Natural Birth

🔥 Kundalini Activation allows you to tap into your aliveness, authenticity and empowered self-expression that can radically change how you experience yourself and your life. ✨ This isn’t a technique or exercise. It’s a direct energetic process that helps you embody who you truly are, effortlessly and without thinking, simply feeling it in your whole being. 🔥 With 2 facilitators holding the session, the process allows you to experience greater depth, intensity, attunement, and energetic support than a standard kundalini activation session. ✨What is Kundalini Activation? ✨ Kundalini Activation is a deeply transformative experience that awakens the creative life-force energy within you. 🧘‍♀️ It is a path of complete surrender. You do not need to have any advanced physical skills, previous experience or knowledge about any similar practices. This is a space to deeply relax, open up to receive and simply FEEL. ✨ During the session, the facilitator is gently moving the stagnant life-force energy (Qi) through your energy centres, working a few inches above or slightly touching the meridians. You are simply lying down on your yoga mat, deeply relaxed, purely receiving and feeling as the energy moves through your body. This helps you to process suppressed emotions that can manifest as visions, deep realisations, spontaneous movement of the body, expressing emotions like crying, laughing, making raging sounds, shaking, dancing, holding mudras, doing yoga poses and much more. The room is filled with loud, carefully selected music to take you deeper into the experience, also serving as a veil of privacy that allows you to have an individual experience. This is the space where we can fully surrender to our body’s wisdom and let every feeling and emotion to be felt, expressed and released without judgement. 🔥 The whole experience is not only cathartic, but it feels truly blissful, ecstatic and freeing. ✨ We are embodying our true authentic selves, healing our deepest wounds, expressing ourselves truly as a whole spectrum of sensations, feelings and emotions. We make peace with who we are, our positive and negative traits and experiences without judgement. We align with our higher selves. ✨ As our energy field is clearing up, we make more space to be present and truly tune-in with ourselves. As we process emotions and past experiences, they no longer operate in our subconscious minds, therefore we can see things from higher perspectives and “connect the dots”, come to profound realisations and open ourselves up to endless possibilities. 💥 We release the subconscious processes that were limiting us and regain our energy and courage to make positive changes in our lives. 💖 As we start seeing things from higher perspectives and let go of judgement, we open our hearts to unconditional love and connect with all that is - we start seeing parts of ourselves in every being, accepting ours and other people’s imperfections without judgement, opening up to feel more empathy, unconditional love and connection to every living being. We start seeing “the bigger picture”. ✨ As we clear the stagnant energies in our field, align with our higher-selves and build a deep trust with the creative life-force energy within us, we become radiant and start attracting people and opportunities that help speeding up the process of manifesting our desires and creating a life full of bliss. ✨At the end of the session you will be gently guided back into the space and invited to share your experience or ask any questions if you wish to do so. ✨ How to prepare for the session: Wear comfortable clothes that will allow you to relax Yoga mats are provided Bring your own water bottle to stay hydrated Avoid alcohol and any other substances at least 24hours before the session Avoid eating at least 3 hours before the session Avoid caffeine before the session Leave your expectations behind. Our life-force energy is highly intelligent and allows our body and soul to receive exactly what we need at this very moment. Every session and every participant’s experience is completely different, unfolding in ways beyond what our minds would expect. In case you have ANY medical conditions (e.g. very high blood pressure or taking anti-depressants), please consult your attendance with your medical practitioner and with me as well via WhatsApp or Instagram prior booking the session Unfortunately, Kundalini activation is not suitable for people suffering from epilepsy or any type of seizures. 💥 Are you ready to embody the part of you that’s been waiting to express itself and let it naturally transform your life? If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us via: WhatsApp: Nataly: +447928519901 Sophia: +447720928401 Instagram: Nataly: @_nataly_kundalini Sophia: @feedyourfeminine

To book: https://www.barefootyogaandtherapy.com What is pregnancy yoga? Pregnancy yoga is a form of gentle yoga that is designed to complement the growing needs of a pregnant body during all three trimesters. The focus is on restorative poses that keep you safe while practicing movement, stretching, deep breathing, and mental centering. What are the benefits of prenatal yoga? Improve sleep. Reduce stress and anxiety. Increase the strength, flexibility and endurance of muscles needed for childbirth. Decrease lower back pain, nausea, headaches and shortness of breath.

