Mindful Resiliency for Change
In a world grappling with the urgent challenges of climate change, finding inner resilience and tranquility becomes more vital than ever. Change can evoke anxiety and stress, weighing heavily on our minds and bodies. Mindfulness offers a powerful tool to cultivate personal resilience in the face of these environmental shifts.
Join us for “Mindful Resiliency for Change,” a transformative wellness event designed to equip participants with practical tools amidst climate-related anxieties. Discover how simple mindfulness practices can empower you to navigate the turbulent waters of environmental changes with grace and resilience.
What to Expect:
- Insightful Presentation: Kaitlyn Shaw from Mindful NOAA will share expert insights on how mindfulness fosters adaptability and resilience in the face of internal and external challenges.
- Guided Nature Meditation: Experience a rejuvenating journey into nature led by Jan Van Almkerk, Ipswich Family YMCA Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Through guided meditation, connect deeply with the natural world and explore inner calm amidst external turmoil.
This event warmly welcomes individuals grappling with climate anxiety, caregivers supporting youth affected by climate concerns, and those experiencing land-related changes due to climate shifts and extreme weather events.
Let’s embark on this journey together towards mindful resilience and collective empowerment. Register now and invite others to join us in embracing the power of mindfulness amidst change.
About our Presenters:
Kaitlyn Shaw is an outdoor enthusiast and Marine Resources Management Specialist with NOAA’s Habitat and Ecosystem Services Division. She developed a yoga practice in 2011 to cultivate wellness during a period of grief and anxiety. Over the years, she experienced how mindfulness improved her relationship with herself and others. In 2019 Kaitlyn became a certified yoga instructor so that she could share the benefits of mindful movement with others. Then in 2023, she became certified as a mindfulness meditation facilitator with the Engaged Mindfulness Institute. Kaitlyn currently has the honor of co-leading the Mindful NOAA Employee Resource Group, a community of practice which uses evidence-based mindfulness in support of NOAA’s mission of science, service, and stewardship.
Jan Van Almkerk, at the age of 60, made a significant shift from decades of high-impact aerobics to embrace Restorative yoga and meditation, where she discovered solace in stillness. This transformation redirected her focus, prompting her to explore holistic healing as a Reiki practitioner. Jan’s journey included completing a 200-hour yoga training and certifications in Yin Yoga, deepening her understanding of the mind-body connection. Now, she generously shares mindfulness practices by teaching Restorative, Yin, and Meditation classes weekly at Ipswich Family YMCA. Additionally, Jan leads monthly Yoga Nidra Meditation sessions at Ipswich Library. Her transition from intense workouts to the peaceful realm of yoga and meditation not only revitalized her well-being but also ignited her passion for guiding others toward inner peace and holistic wellness.