Practicing Presence
8-Week Foundations Class in Meditation, Mindfulness, & Somatics (in-person & online)
Returning in January 2027
An 8-week course that roots you in the key foundational principles and practices. Receive training to cultivate and embody a personal practice you can trust, freeing you from dependence on apps and guidance.
Recommended but not required for those new to practice before attending weekly practice groups in-person or online.
Want to explore how you can meet life with greater capacity and resilience (rather than trying to escape discomfort and force calm?)
Most people give up on meditating because they don't receive pragmatic and authentic instruction that supports self-sustaining practice and embodied spiritual insight. In a world of commoditized "McMindfulness", the value is often lost, misapplied, and misunderstood. Apps don’t teach how and why to meditate.
This course is a gentle, grounded, pragmatic, and authentic introduction. Offered as a 90-minute, (8) class format. No experience or equipment needed.
You will learn the core foundational principles and practices of Buddhist-based (Theravada) meditation and mindfulness; as well as somatic practice (going beyond nervous system regulation and release and including re-shaping how your soma is organized). Through guided instruction and practice, relatable foundational teachings, and supportive group connection, you'll gain the confidence to begin to build a deep, sustainable personal practice without relying on apps or "quick fix" approaches. You'll leave with a solid foundation and an open invitation to continue exploring our weekly in-person or online practice groups that help you sustain and deepen your practice individually and in community.
Mindful eating, mindfulness in nature, sitting and walking meditation, Lovingkindness, Centering, and more are taught and practiced. Somatic practices explored support: relationship quality, taking centered action, coordinating and working with others, balance and equanimity, healthy boundaries, and sourcing and operating from purpose and authentic presence.
For those without a background in Thervadan meditation and mindfulness or Strozzi-based somatics, this class is recommended (but not required), before attending weekly drop-in practice groups. It provides the solid grounding to build your practice based on a real understanding of the why and how behind it all.