2010 conference : keynote address

Yoga Body, Buddha Mind

Cyndi Lee

Cyndi Lee has been practicing yoga since 1972, but when she started studying Buddhism with Gelek Rinpoche in 1989, she began to realize that yoga could be the perfect bridge practice between formal sitting meditation and moving through our world with ease and openness.

Cyndi began to explore Buddhist notions such as impermanence, mindfulness, compassion and "not too tight, not too loose" through her yoga practice and teaching. Her method became known as OM yoga, an integration of vinyasa (or flowing yoga), precise alignment, and Buddhist meditation techniques for cultivating mindfulness and compassion.

In her keynote address, Cyndi will draw on her experience as a yogini, Buddhist practitioner and yoga teacher to offer fresh ways of experiencing the connection between body and mind, movement and stillness, stability and impermanence. Tibetan Buddhism traditionally evolves through practices that develop mindfulness/awareness (Hinayana) and compassion (Mahayana). With a stable mind and open heart, students may be introduced to secret practices of Vajrayana, which include yogic exercises. Traditional yoga practices begin with physical exercises (asana) and move into more subtle practices of breath control and meditation. We will take a look at where the yoga and Buddhist traditions converge, as well as explore their impact on our daily lives.

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