I was lucky enough to practice for over a year with two of the lovely yoga teachers at The…read moreBreathing Room, so I will relate my experiences with them. Heather is a cheerful and patient teacher, perfectly able to make comfortable even those very new to the practice of yoga. One of her loveliest classes consists of mindful breathing and relaxation; letting the body loosen up and let go of all the tension that we hold without knowing. I practiced with Julie as I became more familiar with the basic poses. Her style is gentle, encouraging, and promoting of mindfulness - of listening to your body and not pushing yourself to injury. I am particularly grateful to Julie because after I suffered a knee injury that greatly limited my ability to practice yoga, she helped me design a series of poses with extensive modifications so that I could strengthen my body without exacerbating my pain. Also, I confess that I admired Julie's selection of music for her class so much, that I asked her to share her playlist with me for my home practice (which she generously did). I recommend Heather and Julie's classes wholeheartedly, no matter the level of fitness or previous experience with yoga. The best way to keep up to date with their schedule is via their facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/breathinginvancouver).

What a comfortable, clean, and welcoming studios. I did the Yoga1-2 class at 8am on Saturday. The…read moreinstructor was very welcoming, showed me around and the room was all set up with props and such. The practice itself was opening, and stretching with many variations and options to go deeper or ease up. I really appreciate the cues for internal awareness and body awareness.

I have been to the Zen Temple only a handful of times. Each time I have been I have encountered…read moreonly kind and helpful people. The practice of Zen Buddhism always brings a lot of peace into my life. Gratitude for the space and the community.

I used to be an irregular member. My work schedule changed frequently which meant that sometimes…read moremonths would go by without being able to attend. Still, I always felt welcome and received as I popped in and out, especially by the teacher who completely understood my circumstance. Having our own space now allows a more robust schedule, including Thursdays and Sundays, and this means I can train weekly. When I was new, I loved the silent tea service which is offered in the evening on Tuesday. Such a simple ritual, but so full of depth! The free lunch after sitting meditation on Sundays offers a similar opportunity to practice mindfulness while eating and moving. The best part of the practice is the personal guidance that any participant can receive from the teacher. Her words and guidance have allowed me to navigate some terrible storms in my life, and they keep pushing me to open more and more.

I took the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course at Pause Mediation.The studio itself is…read morebeautiful. In an old Portland brick building with amazing timber pillars and rafters. There are tall windows that let in a lot of natural light. I especially enjoyed getting there during dusk, when the crows outside were flying around discussing where the best place to roost for the night would be. Ryan Kenny is a compassionate, funny, and understanding instructor. It was suggested by my therapist to find this specific 8-week course. A friend of mine had been going to Pause Mediation classes for awhile, and had invited me several times, but I hadn't yet taken her up on her offer. The class is not easy, but it builds each week on practices. There are simple phrases and ideas that I remember that are very helpful in stressful situations. Being in the world today with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is so much to brood and worry about. Instead of obsessively reading the news and stewing in "what ifs?", I focus on what is right now. Right now my family (including my old parents) are healthy. I talk everyday to my brother and sister. I'm writing letters to other family members and friends. It has been a time for me to have the opportunity to slow down and that has helped with my practice. I am grateful for Ryan and his patient encouragement. If you are not ready to take the 8-week course, Pause Meditation offers many helpful classes, I've especially enjoyed the sound meditations and the aromatherapy.

Ryan and Raina really have it dialed in at Pause meditation. It's a beautiful space in downtown,…read moreeasy to get to, with a great vibe. They have a lot of meditation classes throughout the week that you can attend, even Saturday mornings. And they're also, from I hear, rolling out some corporate offerings, in line with corporate wellness. Ryan is even a local celebrity featured on the morning news in Portland. Not only is Ryan gifted at what he does and not only does he know how to cultivate community and make people feel welcome and connected, he is also deeply passionate about meditation and cultivating mindfulness. He lives and breathes what he teaches, walking his talk. Highly recommend Pause Meditation. You can't find a better meditation instructor in Portland!

I've been attending BWZ for a number of years now. It provides a solid foundation in zen teachings…read moreand meditation. Domyo comes from an academic approach, which is very satisfying, but also with real heart, compassion and a passion for enacting Buddhist values in the greater community. Please come check us out. Everyone is welcome.

