Written by Amanda Dzengeleski

Mindfulness Meditation is held every Wednesday, 11:25am-12:00pm. Join us for this meditation session based on the core of mindfulness meditation - Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Empathetic Joy, and Equanimity. Sessions will have a consistent structure to support participants in developing a meditation practice and discovering tools to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this is an opportunity to build mindfulness and resilience in a supportive environment. Practice will be offered in-person at Stonegate Studio or online via Zoom. The session will be recorded for those that cannot attend live. All those we register will have access to the recording for five days!

Meditation is not a linear journey. It’s not about achieving a specific state or reaching a final destination. Instead, it’s a variable practice that shifts and evolves. This fluidity makes meditation an opportunity for exploration rather than a pursuit of perfection. It invites us to let go of binary perspectives such as good or bad, right or wrong, failure or success. Through meditation, we assume the seat of the observer, witnessing the fluctuations of body, mind, and heart with an unchanging awareness.

The key is persistence. Just as a musician masters an instrument through daily practice or a gardener nurtures a garden with regular care, our meditation practice blossoms when tended to consistently. Through repetition, meditation ceases to be something we "do" and becomes something we "are." By engaging deeply with meditation, we explore and embody four essential components of mindfulness meditation: Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Empathetic Joy, and Equanimity.

Loving-Kindness

Loving-kindness is a practice of directing goodwill and positive energy toward ourselves and others. This doesn’t always come easily. Some days, sending love to ourselves might feel natural; on other days, it might feel distant or even uncomfortable. This variability is part of the process. Through meditation, we learn to meet ourselves where we are, without judgment, and offer kindness regardless of how we feel.

A consistent meditation practice helps us dismantle self-critical narratives and cultivate self-compassion. Over time, this practice extends outward, allowing us to approach others with warmth and understanding. Loving-kindness reminds us that care and goodwill are not finite resources—they grow as we nurture them, creating a ripple effect of kindness in our relationships.

Compassion

Compassion is the ability to hold space for suffering—our own and others’—without judgment or avoidance. Meditation teaches us to sit with discomfort, to observe it without resistance, and to meet it with a tender heart. As we deepen our meditation practice, we begin to see that compassion is not about fixing or solving; it’s about being present. By learning to hold space for our own struggles, we become more equipped to extend that same presence to others.

Empathetic Joy

Empathetic joy is the practice of sharing in the happiness and successes of others. It asks us to celebrate joy wherever it arises, even if it’s not directly tied to our own experiences. This practice can feel challenging in a culture that often encourages comparison and competition. Meditation helps us shift this perspective. Through consistent practice, we learn to let go of envy and scarcity and replace them with genuine delight in others’ well-being. With time, empathetic joy becomes a natural extension of our practice, teaching us that happiness multiplies when shared.

Equanimity

Equanimity is the practice of cultivating inner stability despite life’s ups and downs. This practice is not about suppressing emotions or striving for constant calm. Instead, it’s a state of calm and centeredness that allows us to navigate challenges without being swept away by reactivity. Like a muscle, equanimity is strengthened through consistent practice.

Meditation is not a journey of perfection but one of presence. It’s a lifelong exploration that invites us to let go of rigid expectations and embrace the full spectrum of our experiences. Through regular practice, we connect more deeply to the qualities of Loving-kindness, Compassion, Empathetic Joy, and Equanimity, allowing these qualities to shape our relationships, perspectives, and decisions.

Questions? Email info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com.

Amanda Dzengeleski is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher and yoga therapist in training. She has additional training in trauma-sensitive yoga, therapeutic yoga, and functional movement. Amanda deeply believes that all beings possess an innate wisdom that blooms despite difficulty, trauma, illness or loss. She is dedicated to hosting a safe and inclusive space and inviting an embodied experience for students to honor their uniqueness and learn to listen to the wisdom of their bodies.

Sam Sather, founder of Dogwood Studios, is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and an Insight Yoga Institute (IYI) endorsed teacher. She individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online and in person yoga classes as well as private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.