Spring equinox is just around the corner! What seeds will you plant in the nourishing soil of your heart? What is your vision for growth? How will you spread your branches wide and blossom? The Wood element, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, is often regarded as the military general, or in modern terms, the CEO. Its energy is visionary, decisive and commanding. It gives us the capacity to make positive choices that lead us in the direction for filling our…

How Shall We Dwell: art & meditation Saturday May 6 Free Workshop noon - 1 | Art Reception 1-3 Artist and teacher Alice George will lead this hands-on workshop, connected to a new 8-panel body of work on display at Heartwood. No experience in meditation or art making required Nancy Floy, Heartwood founder, will begin the workshop with a guided meditation. Participants will experiment with provided materials to create an object of attention — a small piece of art to…

Reconciliation and Homecoming: Playfulness and Experimentation in Embodiment in the Buddha’s Own Words A continuation of  our playful exploration of what the Pali Canon (generally recognized as the most authoritative record of the Buddha’s teachings) has to say about recognizing the amazing capabilities of our human birth, with particular focus on the challenges and possibilities of our embodied experience. We will further explore and deepen our own unique experience through a variety of guided experiments in self-discovery of the seeds…

A Collective Care Experience for Women with Mazie, your healing-centered mentor & educator. To learn more and register, CLICK HERE. 

We are all connected in more ways than we can ever know. From the ancestral DNA that creates the blueprint for our cellular expression to the energetic resonance we feel as we connect to someone in our presence, connecting helps us know that we are alive and safe in the world.  We are connected through time: the decisions we make now will affect the next seven generations and beyond.  We connect with the beauty of nature and to the plants…

Hina invites you to join her MSC Course for a journey of learning, self-discovery, and self-awareness to nurture and grow your own self-compassion and emotional resiliency. The course will be offered live via Zoom over 8 weeks, and includes a silent retreat. 8 weeks, 3-hour class once a week (24 hours) September 4th, 2023 - October 23, 2023 (Mondays). Time: 5:00 pm CST to 8:00 pm CST 1 retreat (3 hours) - Saturday, October 7th, 2023, from 9:30 am -…

This course is an adaptation of the empirically-supported 8-week course. The SC-MSC is designed with a targeted set of practices from the longer course, requiring less initial time commitment. Details 1.5 hours on day one and 1 hour every class following. Saturday, September 9th: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CST. Saturday, Sept 16, 23, 30th: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CST. Session summaries  Certificate of completion *Please note: a minimum number of students is required for the class to run—if…

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-earth-element-sound-healing-circle-tickets-695735773427?aff=oddtdtcreator 

The Yoga of Reconnection: A Fall Yoga and Meditation Retreat with Nick and Lela Beem Sunday, October 1, 9a-5p The Heartwood Center, Evanston TO REGISTER: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=28004&stype=-8&sVT=12&sView=day&sLoc=0&sTrn=100000001&date=10/01/23

The Zentangle Method Let's Play! with Nancy Simon Play is such an integral  part of the human experience.  And with trauma, frequently, the playful and free artist within shuts down and runs for cover. Having had significant depression as a child and feeling powerless, art was the way for me to feel alive, free and happy.  Even as a 4 year old, I spent hours drawing  portraits, scribbling, sketching  and making shapes. I loved creating a world full of color…

It’s happening! Free 90-minute marketing workshop for the Heartwood community on Wednesday, November 1 beginning at noon. Hope you to see you there! To register: https://giordanochristina.activehosted.com/f/34

Tuesday, November 14 from 5:00-6:30pm  In this session, Geshe Lobsang Amchock will introduce basic shamatha meditation and zhi-gnas as taught in the Classical Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Followed by Guided Meditation. Thanks to a collaboration at Northwestern University, neuroscientists Dr. Robin Nusslock, Dr. Ken Paller and Dr. Marcia Grabowecky are hosting four Tibetan Buddhist scholars this fall for an in-depth research training program in human neuroscience including an independent study on the neuroscience of lucid dreaming. RSVP to : minglasherpa2027@u.northwestern.edu  ***The training…

