The bravest and kindest sign of love that anyone can offer to minoritized communities involves understanding. At times, life’s complexities and the diversity of our human experience compel us to create subgroups that end up being marginalized, undeserved and vulnerable. People are not categories. It is not possible to define a human BEing by a two-dimensional checkbox.
This collaborative 4-session online series designed by AlmaYEspiritu will be led by experts in the field of mindfulness in minoritized communities, such as Latinx, Immigrants, People with Addiction, and Survivors of Suicide Loss and the Bereaved. Together, we will explore how mindfulness practices impact vulnerable groups - and what that means for all of us.
The purpose of these sessions is to help develop empathy, compassion, connection, and understanding of what it means to Be vulnerable. Let’s raise awareness beginning with ourselves, and experience mindful ways to feel understood and interconnected. All are welcome as we honor one another during kick off of the National Hispanic Heritage month.
Mindfulness and Mental Health
Session 1 : Sunday, September 12 at 5:30 pm
What is the relationship between mindfulness and mental health? This workshop explore how we define mental health and mental illness, and presents the idea of “mental hygiene” as a path to wellBEing. Together, we’ll consider ways these social constructs impact vulnerable populations. Opening Session led by Charity Collier, Elaine Ramos-Rodriguez and Criss Cuervo
Mindfulness in Latinx and Immigrant Communities
Session 2: Sunday, September 19 at 5:30 pm
This interactive workshop will examine in-depth how mindfulness can be beneficial for overcoming mental health stigmas in the Latinx community, and how it can help immigrant communities cope with acculturative stress. Participants will learn basic tools to implement in their daily lives, and how to integrate these culturally-attuned mindfulness practices. Everyone is welcome! Led by Criss Cuervo, Founder of AlmaYEspiritu
Mindfulness for People with Addictions
Session 3: Sunday, September 26 at 5:30 pm
This workshop will explore how mindfulness practices can benefit individuals struggling with addiction. Learn why mindfulness can offer new possibilities for individuals with addiction, and how to implement a practice for those working towards or in recovery. The workshop will offer a short meditation practice and mindful activity. Led by Charity Collier, Mindfulness & Addiction Specialist
Mindfulness for Suicide Survivors
Session 4 - Sunday, October 3 at 5:30 pm
In this workshop, we’ll discuss the benefits of mindfulness practice for those in the grieving and bereavement process related to suicide. Survivors often experience complex emotions, long-term struggles, isolation or confusion that mindfulness practice can begin to unravel. Meditation exercises will be shared with compassion and kindness. Led by Elaine Ramos-Rodriguez of AlmaYEspiritu
$22 per session or $80 for the 4-session series
Be Well Be Here offers scholarship and subsidies so ALL can be included regardless of ability to pay - simply fill out the BWBH Scholarship Form.
About Criss Cuervo, Founder and Leader of AlmaYEspiritu
After several years in the corporate world working for companies such as CBS, Telemundo, Comcast, ESPN, DishLATINO—and receiving multiple awards for leadership, performance and innovation skills—Criss decided to make a radical change in her profession. Why? She was intrigued by what made some people successful and how they maintained a balance between professional and personal life. In 2016, she launched AlmayEspiritu.com, a socially responsible company whose mission is to deliver mindfulness-based life and work balance tools to people around the globe. In 2019, Criss earned a Masters Degree in Mindfulness from Lesley University, and in 2020 became a certified teacher of the renowned leadership program developed at Google, Search Inside Yourself. That same year, Criss published her first book, PERTENÆCER: Eight-Week Mindfulness and Meditation Training and Practices for Latinx Immigrants in the United States ©, through which she shares mindfulness-based stress management tools for immigrants in the US. Originally from Venezuela, Criss spent most of her adult years in the United States. She currently resides in Toledo, Spain. In her free time, she enjoys to meditate, read, walk in nature, do yoga, Zumba, or play tennis!
