We are excited to offer this unique meditation workshop with @shaw.heather on Sunday 6/7.
The workshop will begin, inside at Atrium for mindfulness instruction. Practice will continue with walking meditation to Mt. Tabor Park (approximately 30 minutes each way). Among the hills and trees explore a variety of guided sensory practices designed to deepen awareness and connection to nature.
*Practice will happen rain or shine so please come dressed for the weather. There might be short periods of sitting so you are welcome to bring something lightweight and portable, like a blanket or cushion, from home to carry to the park.
**For those who prefer to drive and/or meet at the park, we will designate a meeting spot closer to the event date. Register at AtriumPDX.com
Self-reliance.
(subtitle: it’s the last day of April, it’s 76° already and these f-ing storm windows have to come off my studio RIGHT NOW.)
#ladyofacertainage
This time last week, we traveled by ATVs an hour up into the Sierra Madres to visit the home of the Gutierrez family. Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly by Jesus, the patriarch of this multigenerational family, and his many children, grandchildren, plus assorted dogs, chickens and pigs
Around a huge table in their modest outdoor kitchen, our respective families shared a meal, as well as stories about our homes and our lives. Save from his initial migration as a religious/political exile in his early 20s, Jesus (now 84) said he had never left this land, which his family has cultivated to create a working farm that has sustained nearly all of their needs ever since, as well as provide coffee and cacao to the neighboring community in Jalisco.
We learned how to make tortillas (news flash: Ellery is apparently now eligible for marriage since she knows how to make them properly), weave hammocks and tap sugar cane to sweeten our drinks. The warmth and generosity their family showed us as visitors to their country left me both horrified and embarrassed to be an American right now, as well as resolved to do as much as I can to respect and protect the rights of immigrants here in the US.
There are so many things we can do in the face of what is happening in the US, and no action is too small. We can speak up and stand in the way of injustice, but we can also extend basic curiosity about and interest in the lives and cultures of our immigrant neighbors. Maybe even learn a new language (or two) well enough to communicate at home or abroad, instead of expecting everyone to speak our own. And to never, ever forget how good it feels to feel welcome, safe and cared for in a new place.
Grateful to cash in the “gift certificate” I received this Christmas and spend a long weekend visiting @campbell_shaw24 in his natural habitat. There was much walking, eating, viewing of art and selfie snapping, as well as one (LONG!) whirlwind day in the happiest place on earth. (#ofcourse)
#4 may have only played 4 minutes in the fourth quarter of the Sea of Blue girls varsity basketball game Friday night, but for those four glorious minutes, she had the best cheering section imaginable.
#friendsarethebest
Ain’t no cure for the Wintertime Blues?
Pull up your virtual cushion & join the Nalanda Institute global community for a mid-day global breath.
Connect with body, mind, and heart with our dedicated Lunchtime Meditation teachers.
* Mondays: Somatic Self-Care with @rahshaanag
* Tuesdays: Self-Compassion for Every Body with @ninaherzogwriter
* Wednesdays: LovingKindness with @gdelachesnaye
* Thursdays: Embodied Mindfulness with @shaw.heather
* Fridays: Collective Compassion with @alexaowen_
Monday through Friday 1:00–1:45 ET.
Everyone is welcome!
We look forward to sitting with you real soon.
If you haven’t yet participated, we invite you to register at:
/events/lunchtime-meditation
or see our bio for the link.
Beloved Nalanda Institute teacher and community member, @shaw.heather invites you to join her for a special three-session short course, “Manifesting Enlightenment as Creative Alchemy”, starting next week with @dr.kamilahmajied
If there was ever a time for engaged Buddhist practice, that time is now. This is an opportunity for the rubber to meet the road
Through an exploration of Buddhism, Black liberatory contemplative wisdom, and creative practices—including poetry, music, and art—participants will be guided to expand their capacity to listen, see, think, and write their way into a more enlightened reality.
Expect to move beyond just “thinking” through:
* 🎵 Music & Art
* ✍️ Poetry
* 👂 Deep Listening & Discerning Action
Tuesdays, February 3, 10, 24
6:30 – 8:00pm ET
Online via Zoom
Session recordings will be shared with registered participants.
For more info or to register, visit:
https://nalanda.tiny.us/manifesting
or see our profile
In December 2024, my late father spent the last month of his life in the care of the amazing (patient, kind) faculty in the cardiac care unit of Providence St. Vincent’s Hospital in Portland, OR, which in turn meant that I spent a LOT of time with these folks as well. So much so that, when he passed, I made an aspiration to be able to give something back to the people and the place that supported us both during that incredibly vulnerable, emotional time in our lives.
Fast forward to 2026, when I am so happy to share that I am currently teaching TWO FREE YOGA & MEDITATION CLASSES each week on Thursdays at BaseCamp Prevention & Wellness, part of Providence Heart Institute. (@providencebasecamp )) So far, my classes have been attended by not only cardiac patients but hospital staff, including, much to my delight, one of my father’s cardiac nurses. Talk about my heart wanting to burst in the most gorgeous, incredible way.
Because 80 percent of heart disease is preventable through how we move, what we eat, and the way we live, Basecamp Prevention + Wellness offers programs centered on movement, nutrition, and wellbeing, with over 65 offerings each week, through virtual, on-demand and live classes. Mine are:
Hatha Yoga on Thursdays 5:30-6:30 PM
Unwind & Release on Thursdays 6:30-7:00 PM
You can register here:
/hathayogawest
New Year’s aspiration: MORE COMMUNITY
Remember people? Remember what it feels like to practice in a room filled with other living, breathing bodies, minds and hearts? Remember when your yoga teacher used to give you actual hands on adjustments, or you simply watched the back of the person in front of you rising and falling with their breath in sitting meditation?
I offer several opportunities to practice yoga as well as meditation live and in person here in Portland, OR every week, including classes at @atrium.pdx and @providencebasecamp
And if you are NOT in the Pacific Northwest, I offer meditation, Buddhist Studies classes and more through online communities at @amindful.world@dharmamoonofficial and @nalandainstitute where I do my best to metaphorically reach out through the screen to be in the room with you. (sort of)
Join me from wherever you are for a little bit of that human touch. Link in bio for full schedule.
#humantouch #community #IRL
My late father was a lifelong Chicago sports fan. I like to think that right now, he is up in heaven, brushing off his Super Bowl shuffle.
#beardownchicagobears
join @shaw.heather for a Winter Solstice yoga practice on Saturday 12/20 at 4pm. This class will combine the smooth, calming flow of Chandra Namaskar (moon salutations) with simple yogic breathing techniques and restorative postures, culminating in a lightly guided meditation. Register at atriumpdx.com
