Yoga of the Heart: Embodied Dharma and Mindful Yoga

What does it mean to truly inhabit your body as a vehicle for compassion? In our fragmented modern world, many of us sense a deeper longing—for authentic connection, for healing in our nervous systems, for a practice that touches both mind and heart. Yoga of the Heart: Embodied Dharma and Mindful Yoga is a daylong immersion designed for exactly this moment. Held at the serene Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California, this workshop weaves Buddhist wisdom, somatic awakening, and accessible yoga asana into a coherent path of heart cultivation. You'll be guided by three experienced teachers—Djuna Devereaux, Anne Cushman, and Rolf Gates—who bring decades of practice and teaching to the mat.

This isn't a typical yoga class. Rather, it's an exploration of how the body holds our stories, our tensions, and our capacity for loving-kindness. Through floor-based unwinding practices that release accumulated holding patterns, flowing yoga sequences designed for all bodies and levels, and teachings rooted in the classical Buddhist brahmavihāras—the four immeasurable heart qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity—you'll discover an embodied path to genuine transformation. The day emphasizes sangha, the healing power of practicing within community, as essential to your evolution. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or stepping onto a mat for the first time, you're welcome here.

What to Expect

Expect a gently paced, nourishing day that honors both body and spirit. You'll begin with floor-based unwinding work—restorative, exploratory movements designed to help your nervous system soften and release. From there, the program flows into accessible yoga asana sequences suitable for all experience levels. Woven throughout are teachings on the Buddhist heart qualities, illustrated through personal narratives from the teachers themselves. The arc of the day builds a sense of genuine connection—first with your own body, then with the community around you. By day's end, you'll leave with practical tools for cultivating compassion, a felt sense of nervous system ease, and the remembering that your yoga practice is fundamentally about love.

Venue & Logistics

Spirit Rock Meditation Center is nestled in the peaceful hills of Woodacre, California, creating an ideal sanctuary for deep practice. The program runs Sunday, August 16, 2026. Wear comfortable clothing that allows movement; bring a yoga mat, blanket, and water. The center is accessible and welcoming to practitioners of all abilities—arrive early if you need support setting up your space.