Psssssst, the secret is out! The event of the year! Mama Jon is turning 40! WHAAAAAAT?! I know, I know, I look like I am late 20th at most, what can I say? Some people are just pretty :) So what else can I do to celebrate my birthday? Well, a new wintry hike of course, in the company of my favourite humans, the Jonions. You do not need to know me to join, so come and have fun with us! I first discovered this hike by accident, I was on a trip to a nearby semi-island that had been closed due to a collapsed bridge, well luckily for us, I decided to check out this new place and what a delight it was! So pretty that I have decided to finally put it up for my lovely Jonions to discover... The hike isn't difficult, it is Sunday after all so I have chosen hill free and by the sea. We will walk about 10 miles in and around the Chichester Harbour Estuary surrounded by water, trees and pretty villages in this area of natural outstanding beauty. The village of Bosham is particularly beautiful and we will have quite some views of it from across the estuary, that place is a hidden treasure that has kept its middle ages vibe. Once an important place, history remembers it in the famous Bayeux tapestry. [Bosham - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosham) Most of the hike will be along the estuary and should offer some gorgeous view of Britain's most important natural harbour and is part of the famous Solent Way in West Sussex. Evidently afterwards, we are likely to make our way to a restaurant or pub for some tasty food before we head back to good old London. We can celebrate my birthday together or you can just hop back on the train earlier if you are too tired but this hike will not be exhausting, you will burn some calories without too much efforts. INFORMATION: COST: £17 via PayPal for the guide's fee About £28 in cash for the train, we will have a 35% discount with a group saver if we buy our train tickets together and will get an off peak day return meaning that we do not actually pay for the return journey. INCLUDED: Guided trip The photographs that I will have taken on the day and that I will share on the WhatsApp group. A great time with lovely people NOT INCLUDED: Train Anything not mentioned above WHAT TO BRING: Waterproof shoes for the hike, preferably hiking shoes, otherwise good trainers; Weather appropriate clothes, including waterproofs if there is a chance of rain; Water bottle; Packed lunch and snacks. MEETING POINT: London Waterloo at 08:30 am, just by the clock in the main hall of the train station, NOT the tube station. ATTENTION: Our trips will not be cancelled due to weather conditions so please ensure that you do wear and carry appropriate clothing. 😄 POLICIES: 1: This group is designed for the pleasure and enjoyment of all of us, we do not accept any derogatory comments or behaviours towards anyone. Racism, discrimination and other unacceptable behaviours will only lead to your rejection to any of our trips and this without exception. Everyone is welcome, we have religious and non-religious people, gay, straight, bisexual people, all shades and colours or nationality, people of all ages, sex and political believes and mutual respect is the fundamental spirit of this group. 2: Our trips are only refundable up to 14 days before departure, if you wish to cancel after that, you will be offered a transfer to another trip for the same price or you may resell your slot to somebody else. 3: If we do cancel the entirety of the trip on our side, you will be fully refunded. 4:In the eventuality that our trains are delayed, or cancelled which is out of my control, I do not pay for taxis or alternative route, if this happens, you will be able to claim delay repay from the train companies who will reimburse your train ticket and some eventual costs occurred. By signing up to my events, you agree to this and these conditions.

