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This retreat is based on Cyndi Lee’s new book, May I Be Happy: A Memoir of Love, Yoga, and Changing My Mind.

Perhaps like Cyndi, you have a natural impulse to be helpful to others but are not as good at caring for yourself. We tend to put our own needs last, leaving us with unhealthy feelings of depletion, isolation, and resentment. Learning to take care of ourselves is not selfish; it is spiritual maturity. When we take responsibility for our own happiness, we create patterns of compassion and understanding that allow us to truly offer support to others.

Each week in January Cyndi will lead an introductory mindfulness meditation, followed by a guided meditation around one of the four slogans from maitri practice, the traditional Buddhist lovingkindness meditation. Each week will include a short yoga session, designed for absolute beginners, that embeds the maitri practice into the approach to working with your body.

Breathing work, physical alignment, stretching, strengthening and relaxation will all provide vehicles for you to develop lovingkindness to yourself as the first step in aligning your actions with your intentions to be more loving and kind to others—and yourself—in the new year.