*THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT
This five-hour silent retreat in nature will provide you an opportunity to experience various mindfulness in nature and mind-body practices that will allow you to rest your mind, connect with yourself and your body, and deepen your relationship to nature.
The day begins with an arriving circle, intention setting and sharing of guidelines for the day/orientation, before going into the period of silence.
The facilitator will provide instructions throughout the time. The silent practice period will begin with a gentle yoga class that will be followed by various mindfulness meditation practices that will be guided (i.e., including forest bathing, sitting meditation, walking meditation, eating meditation, self-compassion and/or gratitude practices) in a flow sequence, which helps the mind to settle and body to restore.
Being in silence within nature allows the mind to rest, and clarity and authenticity to emerge. In this world of endless distractions and noise, many people find silent time in the forest- with facilitation- to be refreshing and healing. It can also be discomforting, and ways to work with discomfort and our thoughts, and to access the support of nature will be shared.
The silent retreat is a healing experience in community, supported by the beautiful natural environment of Kortright Centre and an experienced and skilled facilitator.
After ending the silent period, the retreat will end with a tea ceremony and sharing circle about our experiences (challenges and insights) from the day, which allows us all to connect and learn from each other, and a discussion of nature/mindfulness practice in daily life.
This day-long retreat is a perfect introduction to a silent retreat experience (if you've never had one) and will help you deepen your mindfulness practice if you are an experienced practitioner. No prior experience with mindfulness or yoga is necessary; the yoga will be accessible to all levels and options will be provided. Simply arrive with an open mind and show up exactly as you are; you will be supported throughout the day.
For this day-long retreat, please dress comfortably (appropriate to the weather) as much of the day will take place outdoors. Please also bring a light lunch that does not require heating up.
Further information about what to bring will be emailed to participants before the retreat. This experience is suitable for adults and older teens.
This retreat is facilitated by Dr. Ameeta Dudani (drdudani.com), a Clinical Psychologist and experienced Mindfulness and Yoga teacher/consultant. Ameeta has been facilitating mindfulness programs for stress reduction since 2015, including clinical therapeutic programs, and has curated nature-based mindfulness programs for Kortright Centre and the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary.
She believes that mindfulness is a superpower that promotes self-acceptance and healing from the inside out. She is a dedicated mindfulness meditation and yoga practitioner. Ameeta is a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and teaches trauma-sensitive yoga that is accessible to all levels and bodies. She teaches yoga as a practice of mindfulness. She is trained in hatha yoga, yoga for anxiety and depression, accessible yoga and trauma sensitive yoga. Ameeta's primary teachers of mindfulness are nature and all beings. Her practice is deeply influenced by Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh as well as by pioneers of the secular mindfulness movement such as Jon Kabat-Zinn and Daniel Siegel. Ameeta believes that by regularly (and deeply) immersing ourselves in nature we can truly care for ourselves, each other, and the planet.