Tag: Mindfulness

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Denise Feldman

Have you ever created a time capsule? Or sent a postcard to a friend, or even to yourself? In this workshop we’ll reimagine a simple cardboard box into a memory-keeping time capsule and create handmade postcards to keep inside—ready to capture a peek into our thoughts, feelings, experiences, hopes and memories from this unique and challenging time in our lives. Join local mixed media artist and cancer survivor, Denise Feldman, for this virtual ‘healing through creativity’ workshop.

Denise sets a warm, inviting atmosphere and no previous art or mixed media experience is needed—all are welcome! NOTE: Prompts and themes are provided so participants may complete their postcard writing following the workshop.

Suggested Materials:

  • Shoe box, photo storage box or other container (for collage and/or painting)
  • Poster board, card stock or cardboard 
  • Magazines, children’s artwork, old photos/letters
  • Glue stick, ModPodge or other liquid glue/adhesive
  • Ruler
  • Scissors

About Denise Feldman

Denise Feldman is a local mixed media artist who discovered the power of creativity as a healing practice after her treatment for breast cancer in 2014. As a creative ‘dabbler’ who loves working with various materials and surfaces, Denise shares her mixed media processes and soulful perspective with the hope of inspiring others to tell their stories ‘on and off the page’ and clear space for life’s chapters yet to come.

“My philosophy is simply that telling our stories helps us heal by giving us the space to process our own experiences and connect with each other. Getting our stories out from our hearts and our heads helps make room for the next chapter to happen…the one just waiting there in the wings.” ~Denise

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Chef Kara Garrett

Chef Kara’s Tofu Scramble

Join Chef Kara for a fun morning of virtual cooking where she will demonstrate and guide you through cooking a plant-based, protein-packed brunch to start your day. We will make a vegan tofu scramble that can be customized to include any of your favorite veggies on hand. We will also prepare a chocolate-almond mug cake that is healthy and easy to prepare – you can even cook it in the microwave if you don’t want to heat up the oven!

Chef Kara will share tips on incorporating more plant-based proteins into your daily meals and answer any questions you have on ingredients or cooking techniques. Most importantly, we will join together to enjoy our brunch and discuss our kitchen challenges and successes.

This is an interactive class and you are welcome to simply watch for new ideas, or to choose which of the items you would like to prepare along with Chef Kara.

Menu Items:

  • Veggie Loaded Tofu Scramble
  • 15-minute Chocolate-Almond Cake

Note: The tofu scramble recipe will prepare 4 servings and the cake will be one serving. Recipes are easy to adapt to any serving size.

Note: Please have all ingredients and supplies out and ready to use before joining the class. Contact Chef Kara prior to class for any questions regarding ingredient or equipment substitutions.

Tofu Scramble Ingredients:

  • 1 block extra firm tofu
  • Onion
  • Garlic cloves
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Turmeric powder
  • Black pepper
  • Nutritional yeast (optional, but adds “eggy” flavor and vitamin B12)
  • Milk of choice
  • 2-3 vegetables of choice (Chef Kara will be using red bell pepper, broccoli, and
  • cherry tomatoes)
  • Optional serving choices: avocado, toast, tortilla, scallions, hot sauce

Chocolate Mug Cake Ingredients:

  • Almond Flour (or 1/3 cup almonds or pecans, ground in food processor/blender)
  • Cocoa powder
  • Maple syrup
  • Salt
  • Baking Powder
  • Milk of choice
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Optional garnish: chocolate chips, coconut flakes or chopped nuts

Kitchen supplies:

  • Cutting board and knife
  • Sauté pan
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • 2 mixing bowls
  • Measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • Whisk
  • Ramekin or coffee mug (if using microwave)

About Chef Kara Garrett

Kara Garrett Cancer Support Program Coordinator

Kara is a health-supportive chef based in Washington, DC. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she embraced the challenge of finding a balance between her foodie lifestyle and eating well with cancer. She has adopted a flexible diet plan that focuses on plant-based, sustainable whole foods, but does not restrict indulgences of things she loves. She is passionate about working with others to encourage healthier food choices that energize the body and the soul.

