Ottawa Meditation & Wellness

26/08/2025

Grateful for these kind words from a past participant; sharing this reflection in case it resonates with someone considering .

18/08/2025

🍁 This fall brings two offerings: our classic MBSR program + something brand new!://conta.cc/3HslBQn

Email from Registration is Open - Secure Your Spot Now   Get Ready for Fall: Two Upcoming Programs Offering Lifelong Skills & Personal Growth Fall MBSR Program! 🍂 Invest in your mental health and ov

02/05/2025

A 6-week online to help you build emotional , reduce stress, and reconnect with yourself.

🗓 Mondays, May 12–June 16, 2025 (one Tuesday class on May 20)
⏰ 12–1 p.m. EST · 💻 Live on Zoom
💵 $300 + HST · 📖 Includes handout booklet + recordings

What we’ll explore:
🌿 What is self-compassion?
🧘‍♀️ Mindfulness & resistance
🧠 The physiology of self-compassion
🔥 Backdraft
💞 Self-compassion vs. self-esteem
🗣 Self-criticism & inner safety
💪 Motivating with kindness (not shame)
🌊 Tools for difficult
😓 & caregiver/manager fatigue
🧭 Living from your core values
🧰 Practical skills for when you need them most

No meditation experience needed. All are welcome!
✨ A partnership with Mindfulness at Centrepointe.

👉 Sign up now to bring into your daily life—even during lunch hour.

14/04/2025

Last chance to register for our Spring MBSR Program. The orientation starts on Wednesday, April 16, at 6:00 PM. 🧘‍♀️🧘🏻

Participate in one of the most challenging yet rewarding mindfulness programs—an eight-week experiential exploration of what humans do to cause our stress and suffering and how mindfulness can help us break free from patterns that keep us from living up to our full potential and with greater contentment.

In partnership with , this experiential exploration awaits you in the heart of Nepean, Ottawa. 🏞️

You can visit omwellness.ca to find out more about MBSR or the address below to secure your spot. 🌈

https://mindfulnessatcentrepointe.com/mbsr

09/04/2025

Social anxiety often tells us to shrink, to stay in the background, to avoid being seen. It whispers that if we speak up, we’ll say the wrong thing, that if we show up, we won’t belong. But the truth is, courage isn’t about being free of fear—it’s about showing up despite it.

There’s a raw vulnerability in stepping into a room, raising your voice, or simply being present with others. But when we do, we create space for real connection. We start to realize that most people aren’t scrutinizing us the way we imagine. That our presence, just as it is, is enough.

What’s one small way you can “let yourself be seen” this week? A conversation, a gathering, a moment of presence? Sometimes, just showing up is the bravest thing we can do. 💛

07/04/2025

Health isn’t just about the absence of illness—it’s about how we live, move, and care for our minds and bodies and the world around us. On World Health Day, I’m reflecting on the core pillars of well-being:

🧠 Mind – Our mental and emotional health shape everything. Mindfulness helps us navigate stress, build resilience, and cultivate clarity. A calm, present mind supports overall well-being.

🏋️‍♀️ Body – Movement, nourishment, and rest are essential. Whether it’s mindful exercise, balanced nutrition, or quality sleep, our bodies thrive when we care for them with intention.

💙 Connection – We are wired for connection. Relationships, community, and a sense of belonging are vital for health. When we feel seen and supported, our nervous system responds, fostering healing and balance.

🌱 Purpose – A meaningful life contributes to well-being. Whether through work, creativity, or service, having a sense of purpose fuels vitality and resilience.

🏡 Environmental & Financial Well-Being – Creating a life of security, stability and sustainability, making choices that support long-term well-being.

Mindfulness weaves through all these pillars, reminding us to slow down and tend to our minds, bodies, hearts and the world around us. How are you caring for your health today? 💙

03/04/2025

Thoughts are the forerunners of all things. — The Buddha.

But what are these "things"?

They're our words, actions, habits, and, ultimately, the shape of our lives. A thought doesn't just stay in the mind—it sets the direction for how we speak, how we act, and who we become.

Consider this:
• A repeated thought of self-doubt can lead to hesitation, missed opportunities, and a habit of playing small.
• A thought of kindness can turn into a small act of generosity, strengthening a habit of compassion and shaping how others experience us.

This isn't just philosophy—it's how the mind works. Our thoughts plant the seeds of action. When we're unaware of our thoughts, they can run the show.

Here's the key: not every thought is worth following. Mindfulness helps us to notice our thoughts instead of running on autopilot. It teaches us to discern which thoughts to act on -- and which to let be. While we can't control which thoughts arise, we can control which ones we follow and empower.

We all experience unpleasant, intrusive, or critical thoughts at times. The practice isn't about controlling what thoughts arise; it's about choosing which ones deserve our attention and which ones to abandon.

Learning to work with thoughts (emotions and body sensensation and how they interact) is at the heart of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). If you want to learn how to step back from unhelpful thought patterns and cultivate a more intentional way of living, join me this spring. Orientation is on April 16—learn more and sign up at MindfulnessatCentrepointe.com.

03/04/2025

Ever feel like Eeyore, with a dark cloud hanging over you—wholly stuck in a negative mood, as if it defines who you are?

We’ve all been there. When we’re caught in a spiral of heavy thoughts, it can feel like there’s no way out. But here’s the truth: you are not your thoughts.

One of the most powerful shifts we can make is learning to relate to thoughts rather than from them. Instead of being pulled into every worry, self-judgment, or story our mind spins, we can step back and see them for what they are—observable and changeable mental events, not absolute truths. This shift is life-changing. Research even shows it’s a key factor in preventing cycles of stress, anxiety, and depression relapse.

And the good news? This isn’t just an abstract idea—it’s a skill you can learn.

That’s what we do in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Over eight weeks, we build the capacity to meet life’s challenges with greater clarity, calm, and resilience. The next session starts this spring, with orientation on April 16.

If you’re ready to change your relationship with stress and overthinking, join me. Learn more and sign up at mindfulnessatcentrepointe.com.

27/03/2025

Given the likely ice storm this weekend, this program is being rescheduled to April 13, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There are still spots available, so we hope more of you will join us! Register with Mindfulness at Centrepointe (our valued partner!) for in-person offerings.

Looking to start a mindfulness practice but don’t know where to begin?

Join us for a 1: Day Mindfulness Intensive – a perfect way to dive in with minimal time commitment and maximum impact.

🗓 Date: March 29, 2025
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Mindfulness at Centrepointe in Nepean, Ottawa.

This immersive session is designed for beginners who want a practical, accessible introduction to mindfulness. In just a few hours, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to start your own meditation practice—one you can take home and build on.

No prior experience is needed—just bring an open mind and a willingness to slow down.

🔗 To register, please visit MindfulnessatCentrepointe.com

27/03/2025

Given the likely ice storm this weekend, this program is being rescheduled to April 13, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There are still spots available, so we hope more of you will join us! Register with MindfulnessatCentrepointe.com (our valued partner!) for in-person offerings.

Looking to start a mindfulness practice but don’t know where to begin?

Join us for a 1: Day Mindfulness Intensive – a perfect way to dive in with minimal time commitment and maximum impact.

🗓 Date: March 29, 2025
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Mindfulness at Centrepointe in Nepean, Ottawa.

This immersive session is designed for beginners who want a practical, accessible introduction to mindfulness. In just a few hours, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to start your own meditation practice—one you can take home and build on.

No prior experience is needed—just bring an open mind and a willingness to slow down.

🔗 To register, please visit MindfulnessatCentrepointe.com