Maltese

***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.

Ukulele Club is a fun group for all ages and skill levels! There is no teacher, but we all help teach each other. Think of songs you would like to learn, and we can learn them together. If you don't have an ukulele, we have extra ukuleles When: *almost* Every Saturday, 10am-11:30am Admission: food/drink order

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.

This year's Eurovision Song Contest is being held in Vienna, Austria, and the finals are scheduled for 16 May 2026. The [Scandinavian Club of Columbus](https://www.scandiclub.com/) will be co-hosting a viewing party for the final event in conjunction with Germania and the [Columbus Maennerchor](https://www.maennerchor.com/). The delayed televised viewing will take place at the Germania. The program will start around 2:00 p.m. and the singing will **start around 3:00 p.m**. There will be a **cash bar**, and those in attendance can **bring food or snacks** for themselves and or to share with the groups. **Suggested donation: $10/person** to help cover the cost of the venue.

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.

Ciao a tutt\*! Let's meet Monday at 6.30pm at the Upper Arlington Library (**Tremont** Branch) in **Meeting Room A** to speak in Italian for 1 hour.

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.

It feels like we just saw each other 🤷. Join members of the local design and UX community for our monthly breakfast. For May we’re stopping in for Rooh’s popup breakfast/cafe concept. You know someone is getting the lobster yuzu croissant, and that’s not even the prettiest thing on the menu!.

Join us as we get together to see your choice of two VERY different movies – one sweet and wholesome – the other a terrifying folklore horror! Option 1 is the fun whodunnit-action-comedy-mystery led by Hugh Jackman, THE SHEEP DETECTIVES! Option 2 is the top-reviewed supernatural-horror-thriller starring Adam Scott, HOKUM! Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: THE SHEEP DETECTIVES: Every night a shepherd reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand. When he is found dead, the sheep realize at once that it was a murder and think they know everything about how to go about solving it. The film is directed by Kyle Balda and take a look at this ensemble cast: Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau and Emma Thompson and the voices of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O'Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Brett Goldstein and Rhys Darby. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyZI5oM6hWk HOKUM: In this film, a horror writer visits an Irish inn to scatter his parents' ashes, unaware the property is said to be haunted by a witch. It is written/directed by Damian McCarthy stars Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh and Austin Amelio. Hokum premiered to rave reviews at this year’s SXSW Festival and is being release by Neon. It is earning a stellar 97% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which calls it, “A classic haunted house story enriched with atmospheric folklore and perfectly-timed shocks!” TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVCIK_MPyhc PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing of both films and will meet inside the theater lobby about 20 minutes before showtime. If the showtimes work out, we’ll try to get both groups together for a bite before the shows! Complete details and showtime will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan