Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention on purpose to the present moment.  Mindfulness can be practiced formally through different forms of meditation and informally as we go throughout the day.  Observing our thought patterns and cultivating our attention on purpose, allows us to gain clarity that enables us to live with intention, reduce stress and be more present.

VCU and The Innerwork Center

Build emotional resilience, reduce stress, improve your relationships and craft a more meaningful life - these are just some of the benefits of a regular mindfulness practice.  VCU and The Innerwork Center are proud to join together in bringing evidence-based mindfulness programming to the Richmond area. Through our partnership, we strive to cultivate a wiser and more compassionate RVA with a rich offering of classes to help you learn more about mindfulness - what it is and how to start a practice.  Through our courses, you will learn about the science of mindfulness and compassion as well as practical tips and advice to bring these concepts into your home, your work and your life.

Mindfulness Workshops 

We offer the following mindfulness workshops:

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Express

  Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teaches proven techniques for living in the present and reducing the worries and fears that cause unnecessary stress. Learn the science and application of mind-body medicine to promote resilience and healing. Based on the highly acclaimed program of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, this streamlined version of MBSR will give you all the essential lessons in eight two-hour online classes. It will help you improve focus, combat stress, and become more resilient to unpredictable life events.

• Mindfulness for Business Executives

  In today's fast-paced and highly-competitive business world, executives find themselves under immense pressure, dealing with constant challenges, and striving for success. This program is designed to provide leaders with practical tools and techniques to enhance their focus, reduce stress, and improve their overall well-being. By incorporating mindfulness practices into their daily routines, business executives can make more informed decisions, build stronger relationships, and lead with greater clarity and resilience.

• Mindfulness for Emerging Adults (18-29)

  Entering adulthood is an exhilarating and, at times, overwhelming phase of life. While you’ve likely strived for independence, the weight of real world responsibilities can often feel daunting. Among the multitude of choices, it's natural to question whether you're making the right decisions. Mindfulness is a potent tool to assist emerging adults, like you, in navigating this pivotal juncture. It empowers you to listen to your inner voice, slow down long enough to make good decisions, and support you when you’re dealing with tough stuff.

  We invite you to join us for a 4-week course designed to explore various mindfulness techniques tailored to address the unique challenges you're currently encountering. During these sessions, we'll create a safe space for you to share your thoughts, aspirations, dreams, and even the hurdles you're facing. Together, we'll gain insight into how mindfulness can serve as a valuable companion, supporting you as you navigate the ebbs and flows of life. The course materials that accompany this class are the KORU app and a book called "The Mindful Twenty-Something" by Holly Rogers.

• Mindfulness Essentials

  Mindfulness meditation helps us to develop a clear mind, compassionate heart, and greater sense of well-being. Meditation offers us time and space to step away from our busy schedules, to develop awareness of our sensations, feelings, and thoughts as they arise and to accept ourselves just as we are. This workshop will introduce you to the practice and benefits of mindfulness, and through a variety of learning experiences learn how to begin creatively and kindly incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily lives. You will leave this workshop with the tools and understanding to begin your own personal practice.

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Workshop facilitators

The Innerwork Center is honored to share the most highly qualified and experienced staff of mindfulness teachers in the Richmond area. All of their facilitators have certification from reputable institutions in the field of mindfulness and years of experience in teaching and coaching. Many of their teachers have advanced degrees and all have a rigorous personal mindfulness practice.

Meet your facilitator

The Innerwork Center is honored to share the most highly qualified and experienced staff of mindfulness teachers in the Richmond area

• Aubrey Ford

  Aubrey Ford's training in mindfulness represents a substantial change in direction after a 40 year career as a trial lawyer who focused on civil litigation and was inducted into the distinguished American College of Trial Lawyers. Aubrey has maintained a regular meditation practice for over twenty years and attended extended retreats with Thich Nhat Hanh, Omega Institute and Insight Meditation. He is certified as a mindfulness meditation teacher by the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, having completed its two-year program led by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Aubrey recently completed a three-year term as President of The Innerwork Center.
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• Dennis Williams

  Dennis Williams II, MA MEd, is a doctoral student in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education at the University of Virginia, where he teaches undergraduate mindfulness courses and serves as a research assistant in the Contemplative Teaching and Learning Lab. Dennis worked for several years in Richmond Public Schools and Virginia Commonwealth University's Gender and Women's Studies Department. He is also a community activist and creative writer with publications in outlets like Johns Hopkins University's African American Review, Illinois State University's Obsidian Literature and Art in the African Diaspora, the Richmond Racial Equity Essays series, and Educational Policy. He is certified to teach mindfulness by the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults.

Location

Online workshops are held via the Zoom platform. VCU Continuing and Professional Education will provide you with a link where you can connect through your PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android device.

In-person workshops are held at the VCU Academic Learning Commons, 1000 Floyd Avenue, Room 4110, Richmond, Virginia. Hourly parking is available on the street and in the West Main Street Parking Deck, 801 West Main Street, Richmond, Virginia.

Groups

Additional scheduling and custom training options are available for groups. Please contact Shelly Schuetz at ssschuetz@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1322 for more information.

Cancellation and Refund Policies

You may cancel your registration up until one week prior to the start of the workshop and receive a full refund minus a $35 processing fee. Cancellations must be received via email at ocpe@vcu.edu. After this period, no refunds are given.

In the unlikely event that a workshop is cancelled or postponed due to insufficient enrollments or unforeseen circumstances, the university will fully refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for any other expenses, including change or cancellation charges to include but not limited to airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or other organizations.