 |
Meditation Instructors & Retreat Facilitators
 Sarah McLean
Along with my 20-year daily meditation practice, I've had some unique opportunities: I served as the founding education director of Deepak Chopra’s Center for Wellbeing, as director of Byron Katie’s international School for The Work, and assistant to Seat of the Soul author, Gary Zukav.
Each hired me to help them share their knowledge and talents with the world. As I developed mind/body health centers, self-discovery programs, curriculum, and events for them worldwide, I was fortunate enough to become immersed in their wisdom and knowledge.
Each one has been a great teacher on my path to self-discovery and living a great life. Meditation, however, has been my constant companion and continues to be the most important practice in my journey.
I’ve explored world spiritual traditions: I was a 2-year resident in a Zen Buddhist monastery, lived in an ashram in India, bicycled along the Silk Route through Pakistan, and trekked the Golden Triangle in Asia. I also served as a medic in the U.S. Army working with those with post traumatic stress disorder. I've journeyed thousands of miles through Europe, the Middle East, and Asia by bicycle in search of the secrets of this world and this life.
My aim is to make meditation accessible to anyone who wants to learn as well as to integrate it with creative practices and everyday life. I teach and speak about self-awareness and meditation throughout Arizona and wherever I'm invited. My articles on mind/body health are featured regularly in Green Lifestyles Magazine, Earth Odyssey, Frontdoors, AZ Net News, and other publications. I'm regularly invited to speak on stress-reduction and mind/body wellness on Arizona TV Channel 3's Your Life A - Z and many radio programs. Read more about Sarah here.
Featured Retreat Facilitators:
Victoria Nelson
Whenever she finds herself in museums or reading a great book, Victoria becomes alive in ways she had never experienced in her previous world of board rooms or business gatherings.
After her mother died at the age of 59 in 1993, Victoria followed her secret ambition to learn to paint and write fiction. Her mother’s death gave her the courage to quit a successful business career to become a full-time artist.
Since 1994, she’s given her heart and time to both endeavors equally. Victoria plans every day around meditating, spending time in nature, writing and painting. In the fall, winter, and spring, the light and the contrasting colors of Sedona where she lives with her husband are a daily source of inspiration to her. In the summers, the sea and the dramatic light of Monhegan Island in Maine where she lives in the summer are her muses.
Her poems and short stories have been published, and her art has been exhibited in many museums and galleries. Victoria is a co-facilitator of the Yoga of Writing Retreats with Sarah McLean.
 Kathy Zavada
Kathy Zavada is a performing artist of sacred music and inspirational retreat leader and teacher. Her programs support the awakening of greater consciousness in humanity. Her expression of love, joy and wisdom help invoke an awareness of one’s true nature, as well as helping her students fully experience the heart’s opening.
Kathy began her musical career at the age of four, and in 1989 began her professional recording career. Her CDs have appeared on Amazon.com’s 10 Best List, in the top 50 most played on public radio. Her music has often been called soulful, inspirational, and heart opening. You can listen to it on her website.
Kathy spends time with and is often invited to sing for her spiritual teacher Mata Amritanandamayi, the hugging saint, and shares her music at programs for Gangaji, a distinguished and well-respected American spiritual teacher. Kathy makes her home in Mt. Shasta, California. Kathy is a co-facilitator of the Heart Opening Retreats with Sarah McLean.
 Babs Whelton, RYT
During the summer of '68, when the Beatles discovered meditation and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi became a household name, Babs began her journey to learn the practices of higher consciousness and the diverse expressions of spirituality. This teenage interest soon became a lifelong inquiry into Eastern philosophy, yoga and meditation.
Years later, after studying with various teachers and learning a variety of techniques, she attended a spiritual retreat led by Drs. Deepak Chopra and David Simon. During the course, she participated in a Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga class and this consciousness-based style of yoga resonated deeply within her.
Wanting to share this style of meditative, mindful movement and deep, flowing breath with others, Babs became certified by the Chopra Center for Wellbeing as a Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga teacher. Dynamic motion, stillness of spirit and clarity of mind produce and promote the best that yoga has to offer and Babs feels truly honored to have the opportunity of sharing this with her students.
 Eric Larsen
Eric Larsen is a passionate and articulate guide helping others uncover the timeless wisdom that lies within each of us. Eric is a meditation teacher, yoga instructor and Ayurvedic Health Educator/Lifestyle Consultant certified by Deepak Chopra and the Chopra Center where he has done an internship. He teaches the Chopra programs Primordial Sound Meditation, and Perfect Health. Eric also holds two yoga teaching certifications and is certified in ayurvedic nutrition by the Wise Earth School of Ayurveda.
Eric is a teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction having trained at the Center For Mindfulness with Jon Kabat-Zinn. He is the former Educational Programs Manager at the Athens Regional Medical Center's Mind Body Institute. He was also the Co-Manager of Southern Dharma Meditation Retreat Center, and the founder and teacher of the undergraduate meditation program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville and the yoga program at McDowell Hospital.
Eric has taught continuing education to health professionals at the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC), and at retreat centers, yoga studios, educational institutions, fitness centers, luxury resorts, churches, as well as serving as a faculty member at two different yoga teacher training programs. Eric's media contributions include radio, television, and newspapers. Eric is a dynamic and enthusiastic speaker who approaches sharing the traditions of meditation and yoga based practices in a contemporary, understandable, approachable, fun and powerful way. Eric currently lives and teaches in Sedona AZ, where he also guides tours and plays Native American flute.
|
|
Receive the Inward Bound monthly newsletter. In it you'll find meditation secrets, self-awareness tips, and the latest schedule of meditation classes & retreats. Sign up now and receive a free gift: The 5 Essentials for a Successful Meditation.
|
An Invitation
Upcoming Events
.jpg)
Latest CD Release
Sarah McLean delivers captivating instructions for the beginner, reminders for the seasoned meditator, and three soothing guided meditations. A selection of crystal bowl healing sounds makes this CD perfect for anyone seeking a soulful companion for meditation. More
|
|