You are invited to a beautiful evening of meditation and music with an intention to support you in reaching deep states of relaxation. The evening, led by sought-after sound meditation facilitator Jay Taylor, will feature sound from crystal singing bowls, shruti box, percussion, native flute, and more. Lay back and allow the powerful frequencies of the instruments to support you on your inward journey. During our practice together you are encouraged to be aware of what arises with each new sound, explore the sensations, breath, and…

Tuesdays, 5:30pm to 7pm. Heartwood's sanghas are increasingly body-centered, deeply curious about delving into a variety of meditative approaches while still honoring Siddhartha Gautama's radical notion of sitting quietly until he understood suffering — and how to break free from it. Each session will open with a guided meditation, progress to an exploration of new approaches and techniques, dive into group practice exploring those techniques, and end with discussion and Q&A. We will spend the next several months studying the…

“Laughter is the best medicine, “ as they say. I offer you an easy way to bring in well-being in the new year!! Come and try laughter for yourself, in this in-person experiential class. Children laugh so easily and very often, where adults barely laugh in a day. Laughter is not only easy and feels good, but it has plenty of benefit such as:  Quickly reduce physical, mental, and emotional stress. (70%-80% of illness is related to stress).  Strengthen immune…

MAC TALLA: A Body Freedom WorkshopSaturday January 27th 1:00-4pmIn-person only at Heartwood, in SkylightLed by Sarah Tolan-Mee and Sarah Westbrook$49, sliding scale availableREGISTER hereThe New Year calls for a new start. Let this workshop set the tone. Want to be stronger without hurting yourself? Get embodied. Want to motivate yourself without self-hate? Get curious and drop old stories. Want to find community to combat isolation? Join us! This will be an AMAZING Somatic Deep Cleaning of the body! We'll move,…

Instead of making resolutions, setting intentions, or planning goals for 2024 — I challenge you to create Power Practices! Resolutions, intentions, and goals are surface-level and easy to break. Power Practices are promises you keep. On Sunday, January 28th, I’m hosting my virtual Power Practices Workshop to teach you three simple, stick-with-it, systemic practices that you can start using right away to see big, beautiful shifts in your daily life. You’ll shift → - Your energy from stress and struggle, to calm…

Eventbrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shamanic-healing-journey-renewal-and-calibration-tickets-798904864957

Sunday, February 11, 1:30-4:00pm at Heartwood We’ll learn about the Year of the Dragon, introduce ourselves and participate in a Tai Chi practice with Daniel Thatcher, a wonderful teacher. Come and bring a guest or two. No Tai Chi experience is needed

Saturday February 24, 3:00pm to 4:15pm Facilitated by: Mazie Soto Join us for a calming session of gentle yoga, restorative yoga nidra meditation, intentional rest, and stimulating conversations with fellow women. Heartwood Center 1818 Dempster St. Evanston https://www.ayurvidamazie.com/offerings/events

Aikido is a modern martial art rooted in traditional forms of Japanese culture. As a physical activity, Aikido promotes flexibility, cardio-vascular and aerobic conditioning, and strength. Regular practice of Aikido also improves mental wellbeing including relaxation, focus, self-confidence, and awareness. While being an effective system of self-defense, Aikido techniques emphasize nonviolent engagement and self-control. The Lakeshore Aikido Club offers classes for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. No previous experience is necessary. Registrations are open online with modest dues and various…

All levels yoga class focusing on yoga philosophy, asana practice, and how we can take what we learn on our mats and apply it to our daily lives - living yoga as a lifestyle. Register Here: https://bit.ly/RSYClassRegistration

  RSVP HERE.