Kara graduated in August 2017 from the Chef Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC and spent one month as the sous chef at The Ananda Ashram Yoga Society of New York in Monroe, NY. She is currently enrolled in the Developing Healthy Communities: Nutrition, Behavior, and Physical Activity graduate program at Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

Este programa se ofrece virtualmente en Zoom. Para participar y recibir la información de Zoom, debe registrarse aquí o email carla@smithcenter.org

with LaColectiva

Vasalisa en mi

Join us Monday, March 8th at 1pm for a workshop hosted by LaColectiva, women’s artist collective located in Bucaramanga, Colombia. This workshop will explore themes found in the book Women who Run with the Wolves: Myths & Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype. 

Participants will be invited to create a doll based on their own wildness! 

Reconnect with your feminine intuition! 

Let it go, renew your thoughts, rejuvenate your soul, and discover the power of your psyche. 

Only in taking these steps can we explore our intuition and let it guide us in our spiritual search for ourselves.

Materials you’ll need: 

Paper, pencil or markers, scissors, pink yarn (or any colors you have), needle & thread

Información programática en Español: 

 

LaColectiva un grupo de artistas de la ciudad de Bucaramanga, que viene trabajando sobre el quehacer artístico en Santander y reflexionando acerca del género y sus implicaciones socioculturales; a partir de estas preocupaciones se da inicio a una búsqueda de identidad a través de expresiones artísticas que, entrando en consonancia con las experiencias propias, planteen análisis, cuestionamientos y discusiones a los roles asignados y relacionados con lo femenino, para generar conocimientos y contribuir a las transformaciones sociales de la región.

@la.colectiva

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Smith Center Staff

Join Smith Center staff for a social hour of community and connection!

Click the Zoom link to join us:

https://zoom.us/j/91456812779

Tea and Conversation will be held Monthly on the 2nd Friday from 10 – 11am.

Upcoming Dates: 

  • June 11

Click here to learn more about Smith Center staff. 

 

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Smith Center Staff

Join Smith Center staff for a social hour of community and connection!

Click the Zoom link to join us:

https://zoom.us/j/91456812779

Tea and Conversation will be held Monthly on the 2nd Friday from 10 – 11am.

Upcoming Dates: 

  • May 14
  • June 11

Click here to learn more about Smith Center staff. 

 

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Smith Center Staff

Join Smith Center staff for a social hour of community and connection!

Click the Zoom link to join us:

https://zoom.us/j/91456812779

Tea and Conversation will be held Monthly on the 2nd Friday from 10 – 11am.

Upcoming Dates: 

  • April 9
  • May 14
  • June 11

Click here to learn more about Smith Center staff. 

 

This program is being offered virtually via Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Ana Leilani Ka’ahanui of Capital Nature

Reston Bioblitz (Photo: Ana Ka’ahanui)
Reston Bioblitz (Photo: Ana Ka’ahanui)

Need a little dose of green to destress and reconnect with yourself? Restorative nature-based practices are available to you, even if you are stuck at home. Certified forest therapy guide, Ana Ka’ahanui will guide you through the experience of shinrin-yoku, the Japanese term for “forest bathing.” Shinrin-yoku is a nature therapy practice that has its roots in ancient Shinto traditions and modern medicine, to support wellbeing. Contemplative but more active than meditation, shirin-yoku has been demonstrated to reduce blood pressure, boost immunity, and enhance mood and creativity.

 

Ana will lead this session virtually from a beautiful nature spot in the DC metro area, inviting you to engage your senses in a restorative and relaxing immersion experience from home. You are invited to join from inside your house or apartment, yard, or balcony, wherever you can view a spot of green for the session.

Suggested Donation: $10

Capital Nature

Capital Nature is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing nature into the lives of Washington Metro area residents and visitors. We are a fiscal 501c3 project of Green Spaces for DC.

We believe people are healthier, and our communities more resilient when nature is part of our lives. We envision a Washington DC region where a culture of nature engagement and stewardship thrives—where daily contact with the natural world supports human wellbeing  and ecological health across our communities.

Capital Nature provides information on the region’s many available, but not always known, nature events: from forest walks to citizen science adventures to educational workshops and stewardship projects. We collaborate with partners and friends to create new opportunities for nature engagement, and invite all to share their stories of experience with the natural world.

