Offerings: Group Classes
As our loved one ages and/or becomes increasingly infirm, our relationship with them may change. While these changes are often inevitable, we are seldom prepared for the transition, and neither are they. Whether it is a sudden crisis or slow deterioration, we often feel responsible for their well-being and become increasingly active in their lives. As our concern and involvement escalate, we have less time and energy for ourselves and may feel depleted. Meanwhile, they might have their own views about their independence and our level of involvement. The result can be painful, taking a toll on intimacy and connection just when both of us need it most.
Whether you have been caring for someone for years or are just beginning on this path, these offerings are designed to meet your needs. If you are new to mindfulness and/or Focusing, you can get a taste of these practices through the Caregiver's Cafe or the Introductory Workshop. If you’ve already decided to build or reboot a practice, join a mindfulness or Focusing class.
I am committed to making these offerings accessible to all while honoring the time and energy it takes to offer them. When registering, please choose the pricing tier that feels right to you.
3-hour workshop
Introduction to Mindfulness for Caregivers: Caring for yourself while caring for someone you love
Would you like to try mindfulness meditation, Focusing and other awareness practices to see how they feel? This workshop is designed as an experiential buffet. You'll experience awareness practices that can help you
Better understand what your loved one wants/needs from you
Engage in ways that feel more supportive to them
Take better care of yourself throughout the process & build your emotional resilience
This is an interactive workshop. After brief introductions, we’ll practice mindfulness meditation, Focusing and vagus nerve calming. You’ll reflect on your experiences with other caregivers, identify practices that feel supportive and learn portable skills that you can integrate into your day. Before closing, you’ll get a list of organizations that offer classes and communities of practice.
The workshop size is intentionally small (16 spaces) so as to foster community, reflection and experimentation. If you’re interested in holding a workshop for a specific organization or group, please let me know.
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One live workshop via Zoom - 3 hours
Options include:
Saturday Nov. 8, 2-5pm ET
Tuesday Nov. 18, 1-4pm ET
Saturday Jan. 10, 2-5pm ET
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I offer three pricing tiers to honor both accessibility and sustainability:
Supporter Rate: $85
Helps make this workshop accessible to othersStandard Rate: $60
Covers the full cost of the workshopCommunity Rate: $35
For those with limited incomeNo one will be turned away for lack of funds—please reach out here
Who is this for?
Mindfulness and/or Focusing are new to you.
You're curious & would like to try these in a single setting to see how they feel.
5-week class
Building a Mindfulness Practice
If you are new to mindfulness or want to strengthen your practice, this class is for you!
During this five week course, you’ll practice mindfulness within a supportive community of caregivers who have similar aspirations and challenges. You’ll learn traditional meditation techniques, like sitting and walking meditation. Because it can be difficult for caregivers to carve out time for ourselves, you’ll learn some “just in time” meditation techniques that can fit seamlessly into your day. Each week, you'll receive "home practices" to use at home, and. you can practice these alone and with your loved one. In this way, you'll start training your mind to be present with your thoughts and emotions with more compassion and less judgment. Lastly, you'll be introduced to some virtual mindfulness communities so that you can practice with others after the class is over.
Each class consists of a short teaching followed by Q&A, a guided meditation and group discussion. Overall, the class includes five live sessions (two hours per session), access to recordings if you miss a class and articles and exercise sheets to guide your learning.
Class size is intentionally small (12 spaces) so as to foster community, reflection and experimentation. A wait list will be started after the class fills.
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Five live classes via Zoom, two hours per class
Thursdays, 6-8pm ET options include:
Nov. 6 - Dec. 11 (skip Thanksgiving)
Jan. 8 - Feb. 5
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I offer three pricing tiers to honor both accessibility and sustainability:
Supporter Rate: $245
Helps make the classes accessible to othersStandard Rate: $195
Covers the full cost of the classesCommunity Rate: $100
For those with limited incomeNo one will be turned away for lack of funds—please reach out here
Who is this for?
You could be new to mindfulness or wanting to reboot your practice.
Either way, you want to build a mindfulness practice, integrate this into your life and reflect on your experience within a supportive community of caregivers
Private Focusing session + 6-week class
Focusing Level 1: Learning to listen to the wisdom of your body
Learn a simple, step-by-step process that can help you shift toward well-being.
During this six week course, you’ll build concrete skills and practice them within a supportive community of caregivers. Before the class starts, you’ll have a private, 60-minute Focusing session with Marie so that you can fully experience the Focusing process before you start learning to guide yourself. Once class begins, the weekly exercises and partnerships will help you weave Focusing techniques into your day and experience the benefits. Should you wish, you can share these tools with your loved one and support each other’s learning.
Classes are interactive and each includes a presentation, discussion, demonstration, and a Focusing partnership, during which you'll be paired with a classmate to practice an exercise. Later in the week, at a mutually agreed time outside of class, the two of you can meet virtually for 1/2 hour to practice a carefully structured exercise. This weekly partnership will help you build skills and confidence. Often, Focusing partners continue to practice together long after the class has ended. Readings for the program come from The Focusing Student’s and Companion’s Manual, by Ann Weiser-Cornell & Barbara McGain, which is provided as part of the course. This class is Part 1 of a four part program.
Overall, the class includes an hour-long, private Focusing session with Marie, six live sessions via Zoom (two hours per session), access to recorded classes (in case you miss one), an option to attend practice sessions, The Focusing Student’s and Companion’s Manual as a PDF, and articles and exercises to guide your learning.
The class size is intentionally small (10 spaces) so as to foster community, reflection and experimentation. A wait list will be started after the class fills.
Free information session with Marie Oct. 28, 2-3pm & Nov 18, 2-3pm
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The one hour private Focusing session with Marie (via Zoom or phone) will be scheduled at a mutually acceptable time.
Six live classes via Zoom, two hours per class
Options include:
Oct 21 - Nov 25 from 2-4 ET
Dec 2 - Jan 6 from 2-4 ET
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I offer three pricing tiers to honor both accessibility and sustainability:
Supporter Rate: $340
Helps make the classes accessible to othersStandard Rate: $290
Covers the full cost of the classesCommunity Rate: $180
For those with limited incomeNo one will be turned away for lack of funds—please reach out here
Who is this for?
You feel caught in narratives and/or emotional patterns. You want to learn practical ways to build self compassion and emotional resilience.
You'd like to tap into your own deep knowing to access guidance and healing.
Marie’s classes feel friendly, engaging and practical - so you can use what you learn in real life.
Classes are designed to build community and enhance participation. By blending content, compassion and interaction, the classes feel engaging, intimate and often include a good laugh. Marie encourages participants to experiment and play with awareness practices, both in and outside of class, so that each person builds an individualized “tool belt” that they can use long after the class is over.