To me, meditation is a way of being present in your life. It’s not just about sitting still (although that’s where the journey often begins), it’s about how you live. It’s not just about equipping yourself with more knowledge, it’s also about learning to let go. Meditation is a way of achieving what the Buddhists call mindfulness – a state of calm awareness of your body and mind. Whether you do this through yoga, meditation or both, the approach is the same – learning to bring your attention to the present moment.

I became a meditation teacher to help others to reduce the tension and anxiety of their daily lives. I worked in the corporate world for a number of years and know how stressful it can be. During that period, I was forever grateful for the ability to stay grounded through meditation. I have found that meditating daily has given me a greater sense of health and wellbeing and enabled me to better manage my emotions. I would love to share the many benefits of meditation with you.

What makes Yoga Synergy unique is the way it can be modified to suit each individual’s needs. Depending how you feel on a particular day, or at a particular time in your life, you can make your practice a moving meditation or a more rigorous workout. You can do this either by focusing more intently on the breath and opting for easier postures, or by balancing your practice equally between the breath, body and mind.

So what can you expect when you come to my class? Classes are non-religious and non-sectarian. We’ll be working with your body, breath, mind, emotions and spirit each week. We’ll cover a range of meditation styles from contemplative to dynamic. One week we’ll meditate before a flickering candle or a piece of sacred artwork. Another week, I’ll introduce you to creative visualizations or walking meditation. Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to developing your own individual meditation practice.

About Penny

Penny has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 35 years. Her interest in yoga was sparked upon reading B.K.S. Iyengar's Light on Yoga which led her to travel to India in her early 20s where she attended daily classes at the Sivananda ashram. After returning to Australia, Penny trained as a visual artist and set up and ran a successful artist's co-operative for several years. She continued her practice with well-known Sydney yoga teacher Acharya Upendra Roy and then with Yoga Synergy. Aside from her interest in yoga and meditation, Penny is a keen gardener and an avid violinist. Her daughter Verity also teaches for Yoga Synergy.

Penelope’s qualifications include:

• Certificate in Meditation Facilitation, Nature Care College, St. Leonards
• Yoga Teacher Training Levels 1 & 2, The Yoga Room, St Ives (in conjunction with Byron Yoga)
• Zen Meditation Course with Yogi Brahmasamhara, Meditation Sanctuary, Leichhardt

Penny has completed Yoga Synergy's Applied Anatomy & Physiology Course in 2004 and 2007 and has attended workshops with Clive Sheridan.