The Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, which translates to ‘forest bathing’, is the medicine of simply being in the forest.  It is a research-based framework for supporting healing and wellness.  The purpose is to slow down and become immersed in the natural environment.  The  mental and physical health benefits include reducing stress and fostering relaxation, boosting the immune system, increasing energy, and decreasing anxiety, depression and anger.  

A Time Magazine article on Shinrin-Yoku can be found here.

“New research suggests that our connection to nature is much more important to our cognition than we think and that even small amounts of exposure to the living world can improve our creativity and enhance our mood.” Florence Williams, The Nature Fix.

To register, please click the button, below. Your $5 registration fee will help offset the cost of this event.

All ages and abilities are welcome. Bring water and wear bug spray, if desired. Rain date is July 14th at 10:00am.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

About the Wellness Series: Since the onset of the pandemic, residents from all walks of life have relied on the New Canaan Land Trust’s preserves to find peace and solace. As we emerge from this challenging time, the New Canaan Land Trust, Let’s Talk About it New Canaan and The Community Mindfulness Project have partnered to create a series of wellness events for the New Canaan community, inspired by nature and the outdoors. Through yoga, meditation, shinrin-yoku, and other practices, program participants will learn about and have the opportunity to practice a number of different techniques to promote mental health and wellbeing. The goals of each program will be to teach participants a practice, ensure that they have the resources and experience to continue that practice on their own, and introduce them to the Land Trust’s network of open space.

About the Instructor: With the glow of summer upon us, Carol Shear of the Community Mindfulness Project will explore the practice of forest bathing and then lead an experiential walk outside inspiring us to tune into our surroundings by using all of our senses – the smells, textures, tastes and sights of our natural world. Carol Shear is a Registered Nurse, Integrative Health Coach and Mindfulness Meditation Facilitator trained at Duke University, Integrative Medicine Program and Certified Master Gardener. She currently offers meditation practice sessions with the Community Mindfulness Project.

The NC Community Wellness Series was made possible by a generous grant from the Rotary Club of New Canaan

Even small moments of mindfulness throughout the day can help us to shift how we relate to what life throws at us, allowing us to manage our stress levels and support our physical, mental and emotional well-being. These tools can be especially helpful when we’re dealing with a chronic illness or caring for a loved one who is. In each session we’ll share one or two mindfulness tools to help down-regulate the nervous system, and feel more grounded, connected and resilient. There will be brief guided meditations and a handout to support your use of these tools. Each session is stand-alone, no registration is required, and all are free and open to the public. These sessions are being presented in partnership with Shakers Anonymous.

Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84559085628

Even small moments of mindfulness throughout the day can help us to shift how we relate to what life throws at us, allowing us to manage our stress levels and support our physical, mental and emotional well-being. These tools can be especially helpful when we’re dealing with a chronic illness or caring for a loved one who is. In each session we’ll share one or two mindfulness tools to help down-regulate the nervous system, and feel more grounded, connected and resilient. There will be brief guided meditations and a handout to support your use of these tools. Each session is stand-alone, no registration is required, and all are free and open to the public. These sessions are being presented in partnership with Shakers Anonymous.

Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84559085628

When we witness the struggles or pain of others, the pain centers in our brain light up as if we were experiencing that same pain. This can be very depleting. When we convert empathy (the witnessing and taking on of another’s pain) into compassion, we trigger a physiological response that actually helps us to feel more resilient and resourced. Join Darien Library’s Caregiver Cafe, where Community Mindfulness Project will share simple techniques that can be used to resource ourselves as we care for others. We’ll also explore offering ourselves some self-compassion. As they say on an airplane, it’s important to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others. For more information and to register, visit DarienLibrary.org.

