sunday Morning DHARMA TALK with Lama Tsering Ngodup
Sunday, June 9, 10-12n
You’re invited to receive Buddhist teachings (dharma), practice meditation, and experience the relevance and benefits of Buddhist philosophy and meditation in daily life. People of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs are welcome to this freely offered biweekly event ~ donations gratefully accepted 
Tsering Ngodup is a lama, or spiritual teacher, authorized to teach by HH ShaMar Rinpoche. He has devoted over twenty years to sharing the religious and spiritual teachings of Tibetan Buddhism in the West. He has traveled across the world, translating and interpreting Buddhist teachings for highly accomplished Tibetan lamas and masters from all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He is currently a chaplain at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Brookline, MA

SHAMANIC JOURNEY CIRCLE with Comma Williams
Sunday, June 9, 6:30-8:30pm
Shamanic journeying is a tool that has been traditionally used by indigenous shamans for the healing of individuals and communities. Most commonly, shamans use drums and rattles to shift their consciousness into non-ordinary reality, a trance-like state, to communicate with their helping guides and spirits. We know now that anyone can learn to journey, to connect with their own helping guides and spirits in non-ordinary reality in order to get answers to personal questions, solve problems, open creativity, see new ways of being in the world and obtain healing information for themselves and their community. Join Comma Williams for this journey circle where we will travel into non-ordinary reality and ask for information to help us get clarity about our path for this coming year. At the end of the journey you will have an opportunity to create a visual representation of your journey, to help ground it in ordinary reality, to make it visible in this world. $15 or class card

BREATHWORK with Samvedam Bettina Randles
Saturday, June 15, 2-4pm
Use the transformative power of the breath to still the mind, clear the emotions, and deeply relax your body. This will  help you create a more conscious connection to your spirit! Join us for an introductory class. $35 or class card x 2 + $5
Samvedam Randles, Dipl Psych, LMHC is a psychologist and nationally certified body worker with 25 years of experience teaching breath work. To learn more go to www.innerartsinstitute.com

Focusing New England Events presents
FOCUSING AND MEDITATION: Two Pathways to Our Inner Selves
with Cathy Cornell & Judith Stein
Saturday, June 15, 2-4pm
Both Focusing and meditation teach us to bring compassionate and accepting attention to ourselves. Meditative practices invite us to pause, to take time to notice how we are and to listen to our bodies' wisdom. In so doing we connect to ourselves and to others in new and fresh ways. Our goal is to give you an experiential understanding of two healing and transformative practices that can nourish, enliven, and replenish you. We hope that you'll take away a better understanding of how they are alike, distinct, and how each practice can enhance the richness of the other. You will have an opportunity to connect deeply with yourself and experience fresh ways of seeing.
$25 advance, $30 door
Cathy Cornell, LICSW is a social worker and Focusing-oriented psychotherapist in private practice in Wellesley MA. She is a Certified Focusing Trainer and has taught Focusing to individuals and groups. She also studies and practices Buddhism
Dr. Judith Stein, the founder of A Mindful Approach, is a licensed psychologist, who has a private practice in Lexington, Massachusetts and has over 20 years of experience in the areas of wellness and psychology

KIRTAN with Shubalananda & Ashley plus special guests
Saturday, June 15, 7:30pm
Created by ancient Indian rishis from Vedic mantras, kirtan is a yoga of sound - an evening of beautiful music and heartfelt call-and-response singing. No previous experience is necessary to experience its emotional depth, yet powerful as it is, kirtan is effortless and incredibly enjoyable. Shubalananda (Larry Kopp) has been leading kirtan for many years, having studied with Neem Karoli Baba, Sathya Sai Baba, Karunamayi and Shree Maa. His guitar & harmonium playing and voice of experience gives his kirtan a power and a heartfulness that is shared with all who join in. Find out more at www.shubalananda.com. Freely offered ~ please make a donation!

FINDING YOUR FOUNDATION with Josh Schreiber
Freeing Your Feet & Ankles For Healthy Movement
Sunday, June 16, 10:30-1
The overall health of a person's movement can be influenced from anywhere in the body, but it turns out that some places are 'more equal' than others. Our ankles stabilize our upright posture — often with more tension than necessary. Our feet grip or yield to the floor depending on our emotional state. Both have the potential to move in a graceful, integrated and powerful way as we walk and run. In this workshop you will experience the effect that softer, more comfortable and adaptable feet have on standing, walking, and being. $28 or class card x 2 at the door ~ Workshop #3 in the Feldenkrais® Walking series

