Retreat Description
This retreat will offer teachers and educators a chance to refresh themselves and cultivate their own personal mindfulness and self-compassion practice as a base for sharing mindfulness with others. It will support them to have an experiential understanding of the practices, and develop the language and skills needed to bring the practice of mindfulness back to the communities they serve. They will also learn effective methods to enhance presence and connection with others, attention, kindness, and emotional well-being inside and outside the classroom.
The retreat center at Greatwoods Zen offers an intimate setting in nature that pleasantly supports our communal practice of mindfulness. The modest retreat size is a precious and powerful opportunity that allows for every participant to have personal contact with the Teachers.
We are excited to welcome you to our community of practice!
This is a Wake-Up Schools Level I Program. For more information, visit wakeupschools.org (there is a lot of inspiring material available on their site!)
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**Practices during the retreat will include:**
Mindful Breathing
Walking Meditation
Mindful Movements
Mindful Eating
Deep Relaxation
Circle Sharing
Loving speech & deep listening
Stopping, Pausing, and Looking Deeply
Bells of Mindfulness in Daily Life
**The retreat will also include:**
The Power of Mindfulness and Yoga - for both educators and students
Ways to develop mindful communication
Inspiration to support mindfulness practice among co-workers and school staff
Ways to sustainably care for oneself as an educator
Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Practices (See CenterforMSC.org for more info)
Financial Assistance
Anyone who wishes to attend the retreat will be welcomed, no matter of financial ability. We are happy to share that we have a generous scholarship fund for this retreat!
Retreat Teachers:
Kerry MacDonald
Kerry currently serves as a school-based occupational therapist in Mecklenburg County. In this role, she is passionate about collaborating with teachers and staff to co-create environments that nurture sensory regulation for both students and educators. Since arriving in Charlotte in 2019, she has devoted her career to empowering children and families through holistic, body-based care. Deeply fascinated by the miraculous intelligence of the brain and body, Kerry loves helping kids discover personalized strategies that awaken their unique strengths and support them in returning to their center—that inner space where connection, learning, and a love for life can flourish.
In addition to her work as an occupational therapist, Kerry also teaches both adult and kids’ yoga, with a steady fire to guide practitioners of all ages into a compassionate, curious connection with the physical sensations of their bodies in the present moment. Whether in the classroom or the studio, Kerry brings warmth, creativity, and deep reverence for the human spirit to all she offers.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kerry celebrates life through creating and playing music, learning Spanish, exploring the glorious nature of North Carolina, and sharing stories over a cozy cup of cacao with dear friends.
David Viafora, LICSW
David leads mindfulness retreats for educators, physicians, families, teens, children, young adults, and other groups in North America and Europe. He first ordained as a monk with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in 2005 and spent several years living in the Plum Village tradition monasteries before finding his nice in community lay life. David is a Mindful Self-Compassion certified teacher. His new book, “Thriving Together: 9 Principles for Cocreating True Community” teaches how we can create the conditions for joy and solidity in any community. This book highlights David’s boundless joy, gratitude, and love for Sangha building. David identifies as a white-presenting Chinese-American cis man, and works as a licensed therapist for children, adults, and families. Some of David’s favorite things to do are drinking tea in the woods with friends, Sangha game nights, sober dance parties, and sunset meditations.
