MINDFULNESS IN MINUTES: SUMMER
July 9 – 11, 2021
SAMPLE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
This weekend invites you to enjoy the inspirational setting of Mohonk Mountain House as you learn simple techniques that can be used anywhere and anytime to reduce stress and enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being. As a “sampler” where you can explore your own experience as you work with different opportunities, these sessions offer the potential for on-going actions that you can take home and bring into your life. Throughout the weekend, join Nina Smiley, Ph.D., co-author of The Three Minute Meditator and Mindfulness in Nature and special guests who all will help you discover how you can change your life and support your optimal well-being.
Attend any or all of the program events — the choice is yours!
Listed below are some of the events from the past years.
Availability is limited. For reservations, please call .
Mindfulness in Minutes – Introduction
When meditation is seen as something you have to do “outside” of real life – find the perfect setting, be surrounded by silence, and spend a required amount of time on a daily practice – the desire to pursue this can be overtaken by the tasks of daily life. Stressed by the unprecedented challenges of navigating new realities that have overtaken us in recent months, we may also feel reluctant to add anything “new”- like mindfulness- to the mix. But these are exactly the moments when we can most use the benefits of mindfulness! Nina offers an approach that makes mindfulness accessible to real people in real lives when they really need it. In this session, Nina will guide you through some simple techniques that will help your brain begin to form a new habit – what if you could learn to watch the mind, instead of going with its storyline? Rather than reacting-and-regretting, what if you could learn to respond more skillfully in the moment? Learn more about how to reduce stress and bring mindfulness into your life!
Tracking: Reading the Stories in the Earth
There are many ways to be mindful. Mohonk’s Naturalist Michael Ridolfo will guide you on this short walk to discover the mindful practice of tracking. Some anthropologists and neuroscientists propose that tracking is what has allowed our brains to develop into the immensely complex logical and creative tools they are today. We’ll begin with some clear print identification and move into tracking of situations, moments in time, and even ourselves. 1 mile, easy pace, all are welcome.
Yoga in the Garden with Lana Heintjes
Being present in the moment and involving all the senses offers the intersection of mindfulness in nature and yoga in a spectacular setting. Join us in the garden for a restorative session of outdoor yoga.
Mindful Music Event
More details to come.
“Forest Bathing”: Mindfulness In Nature
The term “forest bathing” or “shinrin-yoku” has been used in Japanese writings and research to describe the sense of well-being that comes from being outdoors immersed in nature. This Mindfulness in Nature walk with Nina guides you through wooded trails, alongside timeless cliffs and our crystal-clear lake. Embrace your senses with this unique walk before you enjoy lunch!
PAST PROGRAM LEADERS
Nina Smiley, Ph.D.
Director of Mindfulness Programming
Nina Smiley, Ph.D. graduated from Vassar College and earned a doctoral degree in psychology from Princeton University. She is co-author of The Three Minute Meditator, now in its fifth edition and translated into seven languages, and Mindfulness in Nature (spring 2017), along with the CD Mini-Meditations That Will Enhance Your Life. Nina taught psychology at the University of Maryland and worked at the American Psychological Association. She has studied mindfulness with Jack Kornfield (founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center), Sharon Salzberg (co-founder of Insight Meditation Society), and others. Nina’s work has been featured in The New York Times, O, the Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Shape and Prevention. She delights in sharing insights about mindfulness meditation and well-being.
Michael Ridolfo
Resident Naturalist
Michael Ridolfo is the Naturalist at Mohonk Mountain House. After 20 years of rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain biking, skiing, winter mountaineering, nature photography, writing, and music, he began practicing the art of tracking, wilderness survival, and the native mentoring model. This journey has evolved into teaching children and adults how to deepen their relationship with the natural world. In 1999, he founded Wilderness Mind (now The Earthtime Project), a school dedicated to preserving the ancient arts of tracking and nature awareness.
Lana Heintjes
Lana Heintjes, E-RYT200, is known for her soothing voice and calm presence. She has been an active and passionate yoga instructor since 2009, after she took her incredibly powerful 200-hr Yoga to the People teacher training in NYC. Lana is certified in Vinyasa yoga, AcroYogaⓇ, Hot Yoga, and Restorative Yoga. She also teaches Aerial Silks and is a Thai yoga bodywork practitioner with a Bachelor’s of Science in Music. She has over 400 hours of training and 4,000+ hours of teaching experience. She currently resides in the beautiful New Paltz, NY. Follow Lana on Instagram @acrolana.
Availability is limited. For reservations, please call .
Your Mindfulness in Minutes weekend includes:
- Three meals daily featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients from our farm-to-table partners. See our full list of dining options>
- Access to more than 85 miles of scenic hiking trails
- Yoga, Meditation, and Fitness classes
- Afternoon tea and cookies in our historic Lake Lounge
- Make an appointment to visit our Greenhouse
- Indoor heated pool with underwater music
- Guided hikes and outdoor activities with our Recreation team
- Nightly evening entertainment, special events, and more! See activities schedule>
Seasonal Activities
- Access to more than 85 miles of scenic hiking trails
- Boating, fishing, and swimming on Lake Mohonk
- Guided nature hikes with stunning views of the Catskill Mountains
- Rock scrambling our iconic Labyrinth and Lemon Squeeze trail
- Guided archery and tomahawk throwing sessions
- Complimentary court time on our Har-Tru and red clay tennis courts
- Complimentary greens fees on our historic 9- hole golf course
À la carte experiences available to overnight guests:
- The Carriage Lounge, featuring a full bar and handcrafted cocktails as well as hyper local draft beer and hard cider, now offering beverages to-go
- An award-winning wine list in our dining venues
- Guided rock climbing with Alpine Endeavors
- Private fitness, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness sessions
- Private tennis lessons, golf lessons, archery lessons and tomahawk throwing lessons with our pros
- Mountain bike rental to explore our single track trails
- Fishing pole rental, and bait for purchase
- Disc golf discs available for purchase (weather permitting)