North London Badminton Session at **Woodhouse College Sports Hall, Woodhouse Road, North Finchley, N12 9EY** Join us for some friendly badminton sessions and **we play from 5.00pm to 7.00pm**. Just bring your racket and get ready to play. The session fee is **£11 per player.** **We cannot guarantee your space until payment had been received** There are four badminton courts and we play mainly double matches with feather shuttlecocks. Advanced Beginners are welcome to join as we will have four badminton courts and one court is allocated to advanced beginners. **But if you are a new starter and a complete beginner and do want sessions with coaching do email us at info@barnetmultisportsclub.com** We are an affiliated club of Badminton England and have adult and youth sessions (including training sessions) weekdays and weekends. **Check our Instagram Page:** https://www.instagram.com/barnetmultisportsclubuk/ **Check our Tik Tok Page:** https://www.tiktok.com/@barnetmultisportsclub **Join our Facebook Group:** https://www.facebook.com/groups/1576047169442887/

Step away from the screen and join us for our Offline Women Hangout at the Reading Room. We are meeting to unplug and enjoy a few hours of unstructured time together. There is no set agenda or forced socializing. We simply gather to exist in the same space, screen-free. The Reading Room inside the Wellcome Collection is a unique mix of a library and a gallery. It is filled with over a thousand books and curious historical objects. Unlike a standard library, this is a social space where talking is welcome. It is specifically designed for movement, conversation, and discovery. **What you can do** * **Explore**: Try out the various activities stationed around the room, from creative prompts to interactive displays. * **Read**: Pick up any book from the open shelves or bring your own. * **Create:** Bring your journal or sketchbook to capture thoughts (note: the library allows *pencils only* to protect the books). * **Relax:** Grab a beanbag on the stairs and just exist and people-watch. * **Socialize:** Engage in low-pressure conversation with other Offline Women in the social zones. Spots are limited to ensure the group remains small, intimate, and everyone has a great time connecting face-to-face.

**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/31301 **Game Description:** Yoga foundations is a class for those new to yoga or building their confidence in the practice. Open to individuals of all ages and fitness levels. This class builds strength and mobility while improving body awareness. As we are a small business, class may be cancelled on the day if numbers are low, please keep an eye on your emails/app. Thank you for understanding. Rules If this is your first class please fill out the disclaimer form here: https://forms.gle/sLFPfX3BHrEsNHkE7 Try to arrive at least five minutes early to set up your mat. Turn your phone on silent and leave it away from your mat if you can. Let the teacher know about any injuries or pregnancy. Shoes and socks off for the class. Wear anything that you can freely move and sweat in. There are mats available but bring your own if you can. If you do borrow one, please wipe it down with the wipes after class. Leave the space as you found it - put away any blocks, straps or mats you might have used.

**Level up mentally and physically** Join our growing community this Sunday. * Storm leads a bespoke yoga session from 11am. * AnnieV guides the group through another literature roundup, with readings and writing challenges from 1pm. First time entry free / £15 cash on the door / Advance tickets [here](https://btcpay.btc.aw/apps/rvvVwGSSSiJ7UgtzjmBdxy1Uq6a/pos "https://btcpay.btc.aw/apps/rvvVwGSSSiJ7UgtzjmBdxy1Uq6a/pos") No unsolicited photograhy. Stay humble.

**Aqua Strength – Pure Strength in the Pool** Dive into a new kind of strength training with **Aqua Strength**, a low-impact water workout designed to boost strength, cardio fitness, flexibility, and balance—all while being easy on the joints. Perfect for all fitness levels, including those managing arthritis, recovering from injury, or simply seeking a supportive and effective workout. At **Workout with Pride**, we believe fitness should evolve with you. That’s why we’ve infused the core elements of our "Pure Strength" program into the pool—focusing on mobility, muscle retention, and bone health with a deliberately slower pace. Expect purposeful movement, proper rest intervals, and a focus on refining your form, all in a welcoming, body-positive environment. Whether you're aging gracefully, getting back into movement, or just love the water, this class offers a fun, inclusive way to build strength, improve mobility, and feel empowered in your body. **Spaces are limited—secure your spot and shape a stronger, healthier future with us!** **Healthy Reagrds, Mark**

