“Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

What is your greatest fear – do you have a list? Are you afraid of the dark, of basements and mist? Perhaps you fear spiders and slithery snakes, and freeze at the thought of not having all that ‘it’ takes? Perhaps your fear is of being alone, of old age, gray hair, of becoming a crone. Maybe you fear public speaking or great heights, massive fortune, huge fame, big city lights? Do you choose your own poison of being enough, whether, smart, thin, or beautiful, do you see it’s all fluff?

Fear is defined as an unpleasant emotion, caused by the thought of a dangerous potion. Through our practice of yoga and deep meditation, we return to our natural state of perfect vibration. We query life’s truth with deep loving focus, and arrive in the present without hocus-pocus!

Asana for Halloween: Corpse Pose (Savasana)

A sweet treat for the body and mind, relax and renew, a perfect unwind!

• To ensure comfort and ease in this pose, have blankets available for warmth and an eye pillow to gently cover the eyes.
• Lying on your back atop a blanket, tuck your shoulder blades together behind you, as if tucking in your wings,
• Allow your arms to rest gently by your side, palms of your hands face upward, fingers are unfurled and relaxed.
• Allow your hips to release, relax your legs, and allow your feet and toes to be soft.
• Gently close your eyes and breath slowly through your nose.
• Feeling the complete support of the floor beneath you and allow your body to become soft, warm, and relaxed.
• Feel the breath breathing the body, rhythmic and soothing.
• Scan your body from head to toes for any remaining tension or tightness, breathe in, exhale, and consciously allow these areas to gently release and relax.
• Continue to relax into the breath, allow your mind to settle and feel yourself move deeper into a state of ease and relaxation.
• Rest in Corpse Pose for 5 – 15 minutes.

Meditation for Halloween: Walking Meditation

Whether practiced at night by the light of the moon, or in a patch of pumpkins at autumnal noon, a simple meditation that brings peace and presence, a practice to awaken our own inner essence.

• Choose a place where you can walk, inside or outside, with a path of at least 10-30 steps in length, and allow ten minutes or more for this meditation.
• Begin by standing still and let your eyes be soft, hands rest easily by your side.
• Open to your senses, notice the colors, textures and patterns of what the eyes are seeing, the scents of the moment, the sounds around you.
• Feel yourself centered, your feet touching the ground, standing on the earth.
• Allow yourself to be present and relaxed, the breath is natural.
• Begin to walk slowly, mindfully, with a sense of ease and dignity.
• Tune in to the body, notice when each leg lifts, when the foot leaves the earth, and when it returns.
• Explore various paces and find one that keeps you present.
• Notice how the body seeks balance, how a slower pace might require more effort, a quicker pace less attention.
• Continue walking until you reach a point where you need to turn around.
• Pause and again tune in to your senses, the breath, this moment.
• Turn slowly and continue your practice.

– Lisa Campbell

Meditation & Yoga Manager, Release Well-being Center