Through Capital Nature’s Biophilic Practice Group, we develop nature-based designs and strategies for wellbeing and community health.

About Ana Leilani Ka’ahanui

Ana Leilani Ka'ahanui

Ana Leilani Ka’ahanui is Co-Founder and Director of Tours & Experiential Programs for Capital Nature, a regional nonprofit that promotes nature engagement in the Washington DC metro area. She is a certified forest bathing guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and is passionate about sharing the practice, which is needed now more than ever. Ana is also a Virginia Master Naturalist and committed to connecting people to nature through citizen science and other biodiversity initiatives such as the global City Nature Challenge.

This program is being offered virtually via Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Kiersten Gallagher and Mindy Brodsky, LCSWA

SC Writes for Young Adults (1)

This program was born out of our SC Writes program offered to young adults living with cancer. The effect of writing and sharing our writing in a safe and sacred space with each other has been healing and inspiring. In SC Writing Space, each week, there will be a writing prompt, fifteen-minutes of off-screen writing time, and the remainder of the hour will be left for reading and sharing. This healing program offers a place for supporting one another and we stay clear of writing critique. Come and experience writing and sharing together.
All ages, people living with cancer and non-cancer program participants are welcome. This program will be limited to 6 participants. Register for one, or as many sessions as you would like. Please let us know if you are unable to attend, as space is limited.

SC Writing Space will be offered bi-monthly on Tuesdays from 1:30-2:30pm. 

Each session is limited to 6 participants, so register early!

Upcoming Dates:

  • March 2 & 16
  • April 20 & 27
  • May 4 & 11

About Kiersten Gallagher

Kiersten has served as the Cancer Support Program Director for Smith Center since 2014. Before coming to Smith Center, she had the privilege to serve individuals and families living with cancer at Wellness House of Annapolis. Kiersten aims to offer programs to reduce stress and help participants to see the world we live in from different perspectives. She thoroughly enjoys teaching yoga and creativity classes at SmithCenter and encourages gentle movement and creativity in the healing process. Kiersten is a certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance and also has her YCAT (Yoga Therapy in Cancer and Chronic Illness) Professional Certification through the Integral Yoga Academy. She has completed Patient Navigation training through Smith Center’s Institute for Integrative Oncology Navigation and has also completed the Commonweal Healing Circles: Advanced Cancer Support Training. Kiersten is also certified in CLIMB®(Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) a program that aims to build upon the strengths of children and increase his/her ability to cope with stress associated with a parent’s illness. She believes in a holistic approach to healing, human relationships and is grateful for each and every day. In her spare time, you may find Kiersten laughing with friends, cycling, taking art classes, practicing yoga and spending time with her husband Shane, son Liam, and dogs Hooper and Pablo.

About Mindy Brodsky, LCSWA

Mindy Brodsky

Mindy Brodsky specializes in trauma-informed, strengths-based counseling with a passion for integrative health and healing. Mindy honors her clients as the experts of their lives, and she strives to provide a supportive and safe environment.
After a career in social justice advocacy and her own challenging health journey, Mindy aspires to meet her clients where they are to help them achieve their goals.

This program is being offered virtually via Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Capital Nature

Bud Break Walk with Melanie Choukas-Bradley on Theodore Roosevelt Island (Photo: Ana Ka’ahanui)
Bud Break Walk with Melanie Choukas-Bradley on Theodore Roosevelt Island (Photo: Ana Ka’ahanui)

Nature has an amazing power to heal. If you’ve ever taken a walk to clear your head, sat on a beach to take in the refreshing air, walked under the trees, or tended a garden, you know how restorative time in nature can be. Especially when dealing with cancer, nature can be healer, friend, and counselor, helping to bring us back to wholeness.

 

Smith Center invites you to join our friends at Capital Nature to explore practices, both ancient and new, that connect us to the potential healing power of nature in our lives. 

 

Stella will introduce Capital Nature’s work in this innovative field, and Ana and Melanie will introduce forest bathing as a healing practice. Their section will include a short nature immersion experience. Brenda will share her work East of the River in DC where activists are bringing healing and justice to their communities through nature engagement.