Breathing for Meditators: Beyond Belly Breathing Most meditators understand the vital role of the breath, but often breathing practices can feel uncomfortable. Different body shapes breathe differently! Adjust how you inhale and exhale to calm the nervous system and quiet the mind. Sarah will clarify how breathing works and, even better, offer easy to remember visual, tactile and auditory cues. You will learn how you need to breathe for your unique anatomy. Breathe correctly, and relaxation naturally follows. Sarah Westbrook,…

Therapeutic Yoga Group Class Limited Series! 4 Mondays this June. Only $25! Drop-in to this friendly gentle yoga class. Each student receives a unique sequence designed to address their main complaint: pain anywhere in the body, breathing issues, or any other physical or mental concern. Sarah & your own Assistant Yoga Teacher will guide you every step of the way. Receive expert care and individual attention at a group class price.

“Yoga nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation.” — Swami Satyananda Saraswati Think of it as a guided meditation where all you have to do is lie down and listen to the instructions. All you need is 30 minutes to deeply relax your mind and body. Sessions are offered virtually. A link will be sent upon registration. Pay what you can: $5-$15. All proceeds will be donated to a charity each month. View the list…

QiGong movements are synchronized with the breath as a way to relax the body, create flow, and balance energy. Qi is energy, and the movements of QiGong are ways to cultivate this life-force energy within you. Furthermore, the practice allows the body to restore and connect to its natural state of health and harmony. Yesica Barrera is a certified Holden QiGong teacher. Holden QiGong is a modern style under the umbrella of Medical Qigong. The movements and techniques utilized in…

MAC TALLA: Somatic Sweat Second Saturdays 7:00pm - 8:15pm Heartwood Yoga Room $20, sliding scale available Somatic cardio, strength and mindfulness. Simple movements, repeated to music, build internal sensation. Simple mantras, repeated, release restrictions. Simple breath patterns, repeated, provoke and settle. The outcome is a stronger, calmer you, fully present to whatever life sends your way. Yoga mats provided. Be barefoot or bring gym shoes.

Beginners class! Register online www.faulktaichi.com or contact Arlene. Tuesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm All students need to be fully vaccinated and mask-wearing will continue to follow Evanston guidelines.

Previous Tai Chi experience needed. Please contact Arlene to register for this class. Mondays: 5:30-6:30 pm. For the safety of all students, you must be fully vaccinated for COVID 19 to participate.

Mixed Beginners class! Register online www.faulktaichi.com or contact Arlene. Tuesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 pm All students need to be fully vaccinated and mask-wearing will continue to follow Evanston guidelines.

Thursday, September 12, 2024 9:30 AM 12:30 PM Hina invites you to join her MSC Course for a journey of learning, self-discovery, and self-awareness to nurture and grow your own self-compassion and emotional resiliency. The course will be offered live via Zoom over 8 weeks, and includes a silent retreat. 8 weeks, 3-hour class once a week (24 hours) September 12th, 2024 (Thursdays). Time: 9:30 am CST to 12:30 pm CST. 1 retreat (3 hours) - TBD After completing this…

Join Tanya Sugarman to celebrate the Equinox and the opening of her new art show with a crystal bowl meditation and a guided oracle card interpretation on Sunday, September 22nd at the Heartwood Center.

Beginners class! Register online www.faulktaichi.com or contact Arlene. Tuesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm All students need to be fully vaccinated and mask-wearing will continue to follow Evanston guidelines.

Previous Tai Chi experience needed. Please contact Arlene to register for this class. Mondays: 5:30-6:30 pm. For the safety of all students, you must be fully vaccinated for COVID 19 to participate.

Aikido is a modern martial art rooted in traditional forms of Japanese culture. As a physical activity, Aikido promotes flexibility, cardio-vascular and aerobic conditioning, and strength. Regular practice of Aikido also improves mental wellbeing including relaxation, focus, self-confidence, and awareness. While being an effective system of self-defense, Aikido techniques emphasize nonviolent engagement and self-control. The Lakeshore Aikido Club offers classes for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. No previous experience is necessary. Registrations are open online with modest dues and various…

Mixed Beginners class! Register online www.faulktaichi.com or contact Arlene. Tuesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 pm All students need to be fully vaccinated and mask-wearing will continue to follow Evanston guidelines.

