Lectures and Seminars

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Monday Night Group Meditation meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. Check out our Sunday Meditation Series and Meditation Satsang (Second Fridays) for additional ways to meditate together.

March 

Sunday Meditation Satsang (In-Person) with Julia

Sundays, March 3-April 28, 10-11am
Make a commitment to your spiritual growth this year by joining with others in silent, seated, meditative awareness. We will sit together to support and encourage one another while following our own personal sadhana. There will be a 15-minute introduction led by the teacher for relaxing into your practice, 30 minutes of silence, and again the teacher will guide students for the last portion of the hour, offering reflection and a space for questions and the sharing of experience.
Drop-in available - $15 per class.

Satsang is a Sanskrit term which means truth (sat) community (sangha) recognizing the importance of coming together in a group with other like-minded spiritual seekers for education, practice, and support.

This is the In-Person option
Fee: $96 (ID#: S22-P) —

Sunday Meditation Satsang (Zoom) with Julia

Sundays, March 3-April 28, 10-11am

This class will be available on Zoom. Meeting code will be emailed 24 hours before class time.
INCLUDED in the Online Asana Pass
Fee: $96 (ID#: S22-V) —

Deepening Vishoka Meditation (In-Person) with Sarah

Wednesdays, March 13-April 10, 6:30-7:30pm
Four Weeks - No class April 3rd
This class is a continuation of “Foundations of Vishoka Meditation” (the system of meditation taught by the Himalayan Institute). Deepen your journey towards Vishoka, inner freedom, by introducing specific relaxation and pranayama techniques into your practice. Explore Tension Relaxation, Nadi Shodhanam, and So Hum Pranayama. Suggestions for home practice will be provided. Prerequisite: Prior participation in “Foundations of Vishoka Meditation” or “Beginning Meditation” at HIB.
This is the In-Person option
Fee: $65 (ID#: S26-P) —

Deepening Vishoka Meditation (Zoom) with Sarah

Wednesdays, March 13-April 10, 6:30-7:30pm

This class will be available on Zoom. Meeting code will be emailed 24 hours before class time.
Fee: $65 (ID#: S26-V) —

The Bhagavad Gita in Theory and Practice (In-Person) with Julia

Thursdays, March 21-April 25, 6:30-8pm
Over six weeks, we will delve into The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred text beloved by yoga practitioners the world over. Our discussion will be directed towards enhancing our understanding and practical application of the various paths of yoga. The Gita is divided into three sections, each describing a method for spiritual unfoldment, including karma (selfless service), bhakti (devotion), and jnana (knowledge). Through the lens of the three paths, we will uncover our full human potential and align it with truth, confidence, and peace in our lives. Join Julia as she draws from multiple translations and commentaries on the Gita. No textbook is required, though you may wish to bring your favorite translation. Handouts provided.
This is the In-Person option
Fee: $108 (ID#: S28-P) —

The Bhagavad Gita in Theory and Practice (Zoom) with Julia

Thursdays, March 21-April 25, 6:30-8pm

This class will be available on Zoom. Meeting code will be emailed 24 hours before class time.
Fee: $108 (ID#: S28-V) —

April 

HIB Book Club (In-Person Only) with Kandy & MaryJo

Friday, April 5, 12:30-2pm
HIB Book Club meets on the first Friday of the month. Explore books and authors with us–tea and good company provided! All are welcome. Registration is requested. April’s book is Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese (2009). Donation Based: $5-$10 suggested donation Fee: $0 (ID#: S30) —

Meditation Satsang (Second Fridays, In-Person Only) with Leanne

Friday, April 12, 7-8pm
Formerly “New Moon Meditation” – we have switched this offering to meet on the second Friday of each month.
Join with others in silent, seated, meditative awareness. There will be a 15-minute introduction led by the teacher for relaxing into your practice, 30 minutes of silence, and again, the teacher will guide students for the last portion of the class, offering reflection and a space for questions and the sharing of experience.
Donation Based: $10 suggested donation. Registration requested.

