Mindfulness Meditation

For millennia, people have been coming together outdoors to sit on the earth in nature while cultivating presence and ease. Each class will start with a few minutes of gentle qigong-like movements to release tension, regulate the nervous system, and promote embodiment. Mindfulness meditation instructions will be given, and the meditation will be partially guided, followed by a short wisdom teaching to apply to your everyday life. You can recline in the grass and gaze at the sky or sit on a chair or cushion (please bring something to sit or lie on).
Because we are practicing outside in a public garden, the practice will be open and inclusive of the environment and all of the possible distractions, such as seals barking and foghorns. It will be good practice for life! This class will explore topics such as staying steady in uncertain times, the interconnected, abundant nature of the world, and cultivating gratitude and other positive psychological states.

THE DETAILS
– Meditation will not be available on the following days during the 2026 season: August 2 and August 23
– This class will be held outdoors, so please be prepared for the weather with appropriate layers.
– Rain, soggy conditions, or temperatures below 40°F cancel – check this web page or the Facebook event for cancellation notices.
– Bring something to sit on, sunscreen/sun protection, and drinking water.
– Plan to arrive at the Gardens' entrance by 12:00 PM to allow plenty of time to reach the Event Lawn. The class will begin promptly at 12:30 PM.
– To reach the Event Lawn, stay on the South Trail (veer left) and breeze past the Dahlia Garden; you will arrive at the Event Lawn in a flash.

ADMISSION & CLASS FEE
– The class fee is a sliding scale of $10 to $25 per participant, plus the Gardens' general admission.​
– Pay admission at the entrance or get admission tickets online.
– Members of the Gardens enter for free.
– The class fee will be collected by the instructor when you reach the Event Lawn (cash, check, or Venmo).

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Ashley Sharp finds great joy in the ongoing study and practice of mindfulness meditation and has been teaching meditation, mindfulness, and yoga for over two decades. Her deep curiosity and love of teaching are evident from the first class. Her classes weave together the inspirational, the nitty-gritty how-to, and practical daily life applications of both mindfulness and wisdom teachings. She graduated from the "Dedicated Practitioner Program" and the "Community Dharma Leader" (both are 2-year invitational trainings through Spirit Rock Meditation Center). In 2015, she co-founded a community meditation group called Insight Richmond. She currently lives in Northern California among the redwood trees, where she runs a small retreat center called Refuge at Pudding Creek. The center focuses on awakening through mindfulness, nature, art, and yoga. Sharp is the author of "Mindfulness for Beginners: 4 Weeks to Everyday Peace, Gratitude, and Focus".