A Morning (or Evening) of Meditation
The relationship between meditation and physical and mental health is well established. Meditation helps lower anxiety, improve sleep, reduce stress, increase focus, and better relationships. Meditation allows us to respond, rather than react, to life. In this event, you will learn about the concept of meditation, meditative techniques - including posture, sitting options, and breath - and identify your motivations to meditate. We then practice with three different meditative approaches, in order to experience different meditation options. There will be ample opportunities to ask questions and to share your experiences. All levels welcome.
“I have never been able to meditate and now I understand why. Shayna’s meditation event gave me context, confidence, tools, and an appreciation that my ‘monkey mind’ is normal. She is a wonderful teacher! Thank you.” Nina M.
Full Moon and New Moon Meditations
Full Moons and New Moons are powerful times to reflect, recalibrate, and celebrate. The heavens are rich not only in beauty but in intensity and energy as well. At these meditation gatherings, we meditate, explore, and reflect. The events always conclude with a ceremony, wherein we invoke our intentions and release what no longer serves us. And then we eat.
“I loved every moment. It was engaging, had great flow & energy, was insightful, & prompted us to think deeper & connect spiritually. It was beautiful to do it communally with women- there was something very special about it- like a shared feminine power and consciousness that was welcoming, empowering, supportive and compassionate.” Donna C.
Loving Kindness Meditation
Loving Kindness meditation, also known as Metta, is the practice of opening our hearts; of connecting with our innate capacity to love openly and unconditionally. Metta meditations guide us to relate to ourselves and others with kindness and compassion, even in difficult circumstances or with difficult people. In these guided meditations, we practice Metta towards ourselves, towards loved ones, toward those in which we have difficulties, and to the world.
“I left the Loving Kindness event with my heart full and my body liberated. I never realized the burden of carrying around ancient hurts and resentments. Nothing changed externally with my relationship with my sister and yet everything changed. Shayna’s guidance was remarkable. Thank you!” Deb R.
Thank you beautiful sister for such a magical gift of your day retreat yesterday 
🌟Your softness and compassion shone bright and transformation happened
I have found the workshops to be very insightful, and potentially transformative. It is a wonderful idea to have a workshop for women in similar places in their lives. It is beautifully lead by Shayna, who offers insight, guidance, and wisdom. I highly recommend these workshops!
Donna B.Thank you so much Shayna Gothard Kaufmann!!! What a wonderful, positive, encouraging, supportive and enlightening experience! All of what you were saying were things I definitely can relate to, and your facilitated exercise was so very valuable. Thank you for creating this for our community of women and beyond. You really are amazing and I admire you deeply!
Shannon W.Through her “Embracing” series, Shayna graciously extends her extensive knowledge, experience, insight, guidance, healing, zen-like leadership and obvious love for what she does with her fellow “middle” women. I gained significant insight about “me” in ways I hadn’t considered before, and that allowed me to begin a wonderful journey of much needed acceptance, forgiveness, healing and peace. I also gained a network of amazing, wonderful women! Thank you, Shayna. You are a trusted adviser and forever friend.
Kelly B.Ongoing growth and development is a huge priority in my life, but I was having a difficult time finding the right context for creating it. Within the confines of Shayna’s group I found camaraderie, laughter, fellowship, connectedness, a feeling of interpersonal relatedness, a sense of safety and mutual respect, and an overall feeling of being truly heard without judgement. I trust Shayna implicitly and in her group I always feel comfortable and safe; a nurturing space to reflect, engage in lively conversation, explore new options and possibilities, and find new ways of thinking about old challenges. I cannot think of a better person to facilitate personal growth and development workshops than Shayna Kaufmann.
Claire Y.