AXL Meditation & Yoga
About
Luke is a long time meditation practitioner who was convinced by friends to become a meditation teacher. Luke began his meditation journey in college, learning ‘how to meditate’ as a class requirement. He continued his meditation practice in the Soto Zen tradition for several years. He continued to practice ‘meditation lite’ for the next 30 years. His meditation practice significantly deepened when he began to practice yoga with a significant focus on the meditative aspects of yoga. Luke completed his Meditation Teacher Training with Susan Piver through the Open Heart Project (Samatha) and has most recently been practicing in the Vipassana (Insight) tradition. Luke is fascinated by the connections between the mind and meditation and has taken a deep dive into the related scientific literature.
Luke’s approach to teaching beginners is to let them experience several types of meditation so that they might find which practice resonates with them. He incorporates discussion of the science behind meditation to help de-mystify the practice. This also helps to show how meditation influences the mind to help us find deeper understanding and compassion for ourselves and others. Most importantly, he reminds his students to smile and give themselves permission to just be here now.
Luke teaches Introduction to Meditation Workshops throughout the Pittsburgh area. He also offers one on one instruction on a limited basis.
~ Registered Yoga Teacher, 200 Hour – Sangha Yoga, Andrea Kirkham, Lead Instructor
~ Certified Meditation Instructor – Open Heart Project, Susan Piver, Lead Instructor
~ Fully Certified Warriors at Ease Instructor – Warriors at Ease, Annie Okerlin, Lead Instructor
Highlights
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I typically teach workshops for beginners, each with six to twelve students. Each workshop has a general theme, which can focus on outcomes that might be beneficial to the class (i.e., self-compassion for caregivers; down-regulation for trauma)
When considering one on one instruction, I meet with the student to discuss their expectations. While I am happy to tailor one on one sessions around their expectations, my instruction is based off the notion that there are no goals to meditation (while there are outcomes and insights). My approach does not always resonate for potential students and I understand that.
So, if your goal is to achieve something other than awareness and self-discovery, I’m probably not your best choice as a one on one instructor. If, however, you are willing to allow the outcomes and insights of meditation to naturally arise, I may be of some service to you.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Registered Yoga Teacher, 200 Hour – Sangha Yoga, Andrea Kirkham, Lead Instructor.
Certified Meditation Instructor – Open Heart Project, Susan Piver, Lead Instructor.
Fully Certified Warriors at Ease Instructor – Warriors at Ease, Annie Okerlin, Lead Instructor. (WAE emphasizes the power of yoga and meditation, through evidence based practices, to support the health and healing of service members, veterans, and their families. It provides specific training to offer yoga and meditation to individuals with PTS, MST, TBI and amputation.)