Tuesdays, 5:30pm to 7pm. Heartwood's sanghas are increasingly body-centered, deeply curious about delving into a variety of meditative approaches while still honoring Siddhartha Gautama's radical notion of sitting quietly until he understood suffering — and how to break free from it. Each session will open with a guided meditation, progress to an exploration of new approaches and techniques, dive into group practice exploring those techniques, and end with discussion and Q&A. We will spend the next several months studying the…

“Yoga nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation.” — Swami Satyananda Saraswati Think of it as a guided meditation where all you have to do is lie down and listen to the instructions. All you need is 30 minutes to deeply relax your mind and body. Sessions are offered virtually. A link will be sent upon registration. Pay what you can: $5-$15. All proceeds will be donated to a charity each month. View the list…

Aikido is a modern martial art rooted in traditional forms of Japanese culture. As a physical activity, Aikido promotes flexibility, cardio-vascular and aerobic conditioning, and strength. Regular practice of Aikido also improves mental wellbeing including relaxation, focus, self-confidence, and awareness. While being an effective system of self-defense, Aikido techniques emphasize nonviolent engagement and self-control. The Lakeshore Aikido Club offers classes for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. No previous experience is necessary. Registrations are open online with modest dues and various…

Thursday, September 12, 2024 9:30 AM 12:30 PM Hina invites you to join her MSC Course for a journey of learning, self-discovery, and self-awareness to nurture and grow your own self-compassion and emotional resiliency. The course will be offered live via Zoom over 8 weeks, and includes a silent retreat. 8 weeks, 3-hour class once a week (24 hours) September 12th, 2024 (Thursdays). Time: 9:30 am CST to 12:30 pm CST. 1 retreat (3 hours) - TBD After completing this…

Aikido is a modern martial art rooted in traditional forms of Japanese culture. As a physical activity, Aikido promotes flexibility, cardio-vascular and aerobic conditioning, and strength. Regular practice of Aikido also improves mental wellbeing including relaxation, focus, self-confidence, and awareness. While being an effective system of self-defense, Aikido techniques emphasize nonviolent engagement and self-control. The Lakeshore Aikido Club offers classes for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. No previous experience is necessary. Registrations are open online with modest dues and various…

Tuesdays, 5:30pm to 7pm. Heartwood's sanghas are increasingly body-centered, deeply curious about delving into a variety of meditative approaches while still honoring Siddhartha Gautama's radical notion of sitting quietly until he understood suffering — and how to break free from it. Each session will open with a guided meditation, progress to an exploration of new approaches and techniques, dive into group practice exploring those techniques, and end with discussion and Q&A. We will spend the next several months studying the…

“Yoga nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation.” — Swami Satyananda Saraswati Think of it as a guided meditation where all you have to do is lie down and listen to the instructions. All you need is 30 minutes to deeply relax your mind and body. Sessions are offered virtually. A link will be sent upon registration. Pay what you can: $5-$15. All proceeds will be donated to a charity each month. View the list…

Aikido is a modern martial art rooted in traditional forms of Japanese culture. As a physical activity, Aikido promotes flexibility, cardio-vascular and aerobic conditioning, and strength. Regular practice of Aikido also improves mental wellbeing including relaxation, focus, self-confidence, and awareness. While being an effective system of self-defense, Aikido techniques emphasize nonviolent engagement and self-control. The Lakeshore Aikido Club offers classes for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. No previous experience is necessary. Registrations are open online with modest dues and various…

MAC TALLA: Somatic Sweat Second Saturdays 7:00pm - 8:15pm Heartwood Yoga Room $20, sliding scale available Somatic cardio, strength and mindfulness. Simple movements, repeated to music, build internal sensation. Simple mantras, repeated, release restrictions. Simple breath patterns, repeated, provoke and settle. The outcome is a stronger, calmer you, fully present to whatever life sends your way. Yoga mats provided. Be barefoot or bring gym shoes.

