Author, yoga instructor and women’s studies expert Beth Berila will be the keynote speaker for the University of Mary Washington’s fourth annual Mindfulness Week that begins Monday, Oct. 10.
Berila, director of the women’s studies program at St. Cloud State University, will conduct an interactive lecture on Thursday, Oct. 13, about why mindfulness is important in bringing about social justice. The 7 p.m. session will be held in the Hurley Convergence Center’s Digital Auditorium. Preceding her talk, Berila will conduct a workshop on contemplative practice for social activists in danger of experiencing “burn-out” from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday in Lee Hall, Room 412. Those attending this workshop should bring with them one object that symbolizes their commitment to social justice.
Berila also is author of Integrating Mindfulness into Anti-Oppression Pedagogy: Social Justice in Higher Education and an instructor for 500-hour Ayurvedic yoga.
Mindfulness Week features a series of activities that focuses on the importance of having a healthy lifestyle. The event is co-sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs, the Leidecker Center for Asian Studies, Campus Recreation and the Departments of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion and Art and Art History. All activities are free and open to the public.
Other activities include:
Monday, Oct. 10
- Introduction to Mindfulness with Guided Meditation Practice, led by Bill Brooks, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Lee Hall, Room 411.
Tuesday, Oct. 11
- Mindfulness with Mandalas: A Short Film and Workshop, led by UMW Student Joshua Whiting, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Capital Room, University Center, Room 314.
- The End of Enlightenment? Mindfulness and the Making of Secular Buddhism, a lecture by Daniel Hirshberg, UMW professor of religion, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Trinkle Hall, Room 204.
Wednesday, Oct. 12
- Mindful Eating Workshop, led by Angela Pitts, UMW professor of classics, noon to 12:45 p.m., Capital Room, University Center (Room 314).
- Flourishing in the Creative Process, a workshop led by Kris Iden, artist and educator, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Melchers Hall, Room 202.
Friday, Oct. 14
- Mindfulness Yoga in Ball Circle, led by Bill Brooks, noon to 1 p.m. (Rain location, Colonnade Room, University Center.)
For more information, visit http://meditation.umwblogs.org/mindfulness-week/.