A 3.5 mile walk through Central London Parks and Canal. **WALK START POINT: Lancaster Gate Station** (Central Line - Zone 1) WALK DISTANCE: Approx 3.5 miles. WALK END POINT: Paddington Station and a local Wetherspoons pub . WALK ROUTE: Kensington Gardens, Queensway,Grand Union Canal. WALK STOP OUT POINT: Nearby bus routes during most of the walk. **Scroll down to see Disclaimer and Notice of Risks.** ENJOY UNIQUE HEALTHY WALKS IN STUNNING GREEN SPACES OR ALONG WATERWAYS IN LONDON. STRENGTHEN NEW FRIENDSHIPS IN A PUB SOCIAL AFTER THE WALK. **COST of EVENT**: **All of the walks on this group are only £5 each to attend. Payment is not collected before the day of the event to allow you maximum flexibility. Why pay more on other groups for overpriced walks with no afterwalk socialising!!** **The walk is free for holders of the Ken's Events Membership Card.** Enjoy London! Get out and about and see your city in the company of new people! Explore and enjoy London's abundant green spaces and surprising surrounding countryside. Give up the city streets for a day and breathe some fresh air. Improve your overall fitness levels and make some great new friends at the same time. Take this opportunity to visit green parts of London, unknown to most people, and that you would not otherwise have an opportunity to see. Social Event: Our walks are social walks, where the emphasis is on meeting new people, enjoying nature, healthy exercise, and fresh air. Our walks are not interrupted with running commentaries or historical lectures, although occasionally features of significance may be pointed out. As such our walks will be continuous with few stops and it is your responsibilty to keep walkers ahead in view and to follow the direction of the walk. RISKS for all walks: Please dress appropriately for weather conditions and carry a bottle of water and necessary medication. You need to be moderately fit for this walk and be able to walk for four miles without a break. In these walks we use; pavements, cross busy roads, public parkland, towpaths alongside water, other public paths, rights of way, bridlepaths, country lanes and other established paths and tracks through woodland, bush and countryside. Please only wear good sturdy shoes, preferably walking boots and take care as surfaces may be uneven, tree roots may protrude, there may be low overhanging branches and some paths are also used by joggers and cyclists and sometimes cars (country lanes). Some tracks may be muddy and slippery. On occasion wild,domestic and farm animals may also encountered. If you require insurance for these walks then you must arrange this yourself. No large dogs or small children please. Please arrive in good time to allow opportunity to use toilets at the start of the walk as there may not be any toilet breaks available during the walk. WANT TO COME ON ANOTHER WALK? For a list of future walks go to[ http://www.meetup.com/KENS-EVENTS-EXPLORE-LONDON-SECRETS/events/](https://www.meetup.com/KENS-EVENTS-EXPLORE-LONDON-SECRETS/events/) DISCAIMER All Ken's Events are subject to a disclaimer. Please click here [http://www.meetup.com/kens-events-explore-london-secrets/](http://www.meetup.com/kens-events-explore-london-secrets/) to find out more about Kens Events/Walks and click on 'read more' to see full disclaimer. COST of EVENT: A £5 meetup organiser's contribution will be collected from attendees who do not hold the Ken's Events Membership Card. The walk is free for holders of this card. Please post no pre-event messages unless you are posting something relevant for the whole group and only post photos of other members with their consent. Kens Events also has a Facebook Page, Instagram and Twitter accounts. [http://www.facebook.com/Kens.events](http://www.facebook.com/Kens.events) Instagram Page [Kenswalks](https://www.instagram.com/weekendgreenwalks/) Twitter [@KenEvents](http://www.twitter.com/KenEvents) Kens Events also has a Facebook Group that you can join. [http://www.facebook.com/groups/Kensevents](http://www.facebook.com/Kens.events) RAIN POLICY: Our walks normally go ahead as planned even if it rains. Light rain is not usually a problem . However if torrentail rain is forecast, please check back to this webpage on the morning of the event around 10am for the latest update. Tell your friends you are going! When you arrive at the starting point look Ken with the 'KEN'S EVENTS'/MEETUP Flag or Badge.

**Bookable via our website ➡️** [https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/diy-in-a-day-drills-338/](https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/diy-in-a-day-drills-338/) **⋆⋆⋆** Learn the basics at this fast-paced but relaxed one-day workshop. A perfect starter for all those annoying jobs around the house that you feel you should be able to tackle…if only you knew how. We know it’s frustrating to wait for it to be done and then get charged for it and we understand it can be a bit daunting to head into a wall with a power drill. Pick up the skills to hang curtains, blinds, and simple shelves on any wall. Learn to drill into wood, brick, tiles, or hollow walls with confidence. We will show you how to judge what is behind the walls before you drill. An enjoyable ‘ hands-on’ one-day workshop that covers many of the common aspects of basic DIY. If you have just bought your home and have realized it didn’t include a landlord to fix stuff, or just don’t want to rely on someone else, this day is for you. There is plenty of time to practice on several exercises over the day. The workshop also covers hanging pictures and heavier objects like mirrors, cupboards, and flat-screen TVs. You will learn how to hang a hook, fix a baton, and then a pair of level shelf brackets. Finish off the day learning how to fit shelves into awkward alcoves – a handy skill you can use to fit work surfaces too. Learn how to select the correct drill bit, wall fixing, and screw to secure things confidently. The day will also include a chance to fill small and medium holes in wood and walls to prepare your surfaces for painting. Along the way, we show you how to remove old wall fixings and what to do with the ones you can’t. This a fun fast day with plenty of tools to try and lots of advice on which tools to have in a basic toolkit. If you are thinking of upgrading your drill, you can test all of the ones we use and feel more knowledgeable about what you want to buy. This course is especially suitable if you are not handy or if you are able, but not that confident, about tackling small but important tasks in your home. We will also suggest how to tell if a task is appropriate for DIY or GSI (Get Someone In). You will take home a set of skills that will last a lifetime. All tools and materials included. Perfect for beginners.

**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/32017 **Game Description:** Dynamic vinyasa is a faster paced class that is challenging but fun. A breath based practice with opportunities to try something new and maybe balance on your hands. Open to all levels, with options for everyone. As we are a small business, class may be cancelled on the day if numbers are low, please keep an eye on your emails/app. Thank you for understanding. **Rules** If this is your first class please fill out the disclaimer form here: https://forms.gle/sLFPfX3BHrEsNHkE7 Try to arrive at least five minutes early to set up your mat. Turn your phone on silent and leave it away from your mat if you can. Let the teacher know about any injuries or pregnancy. Shoes and socks off for the class. Wear anything that you can freely move and sweat in. There are mats available but bring your own if you can. If you do borrow one, please wipe it down with the wipes after class. Leave the space as you found it - put away any blocks, straps or mats you might have used.

This month we will be exploring the green spaces of North London taking in the Parkland Walk, Ally Pally, Highgate Woods and Hampstead Heath. The full route will be approximately 21km along a mixture of paved, gravel and dirt paths. There will be some elevation to reach the viewpoints at Ally Pally and Parliament Hill. We will set off from outside Gails next to the City North / Goodwin Street exit of Finsbury Park station at 10:00am. We will all run together, adjusting the pace to suit the group aiming for somewhere between 5:30 and 6:00/km. After the run we will go for food and drink at a pub in Kentish Town. Please make sure you are comfortable with the distance and terrain as described above. We would recommend you try our shorter runs on Wednesday evenings or Saturday mornings, especially if you are relatively new to running. There will be no bag drop, so please bring everything you need in a small backpack including water and snacks. Please keep checking back for up to date details on this run and update your RSVP if you are no longer able to attend. We look forward to seeing you there! [The provisional route can be found here](https://www.strava.com/routes/3446271296500753562)

