Meditation Classes & Retreats in LaGrange, GA | Hillside Yoga

A person with brown hair sitting on a bed with a colorful striped quilt, facing away, outdoors in a lush green garden or park. A wooden fence and trees are visible in the background.

About Meditation

Sometimes a word gets in the way of the experience. "Meditation" can do that — it sounds like something you have to be good at, when really it's just a way of coming home to yourself. A way of being present, connected, more alive.

In yoga, meditation is one of the tools we use to reconnect with who we really are. People have practiced it in one form or another, under many names, for as long as there have been people. It works.

The more I practice, the easier it is to find my way back to that quiet, steady place — whether I'm on my meditation chair, on my paddleboard, or in the middle of a yoga class. I hope you find your way back to it too.

— Joanne

Below are some of the ways you can learn about and practice meditation at Hillside Yoga and Wellness, and through our partnership with The Center for Mindful Exploration.

Community Meditation

In partnership with The Center for Mindful Exploration, we meet the first Wednesday of each month at 7 PM. We follow a rotation — guided, listening (usually drumming), breath and movement, and silent — so you can try some common methods of meditation and see what works for you. Always free. No experience needed.

On the Mat

Each time you step onto your mat in a yoga class is an opportunity to practice mindfulness and meditation — through attention to your breath, sensation in your body, and the activity of your heart and mind. In each class we invite you to tune into yourself and return to what's important to you. These are yogic practices you can carry with you off the mat. And then there's Savasana — what some people call "my zen" — the end-of-practice rest where everything comes together again.

Yoga Nidra

Second Sunday Savasana. Once a month, we set aside a Sunday to do less, on purpose. Yoga Nidra is a guided practice — done lying down or seated, whatever your body wants that day — somewhere between meditation and a really good nap. A little gentle movement and breathing beforehand, then the guided practice itself. No experience necessary. Private and small group sessions are also available by appointment. Led by Joanne Johnson Rogers.

Fall & Spring Silent Retreats

Each spring and fall, Hillside Yoga and The Center for Mindful Exploration lead a one-day Silent Retreat out at Oakridge — gentle yoga, guided meditation, unstructured time to just sit with yourself, and good food. No agenda beyond that. Space is limited, so early registration helps.

Beginning Mindfulness Meditation

Taught by Susan Marshall, LCP, PCPS, this four-week experiential course is designed for beginners and anyone looking to build or reconnect with a meaningful mindfulness practice. Together we'll explore what mindfulness is (and what it isn't), learn several meditation techniques, and discover practical ways to bring greater calm, clarity, and presence into everyday life.

Offered occasionally through The Center for Mindful Exploration. Learn more and register →

A tall pine tree stands in the middle of a grassy field with a backdrop of trees and a bright blue sky with some clouds.

People sitting cross-legged on yoga mats in a cozy, wood-paneled room with a stone fireplace, engaged in a meditation or yoga session during daytime.

People lying on mats in a room with chairs, some with their eyes closed, participating in a relaxation or meditation session. A woman is sitting cross-legged on a cushion, with various items around her, including water bottles, a notebook, and blankets.

Three women are preparing food at a kitchen counter near a large window with lush green foliage outside. The women are standing barefoot, and various kitchen items such as plates, bowls, and utensils are visible on the counter.

A room with a gray wall, wooden staircase, and various chairs. On the floor, there are green cushions with towels, and a colorful area rug. Items are scattered on a small wooden table to the left, and three framed pictures or posters hang on the wall.

Two women sitting on the floor in a room with oriental-style carpet, engaged in reading or writing activity. One woman with curly dark hair wearing glasses and a gray shirt, the other with long blonde curly hair wearing glasses and a beige t-shirt. There are various items like a tablet, notebooks, and a water bottle around them.

Two women sitting on a stone patio, smiling, engaging in conversation. One woman has gray hair and is wearing a maroon shirt and jeans, while the other woman, with brown hair and sunglasses, is wearing a black t-shirt and colorful floral pants. They are seated near a stone fireplace, with a red mug in the woman’s hand and a small quilted blanket on the ground.

Meditation