Caloosahatchee Mindfulness
June brings us the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. A great time to consider what to do with our extra hours of daylight. I hope you add something to your summer days that brings a bubble of joy to your heart. You might watch the birds at your feeder in the morning, observe the way your plants stretch toward the sun, or take a nap on your porch. Every moment is an opportunity for joy. Caloosahatchee Mindfulness has new offerings that might help you savor the joy of the moment. You will find our new workshops listed in upcoming events below. They've been designed as a one time offering allowing you to try out different teachers and topics. Additionally, our regular monthly offerings are also listed below. June will begin a new book in the book club too. We wish you opportunities to savor your practice.

Much Metta(lovingkindness) and Mudita (joy)!
Maggie

Upcoming Events
Walking Meditation - Six Mile Cypress Slough - June 10
Mindful Meditation: The Art of Presence - June 15
Empowered Wellness: An Introduction to Ayurveda - July 9
Mindful Movement & Meditation - July 11
The Art of Mindful Movement - July 22

Mindfulness Practice Opportunities
Walking Meditation Group
June 10, 9 - 9:30 am

Walking in nature is a way to bring awareness to the present moment and all the beauty that surrounds you, and can be a form of walking meditation. Thich Nhat Hanh says that the practice of mindful walking is a profound and pleasurable way to deepen our connection with our body and the earth.

This month we will walk in the beautiful Six Mile Cypress Slough in Fort Myers. We will meet in front of the Interpretive Center. There's always a lovely breeze at the park!

This is a free offering through Caloosahatchee Mindfulness.
Guests are welcome.

This is our last walk until cooler temperatures return in the fall.
Mindful Meditation: The Art of Presence
June 15, 10 am -12 pm

Relieve stress and calm your body/mind with this gentle practice, using simple methods to stay focused in the present moment. Learn to center your attention in the body, to tame the "monkey mind." An untrained mind is often lost in the past or future, producing worries and stress. When the mind is resting in the present moment, we can experience more ease and joy in everyday life. Class includes breath awareness exercises, gentle stretching, and mindful walking (optional). Suitable for Beginners through Advanced Practitioners. This workshop will be held at Yoga Bird Studio 1400 Colonial Blvd at the Royal Palm Square. The cost of the workshop is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

Group Leader is Ann Marina, a Yoga and Brain Fitness instructor with over 30 years of experience in Mind-Body Wellness education. She has led meditation classes and groups at universities and many other venues. Ann is the author of Preserve Your Brain: Tools for Growing Mental Fitness.
Empowered Wellness: An Introduction to Ayurveda
July 9, 1-4 pm

If you've ever attended a yoga class, you've actually practiced Ayurveda! Ayurveda is India's ancient medical science, and like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it's continued to be refined and practiced for thousands of years. Ancient yogis developed this simple "elemental" science through meditation, spiritual insight, and observance of man and nature, and its tenets involve empowering practitioners to maintain wellness by learning more about themselves, and through simple daily actions that align them with the natural cycles in the day, season, and in life. This fun and informative workshop will break down the background and basics of Ayurveda; Jamie will provide you with the tools YOU need to understand yourself better and begin balancing excesses and deficiencies in your experience for overall better wellness. Are you a Vata, Pitta, or Kapha? Let's find out together!
Mindful Movement and Meditation
July 11, 6:15 - 7:30 pm

Yoga tunes and tones you, your energy field, body, mind, and heart. Teacher Kandy Love's playful and encouraging class will guide you through mindful movements and breath patterns opening you to your own innate magic. No prior experience is needed. Some props are available on-site; students can bring their own.

This workshop will be held at the Lotus Blossom Clinic at 6710 Winkler Road, FM, FL Suite 3. The class has a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum of 10. 

Kandy Taylor Love, Ph.D., CIYT, CYT, E-RYT-500, LMT MA9704 will be teaching this course. For more than 35 years, Kandy has committed her life to teaching and touching people of all ages and abilities to guide them in improving the quality of their lives through healthy lifestyle choices. She founded the first healing sanctuary in Lee County, Florida, in 1990, offering yoga, massage, and a wide range of healing modalities.
The Art of Mindful Movement
July 22, 1-4 pm

The Art of Mindful Movement is a 3-hour afternoon workshop designed to explore mindful movement, breathwork, laughter, and stillness. We will spend time practicing easy chair/mat yoga, some freestyle movement, learning some basic breathwork practices, having fun tapping into our childlike playfulness with Laughter Yoga, and weaving in time for stillness and meditation. We will build in time for reflection to rest or journal.

Please bring water, a yoga mat (we have some available at the studio), cushions, or bolsters if you have favorites from home, a journal or notebook, and wear comfortable clothing.
This workshop will be held at Heart Space Yoga Collective, Suite 30 13451 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers *upstairs at Cypress Square plaza, No elevator available.

This course is taught by Valarie Olsen (E-RYT 200, AYS, LMHC), a local yoga instructor and licensed mental health counselor. She is also a Board member and community sponsor of Caloosahatchee Mindfulness. Valarie is interested in how movement, breathwork, laughter, and stillness are effective, yet sometimes overlooked ways to improve and maintain overall health and wellness.
Caloosahatchee Rising Tide Sangha's
Midweek Mindfulness
Sangha is the Pali word for community.

You are invited to join us tonight, Wednesday, March 8th for Sangha as we meet on Zoom for meditation and deep sharing. Beginning on March 15, we will gather in person for 8 weeks at Lotus Blossom Clinic. This is a great opportunity to check in with yourself and the sangha during the week. So come relax and calm the mind and body, and practice meditation and deep listening together with us. 

Did you know that Caloosahatchee Rising Tide Sangha is listed in Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village Global Sangha Directory?
Join us and see how sangha can support your practice.

You can register on our website, www.caloosahatcheemindfulness.org, and the Zoom link will be sent to you. For more information, you can also email us at caloosahatcheemindfulness16@gmail.com
Mindfulness Book Club

Our small group studies and shares books on mindfulness practices to create a happier and healthier life. For information on joining the group by Zoom and the next book to be discussed, call or text (941) 888-0116 or email caloosahatcheemindfulness16@gmail.com


The Book Club is now reading Boundless Heart: The Buddha’s Path of Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity by Christina Feldman.

Discussion is focused on understanding how the author’s words and concepts
are relevant to our daily lives.

The book club is free to all Caloosahatchee Mindfulness members.

For more information about membership see the membership information below.
Friday Time Out

Every Friday morning and evening at 10:00 am and 5 pm, meditation sessions include a 20-minute meditation with initial guidance and then silent sitting. After the meditation, there is a group discussion, a 5-minute silent reflection, and then a thought for the week and check out. These meditations are offered at no cost and no experience is necessary.

For information on joining the group by Zoom, call or text (941) 888-0116,
or email caloosahatcheemindfulness16@gmail.com. You can also register on our website and receive the link directly. www.caloosahatcheemindfulness.org
With Gratitude to our Community Partners
We are so grateful to our Community Partners for their support of mindfulness!
Lotus Blossom Clinic


The Collaboratory
Valarie Olsen Counseling & Wellness


Metta Mindfulness
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society
Supporting Mindfulness
Become a Caloosahatchee Mindfulness Member!
We invite you to join us in our practice of mindfulness. We welcome you to check out our new and improved website at

You can join us directly from the website,
or contact us via email at CaloosahatcheeMindfulness16@gmail.com and we will be happy to mail you a membership brochure.

We look forward to practicing with you. 🙏🏼
Mindfulness on the Go!
Can't make Midweek Mindfulness?
Need a few minutes to quiet the mind?
Join us on Insight Timer! 📿