Caloosahatchee Mindfulness
December brings the close to 2022. For some, this is a season of festivities. Yet many here in SWFL are still dealing with the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian. In either case, now is a good time to be in community as our ancestors did to mark the darkest and longest night of the year. They prayed and believed that the light would return. We, too, can believe that light will return to our lives and communities. Day follows night. In these dark times, we can gather together, mourn our losses, share our memories, and hope for our futures.

This newsletter shares a variety of new Caloosahatchee Mindfulness offerings for 2023. We hope that you will find a good fit for you. On January 21, 2023, we will be holding our first membership gathering and half-day retreat at the beautiful Six Mile Cypress Slough. This is a free event for all our members and an opportunity to gather in community. We hope you will become a member and join us. See the membership link below. Can't wait to see you all!

May you and yours be safe and protected
May you and yours be peaceful and content
May you and yours be healthy and strong
May you and yours live with ease.

As this year draws to a close, we wish you moments of peace, joy, and community.
Maggie
Caloosahatchee Mindfulness Chair
Meet the Caloosahatchee Mindfulness Board
Valarie Olsen, a longtime resident of Southwest Florida, grew up and raised her family in Ft. Myers. Valarie attended Lee County schools, Edison Community College (now FSW), and earned a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2009. While raising children and attending college, Valarie discovered the benefits of a regular yoga practice, especially how it helped with stress management. She completed yoga teacher training in 2011 and began the journey to integrate yoga philosophy and western psychology into a counseling practice. Valarie is trained as a meditation teacher in the yoga tradition and currently has a wellness business offering yoga classes, meditation, and Ayurveda coaching, along with mental health counseling.
Valarie loves spending time with family, visiting her adult children, and especially her four grandchildren. She is a student of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. She loves to travel, spend time outdoors, and enjoy road trips to visit and hike in our glorious National Parks.

It was a natural fit to join Caloosahatchee Mindfulness and become involved with this wonderful group. Valarie has been a working member for 2 years and a Board member for the past year.

Valarie Olsen Counseling and Wellness, LLC is also a proud sponsor of Caloosahatchee Mindfulness. With a desire to share the gifts of mindfulness with our SWFL community, she is happy to have the opportunity to be part of educating and spreading the word about the benefits of mindfulness.
If interested in booking a yoga class, meditation, or Ayurveda session or scheduling a counseling appointment, please email Valarie, valarie@valarieolsencounselingandwellness.com or book on the Heart Space Yoga Collective website: https://www.heartspaceyogacollective.com/
Membership Gathering
Caloosahatchee Mindfulness is excited to announce its first annual membership gathering at Six Mile Cypress Slough on January 21, 2023, from 9 am to 1 pm. Activities include mindful movement, guided and walking meditation, a light lunch on the deck, and fellowship.

Parking is limited, and there is a $5-a-day charge. It is recommended for people meet at a nearby shopping center and carpool to the Slough. The gathering will be held in the Interpretive Center, the building you see when entering the driveway. This is a members-only event. Not a member? Now's the chance to join us!
Mindfulness Practice Opportunities
MINDFULNESS-BASED STRESS REDUCTION (MBSR) ORIENTATION

An eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course will be
offered in January 2023.

The class instructor is Anne Louise Kracmer, LCSW. 

Free orientation classes will be offered on January 17 and 24, from 12 pm - 2 pm. The MBSR Orientation session is required before registering for the full, eight-week MBSR class. It is considered a prerequisite for the series. 

The class will be held on Zoom, from January 24-March 14, from 12 pm-2:30 pm
with one all-day session on March 4th from 8:45 am - 4 pm.

Once a participant is registered, the secure Zoom link will be sent by email.
Caloosahatchee Rising Tide Sangha's
Midweek Mindfulness
Sangha is the Pali word for community.

You are invited to attend the every Wednesday Sangha that meets on Zoom for meditation and deep sharing.
This is a great opportunity to check in with yourself and the sangha during the week. So come relax and calm the mind and body, and practice meditation and deep listening together with us. 

Did you know that Caloosahatchee Rising Tide Sangha is listed in Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village Global Sangha Directory? Join us and see how sangha can support your practice.

You can register on our website, www.caloosahatcheemindfulness.org and the Zoom link will be sent to you. For more information, you can also email us at caloosahatcheemindfulness16@gmail.com
Mindfulness Book Club

A small group that studies and shares books on mindfulness practices to create a happier and healthier life.
For information on joining the group by Zoom and the next book to be discussed, call or text (941) 888-0116 or email caloosahatcheemindfulness16@gmail.com

The book club is now reading Boundless Heart: The Buddha’s Path of Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity by Christina Feldman 

Discussion is focused on understanding how the author’s words and concepts
are relevant to our daily lives.

The book club is free to all Caloosahatchee Mindfulness members or participants can join for the pre-pandemic fee of $20 a month ($5 a week).

For more information about membership see the membership information below.
Friday Time-Out
Every Friday morning and evening at 10:00 am and 5 pm, meditation sessions include a 20-minute meditation with initial guidance and then silent sitting. After the meditation, there is a group discussion, a 5-minute silent reflection, and then thought for the week and check out. These meditations are offered at no cost and no experience is necessary.

For information on joining the group by Zoom, call or text (941) 888-0116,
or email caloosahatcheemindfulness16@gmail.com. You can also register on our website and receive the link directly. www.caloosahatcheemindfulness.org
With Gratitude to our Community Partners
We are so grateful to our Community Partners for their support of mindfulness!
Lotus Blossom Clinic
Metta Mindfulness
Valarie Olsen Counseling & Wellness
Supporting Mindfulness
Become a Caloosahatchee Mindfulness Member!
We invite you to join us in our practice of mindfulness. We welcome you to check out our new and improved website at

You can join us directly from the website,
or contact us via email at CaloosahatcheeMindfulness16@gmail.com and we will be happy to mail you a membership brochure.

We look forward to practicing with you. 🙏🏼
Mindfulness on the Go!
Can't make Midweek Mindfulness?
Need a few minutes to quiet the mind?
Join us on Insight Timer! 📿