Discovering & Cultivating Your Buddha Nature

Nurturing the seed of enlightenment by remembering our childhood selves.

This workshop is designed for anyone struggling to achieve mind-body balance and a sense of authenticity and connection to the present moment. Join us for this event that unites and integrates the fragmented parts of your being into one present, authentic, and joyous self by aligning you with your Buddha nature.

Within Buddhist traditions, Buddha nature refers to the idea that the true nature of our mind and lived experience is pure, serene, and inherently wise, representing our essence. I invite you to explore the possibility that your Buddha mind can be found in your childlike mind.

We’ll explore the practice of reclaiming parts of our lost childlike essence through play, joy, imagination, and deep nurture, and in the process, connect to our inherent and ever-present Buddha nature. Through a series of practices, we will explore 4 aspects of our childlike nature –  imagination, play, sensory exploration, and nurturance. Our time together will include seated meditation, a movement practice (vinyasa flow), a sensory activity, and a restoratively nourishing yoga nidra (yogic sleep).

Please bring your mat, water bottle, an eye mask (if you have one), and wear comfortable clothing. All other props will be provided. All levels of experience and all bodies are welcome.

For those with sensory sensitivities or sensory processing issues, please be advised the workshop will include sensory stimulation through tactile, auditory, and olfactory activities, (e.g. essential oils and sensory bins).

About Polina

Polina found yoga for herself many years ago at a time of extreme stress and overexertion. Yoga has not only returned her body and mind into a state of equilibrium, but has altogether transformed her experience of life. Through the practice of meditation and yoga, Polina transformed from an overly anxious and insecure workaholic, eager to escape the discomforts and stress of everyday life, into someone who has increasingly found equanimity, balance, and joy in life.

Before becoming a yoga teacher and an educator for youth, Polina completed her graduate work in social neuroscience at New York University, followed by a research career in the Bay Area’s tech world. She knows intimately the struggle to do it all and all at once.

She has received her 200 hour RYT through Joy of Yoga School at Breathe Together Yoga and she is completing the RYT 500 hour program this year. She feels fortunate to be able to share the tools, wisdom, and practice with all those driven to find balance and authenticity in their life.

Polina teaches yoga, mindfulness and meditation to adults and youth in a variety of contexts in the Bay Area and across the globe, online. 

Her classes intelligently combine safe movement, rooted in anatomy and alignment, with playfulness, therapeutic breathwork and meditation. Whenever possible, Polina strives to weave together the tradition and the wisdom of yoga with modern neuroscience of psychological and physical well-being.

Proceeds from this event benefit Viva Verde Nature Education.

Note: this workshop will be recorded to evaluate an instructor who has completed at least 300 additional hours in their yoga education and training.