COURSE PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS

“This course helped me contemplate how healing it can be when we allow ourselves to step back from our daily routine and create space to just be with nature and with our own nature.” – Marwa Elgezery, M.Ed., EdD., Head of School, Sakura International School 

“Becoming more aware of my body has significantly changed how I perceive my emotions and manage self-regulation during challenging times. Embodied presence during the days, meetings, etc. also helps me to better connect with people around me, as I am more aware of how my body is responding to what is happening in the present moment.” – Geissy Araujo, Neuroscientist and Psychologist 

“When I heard the teacher’s words, thoughts, and reflections, I felt like I was being understood by someone, someone who doesn’t know me personally, but they could tell how I was feeling.” – Junli Zhai 

LIVE COURSE SESSIONS

Session 1: Foundations of Contemplation and Inner Transformation – Ancient Wisdom and New Science on the Practice of Meditation — Cortland Dahl
Thursday October 23 @ 9:00 -10:30 pm HKT / 9:00 -10:30 am EDT

Meditation is often much easier than we think. With just a few minutes each day, we can shift from a state of obsessive doing to one of effortless being, tapping into a deep reservoir of awareness, compassion, and wisdom. Drawing on both timeless contemplative traditions and the latest scientific research, this session will explore the foundations of contemplation and inner transformation.

Participants will be introduced to simple micro-practices that can be used anytime, anywhere—even in stressful moments—as opportunities for inner exploration and self-discovery. Through guided practices and reflection, we will examine how meditative awareness helps us transform challenges into opportunities for growth, and how intentional inner work strengthens integrity, well-being, and impact in the wider world.

Session 2: Contemplating Nature, the Divine Feminine, and the Universe as Sound – Connecting to Ourselves and Our World as an Interdependent Web — Chandra Easton
Thursday October 30 @ 9:00 -10:30 pm HKT/ 9:00 – 10:30 am EDT

Across contemplative traditions, the feminine is seen as a generative force—embodying compassion, creativity, and the deep wisdom of interconnection. In this session, we will explore practices rooted in Tibetan Buddhist teachings on Tara, the goddess of compassion, and the principle of sound as a doorway into presence and belonging.

Through chanting, sound practices, and seated meditation, participants will discover how these timeless methods can open the heart, deepen resilience, and expand perspective. By attuning to the interdependent web of life, we cultivate compassion, insight, and a felt sense of connection with one another and the world around us.

Session 3: The Power of the Heart and the Breath – Restoring Balance, Coherence, and Emotional Resilience — Motoko Kimura
Thursday November 6 @ 9:00 – 10:30pm HKT/ 8:00 – 9:30am EST

Modern research shows that the heart is more than a physical organ—it plays a vital role in emotional regulation, resilience, and our sense of inner balance. In this session, we explore the practice of heart-focused breathing and meditation, drawing on insights from the HeartMath system, which combines heart–brain science with practical tools for well-being.

Participants will learn simple breathwork and meditation techniques that help restore balance in moments of stress, activate positive emotions, and cultivate a state of heart coherence—an alignment of body, mind, and emotions that supports both clarity and compassion. By attuning to the heart and breath, we open a pathway to greater resilience, emotional stability, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Session 4: Exploring the Wisdom of the Body: Contemplation in Motion — Arawana Hayashi
Thursday November 13 @ 9:00 – 10:30pm HKT/ Thursday November 13 @ 8:00 – 9:30 am EST

The body holds an innate wisdom that can guide us toward greater resilience, clarity, and responsive leadership. In this session, we explore how mindful movement and embodied practices can deepen self-understanding and strengthen our capacity to lead with presence.

Drawing from traditions such as Tai Chi, Qi Gong, yoga, breathwork, and somatics, participants will engage in practices that cultivate awareness of the body in motion. These contemplative methods offer a way to shift from reactivity to responsiveness, helping us embody resilience, expand perspective, and lead with greater integrity and balance.

Session 5: Becoming an Integrated Leader: From Personal Practice to Social Impact — Yuki Imoto
Thursday November 20 @ 9:00 – 10:30 pm HKT/  8:00-9:30am EST

This closing session weaves together the insights and practices of the course, focusing on how contemplative methods can be integrated into daily life and leadership. By grounding leadership in inner practice, we strengthen the foundation for resilience, collaboration, and meaningful change.

Through group practice, reflection, and action commitments, participants will identify the tools and approaches that best support their clarity and well-being. We will also explore practical strategies for weaving breathwork, nature connection, and somatic practices into the work of social impact—highlighting how inner transformation fuels collective wisdom and leadership for the greater good.

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TEACHERS