A Day of mindfulness is a silent mini-retreat encouraging us to look within, pay attention to our breath, and to become mindful of the present moment. While providing an opportunity to spend an extended time in mindfulness, we practice sitting and walking meditation, mindful yoga, enjoy nature, enjoy a mindful meal, hear a Dharma talk and/or participate in a discussion. Sometimes, there is a longer opportunity to have questions answered, in an "Open Forum" format with our teachers.

Days of mindfulness provide time to relax, renew ourselves in nature, and nourish the seeds of happiness and true purpose within us. Attending such days supports an individual’s personal meditation experience with practice, teachings, deep listening and deep sharing. Participation can help to gain a deeper commitment to your practice or to help jump start your practice if you've fallen away from it.

Please bring a vegetarian lunch and a drink of your choice, as well as your own cushion if you have one. Extra cushions, as well as chairs, will also be available. Please also bring a yoga mat or towel to lie on for deep relaxation.

Although there is no registration fee, please register so that we know how many are coming. Voluntary donations are welcome and encouraged at the end of the day in support of our teachers and the RSY community.

To Register, call Maria (716/440-8682) or the studio (716/632-5802) and leave a message or email Michael@RisingSunYoga.com.

Maria earned her degree in Philosophy from Buffalo State College with an emphasis in Eastern Philosophy and its practical applications and continues her studies in Applied Mindfulness at The University of Toronto. Her experience includes 20 years of Mindfulness training and practice under the guidance of Dr. George Hole (Distinguished Professor, Philosophical Counselor, Mentor), retreats with Thich Nhat Hanh (internationally renowned teacher, monk, author and peace activist) and meditation instruction with experts in China, Japan, Vietnam, India and Burma.

In January 2014, Maria created, coordinated and implemented the first Mindfulness Program for the Institute for Shipboard Education, Semester at Sea, leading over 100 students, faculty and staff through an 8-Week Mindfulness Training for Stress Reduction Course. She counseled faculty and staff in developing coping strategies for students experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression, facilitated daily stress reduction group meetings and led guided Mindfulness Meditation practice in Japan, China, Vietnam, Singapore, India, Burma, Ghana, South Africa, Mauritius, and Morocco.

Maria has taught Mindfulness for Stress Reduction at Univera Health, Independent Health, Seneca Niagara, NCCC, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo State University, Sacred Heart Academy and to a variety of groups and individual clients throughout Western New York and abroad. Over twenty years of training and practice has led her to teach Mindfulness as way of reducing stress and unleashing the innate potential we all have to live our lives with greater calm, clarity and stability. Maria’s clientele come from multiple disciplines and all walks of life including business owners and healthcare professionals, attorneys, students, artists, educators and parents.

While incorporating a patient and compassionate approach, Maria offers a unique skill set that allows students to access the root cause of their actual stressors, while learning to manage them effectively from within. She offers courses in the classroom setting as well as private instruction and has helped people overcome their struggles with a variety of issues and conditions including stress (work related, financial, family/relationship or health), sleeping disorders, anxiety, high blood pressure, chronic pain, fatigue, headaches and other problems inhibiting one’s quality of life.

She can be reached by phone at 716.440.8682 or email at mkahn711@gmail.com.