Release Into RESTORATIVE YOGA
with Karen Barbarisi and Keith Herndon
Saturday June 22, 2-4PM
Join Karen Barbarisi and Keith Herndon for an in-depth experience of Restorative Yoga - a therapeutic system that uses the comfortable support of cushions & blankets to nurture the body in various gentle, long held resting postures. Restorative Yoga allows the nervous system to completely quiet and return to a balanced state, quieting the mind. At the same time the body gently stretches and opens, releasing even chronic patterns of tension. And, as attention focuses on each breath, Restorative Yoga also cultivates the qualities of mindfulness and presence. The afternoon will unfold with a brief sequence of flowing Kripalu yoga to warm up and prepare the body, then plunge into profound spheres of tranquility and ease. $28 or class card x 2
Karen Barbarasi and Keith Herndon have been practicing yoga for more than 10 years and are both certified at the 500 hour level by the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health

BOOMERPLUS® YOGA FOR SENIORS
Yoga Practice and Therapeutics with Liz Owen & Amy Kraft
Saturday, June 22, 12-6pm
Liz Owen and BoomerPlus(R) Yoga join together for this special workshop specifically geared toward those 50 and older looking to improve their personal fitness and reverse the effects of aging. The program includes discussion of physical, emotional, and mental health issues, and practice including yoga postures and breath work. Exercises for daily living situations, biomechanical alignment, yoga therapy, lower back health, and easing depression and anxiety are included. You'll learn how yoga can help your boomer years to be happy and healthy! Health care providers, caretakers, family members and yoga and fitness instructors are also welcome. Six Yoga Alliance(R) CEUs are available. $140; $120 early bird discount until 6/15
BoomerPlus® Yoga is a system of life that combines yoga, biomechanical research, and therapeutics to help everyone live an optimal life, independent of specific fitness goals. The president and founder, Amy Kraft, E-RYT 500, is a holistic wellness instructor teaching yoga and therapeutic techniques in addition to her research in biomechanics. With over 35 years experience, Amy is an expert in the field of senior yoga. www.boomerplusyoga.com
Liz Owen, E-RYT 500 is an inspired and passionate yoga teacher. She has taught since 1990 and is known for her light-hearted teaching style as well as for the depth of her knowledge. She is co-author of an NIH-funded study at Boston University Medical Center studying yoga as a healing modality for depression and anxiety, published by the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, and is co-author of Yoga for a Healthy Lower Back, Shambhala Publications, August 2013. www.lizowenyoga.com

Sunday Morning DHARMA TALK with Lama Tsering Ngodup
Sunday, June 23, 10-12n
You’re invited to receive Buddhist teachings (dharma), practice meditation, and experience the relevance and benefits of Buddhist philosophy and meditation in daily life. People of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs are welcome to this freely offered biweekly event ~ donations gratefully accepted 
Tsering Ngodup is a lama, or spiritual teacher, authorized to teach by HH ShaMar Rinpoche. He has devoted over twenty years to sharing the religious and spiritual teachings of Tibetan Buddhism in the West. He has traveled across the world, translating and interpreting Buddhist teachings for highly accomplished Tibetan lamas and masters from all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He is currently a chaplain at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Brookline, MA

MINDFULNESS OF THOUGHTS: Meditation with Jason Siff
Wednesday, June 26, 7:45-9:45pm
Join author and dharma teacher Jason Siff for a talk about ways of becoming mindful of thinking in meditation. Jason will show how this can lead to self-knowledge, connecting with your emotions, and entering into tranquil states of mind. Allowing thinking to go on in meditation may not be for everybody, but neither is stopping thoughts or trying to empty the mind or concentrating on a single object. What Jason offers is an approach to meditation that starts from a place of being kinder and more patient with one’s thoughts and emotions, which then can lead to many of the same states of mind, experiences, and understandings found in meditation practices based on the original teachings of the Buddha. There will be an opportunity to meditate using this approach and to ask questions about it. $5 Center fee plus teacher donation (dana)
Jason Siff is the author of Unlearning Meditation: What To Do When The Instructions Get In The Way. Jason was a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka in the 1980s, where he first started teaching meditation and began developing what he calls Recollective Awareness Meditation. He also founded the Skillful Meditation Project in 1996 - more information about his unique approach to meditation can be found at skillfulmeditation.org

SOUND HEALING CIRCLE with Brad Brockmann & Comma Williams
Sunday, June 30, 7-9pm ~ doors open 6:45, close 7:20
Join us on the last Sunday of the month to explore the transformative healing powers of sound. You will both co-create and receive sound healing, and learn how to improvise music with a healing intention. Bring your favorite instruments or just yourself, your voice and your love. Prior musical or healing experience is welcome but not required. We look forward to seeing you! Suggested donation $5-15