Satsang is a Sanskrit term that means truth (sat) community (sangha), recognizing the importance of coming together with other like-minded spiritual seekers for education, practice, and support.

Fee: $0 (ID#: S31) —

Contemplative Writing: An Introspective Approach Using Poetry (In-Person Only) with Rosa

Saturday, April 13, 11am-12:15pm
April Session
There is no correct or incorrect way to write. The process and product can vary. Contemplative writing only asks us to slow down and know ourselves better by witnessing what awakens in us as we listen, read, speak, and write. The goals can be different each time we acknowledge what speaks to us and what we need to give voice to—we begin to get clarity about what brings us peace and what troubles us. We will use poetry to prompt our thinking and writing.
For this writing opportunity, come ready to play with words: to read, to reflect, to meditate, to write, and to interact with others. Contemplative writing is an embodiment practice that supports the need to feel, experience, and act, and not just think our way through the world. Fee: $15 (ID#: S21-2) —

Nature Walk: Buckhorn Island State Park with Kandy

Saturday, April 13, 10am-12:30pm
This trail runs along the Niagara River with great views of the city. It is an easy walk of about 4 miles. At the end of the trail is an osprey stand; with any luck, we might have a sighting! Please register so we can notify you via email if we need to cancel due to inclement weather. Bring a snack and your binoculars (if you have them).
Park Address: 5805 E River Rd, Grand Island, NY 14072
Meet at East-West Park Road - Woods Creek Trail entrance.
Donation Based: $10 suggested donation.
Fee: $0 (ID#: S36) —

Community Gathering: Maitri (Friendship) Circle (In-Person Only) with Donna

Thursday, April 18, 6:30-7:30pm
The word Maitri means friendship. We are gathering in the spirit of friendship, inspiration, and support on our journey of self-discovery through yoga. This will be a facilitated discussion group in which we will explore various themes related to our practice and the influence of yoga/meditation on our lives. Whether you are new to our community of seekers or are an old friend, we hope you will join us. This month’s theme is: “April showers and May flowers.” What seeds have you planted, and what flowers do you hope to see blossom?
Donation Based: $10 suggested donation. Fee: $0 (ID#: S33) —

Energize and Invigorate! Ayurveda and Asana (In-Person) with Sarah

Saturday, April 20, 10am-1pm
Sequencing for the Kapha Dosha
Ayurveda, the wisdom of self-healing, offers a wealth of tools for seasonal balance. During late winter and early spring (February-April), it’s common to feel heavy, sluggish, and unmotivated. The body can become more prone to mucous congestion and water retention. All these symptoms point to an imbalance in the Kapha Dosha. Modifying your yoga sequences to energize and invigorate can bring relief. Join Sarah for a morning of discussion and practice. Review the fundamentals of Ayurvedic asana and how to sequence for the Kapha dosha. Then, experience a kapha balancing practice that you can use at home. If you’re a yoga teacher, you can weave this sequence into your group yoga classes to bring the benefits of Ayurveda to your students.

Attention certified yoga instructors: this course qualifies for 3-hours of CE training with Yoga Alliance.
St/Sr discount may not be applied to CEU Trainings.

This is the In-Person option
Fee: $55 (ID#: E89-P) —

Energize and Invigorate! Ayurveda and Asana (Zoom) with Sarah

Saturday, April 20, 10am-1pm

This class will be available on Zoom. Meeting code will be emailed 24 hours before class time.
Fee: $55 (ID#: E89-V) —

Earth Day Cleanup Event: Spring Sweep 2024 with Kandy

Saturday, April 20, 10am-noon
Sponsored by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Site Captain Kandy Svec will lead TEAM HIB at this year’s Spring Sweep, part of the Great Lakes Cleanup. Buffalo Niagara Water Keeper will be providing all gloves and supplies. Please wear comfy shoes/boots. Registration for this event is through Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper (not HIB) so that they have a record of how many participants will be at this location. When registering, select our designated site: Great Baehre Swamp/Billy Wilson Park. If this event gets postponed due to inclement weather, BNW will notify you via e-mail and post it on their Facebook page. For more information and to register, go to Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Spring Sweep.

