"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” -John Muir
Contemplative Outdoor Retreats
Many of us have had experiences in nature that are eye-opening. When we venture outside we experience moments when we can clearly see the next steps on our life path, where we feel more relaxed with the natural flow of our lives, or we just generally feel refreshed and more prepared to take on the challenges of day-to-day life in our busy, high-tech world.
It's not necessarily about going higher, farther, or faster than the last time, but about being fully present with whatever nature has to offer and teach us moment to moment. Join me for an incomparable journey into the wild - both inside and outside!
It's not necessarily about going higher, farther, or faster than the last time, but about being fully present with whatever nature has to offer and teach us moment to moment. Join me for an incomparable journey into the wild - both inside and outside!
My Background
Since being trained as an Adventure Based Counselor and Wilderness Guide in 1996Since being trained as an Adventure Based Counselor and Wilderness Guide in 1996, my adventures have led to work with at-risk adolescents in wilderness therapy as well as to leading numerous contemplative outdoor retreats in Colorado, Utah, and California that integrate hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, mindfulness meditation, and mindful movement. I have the good fortune to have led programs sponsored by Outward Bound USA, Balanced Rock Foundation, Shambhala Mountain Center and various Shambhala Meditation Centers, Far Horizons Retreat Center, and Aspen Achievement Academy. I am a Certified Wilderness First Responder.
Testimonials
"Kay has such a calming and reassuring presence that it's a pleasure to be with her" - Jesse
"Kay's program is simple, beautifully paced, and very effective in deepening our experience of our bodies, our natural world, and ourselves. Deep connection; deep change." - Stephen
"Kay helped push me through a door that I opened long ago, but never got around to truly stepping through and on to the other side - the door of self-discovery and acknowledgment" - Judy
"It was transforming...I have slowed down a lot and do walking meditation daily" - Martha
2013 Program Schedule
Mindful Hiking
Sponsored by the Silicon Valley Shambhala Meditation Center
May 18, 2013 from 10am - 4pm
Take hiking to another level by teaming mindfulness-awareness practices with time spent in nature. Spend the day exploring how to open to the present moment on the trail and in our lives.
We will meet at the Silicon Valley Shambhala Center in Mountain View and carpool to the trail head.
More information or to register, click here.
Running with the Mind of Meditation Clinic, San Francisco Marathon Expo, June 14-15, 2013
June 14, 2013 - 5:00-5:40pm
June 15, 2013 - 3:00-3:40pm
Distance running or walking is often the exercise of choice for reducing stress, bringing us greater perspective and connecting us directly to the wisdom of the body. The practices of meditation offer similar benefits, helping us cultivate stillness and nonjudgmental awareness of the mind's activities. Enjoy the unique experience of peace through meditation and running inspired by the teachings of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Stop by and try it out!
San Francisco Marathon Expo
Concourse Exhibition Center
635 8th Street, San Francisco, CA
June 15, 2013 - 3:00-3:40pm
Distance running or walking is often the exercise of choice for reducing stress, bringing us greater perspective and connecting us directly to the wisdom of the body. The practices of meditation offer similar benefits, helping us cultivate stillness and nonjudgmental awareness of the mind's activities. Enjoy the unique experience of peace through meditation and running inspired by the teachings of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Stop by and try it out!
San Francisco Marathon Expo
Concourse Exhibition Center
635 8th Street, San Francisco, CA
Waking-up to the Wild: Hiking as Meditation
June 28-30, 2013
Discover ease of movement, stillness of mind, and the healing power of nature by integrating mindfulness awareness practices with hiking in the spectacular terrain that is Shambhala Mountain. While navigating the busy, high-tech world, we can often find ourselves distracted by past events and future planning that leaves us feeling stressed and overwhelmed. We may miss the simple joy of the present moment that creates the foundation for sustainable happiness. When we begin to take notice of the simplicity of our breath, the sharpness of our senses and the subtle movements of our bodies, we can begin to train our minds to experience the mundane in our lives as if it were a spectacular sunset or a cool mountain breeze. Join us for a weekend that will include guided sitting and hiking meditation, restorative yoga, and time for solo reflection in nature. For more information about the extended Mindful Hiking program, August 1 - 4, click here.
For more information or to register, call (888) STUPA-21 or click here.
Discover ease of movement, stillness of mind, and the healing power of nature by integrating mindfulness awareness practices with hiking in the spectacular terrain that is Shambhala Mountain. While navigating the busy, high-tech world, we can often find ourselves distracted by past events and future planning that leaves us feeling stressed and overwhelmed. We may miss the simple joy of the present moment that creates the foundation for sustainable happiness. When we begin to take notice of the simplicity of our breath, the sharpness of our senses and the subtle movements of our bodies, we can begin to train our minds to experience the mundane in our lives as if it were a spectacular sunset or a cool mountain breeze. Join us for a weekend that will include guided sitting and hiking meditation, restorative yoga, and time for solo reflection in nature. For more information about the extended Mindful Hiking program, August 1 - 4, click here.
For more information or to register, call (888) STUPA-21 or click here.
Waking-up to the Wild: Hiking as Meditation
Far Horizons Retreat Center, Sequioa National Monument, CA
June 20-23, 2013
Discover ease of movement, stillness of mind, and the healing power of nature by integrating mindfulness awareness practices with hiking in the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Learn techniques for synchronizing mind and body that restore balance, clarity and an overall sense of well-being.
For more information or to register, call 1-559-530-0080 or click here.
Discover ease of movement, stillness of mind, and the healing power of nature by integrating mindfulness awareness practices with hiking in the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Learn techniques for synchronizing mind and body that restore balance, clarity and an overall sense of well-being.
For more information or to register, call 1-559-530-0080 or click here.
Waking-up to the Wild: Mindful Hiking
Shambhala Mountain Center, Red Feather Lakes, CO
August 1-4, 2013
Like trees in the forest or fish in the sea, we have an innate ability to live in greater harmony with our environment. While trying to navigate our busy, high-tech world, we can develop habits of mind that leave us feeling disconnected and unfulfilled. Delving deeply into the practice of mindfulness/awareness in nature, we turn our attention toward the subtle interplay of our thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and sense perceptions and re-discover how we can open to our fundamental inter-connection to all things. Rather than always needing to change where we work, live, or who we love, we can change our relationship to these aspects of our lives in a way that brings us greater happiness and contentment. Join us for an extended weekend that will include sitting and hiking meditation, restorative yoga, and lots of time for solo reflection in nature. Wake-up to the wild both inside and out!
For more information or to register, call (888) STUPA-21 or click here.
Like trees in the forest or fish in the sea, we have an innate ability to live in greater harmony with our environment. While trying to navigate our busy, high-tech world, we can develop habits of mind that leave us feeling disconnected and unfulfilled. Delving deeply into the practice of mindfulness/awareness in nature, we turn our attention toward the subtle interplay of our thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and sense perceptions and re-discover how we can open to our fundamental inter-connection to all things. Rather than always needing to change where we work, live, or who we love, we can change our relationship to these aspects of our lives in a way that brings us greater happiness and contentment. Join us for an extended weekend that will include sitting and hiking meditation, restorative yoga, and lots of time for solo reflection in nature. Wake-up to the wild both inside and out!
For more information or to register, call (888) STUPA-21 or click here.
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