This page contains up to date information on local events in Western PA.
Calming the Mind & Reconnecting with Nature: Half-Day Retreat
Saturday April 22 10:00am to 3:00pm @ Windy Knob Picnic Area Moraine State Park (South)
>> Sign up here calendly.com/jacksonkerchis/retreat
“Living peacefully and happily is the best way to show our gratitude and is our greatest gift for the world and the next generation.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
Feeling overwhelmed and in need of a mental break?
Join us for a half-day nature mindfulness retreat that will leave you refreshed and renewed. Jackson – an author, speaker, and former Zen monk – will lead a half-day of outdoor practices and meditations overlooking the beautiful Lake Arthur. It’ll be a time to try practices that can reduce stress, increase focus, and reconnect with nature.
Save your spot now and commit to taking the time to care for your state of mind.
[This is a free community event with an average donation of $40.]
What to expect?
- We will start with a short talk and introduction to our practices.
- Guided walking meditation in nature
- Lunchtime snacks and hang out
- Mindful Yoga
- Meditation
- And a closing talk and activity where you’ll find 1 thing to leave and 1 thing to take with you
Who is Jackson?
- I grew up in Slippery Rock. I went to the University of Alabama where I created the first bachelor’s degree in Happiness Studies. I offer a Happier Habits and a Science of Happier Work course through the University of Alabama. After college I lived for four months as a Zen monk at Green Gulch Monastery (building on my 5+ years of daily mindfulness practice). I’m a speaker and consultant with my own company Happiness Means Business where we focus on applied positive psychology for happier work and life. I’ve written two books, been on a range of podcasts, and I am a certified executive coach (Emory University).
- I now live outside of Butler and plan to do more community events and teaching like this. 🙂
Where to go and what to bring?
- We will meet in a reserved pavilion picnic area (Windy Knob) at the South Shore of Moraine State Park. Follow this link for Google maps >> https://goo.gl/maps/JHQM8FYp5kH7djys8
- Note there are restrooms available at this site.
- Feel free to bring a yoga mat and/or meditation cushion (optional), snacks, drinks, donations (if you wish), AND swimwear for an optional cold plunge at the end.
Mindful Yoga – Every Wednesday 7:00pm @ Yoga on Main
>> Sign up here https://yogaonmainstreet.com/schedule
Mindful yoga is a powerful practice to reduce stress and improve mental/physical health.
A Harvard Health Publishing report (here) referenced several studies which show that mindful yoga enhances mental health: it improves “mood by elevating levels of a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is associated with better mood and decreased anxiety.” The authors also reference research that “yoga and meditation may improve executive functions, such as reasoning, decision making, memory, learning, reaction time, and accuracy on tests of mental acuity.”
This practice also helps enhance mobility and muscle pliability.
You can expect a short meditation and teaching, yin yoga flow, and then 10 minute guided meditation practice.
Get a copy of Stick to Meditation
Can’t make it to class but want to learn how to start and stick to meditation? Check out my book inspired by my research in the psychology of habit formation and my time as a Zen monk.