**Start climbing into a positive space.** We are back on Sunday 8th February for our London peer-to-peer support session. Facilitated by our lovely volunteers, we will be meeting in the cafe area of Rise Climbing by 12.30pm. Sessions are 2 hours long and are open to everyone, whether you climb often or would like to try for the first time. Follow [this link](https://circularclimbingcollective.co.uk/booking/) and scroll down to our London sessions to book a space! **What is Circular Climbing Collective?** CCC is a climbing collective that focuses on mental health peer support. Our aim is to create non-judgemental spaces where climbers and non-climbers can connect, share and listen to better understand their mental health. **What to expect** Our sessions are led by 2 volunteer facilitators, Noa and Josh, and capped at 8 attendees. We ask everyone to attend the session from start to finish, 12:30pm - 2:30pm. We start our sessions with a warm-up for the mind and for the body, where we introduce the space, our guidelines and ourselves. We then head out into the gym to climb, wander and talk. We have no expectations of participants to climb or share, just to be present with one another. Some weeks are packed with conversation but maybe lack time on the wall or vice versa. Finally, we finish up with a warm down - stretching and checking in with ourselves and each other. We sometimes use this time to practice gratitude or reflect on our paths ahead. **Who can attend** Our sessions are open to anyone aged 18+, no matter where you are on your journey with mental health or how much climbing experience you have. Whether you've simply never climbed before and are looking to meet new people in an inclusive space, or are struggling with self-esteem, grief, loneliness, unemployment or anything else, you are welcome at Circular Climbing Collective. **Booking** To book a slot, follow [this link](https://circularclimbingcollective.co.uk/booking/) and scroll down to our London sessions. The price is just the same as a usual climb at Rise, with pre-paid members being free. The price includes free shoe hire! We also offer two fully funded entries at every session, these are trust based and open to all. We are still working out this system, so for now please contact the Rise team to access a free slot! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at [circularclimbingcollective@gmail.com](mailto:circularclimbingcollective@gmail.com) or DM us on instagram, [@circularclimbingcollective](https://www.instagram.com/circularclimbingcollective/) All questions and requests welcome. We would love to support with any adjustments to ensure our sessions are inclusive for you. Love, Team CCC ⭕

This is a calm, low-pressure morning walk in Greenwich Park. The idea is simple: we walk together, take things at an easy pace, and enjoy being outside. There’s no pressure to talk — you’re welcome to walk quietly or chat if you feel like it. This is not therapy and there’s no agenda. Just a safe, friendly space to start the day gently and connect with others. We’ll walk for about an hour and finish back near the starting point. Everyone is welcome.

**Women Over 40: Understanding Our Natural Transitions with Ayurveda** This seminar is for all women over or approaching 40. Understand the changes that your body, mind and spirit will inevitably go through, and how you can prepare for the transition to a new stage of life. Dr. Jain will give you the real picture of perimenopause and beyond, what it entails and what it means from an Ayurvedic perspective, and share concerning truths about our medical system's approach to supporting women during this important time. This is rare information not to be found in any AI bot. Dr. Amita shares deep, ancient knowledge that is practical, sensible and critical for our long-term well being. ***About Dr. Amita Jain***\*: Dr. Jain is a Doctor of Ayurveda, Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor, and the Founder of [Vedic Health Inc](https://www.vedichealth.org/ "https://www.vedichealth.org/"). in Rockville, MD. With over 20 years of experience in Ayurveda and yoga, she holds a Doctor of Ayurveda degree from Sai Ayurvedic College, clinical training from Swasthyam Ayurvedic Hospital in Kerala, and a certification in Hatha Yoga from SVYASA Yoga Research University in Bangalore. She has helped countless individuals heal from chronic conditions, trained thousands in Yoga and Ayurveda, and is a passionate advocate for affordable and accessible holistic healthcare. Her primary focus is working with chronic and complicated health problems western medicine has been ineffective. Sun., Feb.. 22nd, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/2qhPl](https://shorturl.at/2qhPl)

