Beginners' Yoga & Meditation Course
Led by Ruth
Beginners' Yoga & Meditation Course
The course will provide an excellent foundation (or revision) of hatha yoga poses, to strengthen the body, increase flexibility and confidence. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how yoga and meditation work together. The course will give you a grounding in the Metta Bhavana (development of loving-kindness) and Mindfulness of Breathing meditations.These practices are rooted in thousands of years of Buddhist tradition. After this course you’ll be able to continue building your practice with ease and confidence at the LBC yoga and meditations classes and on retreat.
A sample week by week glance
The content of each class may change as we design and shape the course to suit the attendees.
Week 1 : Mindfulness of the Body
We will look at mindfulness of the body through movement, walking meditation and a gentle floor based practice. We’ll start with some simple floor based poses.
Week 2 : Breath and Mindfulness of Breathing Meditation
We will continue to focus on the body and we’ll include the breath, the felt sense of it in the body rather than ideas about it. We’ll synchronise movement with breath with poses such as apnasana, cat to cow, and moving bridge. This week we will learn some stages of the Mindfulness of Breathing.
Week 3 : Standing Poses, Balances and the Loving Kindness Meditation
We will continue with a focus on the breath and learn some standing poses and balances. This week we’ll be introduced to the loving kindness meditation, the Metta Bhavana.
Week 4 : Vedana, Responding and Twists
We’ll look at vedana (sensations) or feeling or the texture of life : pleasant, unpleasant and neutral, noticing these in our yoga practice, we’ll look at responding rather than reacting. We’ll introduce some hip opening poses and some twists, and learn the 3 minute Breathing Space.
Week 5 : Core, Stability, Mental States
We will focus a bit more on our core, from crown to tail to protect and strengthen our backs and bring stability into our standing poses. We’ll start to observe our mental states.
Week 6 : Sun Salutations and Freedom
We will revisit and revise what we have learnt and add in some surya namaskar, sun salutations. We’ll look at how mindfulness during yoga, and our lives, gives us the possibility of moments of liberation, when we aren’t reacting, where space and peace can open up. We will learn the full Metta Bhavana meditation: loving kindness for all beings.
Come in person
Doors open 15 minutes before the start. When you arrive, there'll be someone on reception to help you with any queries. There'll also be short breaks during most events.
Price
We appreciate every amount people feel able to give, no matter how big or small and thank you for your generosity in helping pass on the benefits of the Buddha’s teachings.
Single sex activities
At the LBC we value single-sex activities as a support for one’s deepening spiritual practice and we have men’s and women’s mitra convenors whose role it is to orientate new people into centre activities. If you identify as trans or non-binary then you're very welcome here - do get in touch and we can work out in discussion the best way of participating in the centre for you. We want to engage with everyone on an individual basis, in the spirit of friendship, and for everyone to feel at home at the London Buddhist Centre.
Venue
Opening times
Reception hours | 10am-5pm | Mon to Sat
Evening Classes | 7pm to 9.30pm | Mon to Fri
Sunday events | Check event page for timings
Getting here
Our address is: 51 Roman Rd, Bethnal Green, E20HU. The nearest tube stations within 5-10 minutes walk are Bethnal Green (Central Line and Overground), Cambridge Heath (Overground) and Stepney Green (District and Hammersmith & City lines). There are also lots of bus routes with stops 2-5 minutes from the centre.
How to book
Most of our events are by donation, you don't need to book just simply turn up on the day.
For courses and retreats, pre-booking online is recommended. There’s no need to print your e-ticket.
Plan your visit
An accessible toilet is located in the building.
Cloakroom
You can leave your coats and bags in the cloakroom provided. We ask that you take your footwear off if you plan on entering the shrine room. Please bring any valuable items with you into the class.
Bookshop
There is a bookshop at reception which includes books on Buddhism, Meditation and Mindfulness as well as ritual items, incense and cards. We accept both cash and card.
Access
If you require wheelchair or step free assistance please let reception know upon arrival or call beforehand. Depending on which shrine rooms will be used a team member will be able to assist with the use a ramps and lifts in the building.
Eating and drinking
During some events tea and biscuits are served during breaks while on day retreats and festival days there is vegan lunch shared between all those present.
If you would like to eat before or after an event at the centre the Mandala cafe is next door to the London Buddhist Centre! The Mandala team are friends and Buddhists, and this is a non-profit venture (we are a registered charity) so do come along and experience the unique and friendly atmosphere.
Monday - Friday 8.30am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 3.30pm
Sunday CLOSED
