Upcoming Groups, Workshops & Retreats

Winter 2020

Forest Therapy walk

Saturday, January 25, 2020, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm

Forest therapy is a concept based upon the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku (“forest bathing”), the practice of immersing yourself in nature – or more specifically the forest – and connecting with the forest in a deep, gentle way that allows for inner and outer healing.
A forest therapy walk isn’t simply a walk in the forest – it’s a slow, intentional journey – with various mindful and nature connection practices integrated – that engages every one of our senses, and allows for deep healing and connection. We don’t travel very far in this walk – we learn that a little actually goes a long way for us, and the importance of “slowing down.”
Each 2.5 hour walk is an immersive mindfulness experience in the forest, no matter what the season. The walks are guided and much of the walk is in silence. Different invitations and practices are inbuilt – in order to foster greater connection with the forest and with yourself – and you will also participate in walking and sitting meditation. However, everything is invitational and, as with all mindfulness practices, you are encouraged to take care of yourself and your needs.
Each walk ends with a ritual tea ceremony and sharing of our experiences, to honour the collective experience and the land that supports us.

To register visit: https://www.swanlake.bc.ca/special-events/ or phone 250-479-0211.

BC Mindfulness Summit (Feb. 21-23, 2020) at the University of Victoria

Saturday Feb. 22, 2:00 pm – Mindfulness in Nature and Forest Therapy workshop (2 hours)

For more information and registration, visit: https://continuingstudies.uvic.ca/health-wellness-and-safety/series/bc-mindfulness-summit

Spring 2020

6-week Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation in Nature course

at the Swan Lake & Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary

Based on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, this unique 6-week course will help you to cultivate the practice and attitudes of mindfulness meditation in daily life by learning from your own experiences and from the wisdom of nature.

Sundays, March 1 to April 5, 9:30-11:30 am, with a 5-hour Silent retreat on Saturday March 28, 10 am to 3 pm

Further information: Mindfulness Course poster 2019

To register visit: https://www.swanlake.bc.ca/special-events/ or phone 250-479-0211.

Yoga and Mindfulness for Emotional healing (6-week series)

Mondays, beginning March 30, 6:00 to 7:30 pm

at Victoria West Community Centre

Cost: $90 (*registration opens March 1st)

To register, visit: https://www.victoriawest.ca/community-centre/program-registration/

Restorative Yoga (6-week series)

Wednesdays, beginning April 1st, 6:00 to 7:15 pm

at Victoria West Community Centre

Cost: $72 (*registration opens March 1st)

To register, visit: https://www.victoriawest.ca/community-centre/program-registration/

Past groups

Reducing Anxiety and Depression: 10-week Mind-body therapy group for Teens aged 14-18

A 10-week group for adolescents aged 14-18, integrating best practices in Mindfulness, Yoga, Self-compassion and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

Please contact me for more information about my next offering.

8-week Mindfulness based Stress reduction group for Parents

A psychoeducational group for parents of children of all ages (including adult children). Adapted from Jon Kabat-Zinn’s MBSR course.

Please contact me for more information about my next offering.

Naturally Mindful: A 6-week Introduction to mindfulness meditation in nature

This unique 6-week course will help you to cultivate the practice and attitudes of mindfulness meditation in daily life by learning from your own experiences and from the wisdom of nature.

Please contact me for information about my next offering.

Further information: Kortright_NaturallyMindful_Summer2019

SMART (Stress Management and Resiliency Training): Mindfulness training for Educators and Helping Professionals

5-day Summer Intensive in Toronto, July 2-6, 2019, at Estonian House

Further information: SMARTSummer2019_5-DayIntensive_Toronto

Teaching Mindfulness from a Trauma-informed and Trauma-sensitive Framework: One Day Primer Workshop for Educators and Helping Professionals

Offered through Mindfulness Everyday

Further information: TraumaSensitiveMindfulness_Summer 2019_wAmeetaDudani

Offerings by friends

Healing In Nature Bereavement Network

Offering nature-based walking groups in Rouge Park, for youth and young adults who have experienced loss

An innovative not-for-profit project that provides grief support using nature as a catalyst. I am very happy to support this amazing offering by co-founders Paula and Michael, and I feel humbled and grateful to have met these two lovely individuals and nature-lovers, who took my Naturally Mindful course at Kortright Centre in Fall 2017!

Please see their website for more information and details about their upcoming walking groups:  http://bereavementnetwork.ca/

Vive Mediation Inc.

Offering women’s wellness retreats in Uxbridge, Ontario

My friend and amazing woman and entrepreneur, Sally Morgan, who I have had the good fortune of meeting at one of my Forest Therapy walks and who attended my SMART Summer intensive in 2019, offers daylong women’s wellness retreats for women undergoing transitions. Please see her website or follow her on Facebook for more information: https://www.vivemediate.com/one-day-retreats.html