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy registration at [Birding Banshee - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://loudounwildlife.org/event/birding-banshee-february/) Whether you’re a beginning birder or an expert, you’ll be thrilled by the many bird species you’ll find at **[Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve](http://www.loudounwildlife.org/Great_Places_Banshee_Reeks.htm)** south of Leesburg. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Friends of Banshee Reeks for the monthly bird walk at this birding hot spot. Bring binoculars if you have them. ***Registration required.*** \*\*\*Questions: \*\*\**Contact Joe Coleman at [jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org).*

Join our partners Watermark Woods Native Plants, Loudoun County Public Library (LCPL), and Birch Tree Bookstore for the Read! Plant! Grow! Book Club, which focuses on native plants, sponsored by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and LCPL. At this meeting we’ll discuss the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Both memoir and journalistic investigation, this book explores how the Kingsolver family took on a new challenge: to spend a year on a locally -produced diet, paying close attention to the provenance of all they consume. Concerned about the environmental, social, and physical costs of American food culture, they hoped to recover what Kingsolver considers our nation’’s lost appreciation for farms and the natural processes of food production. You can either buy the book from Birch Tree Bookstore or contact Allison Forbes at [Allison.forbes@loudoun.gov](mailto:Allison.forbes@loudoun.gov) to borrow a copy of the book at the library. There are two ways to participate: attend the event online via the library website or [sign up to participate in person at Birch Tree Bookstore](https://www.birchtreebookstore.com/event-details/read-plant-grow-2026-02-24-18-30). ***Questions:*** *Contact [info@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:info@loudounwildlife.org)*.

Whether you're new to Insight meditation or an advanced practitioner looking for like-minded people to sit with, you're welcome to join us at our Sunday morning drop-in group, sponsored by the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. Insight meditation cultivates our natural wisdom and compassion. Meditation practice develops concentration, which allows us to calm and steady the mind. This class includes a 30-minute lightly-guided meditation, followed by a short talk and time for questions and discussion. The size of the group usually runs somewhere between 25-40 people in-person and between 12-25 online. Chairs are provided, or you may bring a sitting cushion or bench. You may also use the blankets and bolsters offered by the yoga studio. **We offer both in-person and online attendance.** To learn more about our topics and teachers, view our videos or **get the Zoom link**, visit our [class page](https://imcw.org/event/?eventId=735&utm_source=MeetUp&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=vienna-drop-in).

Do you have goals focusing on your health this year? In this group, be de-influenced by internet trends and companies making a quick buck and join fellow pagans, witches, and heathens in creating practices that build your connection to your body and wellness. **The focus of this group:** -Share on your own experiences with health topics, whether that is food wellness, strength building, mobility training, and coordinating group walks and physical activities. -Lean into our spiritual practice as a tool in manifesting our health goals. -Mindfulness activities that can improve your body-spirit connection. -Share your own thoughts and struggles in an advice-centered and solutions oriented space that is respectful, intentional, and empathetic. Have you heard about a new trend you want real life opinions on? Are you looking for strategies **About your facilitator:** Merlin is a local practitioner in Massage Therapy, Reiki, Group Fitness, and is interested in all around wellness. He has focused on his own health and wellness over many years and recognizes how much supportive community and intentional self-love is for finding value in a health journey. If you are seeking a supportive community with the intention of bravely sharing, being heard, and being present with others, please join us!

