The Deep Calm

 

Programs

Programs for Organizations

Whether you are a for-profit or non-profit company, your most valuable resources are the people who work with you to bring your mission to life. One of the most meaningful things you can do for your company and your employees is to offer meditation, on-site. This gift will rapidly repay itself in countless ways, including:

If you would like to establish a meditation program within your organization, please go to the Contact page of this website and click on Invite Elesa.

Programs for Adults

Yoga Nidra: The Veil Between Two Worlds

We spend most of our lives either upright and awake or supine and asleep. Yet, there is a veil between these two worlds: the 4,000 year-old tantric teachings call this veil Yoga Nidra. Translated as yogic sleep, Yoga Nidra is traditionally referred to as the state in which the Gods reside.

Here, the body is at rest in Savasana, the mind is at rest but the consciousness is fully alert as we systematically travel through the 5 koshas of the multi-layered self. Profound healing and transformation can occur in this state.

Central to the practice of Yoga Nidra is the sankalpa or resolve. This simple statement of your deepest aspiration for your life is seeded during Yoga Nidra, in the deepest recesses of your consciousness, where it can take root and grow.

In this Yoga Nidra Clinic, we dive deep into the practice emerging on the other side with greater integration and fewer obstacles to expressing our fullness in the world.
In this workshop, you will:

Meditation: The Art of Being Present

One of the most difficult things we can do in life is to show up—to be fully present—for ourselves and for the people we love and care about. So many times, at the end of the day, we say, “Where did the time go?” Years can go by in this manner. Your precious life is worth fully inhabiting. Learn how to become present for your life through the art of meditation. Learn specific techniques that will help you be more of who you say you want to be in the world.

In this series of classes or workshop you will learn:

Opening Our Hearts to Love: A Valentine’s Meditation Immersion

Many of us go through life thinking there is one great love out there for us. We can spend years looking for this one true love, only to finally come to realize that the first step in finding love is to be love. This can be difficult for us, because of past hurts and misconceptions about love. The heart has an enormous capacity to regenerate itself and longs to love.

We will work with a variety of meditation techniques and mantras known for their heart opening qualities. This powerful, healing workshop will leave you with a heart transformed and open to ever greater measures of self-love, self-acceptance and the ability to extend your heart like a warrior, in compassion, grace and service, to others. May our hearts bloom like the lotus blossom, at home in the muddy water!

This workshop is usually held the weekend before or the weekend after Valentine’s Day. It can also be held any other time of the year as love is always in season.
This workshop is appropriate for all levels of meditators, including beginners as basic meditation instruction will be given the first night. This workshop builds so partial attendance is not allowed.

The workshop flow is:

Workshop Fee: $195

Programs for Women

Befriending the Body, Befriending the Mind

A one-day movement and meditation workshop for women

Join Dr. Barbara Meyer and Elesa Commerse, two deeply trusted teachers, for a day of movement and meditation designed to help you re-establish a state of authentic friendship with yourself.

In all of creation there is only one you. It’s time to love and cherish yourself for the fullness, mystery and wonder that you are. There has never been another you and there never will be. This is your precious life. Isn’t it time you shed the layers of imposed thoughts, expectations and ideals that have kept you from fully celebrating yourself and enjoying your life? Your truest, highest self is waiting to welcome you home.

Experience the joy that is available when we accept ourselves as we are. Feel the bliss of moving your uniquely incredible body. Savor the peace waiting for you in your own spacious mind.

About Your Workshop Leaders

Barbara and Elesa have each taught adults for over twenty years.

They are known for creating safe, comfortable, compassionate environments that support the exploration of joyful self-acceptance.

Barbara Meyer, Ph.D.

As an instructor of movement and facilitator of health behavior change for over 20 years, Barbara invites her students to challenge their assumptions about what it means to be healthy and inspires them to live more fully and lovingly in the bodies they have right now. Barbara’s passion is to create a safe environment where her students can identify their personal path to health, one that is guided by their heart and their own internal wisdom.

Barbara holds a Ph.D. in Health Education from the University of Texas at Austin where her research focus was exploring women’s body image and exercise experience. She has consulted groups and individuals on body image, internally directed movement and exercise and moving beyond dieting in health care, educational and corporate settings.

“If I had to sum my experience up in one word it would simply be WOW!!! I've done yoga and kickboxing and aerobics and a few dance classes, but this was different. Through your words and your movements I was inspired to allow myself to move in new ways and found a deeper sense of appreciation for my ability to listen to my intuitive knowing of what my body/mind/soul wants to say. This is truly evolutionary work—quantum fitness! Please keep up the great work; you are masterful at what you do!”

Carrie C., Austin, TX

What people say about Befriending the Body, Befriending the Mind

“Elesa and Barbara complement each other beautifully. I feel a shift in my perspective on what I’m here for on earth, an awakening to the joy that is always here. They present and model living in harmony with our nature and our unique gifts.”

Jacki D., Evanston, IL

“I feel I made a beginning at being more comfortable with myself and not begin concerned about what others think or I am not doing it right or good enough. Thank you!”

Kathleen R., Aurora, IL

“It was wonderful to spend the day moving, drawing, breathing and chanting. Barbara and Elesa create a soothing and comfortable atmosphere were we can all feel free.”

Sandy N., Chicago, IL

Programs for Children

Calm Body, Calm Mind

In your role as a parent or teacher of children, one of the most important tools you can equip them with is the ability to stay calm and centered despite life’s ups and downs. Today, more than ever, children need specific strategies that help them navigate an increasingly fast paced, complex and uncertain world.

Most parents agree that their children are more precious than anything they’ve ever known. We give tremendous attention to building a strong body. We need to give just as much attention to building a strong, supple mind.

Children of all ages can use meditation to access their own inner strength and problem solving capabilities. Through a consistent mediation practice, children develop their potential to be wise, peaceful and loving, so they can better cope with the problems, stress and uncertainty of a rapidly changing world.

Everyone wants to be calm, peaceful and happy; especially children. Meditation can help children learn how to calm and focus their minds and to transform disturbing thoughts and emotions into peaceful, happy ones.

Meditating with children has been proven to: reduce stress, rejuvenate the body and mind and improve academic performance. One parent says, “What I’ve seen is they are calmer about approaching new situations, and that includes less anxiety about peer relations, and more willingness to go their own way…They’re more comfortable with who they are. They’re able to do more work in less time…and their standardized test scores have gone up.”

Studies have confirmed that children who meditate have higher self-esteem, handle stress better, and get along better with fellow students than non-meditators. A Principal of another school reported, “Behavioral problems went down and attendance went up.”

In this series of classes, children will learn:

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