Upcoming Groups, Workshops & Retreats

Spring 2019

Naturally Mindful: 6-week Introduction to Mindfulness meditation in nature

Spring course at the Kortright Centre for Conservation

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.

Fridays, 10-12, April 5 to May 17, 2019* (Silent retreat: Sunday May 5, 10-3)

*no group on Good Friday April 19

Cost: $299+HST

More information: Kortright_NaturallyMindful_Spring2019

To register, please visit: https://kortright.org/whats-on/calendar/ or call 905-832-2289.

Mindfulness in nature offerings at the Kortright Centre for Conservation

Forest Therapy Walks at Kortright

Held monthly on the last Sunday of the month, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm

Upcoming walks: April 28 (sold out), May 26

Cost: $39+HST

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.

Yoga and Forest Therapy 3-hour Mini Retreat (Kortright Centre)

Sunday, April 14th, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Sunday, July 14th, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Cost: $49+HST

This 3-hour mini retreat will begin with a gentle hatha yoga practice (suitable for all levels) held indoors – and then transition to a forest therapy walk outdoors. Forest therapy is an immersion experience of mindfulness and healing in nature that allows us to quiet the mind and connect with nature and ourselves. Practicing gentle yoga before the walk helps us to calm the body and nervous system, de-stress the mind, heal the spirit, and allow one to more fully receive the healing benefits of the forest therapy walk. Each retreat ends with a ritual tea ceremony and sharing of our experiences, to honour the collective experience and the land that supports us. Weather permitting, the yoga portion will be held outdoors. Feel restored, invigorated and nourished – inspired by the forest and by the process of connecting with stillness and balancing the body, mind and soul. No yoga experience is necessary; designed for adults of all ages and abilities. Mature kids and teens are also welcome. Spaces are limited.

Mindfulness in Nature Daylong Silent Retreat (Kortright Centre)

Sunday, May 5, 2019, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (Sold out)

Sunday, June 2, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Cost: $59+HST

Summer 2019

Naturally Mindful: Introduction to mindfulness meditation in nature

Summer course at Kortright Centre for Conservation (Vaughan)

Mondays and Wednesdays, 5-7 pm, for three weeks (July 8 to 24)

Silent retreat on Sunday July 21, 10 to 3

Cost: $299 + HST

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

To register, please visit: http://www.mindfulnesseveryday.org/schedule.html

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

Friday July 27, 10 to 4, at Estonian House Toronto (offered through Mindfulness Everyday)

Further information and registration at: http://www.mindfulnesseveryday.org/schedule.html

Fall 2019

Reducing Anxiety and Depression: 10-week Mind-body therapy group for Teens (14-18), in Markham, Ontario

Offered through the Chrysalis Centre for Psychological and Counselling Services.

Dates and more information to come. Please contact me for more information.

Upcoming offerings by friends

Discover Mindfulness Day of Mindfulness for Educators (Sunday May 5)

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/days-of-mindfulness-for-educators-tickets-49296186220?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing

SMART Summer Intensive in Ottawa (with Heidi Bornstein & Stephen Chadwick from Mindfulness Everyday)

http://www.mindfulnesseveryday.org/schedule.html#CoursesForEducators

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/