Even small moments of mindfulness throughout the day can help us to shift how we relate to what life throws at us, allowing us to manage our stress levels and support our physical, mental and emotional well-being. These tools can be especially helpful when we’re dealing with a chronic illness or caring for a loved one who is. In each session we’ll share one or two mindfulness tools to help down-regulate the nervous system, and feel more grounded, connected and resilient. There will be brief guided meditations and a handout to support your use of these tools. Each session is stand-alone, no registration is required, and all are free and open to the public. These sessions are being presented in partnership with Shakers Anonymous.

Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84559085628

Join CMP and Bridgeport Library for a 10-week Intro to Mindfulness Course, Wednesdays @ 7PM from June 16 - Aug 18. We’ll use the book, Mindfulness: A practical guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World”, by Mark Williams and Danny Penman as a guide. Each class lasts one hour, and we’ll follow the program outlined in the book. The course is offered free-of-charge via Zoom, though your donations help support this and other programming. No registration is required. Join the zoom here.

Even small moments of mindfulness throughout the day can help us to shift how we relate to what life throws at us, allowing us to manage our stress levels and support our physical, mental and emotional well-being. These tools can be especially helpful when we’re dealing with a chronic illness or caring for a loved one who is. In each session we’ll share one or two mindfulness tools to help down-regulate the nervous system, and feel more grounded, connected and resilient. There will be brief guided meditations and a handout to support your use of these tools. Each session is stand-alone, no registration is required, and all are free and open to the public. These sessions are being presented in partnership with Shakers Anonymous.

Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84559085628

Join us in a socially-spaced walking meditation of the Still Pond Preserve, one of the beautiful natural spaces preserved by the New Canaan Land Trust. We will end up on the outer perimeter of the Council Ring, a special place that evokes a deep sense of community and togetherness. Discover inner stillness through outer movement in one of New Canaan’s most special natural spaces!

Some of us access inner stillness by sitting still. Some of us access inner stillness through movement. Sometimes it depends on the day. Walking meditation can help us connect with our bodies in the present moment, helping our nervous system breathe a big sigh of relief. By intentionally slowing down a habitual movement we can invoke Beginner’s Mind and a real sense of exploration and discovery. Bringing curiosity to this experience can cause a release of dopamine, which will support our learning, memory and motivation.  

To register, please click the button, below. Your $5 registration fee will help offset the cost of this event.

All ages and abilities are welcome. Bring water and wear bug spray, if desired. No yoga mat is needed. Rain date is June 10th at 10:00am.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

About the Wellness Series: Since the onset of the pandemic, residents from all walks of life have relied on the New Canaan Land Trust’s preserves to find peace and solace. As we emerge from this challenging time, the New Canaan Land Trust, Let’s Talk About it New Canaan and The Community Mindfulness Project have partnered to create a series of wellness events for the New Canaan community, inspired by nature and the outdoors. Through yoga, meditation, shinrin-yoku, and other practices, program participants will learn about and have the opportunity to practice a number of different techniques to promote mental health and wellbeing. The goals of each program will be to teach participants a practice, ensure that they have the resources and experience to continue that practice on their own, and introduce them to the Land Trust’s network of open space.

The NC Community Wellness Series was made possible by a generous grant from the Rotary Club of New Canaan

When we witness the struggles or pain of others, the pain centers in our brain light up as if we were experiencing that same pain. This can be very depleting. When we convert empathy (the witnessing and taking on of another’s pain) into compassion, we trigger a physiological response that actually helps us to feel more resilient and resourced. Join Darien Library’s Caregiver Cafe, where Community Mindfulness Project will share simple techniques that can be used to resource ourselves as we care for others. We’ll also explore offering ourselves some self-compassion. As they say on an airplane, it’s important to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others. For more information and to register, visit DarienLibrary.org.

Are you tossing and turning at night? Losing sleep?

Stress can keep us from sleeping and then not being able to sleep can add to our stress. There are easy-to-apply tools and techniques that can help us fall asleep more easily. Join us to learn these tools and the science behind them.

The event will take place via Zoom. Links will be sent out prior to the event. Register at Darien Library’s website.