Silent Meditation Retreat
A silent meditation retreat creates the ideal conditions for revealing and experiencing the peace of the Heart. This is an invitation and opportunity to connect with the joy and simplicity of Being.
Dates & Price:
21 – 25 November, 2022*
24 – 28 April, 2023*
*Fully Booked
Hatha Yoga in Totnes
Kalyan Yoga: Module 1
10 January – 1 April, 2023
Tuesday Evenings & Saturday Mornings
12-Week Course £360
Fully Booked
Location: Move Forward Wellness Studio, 16 High St, TQ9 5RY
Time to Breathe
Community Meditation/Mindfulness Class
Every Monday 12.30-1.30pm
By donation
Location: Totnes Natural Health Centre,
The Plains, TQ9 5DW
Fundamentals of Meditation workshop
Join us for a full day workshop in Exeter specifically designed to teach you all the necessary tools to start your own meditation practice.
Date: Coming Soon
Location: TBC
Time: 10am – 4.30pm
Cost: £45 or £30 for low income
Self-inquiry workshop:
An Introduction to the Teachings of Ramana Maharshi
The Self-inquiry method of Ramana Maharshi is a very direct practice for Self-revelation. In this workshop we hope to deepen your understanding of his teachings.
Date: Coming Soon
Location: TBC
Time: 10am – 4.30pm
Cost: £45 or £30 for low income
Follower: “Which way should I follow?”
Ramana Maharshi: “Go back the way you came.”
About Us
We are Adam & Sabina, two YTT 600+ trained yoga and meditation teachers based in Totnes. We offer weekly hatha yoga classes and community meditation/mindfulness classes in the heart of Totnes.
Our classes are offered on a sliding scale (or in the case of Time to Breathe, by donation), to make yoga and meditation as affordable as possible for the Totnes community.
We also offer meditation workshops and retreats around the UK.
Learn more about us and the teachings and traditions that have inspired us here.
Our Philosophy
Defining ‘yoga’ in an all-encompassing way is not simple. There are many branches, overlapping aspects, philosophies, practices and nuances that fall under the umbrella of yoga. The Sanskrit root of ‘yoga’ is ‘yuj’ meaning to ‘yoke’, ‘bind’ or ‘join together’, also indicating ‘oneness’ and/or ‘union’. At the deepest spiritual level, yoga is about revealing our essential nature. Through Self-revelation we realise that there is no separation between anyone or anything – everything is One. This tenet of yoga is known as ‘advaita’, meaning ‘non-duality’.
The profundity of Oneness is not something that can be truly understood by the rational mind. The yogic path is principally based on direct knowledge and for most people this involves the regular practice of yogic techniques that purify the body and mind, such as meditation and hatha yoga. This is very much the spirit in which we practice and share at Kalyan Yoga. We hope you feel inspired to learn meditation and yoga with us.
“What we are looking for, is what is looking.”
-St Francis of Assisi-
Yoga in Totnes
We offer guided hatha yoga classes in and around Totnes.
The style of hatha yoga we practice, named ‘Hridaya Hatha Yoga’, is for everyone; from those with a budding curiosity to those who have been practicing for years.
Hridaya Hatha Yoga is a form of classical hatha yoga practiced in a contemplative style. The practice is performed with the eyes closed and we generally hold the asanas for longer than other styles of yoga. This helps us to interiorise and connect with the more subtle aspects of our being such as the energy centres, (chakras), and our true essence that can be perceived as a dynamic stillness.
We often describe this style of yoga as ‘meditation in motion’, a bridge between being and doing.
Yoga does not discriminate, and this style is inclusive of all bodies.
Meditation in Totnes
Meditation has always been the core of our practice. We were both deeply inspired after completing meditation retreats, and have continued a deep exploration into meditation.
Once we have started on the path of meditation, it is impossible to ignore the indescribable richness that meditation can bring to all areas of our lives.
We share meditation workshops and retreats around the UK, as well as free online meditation meet ups, to share this passion with others. Our workshops and retreats are ideal for beginners, as well as advanced meditators. Each workshop and retreat is comprehensive, you will be guided through meditation sessions and presented specific techniques, all designed to guide you in a journey of self re-connection.
Cacao
Cacao was an integral part of our way of life while living and working in the Hridaya Yoga Community in Mexico. We drank it at community meetings, celebrations and in ritual devotion. We also enjoyed cacao as a daily drink both pre and post meditation. You could say that cacao consumption bordered on obsession for some (we’re not naming names…).Why? Cacao has incredible heart opening effects that can be felt and experienced in the body. This can help us to move from our minds and identification with thoughts, back into the body and into our hearts. Those of you who have attended our classes, workshops or retreats will know that our core meditation practice is Hridaya Meditation, which is a heart based meditation. In our experience cacao is particularly potent when coupled with Hridaya Meditation, a metta or loving kindness practice, devotional singing or ritual.
We were pretty dissatisfied with the integrity of the cacao available on the UK market, so ventured to set up our own little business, Cacao Artesanos, so that we can source our own, intentionally and directly. We’ve been scrupulous in tracking down true artisan producers who are genuinely committed to sustainable farming practices, as well as producing the crème de la crème of cacao. We direct trade with our suppliers and pay premium prices that reflect the top quality and artisanal nature of the cacao.
We have 250g, 500g and 1kg pouches of exquisite raw Balinese ceremonial cacao available for purchase online. We can also provide bulk orders (3kg and more) for discounted prices (contact us).
Testimonials
“Adam and Sabina are wonderful, insightful teachers who share from the heart. I attended one of their 2 day workshops on the fundamentals of meditation, where we were introduced to the wonders of this practice. They provided us with a friendly and nurturing space in which to learn and I hope to be a part of another workshop in the future. Thank you!”
Elle, Manchester
“Through his calm and loving presence, Adam creates a space where one really feels at home and his classes mirror the depth he has reached in his own practice. Such a gift to be able to go on this journey inside with him. Sabina emanates so much love and motherly care in her classes and through this really makes it easy for her students to go deeper and fully let go, meeting the present moment in a loving embrace.”
Eva, Innsbruck
“The way that Adam and Sabina explained each meditation technique was absolutely brilliant. It was clear and easy but with a very deep knowledge. The level between theoretical and practical matters was ideal to all of us (beginners and with experience). Adam and Sabina are so genuine and peaceful human beings, with so much light that they spread to all of us. They spoke from their heart and that is the most beautiful way and technique to learn from someone.”
Cecilia, Macclesfield
“Sabina and Adam are passionate, insightful teachers of meditation and yoga. In their Fundamentals of Meditation workshop, they shared some of what they’ve learned from their vast experience, but remain humble and open to discussion and questions. I appreciated their grounded approach and ability create the right balance of meditation, sharing teachings, discussion and breaks. I left feeling uplifted and inspired and I look forward to attending more of their classes/workshops.“
Holly, Totnes, Devon
Our Musings
Perseverance
Before completing my training in Mexico at the end of last year, Sahajananda (the main founder…
Impermanence – A Gateway to Liberation
Anitya or impermanence is a very powerful and profound teaching of the Buddha….
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