Thursday, August 30, 2012

Fall Mindfulness Opportunities

Fall Mindfulness Opportunities

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, 8 week program beginning Sunday, September 23rd at the Yoga Loft in Albany and ending November 18.  This program offers a comprehensive introduction to mindfulness practice as well as the structure and support to sustain an ongoing practice.  It is appropriate for those with challenging physical conditions and/or life circumstances as well as those simply seeking a path to greater stillness and ease. Daily homework and a one day retreat is part of this program.  Classes will meet on Sunday nights from 7 to 9pm.  Cost: $375  (Scholarship funds are available, please ask) Contact Karen Beetle at 424-7516 or kabeetle@aol.com<mailto:kabeetle@aol.com>.
Pancake Breakfast and Day of Mindful Hiking in the Adirondacks, Saturday, September 22  from 9am to 4pm (Sleeping Beauty Mountain, Lake George)
This program offers an opportunity to practice mindfulness in the beauty of the wilderness. We will gather at the trailhead of Sleeping Beauty Mountain (to the East of Lake George) and begin our retreat with a fabulous pancake breakfast and sit. Then we will climb Sleeping Beauty. This is an easy to moderate hike with beautiful views of Lake George and Bump Pond. Come and enjoy being present to your experience in the midst of the stillness of the Adirondacks. Carpooling from the Capital District will be available – leaving at 7:30am and returning at 5:30pm.  Meditation instruction and guiding will be provided by Karen Beetle and Victor Anderson. Cost: $35  Dana or voluntary contributions for the teaching are welcome. Please call Karen Beetle at 424-7516 or kabeetle@aol.com<http://us.mc1616.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kabeetle@aol.com> to reserve a spot.  Participation limited to 12.

Adirondack Mindful Paddling Retreat, Friday, October 5th – Saturday, October 6th (Thirteenth Lake)  Get your feet wet with mindfulness practice in the wilderness with this overnight retreat. We will drive to Thirteenth Lake on Friday afternoon and paddle to our retreat site. We will settle into camp with a brief sit and then we will prepare dinner and set up our tents. We will gather around the fire to practice in the evening and wake to watch dawn rising over the lake.  Through stillness, paddling, sitting, and walking meditation we will touch into our lives through nature. We will pack up and paddle out in the late afternoon on Saturday. This retreat is appropriate for both new and experienced meditators and paddlers. No camping and/or wilderness experience – and minimal equipment - is necessary. The cost of this retreat is $100 including delicious vegetarian food and boat rental. Voluntary contributions (dana) for the teaching and guiding are welcomed. Paddling and meditation instruction will be provided by Karen Beetle and Victor Anderson. Karen is a therapist, mindfulness teacher and lover of wilderness practice. Victor is a registered Maine guide in kayaking and a long-term meditator.  For more information or to register, contact Karen Beetle at kabeetle@aol.com<http://us.mc1616.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kabeetle@aol.com> or 518-424-7516. Participation limited to 8.

Community Events:Awakening Courage, Faith and Compassion with Mindfulness, Dharma Talk and Day of Practice with Sharon Salzberg, Dharma Talk – Friday, September 28 from 7 to 9pm and A Day of Practice with Sharon Salzberg – Saturday, September 29th from 9 am to 5pm at the First Unitarian Society of Albany. Joyously, the Capital Region again welcomes Sharon Salzberg to teach a dharma talk and day of practice. All are welcome – whether an experienced practitioner or a curious beginner – to participate, learn and receive inspiration from this gifted and caring instructor. In a supportive setting, learn and put into practice mindfulness tools that will enrich and deepen your connection with life. The dharma talk is free. The day of practice costs $75. Call 424-7516 for scholarship information. Register by phone or e-mail: 545-1735 or register@organizingmindfulness.org<mailto:register@organizingmindfulness.org>  Volunteers are needed for these events. Call 1-207-590-5148 (Victor) to volunteer.

Friendly Field: Loving Kindness Practice Group, 5 to 7pm on Thursday nights at the First Unitarian Society, 405 Washington Ave. Albany Victor Anderson is facilitating this loving kindness practice group every Thursday. If you haven’t stopped by – make a plan to check it out. You are welcome to drop by at any point in the evening and stay as long as you’d like. The group begins with a reading or short talk and includes loving kindness, sitting and walking practice. Donations are welcome. Contact Victor Anderson 207-590-5148 or wildharman@me.com<http://us.mc1616.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=wildharman@me.com>

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

School Counselor Student Volunteers Needed!!

SCHOOL COUNSELING GRADUATE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NYSSCA CONFERENCE

New York State School Counseling Association is putting on their annual conference November 9 and 10, 2012 at the Marriott in Albany, New York. I am looking for graduate student volunteers to help at the conference. Volunteers are needed to help at the registration desk, the nyssca store, introduction of workshop presenters and collection of workshop evaluation forms. Volunteering is a great way to network with fellow graduate students and people in the counseling profession. If you are interested in volunteering please email me at jcawley@nscsd.org<mailto:jcawley@nscsd.org>. If you have any questions you can email me at the same address or call me at (315) 218-2400.

GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEERING
1. You must be able to volunteer both Friday and Saturday of the conference.
2. There is a registration fee of $125.00. This is a reduced rate for volunteers. This covers your registration materials and meals (Fri. breakfast and lunch as well as Sat. breakfast and lunch)

If you plan to stay at the hotel you can download the hotel registration form at the nyssca website. The conference registration form can also be downloaded at the nyssca website. The website is
www.nyssca.org<http://www.nyssca.org/>