Alternative Parenting

91st Regular Meeting of Ibaraki Toastmasters Club will be held on from 10.00 to 12.00 (Hybrid). You can join the meeting both online and in person. The meeting will be held based on the way of traditional Toastmasters club meeting. It consists of Table Topic Session, Workshop,Prepared Speech session and Evaluation session in English as follows. 10.00 Call to Order 10.02 Guest Introduction 10.15Table Topic Session 10.30 Intermission 11.00 Prepared Speech Session 11.40 Evaluation Session 11.50 Award Session 12.00 Adjouen The meeting is full of international atmosphere. Members cosist of American, Philippino, and Japanese. The meeting will be held (Hybrid ) . We will give the information of URL to those who register the participation in the event.

***A 3-night / 4-day mindfulness retreat in Azumino, Nagano. Reconnect with yourself, reconnect with each other, and reconnect with nature.*** Join us this **Golden Week** for a slow, grounding reset in the Japanese Alps. For four days we’ll **put our phones away, meditate, hike, soak in onsen, eat incredible home-cooked meals, and spend time in a small, warm community.** The theme of this retreat is **The Art of Forgiveness and Loving-Kindness.** We explore this in two ways: 1\. The practice of opening the heart starts with **forgiveness.** The invitation is to begin to release all the emotional baggage we are holding onto — to let go of trying to change the past — and to make deep contact with what’s happening in the present moment. 2\*\*. Loving-kindness, also known as *metta*\*\* in Buddhism, softens the heart and mind and opens the possibility to build a new relationship to ourselves and each other. To, quite literally, befriend ourselves and enter into a more ‘friendly’ way of being. This has the potential to repattern and deeply shift our baseline inner voice and behavior. We’ll explore these heart-based and compassion practices through **guided meditations, pair practices, and group practices both indoors and outdoors**. There will be plenty of time to go to the onsen, have meaningful conversation, do some light hiking, and enjoy the spacious views of the Japanese alps. **Details:** 👇 * **Dates:** May 1–4, 2026 (3 nights / 4 days) * **Location:** Iramu Karapute, Azumino, Nagano (arrive by 5pm [on this train)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/itqYfenJDFwqvdp47) * **Group size:** Max 12 participants * **Price:** ✅ **What's included** * 3 nights / 4 days at the retreat center * guided meditations + teachings * 3 meals per day * 2 onsen trips transportation to/from Hotaka Station (the nearest station) * optional 1:1 guidance during the retreat **❌ Not included:** The cost of transportation from Tokyo to the retreat center is not included in the price. The easiest way to get to the center is by shinkansen from Tokyo to Hotaka station. This is 7,500 yen one way. Also add-on services (acupuncture, massage, etc. if available) 🌙 **Who this is for** This retreat is for people who want a kinder, more heart-centered way of practicing mindfulness. Maybe you already meditate and want to explore practices like **metta, forgiveness, and compassion**, not just calm or focus. Or maybe you simply want a few days in nature to slow down, soften, and reconnect. It will also be a gentle crash course in heart practices, with space to practice both on and off the cushion. For those interested in going deeper, I’ll also offer guidance on how heart practices like metta and forgiveness can support deeper concentration and the jhanas. 🧘‍♂️ **What we’ll do** Over the four days we’ll blend: * guided meditations * nervous system + presence practices * heart practices * nature walks * two onsen trips * light partner exercises * creative / intuitive practices (movement, reflection, simple expression) There will also be plenty of downtime. This is not a silent retreat, but there will be periods of silence. 🏡 **Accommodation:** The retreat will be at the serene [Iramu Karapute](http://www.iramkarapte358.com/index.html) center in Nagano's wilderness, surrounded by the beauty of the Japanese alps. Food is cooked by the local staff and sourced from their gardens and is one of the highlights. Veggie options available. Max 12 people. 🙂 Picture of rooms [here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/14S4j_GMC2J8YFZxSdBksdGM0d7vz48N9/view)**.** 💴 **Price:** **¥88,000.** **[Pay here](https://buy.stripe.com/aFaeVccl5geB0mrdZLafS1q)** by credit card or here by[ ](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bq5BFENiVoIQh1ik-dxgyGnjkuiKG4uvIKaS5UgpwBM/edit?usp=drive_web&ouid=106280356530157518704)**[bank transfer](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bq5BFENiVoIQh1ik-dxgyGnjkuiKG4uvIKaS5UgpwBM/edit?usp=drive_web&ouid=106280356530157518704).** Bonus: integration night add-on is ¥17,000 (May 4–5). [Pay here.](https://buy.stripe.com/7sY8wO98TgeBb159JvafS1o) *Cancellation policy:* 100% refund up to 2 days before the retreat 80% refund up to the retreat day. No refunds once the retreat begins. 🌱 **Optional Integration Day** If you want more space to chill, you can stay one extra night: **May 4 → May 5 (checkout at noon): ¥17,000.** This includes meals, guided meditation morning + evening, optional 30-minute private coaching / meditation session with me, and a full free day to walk, journal, rest, return to the onsen, and integrate. That makes the full experience 4 nights / 5 days. **🧥 What to Bring:** * A towel for the shower + onsen * Comfortable clothes; sweat pants, yoga pants, hoodies. * Comfortable shoes for walking/hiking * Water bottle * Notebook * An open heart and open mind :) 📍 **Meeting Point:** [Iramu Karapute](http://iramkarapte358.com/) and location on [Google maps](https://goo.gl/maps/BNabV1G2S4maeJLe9?coh=178573&entry=tt). We will meet at Hotaka station. I recommend [this train.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/itqYfenJDFwqvdp47) The retreat will provide free car transportation from **Hotaka station to the center at 5:00pm Friday,** meeting at Hotaka station. Our dinner is at 6pm and opening ceremony at 7pm. If you plan to arrive earlier or later, you can get a taxi from there to the center. If taking a car directly there, parking nearby is provided free of charge. **📵 Digital detox:** We will take your phone at the start of the retreat and keep it in a safe place until lunch time on Monday. Please make arrangements to be completely offline. Emergency contact is 08051858742 (Misha). Don't worry, we'll get plenty of pictures! 📝 **Questionnaire:** Everyone is required to ***[fill out the questionnaire/ waiver](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ogceqDpuae5rezZwPKtighkLjUpTmTtzvPFIg9mcRQw/edit?usp=sharing)*** before the retreat. 👥 **About Your Guide: Misha Yurchenko** is a Tokyo-based **certified, trauma-informed meditation teacher and somatic coach** with 10+ years of experience. He has spent time on retreat around the world and practiced a range of techniques. After experiencing extreme burnout from his venture-funded startup, he founded **[Tokyo Mindfulness](https://tokyomindfulness.com/) and is dedicated to helping others on their healing journeys.** He takes an integrated and practical approach combining meditation, breathwork, and nervous system healing to help people let go of the ego, release old habit patterns and find inner freedom. He is the author of several books and lives in Nerima with his family.

Mental Health, how do you understand it? How can you improve it? How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went? Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence? Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp. This group is hosted by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

At Unity of Columbus, our Youth and Family Ministry nurtures the spiritual growth of children and families through love, joy, and practical spiritual teachings. Each Sunday, children explore timeless spiritual principles through stories, creative activities, music, and group sharing in a safe and welcoming environment. Our program encourages children to discover their own inner light, express kindness, and develop a personal connection with God. Together, we celebrate diversity, cultivate understanding, and inspire each child to live with purpose and compassion. Parents and families are invited to join in this uplifting journey of learning, laughter, and spiritual connection.

It’s time to take control of your mental health. How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went? Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence? Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp.