NC Community Wellness Series: Walking Meditation

About the Practice: Join us in a socially-spaced walking meditation of the Still Pond Preserve led by the Community Mindfulness Project. 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 sunscreen and/or bug spray, if desired. Rain date is June 10th at 10:00am.

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

About the Instructor: After twenty years as a Wall Street trader, Will Heins began practicing meditation in 2005 following an intensive course at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts. Subsequently he completed a teacher training program there in mindfulness meditation techniques. He has also spent time under the tutelage of Jon Kabat-Zinn, the creator of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Will has also attended retreats led by Jack Kornfield (founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center), Thich Nhat Hanh, and Fr Thomas Keating. For two years, Will led a mindfulness practice group here in New Canaan at the Ananda Yoga Center until its closing.

Future Wellness Series events will be announced through the New Canaan Land Trust’s newsletter, and posted on the Land Trust’s event calendar.