This is a very welcoming place where I felt right at home for the first time ever in a spiritual…read moresetting. Domyo is an excellent sensei who communicates with everyone in a very respectful, clear, and down to earth manner. The place itself is very simple yet comfortable, ideal for meditation and discussion. The people are all very open minded and share ideas constructively while being receptive to other perspectives. Bright Way Zen is exactly what I've been looking for and I would highly recommend this place to anyone whether they are seeking a deeper understanding of life or even just a simple introduction to meditation. Everyone I've met there has been unique and wonderful in their own special way.

Wonderful place, lovely people, sound of flowing water, deer meandering through…read more Great place to get away and learn more about meditation and Buddhism. We enjoyed it very much.

A great place to practice meditation. Very tranquil and peaceful. I love to enjoy the nature.read more

Everyone is warm and welcoming. The teachings touch my heart and the teacher's guided meditations…read moreare relaxing and move your mind in a positive direction.

I wasn't raised religious. For the majority of my life, I've never understood the need for faith or…read morespirituality. Boy, my younger self was ignorant (but also carefree, I suppose). Life is hard. Everyone experiences strife in their lives. You need to be able to be at peace with yourself and come to terms with various situations. I've heard a lot about meditation over the years and decided to give it a try. I took a class through PCC and learned a lot about meditation and Buddhist teachings. The class I took was a 5 or 6 week course taught by Heather Rocklin (she's fantastic). Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of times where I fell asleep during meditation and I felt bored out of my mind, but you have to know that MEDITATION IS HARD. REALLY HARD. Really hard to get into and really hard to stick to, but the benefits of meditation are amazing. I'm not at the point where meditation is strictly a part of my routine, but I can already feel the emotional and mental benefits. If you're curious about Buddhist teachings, looking for some peace, or trying to get into meditation, check them out. http://meditationinoregon.org/ (click on their calendar to see current classes and drop-in options)

I've been with Body and Brain Yoga/Tai Chi close to 10 years. I was introduced to to B and B in…read moreArizona, and now in West Linn Oregon. As the title indicates, this approach is not just an hour of physical exercise. The concept of mental awareness is unique: awareness of breathing, the understanding of energy "within" and "without" and an overall outlook on the merits of flexibility, both physically and mentally. Bill Patterson

I developed arthritis at age 48 and now have 2 hip replacements. My activities were restricted, I…read morebecame depressed and angry. After 3 months training 3x/week with M. So Mi practicing tai chi and yoga, I regained strength, flexibility, quieted my mind, and, most importantly, a positive attitude/feeling about myself. This practice is ideal for seniors and others who were once active/healthy and want to regain energy, balance, body/mind connection, reduce stress - heal their bodies and calm their minds. Honestly, this practice may have saved my life.

Unfortunately this business has closed and is selling the land... sad since there are so few of…read morethese types of places.

My family and I had a lovely, rejuvenating stay at Daiva and Gangamata's home in the fully…read moreseparated 2 bedroom downstairs living space, where we resided for several months while waiting to move into a new house. Offering a respite from hectic city life, it was the perfect landing spot for a longer-term stay. The quarters are clean and comfortable, and appear to have been newly renovated. The kitchen is stocked with everything we needed - a dual burner, toaster oven, cookware, utensils, dishes, and a full-sized fridge and freezer. The washer and dryer were also super practical! There is also a ton of storage in the space, which was quite helpful as we happened to have plenty of loot with us; this made keeping the place tidy a cinch. We all, our six-year old son included, relished the gorgeous surroundings - hundreds of acres of hills, trees, flowers, and friendly critters. We greeted deer (parents plus bambis!) passing in front of the front door nearly every day, and took many long walks in the quiet rolling hills, breathing fresh, fragrant air. The people who live in this community are caring and friendly, and the community kitchen serves up tasty treats made with love, which gave us all a much-needed break from kitchen duties. Daiva and Gangamata are incredibly accommodating and conscientious. They responded promptly to questions and requests. Not only that, but they made a formidable effort to understand not only our specific needs, many of which were health-related, but also how they could help us fulfill them. We will miss them both, but will surely be back to visit soon! We fully recommend Daiva and Gangamata's home for your next stay without reservation or qualification. Come experience the tranquility of this pace! You'll remember it always.