(2024) by Christof Koch, 288 pages [Psychology] • Hardcover • Kindle • Audiobook • Library: https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=613100 Check the How To Find Us section for Zoom Link **(Remember, the Zoom Link is different each month, do not bookmark)** ### Review "A wonderful book."―Sam Harris, Making Sense with Sam Harris “a fun introduction to a number of debates… Mr. Koch’s book provokes questions… and counterarguments, but that’s what gives it life.” ―The Wall Street Journal “Easily the most current, thorough, and helpful exploration of consciousness available. Koch’s light, simple, yet authoritative writing style will appeal to general audiences as well as scientists and researchers. An essential, highly recommended purchase.”―Library Journal “magisterial… charming, sometimes beautiful, and almost always illuminating” ―Science Magazine “an impressive and sometimes exuberant work, showcasing decades of [Koch’s] research”―New Scientist “Koch’s adept use of analogies and entertaining anecdotes — complete with his own near-death experience and psychedelic drug trips — make the book a compelling and surprisingly light read.” ―Science News “undeniably compelling… a smoothly written must-read for anyone interested in a detailed introduction to the relationship between the brain, consciousness, and transformative experiences” ―Ars Technica “Expertly weaving in personal experience with science that few, if any, can speak more authoritatively about, Koch leads us on an amazing journey of consciousness—from birth to death. Deeply personal and infinitely digestible, Then I Am Myself the World is a remarkable must read for anyone interested in knowing their mind.”―Judson Brewer MD, PhD, New York Times–bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety “Koch’s latest book brilliantly navigates the intricate landscape of our mind and our brain, offering insightful perspectives on the nature of conscious experiences, both ordinary as well as extraordinary ones.”―Hartmut Neven, founder and lead of Google’s quantum AI lab “Then I Am Myself the World is the new record of note for the scientific understanding of consciousness. This is an elegant tableau, a travelogue of subjective experience grounded in the latest neuroscience and philosophy traversing religion, science, and a life dedicated to the biggest questions. Filled with crystalline prose, lucid explanation, and revelatory honesty, this book will continue to be read centuries from now.”―Patrick House, author of Nineteen Ways of Looking at Consciousness “What would happen if a hardcore neuroscientist, with encyclopedic knowledge and four decades of experience in his field, were personally confronted with transformative mystical experiences carrying inevitable metaphysical implications? What would happen if the neuroscientist in question were open-minded, humble, but remained rigorously grounded in reason, evidence, and his hard-earned understanding of how consciousness relates to brain structures and function? What would he, the most preeminent professional of his generation, make of his extraordinary experiences? And what if, in addition, the neuroscientist was a modern renaissance man versed in physics, philosophy, the arts, the classics, and could pluck irresistibly evocative metaphors from the Western literary and artistic canon as if leisurely picking apples in early fall? This is what you will find in this treasured book, a whirlwind ride of insight after insight—so many they can’t possibly be all documented in footnotes—that will surprise and delight you from the get-go. ‘Primacy goes to consciousness, not to the objective world,’ he boldly states already on page two, in a prelude of things to come. ‘Everything else follows from there, including the realist assumption of the existence of objects, out ‘there,’ independent of my experiencing them.’ The book embodies the ever-evolving wisdom of a man whose intellectual prowess is only matched by his intellectual honesty. And this man, in the seventh decade of his scintillatingly productive life, has a lifetime of learning to share with you.”―Bernardo Kastrup, executive director, Essentia Foundation “Koch’s first book was entitled The Quest for Consciousness. And such has been Koch’s life, an adventurer’s pursuit of a distant goal, undeterred by the prevailing winds. The reader will learn where this quest has led and, like the author, will be enriched by it. Koch, one of the most accomplished scientists of our time, a mind singularly open to learning and changing, here opens his soul, revealing his vast, scintillating appreciation of nature in all its forms. It is a touching, profound book. Which is as it should be, since consciousness touches everything and is everything we touch.”―Giulio Tononi, University of Wisconsin-Madison ### About the Author Christof Koch is a neuroscientist at the Allen Institute and at the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation, the former president of the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and a former professor at the California Institute of Technology. Author of four previous titles, Koch writes regularly for a range of media, including Scientific American. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.

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