Aikido is a modern martial art rooted in traditional forms of Japanese culture. As a physical activity, Aikido promotes flexibility, cardio-vascular and aerobic conditioning, and strength. Regular practice of Aikido also improves mental wellbeing including relaxation, focus, self-confidence, and awareness. While being an effective system of self-defense, Aikido techniques emphasize nonviolent engagement and self-control. The Lakeshore Aikido Club offers classes for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. No previous experience is necessary. Registrations are open online with modest dues and various…

Tuesdays, 5:30pm to 7pm. Heartwood's sanghas are increasingly body-centered, deeply curious about delving into a variety of meditative approaches while still honoring Siddhartha Gautama's radical notion of sitting quietly until he understood suffering — and how to break free from it. Each session will open with a guided meditation, progress to an exploration of new approaches and techniques, dive into group practice exploring those techniques, and end with discussion and Q&A. We will spend the next several months studying the…

“Yoga nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation.” — Swami Satyananda Saraswati Think of it as a guided meditation where all you have to do is lie down and listen to the instructions. All you need is 30 minutes to deeply relax your mind and body. Sessions are offered virtually. A link will be sent upon registration. Pay what you can: $5-$15. All proceeds will be donated to a charity each month. View the list…

Aikido is a modern martial art rooted in traditional forms of Japanese culture. As a physical activity, Aikido promotes flexibility, cardio-vascular and aerobic conditioning, and strength. Regular practice of Aikido also improves mental wellbeing including relaxation, focus, self-confidence, and awareness. While being an effective system of self-defense, Aikido techniques emphasize nonviolent engagement and self-control. The Lakeshore Aikido Club offers classes for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. No previous experience is necessary. Registrations are open online with modest dues and various…

Aikido is a modern martial art rooted in traditional forms of Japanese culture. As a physical activity, Aikido promotes flexibility, cardio-vascular and aerobic conditioning, and strength. Regular practice of Aikido also improves mental wellbeing including relaxation, focus, self-confidence, and awareness. While being an effective system of self-defense, Aikido techniques emphasize nonviolent engagement and self-control. The Lakeshore Aikido Club offers classes for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. No previous experience is necessary. Registrations are open online with modest dues and various…

Tuesdays, 5:30pm to 7pm. Heartwood's sanghas are increasingly body-centered, deeply curious about delving into a variety of meditative approaches while still honoring Siddhartha Gautama's radical notion of sitting quietly until he understood suffering — and how to break free from it. Each session will open with a guided meditation, progress to an exploration of new approaches and techniques, dive into group practice exploring those techniques, and end with discussion and Q&A. We will spend the next several months studying the…

“Yoga nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation.” — Swami Satyananda Saraswati Think of it as a guided meditation where all you have to do is lie down and listen to the instructions. All you need is 30 minutes to deeply relax your mind and body. Sessions are offered virtually. A link will be sent upon registration. Pay what you can: $5-$15. All proceeds will be donated to a charity each month. View the list…

Aikido is a modern martial art rooted in traditional forms of Japanese culture. As a physical activity, Aikido promotes flexibility, cardio-vascular and aerobic conditioning, and strength. Regular practice of Aikido also improves mental wellbeing including relaxation, focus, self-confidence, and awareness. While being an effective system of self-defense, Aikido techniques emphasize nonviolent engagement and self-control. The Lakeshore Aikido Club offers classes for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. No previous experience is necessary. Registrations are open online with modest dues and various…

Aikido is a modern martial art rooted in traditional forms of Japanese culture. As a physical activity, Aikido promotes flexibility, cardio-vascular and aerobic conditioning, and strength. Regular practice of Aikido also improves mental wellbeing including relaxation, focus, self-confidence, and awareness. While being an effective system of self-defense, Aikido techniques emphasize nonviolent engagement and self-control. The Lakeshore Aikido Club offers classes for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. No previous experience is necessary. Registrations are open online with modest dues and various…