Capital Nature

Capital Nature is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing nature into the lives of Washington Metro area residents and visitors. We are a fiscal 501c3 project of Green Spaces for DC.

We believe people are healthier, and our communities more resilient when nature is part of our lives. We envision a Washington DC region where a culture of nature engagement and stewardship thrives—where daily contact with the natural world supports human wellbeing  and ecological health across our communities.

Capital Nature provides information on the region’s many available, but not always known, nature events: from forest walks to citizen science adventures to educational workshops and stewardship projects. We collaborate with partners and friends to create new opportunities for nature engagement, and invite all to share their stories of experience with the natural world.

Through Capital Nature’s Biophilic Practice Group, we develop nature-based designs and strategies for wellbeing and community health.

About Stella Tarnay

Stella Tarnay

Stella Tarnay Is co-founder and Executive Director of Capital Nature, a nonprofit with a mission to bring nature into Washington DC-area residents’ lives. She leads Capital Nature’s partnership efforts and co-creates programs with Ana that promote wellbeing, stewardship, and a joyful connection with the living world. Educated as an urban planner, Stella also leads Capital Nature’s Biophilic Practice Group. She is a practicing member of the Shambhala DC meditation community.

About Melanie Choukas-Bradley

Melanie Choukas-Bradley

Melanie Choukas-Bradley is the author of seven nature books focused on the Washington, DC area. She leads nature walks and talks for many organizations, including Smithsonian Associates, the US Botanic Garden, the Audubon Naturalist Society and the Nature Conservancy. Melanie is on the Advisory Board of Capital Nature.

About Ana Leilani Ka’ahanui

Ana Leilani Ka'ahanui

Ana Leilani Ka’ahanui is Co-Founder and Director of Tours & Experiential Programs for Capital Nature. She is a forest bathing guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and is passionate about sharing the practice, which is needed now more than ever. Ana is also a Virginia Master Naturalist and committed to connecting people to nature through citizen science and other biodiversity initiatives such as the global City Nature Challenge. 

About Brenda Richardson

Brenda Lee Richardson

Brenda Richardson is an eco-feminist and community advocate for health, mental wellness, education, welfare reform and environmental justice. She is also a consultant that specializes in community engagement, training, facilitation and government relations. Brenda is a founder of the Friends of Oxon Run Park and is on the Advisory Board of Capital Nature. She is anxious to re-ignite spirits to help re-imagine our new future.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Ravenna Raven

Seasonal by Ravenna Raven

If you’re a good listener, people will trust you with their stories. The Good Listening Project is a nonprofit that promotes cultures of listening to support healing. In this interactive workshop, Listener Poet Ravenna Raven will share tips about her process from starting a conversation with a stranger to creating a poem for them, and will invite you to try these techniques with someone else in the group.

Suggested Donation: $10

About Ravenna Raven

Ravenna Raven

Ravenna Raven is a poet, educator, and sewing artist living in Washington, D.C. She spent her childhood in a 250-year-old farmhouse in rural New Jersey, reading and writing stories to entertain herself. While studying poetry as a graduate student at the University of Maryland, she began developing and teaching courses for creative writing, reading development, and inquiry research. Ravenna is a listener poet with a nonprofit that promotes good listening in hospitals and healing spaces while supporting patient and staff wellbeing and the humanization of healthcare. Her upcoming projects will combine her love of language with a passion for sewing and garment design to create custom, one-of-a-kind wearable poems.

About The Good Listening Project

The Good Listening Project

The Good Listening Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that helps build cultures of good listening to support resilience and healing in healthcare systems. Our Listener Poets speak with people in healthcare settings and write custom poetry based on these conversations.

Why We Listen

By modeling good listening and writing poems, we help people feel safe, human, and heard. By publishing and promoting the poems and stories of our participants, we seek to highlight the humanity within the healthcare system.

We also host webinars and interactive workshops about how to be a good listener. The organic ripple effect of good listening fundamentally shifts how it feels to work and receive care at a hospital.

We envision a more resilient world where all people experience connection and belonging.

https://www.goodlistening.org/