Winter Wellbeing Series: a Nature Connection Immersion

Research shows that when we immerse ourselves in nature, we are inspired by awe, our mood improves, our stress and anxiety decrease, the area of the brain associated with depression becomes less active, we become more attentive and creative, our nervous system calms down, cognition and attention improve… In short, we feel better and we live better. When we gather with others to share our stories, we gain insights, make meaningful connections, and we find lost aspects of our selves reflected back to us.

Winters can be an emotionally difficult time of year, so one could make a case that it is the best time to get outside. Despite the short days, the cloud cover, the darkness, and the chill, winter has so much to offer. When we slow down and open ourselves to the natural world, we might be touched by the stillness, or feel invigorated by the chill, or we might be inspired by the endurance and maturity of the creatures who winter outdoors.

Join us for a series of nature immersions this winter. In these 3-hour workshops, we will come together, learn embodied nature connection practices, disperse for solo time in nature, then come back together to share with each other what transpired. In addition to the gatherings, we will host an interim remote guided nature immersion practice session to help establish the practice in your own environment.

This group will be co-facilitated by Amy Bernstein and Marisol Kaminski and will be limited to 10 participants.

Two Sunday gatherings from 10:30am-1:30pm on 1/5/25 & 2/2/25 at O’Hara Nature Center in Irvington, NY.

One remote guided nature connection practice session will be held from 12-1pm on 1/26/25.

Cost*: $500

* The fees for this group are eligible for out of network health insurance reimbursement, FSA, or HSA benefits. A limited number of spots are available at a reduced fee.

Being with What Is: Establishing a Meditation Practice

We know the benefits of a regular meditation practice are many*, yet sitting with ourselves in its simplicity and solitude is astonishingly difficult. In subtle (and not so subtle) ways, we struggle with what is, by avoiding or fighting against what is happening inside ourselves. This 10-week workshop will be a support for establishing, re-establishing, or going deeper into a regular practice by holding the context of being with what arises in our bodies and in our minds as we sit with ourselves. Essential to supporting this endeavor, we will identify, discuss, highlight, and catch moments of presence that can act as the ultimate internal support for sitting and staying with our experience.

You will learn simple somatic meditation techniques that will help bring together body, mind, and mystery. A variety of techniques will be provided so you can determine what works best for you.

Over the course of this series, we will discuss concepts that support our practice, such as allowing what arises, working with our emotions, encouraging kindness toward self, curiosity, and other posturing that support a life with more presence. We will practice together and there will be question and comment periods to provide clarification and support.

This workshop series is offered on Zoom.

The cost of the workshop series breaks down to $30 / session. A limited number of spots will be available at a reduced fee. To inquire about a reduced fee, or with other questions about this workshop, please contact me.

*The benefits of a regular meditation practice include less stress, better sleep, less anxiety, enhanced mood, increased focus, less impulsivity, more resilience, longer attention span, emotionally stronger, more self compassion, increased self-awareness, lower blood pressure, less relapse, improved relationships, and the list goes on.