"I don't have to 'mask' the real person I am in the woods." - Laura
In addition to the mindfulness training we offer on our treks, we also provide free, drop-in online mindfulness meditation classes twice a month, which are taught by some amazing mindfulness instructors. You can join a class virtually using Zoom video-conferencing. Come once, or as many times as you like.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this for? Because of our mission, these classes are first and foremost for young adults and their caregivers affected by cancer, as well as cancer care professionals who work with adolescents and young adults. That said, we don't ask attendees to show us their "AYA Cancer ID Card" so if you're reading this and you're interested in learning mindfulness and you don't totally fit the adolescent or young adult cancer survivor description but you think this might be helpful for your own particular circumstances, please come.
When is it? Classes are held every 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. They start promptly at 7:30pm EST and finish promptly at 8:30pm EST. You might try to join a couple minutes early so that you are ready when the class starts.
Do I need to register? We used to require registration but we stopped doing that to make it easier. To join a class, simply click on the meditating animal buttons above to connect to the respective class. If you are new and would like to receive a reminder email prior to upcoming classes, you can give your email address to an instructor after a class and we'll add it to our list. In our reminder emails, we always use the Bcc function so no one's information is shared.
What is the format? This is a video conference-based drop-in class, which means you can come once, or as frequently as you like and join from any device that has a screen and internet connection. We've set it up so that you are automatically muted upon joining.
Who is teaching it? Classes are taught by some amazing mindfulness instructors. They change and rotate regularly.
Is this a support group? No, not in the traditional sense. This class will hopefully be supportive to you as you strengthen your mindfulness practice, but that's about it.
Do I have to turn my camera on? No, not if you don’t want to. We always like seeing everyone, but it’s totally fine if you prefer not to. Our instructors will have theirs on.
Where should I be to do this? We recommend finding a quiet, private spot in your home, apartment, or office, where you won't be interrupted, but since this is a virtual session, anywhere you can get a connection will do. Maybe there's even a nice park bench or beach?
Am I expected to talk or share? Only if you want. We ask that you stay muted during the actual meditation, and at the end during a short debriefing period called "inquiry" if you want to un-mute yourself to share something you observed or noticed during the practice you are welcome to. It's completely optional. Sometimes sharing our observations out loud can be helpful not only to ourselves as it makes connections between the feeling and thinking/learning parts of our brains clearer, but also helpful to others so they can understand that they are not alone.
What if I have a technological problem? This is certainly possible. You might try leaving and re-joining the meeting to see if that helps, or finding a stronger internet signal in your location. Sometimes it’s just not possible to fix it, and while this is disappointing, in the spirit of this class, it might also be an opportunity to practice sitting with unpleasant events. Reach out to us afterwards to do a “tech check” with you so it’s better for the next class.
When is it? Classes are held every 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. They start promptly at 7:30pm EST and finish promptly at 8:30pm EST. You might try to join a couple minutes early so that you are ready when the class starts.
Do I need to register? We used to require registration but we stopped doing that to make it easier. To join a class, simply click on the meditating animal buttons above to connect to the respective class. If you are new and would like to receive a reminder email prior to upcoming classes, you can give your email address to an instructor after a class and we'll add it to our list. In our reminder emails, we always use the Bcc function so no one's information is shared.
What is the format? This is a video conference-based drop-in class, which means you can come once, or as frequently as you like and join from any device that has a screen and internet connection. We've set it up so that you are automatically muted upon joining.
Who is teaching it? Classes are taught by some amazing mindfulness instructors. They change and rotate regularly.
Is this a support group? No, not in the traditional sense. This class will hopefully be supportive to you as you strengthen your mindfulness practice, but that's about it.
Do I have to turn my camera on? No, not if you don’t want to. We always like seeing everyone, but it’s totally fine if you prefer not to. Our instructors will have theirs on.
Where should I be to do this? We recommend finding a quiet, private spot in your home, apartment, or office, where you won't be interrupted, but since this is a virtual session, anywhere you can get a connection will do. Maybe there's even a nice park bench or beach?
Am I expected to talk or share? Only if you want. We ask that you stay muted during the actual meditation, and at the end during a short debriefing period called "inquiry" if you want to un-mute yourself to share something you observed or noticed during the practice you are welcome to. It's completely optional. Sometimes sharing our observations out loud can be helpful not only to ourselves as it makes connections between the feeling and thinking/learning parts of our brains clearer, but also helpful to others so they can understand that they are not alone.
What if I have a technological problem? This is certainly possible. You might try leaving and re-joining the meeting to see if that helps, or finding a stronger internet signal in your location. Sometimes it’s just not possible to fix it, and while this is disappointing, in the spirit of this class, it might also be an opportunity to practice sitting with unpleasant events. Reach out to us afterwards to do a “tech check” with you so it’s better for the next class.