UPDATE!! WAY TO GO! Registration for Kandy’s location is FULL, but Mother Earth can still use your help!
Please go to the link above and select another location. THANK YOU for helping to keep our waterways clean!

Exploring the Chakra System (In-Person) with Tracy

Sundays, April 21-28, 10am-noon
Join Tracy for a two-part workshop designed to help you understand and work with the Chakra System. In the first session, we will study traditional models from yogic and tantric sources and learn to practice the purification of the elements or “Bhuta Shuddhi.” In the second session, we will compare what we have learned to modern research on the human energy centers and how to forge a personal relationship with pranic energy in our own bodies. When theory and practice come together, we have a powerful way to understand who we are and how we function on a subtle level. Classes will include lecture, relaxation, pranayama, visualization, and mantra.
This is the In-Person option
Fee: $55 (ID#: S37-P) —

Exploring the Chakra System (Zoom) with Tracy

Sundays, April 21-28, 10am-noon

This class will be available on Zoom. Meeting code will be emailed 24 hours before class time.
Fee: $55 (ID#: S37-V) —

The Mindful Cook: An Ayurvedic Spring Cleanse (In-Person Only) with Julia

Saturday, April 27, 10am-1pm
The threshold from winter to spring is an opportune time to relieve the body and mind of congestion that may be in our systems from the cold winter season. There are enjoyable and practical kitchen and self-care techniques for enhancing the vitality of the tissues by gently scrubbing away toxicity on the inside and outside. This interactive workshop will take place in the main classroom and kitchen. There will be a cooking demo. Lunch will be provided, as well as detoxifying teas to start our day. Handouts and recipes will be given. Fee: $45 (ID#: S35) —

May 

Contemplative Writing: An Introspective Approach Using Poetry (In-Person Only) with Rosa

Saturday, May 4, 11am-12:15pm
May Session
There is no correct or incorrect way to write. The process and product can vary. Contemplative writing only asks us to slow down and know ourselves better by witnessing what awakens in us as we listen, read, speak, and write. The goals can be different each time we acknowledge what speaks to us and what we need to give voice to—we begin to get clarity about what brings us peace and what troubles us. We will use poetry to prompt our thinking and writing.
For this writing opportunity, come ready to play with words: to read, to reflect, to meditate, to write, and to interact with others. Contemplative writing is an embodiment practice that supports the need to feel, experience, and act, and not just think our way through the world. Fee: $15 (ID#: S21-3) —

Deconstructing Uddiyana Bandha & Agni Sara (In-Person) with Sarah

Saturday, May 18, 10am-1pm
Awakening the Lower Three Chakras in Asana Practice
Uddiyana Bandha (upward flying lift) is an energetic seal or “lock” used in asana practice to direct the flow of energy (prana) in the pelvis and abdomen (home of the lower 3 chakras). Re-establishing the proper flow of prana here can help you, and your students, tap into their inner reservoir of stability, courage, and mental clarity. We’ll begin with the energetic, mental, and muscular anatomy of Uddiyana Bandha. Then we’ll move through an asana practice designed to progressively develop Uddiyana Bandha, apply it in classical yoga postures, and culminate in the master practice of Agni Sara. Take take-home sequence will be provided.

Attention certified yoga instructors: this course qualifies for 3-hours of CE training with Yoga Alliance.
St/Sr discount may not be applied to CEU Trainings.

This is the In-Person option
Fee: $55 (ID#: E88-P) —

Deconstructing Uddiyana Bandha & Agni Sara (Zoom) with Sarah

Saturday, May 18, 10am-1pm

This class will be available on Zoom. Meeting code will be emailed 24 hours before class time.
Fee: $55 (ID#: E88-V) —