Ricky Belizaire
Ricky Belizaire (he,him) is passionate about supporting students’ well-being, long after their academic pursuits. Committed to helping others be successful, his ethos centers around belief, inclusion, and empathy. Ricky currently works at Yale in New Haven, CT as a Community Wellness Specialist, overseeing wellness programming and supporting students 1:1, with strategies and skills to improve their everyday life.
Mindfulness has been a huge part of Ricky's journey to wellness. Curiosity drove him during the pandemic to find resources for his own well-being, and he discovered vipassana, and learned more about mindfulness. He received training to be a teacher for young adults, through the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults (MIEA). MIEA is dedicated to training individuals at colleges and universities to teach mindfulness to the emerging adults they serve, using their evidence-based curriculum. At Yale, Ricky teaches an introduction to meditation course, as well as an advanced course for students who have taken the introduction course. Here, students can learn different skills and meditations to reduce stress and help them be more presently aware. Some of what they learn in the courses includes body scan meditation, walking meditation, chair yoga, and loving-kindness. Prior to joining CMP, Ricky has practiced mindfulness for almost four years, and teaching for two years.
Join us for a free mindfulness session!
Community Mindfulness Project is a nonprofit on a mission of delivering accessible mindfulness programs for a healthier Fairfield County. Despite the proven benefits of mindfulness, local under-resourced neighborhoods face barriers to these tools. We're breaking those down those barriers with free in-person and virtual meditation sessions.