Yoga Health & Therapy Center
Shelley Smith, Founder & Director
BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION THERAPY
322 W. 2nd St. Lexington, KY 40507
859-254-9529
Email - info@yogahealthcenter.org

Meditation Instruction
Behavioral Modification Approaches

Meditation calms the nervous system and strengthens the mind. It reduces stress and brings the practitioner back to remembrance of the peace within. Our Center offers informative talks and Meditation classes on a regular basis for students practicing at various levels, from beginners to experienced meditators. Weekly and monthly group Meditation practice sessions are available for students completing the starter course.

Please scroll down this page to read about:

Meditation Classes

Group Meditation Practice Sessions

Clinical Counseling

Dream Work

Stress Reduction Classes

Yoga Therapy Programs

MEDITATION CLASSES

Pre-registration is necessary for our Meditation classes. Please call or email us for the starting dates and fees, and see additional listings on our Calendar page.

Meditation Starter Course

Awareness Meditation helps you unclutter and focus the mind, reduce stress, and experience well-being. This course introduces a variety of simple techniques that you will practice in class and reinforce with home practice. It also provides background for students who would like to attend our group practice sessions and retreats.

  • 5-week Course, designed for beginners (or as review for those who have some experience but are not yet practicing regularly).

  • Each 1-hour class includes instruction, practice time, and question/answer discussion.

    • Meditation Courses, Phases 2-4

    A preparation course is offered for each level of practice, with optional group practice sessions, based on techniques presented in that course, as follow-up. Each Course builds on skills and principles learned in the preceding courses.

    Meditation Retreats and Special Programs

    Advanced meditation classes and retreats are offered quarterly by Shelley Smith, Director of the Center. These will be listed on our Calendar page.

    GROUP MEDITATION PRACTICE SESSIONS

    Meditating with others can help you strengthen and deepen your practice and reduce stress. The following on-going practice sessions are open to students who have completed our Meditation Starter Course. If you plan to attend, please email us or call ahead to let us know. Each month, visit our calendar page, showing dates and times of each activity.

    Phase 1 Meditation Practice Sessions

  • Based on techniques presented in our Meditation Starter Course. A 40-minute Session (with breaks), offered several times each week.

    AUM-Breathing Sessions

  • 40-minute sessions held several times during one week each month, replacing the other practice sessions that week. This technique combines awareness of heart-felt feelings with a focus on breath and subtle sound.

    Devotional Yoga Concentration Session

  • A 40-minute heart-centered concentration session, held monthly.

    Objective Yoga Concentration Session

  • This 40-minute, monthly session focuses on the movement of the breath.

    Silent Meditation Sessions

  • You may practice any technique, in silence. This monthly session lasts one hour; you may stay for half or full hour.

    Breath Meditation Sessions

  • A heart-centered technique combining visualization and breath awareness. A 45-minute session, held monthly.

    Centering in Stillness

  • A 45-minute session with brief instructions, followed by silent practice.

    • CLINICAL COUNSELING

    Individual counseling sessions are available for issues related to:

  • Grief and Loss
  • Illness
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

    • MARTHA CLAY, LCSW, a counselor with 20 years of experience in the area of chronic illness and grief, has been a practitioner of Yoga for over 20 years and a Yoga teacher for over 16 years. Martha integrates Yoga and Meditation with counseling for personal growth and self-awareness. Hours available by appointment. For more information, please call or email the Center.

    DREAM WORK

    Experience the healing capacity of your creative mind through Dream Work. Dream Work is an effective method of unlocking the energy of dreams and gaining insight into yourself. Prior experience in meditation practice is helpful. Dream Work sessions are facilitated by Martha Clay, LCSW, who is an experienced psychotherapist. For more information, please call or email the Center.

    STRESS REDUCTION CLASSES

    Learn to reduce and recover from stress creatively through Yoga philosophy and techniques. This 5-week class includes training in:

  • How to recognize and release your unique stress-holding patterns
  • Understanding the stress response and the relaxation response
  • Effective techniques such as gentle stretch, breathing awareness, guided imagery, deep relaxation, and Meditation.

    • Each class includes practice of techniques as well as discussion. The instructor, KAREN THOMPSON, MA, is a certified Stress Management Educator and a Yoga and Meditation Instructor since 1984. Karen has received the Sara Stice Health Education Award (awarded by the Kentucky Public Health Association) for her programs. For information on class dates, times, and fees, contact the Center by phone or email.

    YOGA THERAPY PROGRAMS

    While most students experience therapeutic effects from their Yoga practice, our Yoga Therapy Programs are designed especially for people with specific health concerns, and for those living with chronic illness or recovering from injury or surgery. These sessions include Yoga Exercise, Breathing Awareness, Relaxation Techniques and Yoga techniques for calming the mind. Our Yoga Therapy Programs are supervised by Shelley Smith, Founder and Director of the Yoga Health & Therapy Center.

    In addition to Yoga Therapy Sessions for individuals, our Yoga Therapy Programs include:

  • Yoga Classes for those with Asthma and Allergies

  • Yoga Classes for those with Multiple Sclerosis

  • Yoga Stress Reduction Course for those with Cardiovascular Disease

    • For information about each program, please visit our Yoga Classes page.