Fri, Apr 10 2026, 11am - 12pm (Open to All)
Join us for this talk with Asa Jackson, multidisciplinary artist, curator, and director or the McColl Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jackson will discuss his work on display in the lobby of the Contemplative Commons. Titled Daybreak (Dawn of Consciousness 2), the work—composed of fabrics cut and sewn together—explores the cross section of textiles from various countries, time periods, and personal histories, transforming fabric into visual narratives.
Upcoming
Events
Thursdays
7 - 7:45pm
Fridays
5 - 5:45pm
Open to All
Monday and Wednesdays
12:15 - 12:45pm
Open to All
The Wed. Apr 8 class has been cancelled.
Mondays
7:15 - 7:45pm
Open to All
Tuesday and Thursdays
7 - 7:20am
Open to All
Tuesdays
4 - 4:45pm
Open to All
Tuesdays
5 - 5:45pm
Open to All
Wednesdays
6:30 - 7:30pm
Open to All
Fridays
8 - 9am
Open to All
9am - 4:30pm
UVA Community
UVA Graduate Students and Faculty Only
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Open to All
Mondays to Fridays
11:30 - 11:50am
Open to All
Special Events
— Special Event
Join facilitator Samantha Lane for Movement Mondays, two sessions of The 360 Emergence conscious dance and embodiment practice on April 6 & May 25 from 5-6pm in Studio 1B. The 360 Emergence is a dynamic free-form, embodiment practice that bridges dance and personal growth, rigor and freedom, individuality and the global collective. The 360 functions as a living laboratory where collective care becomes the catalyst for heart-led coherence, respect and the evolution of human dignity. Open to All.
to — Special Event
Metaphor – using a more concrete example to express a more abstract idea or experience – is a fundamental feature of literature and language. The study of metaphor as a feature of language has long been central to literary studies. The study of Buddhist literature has given some attention to metaphor, drawing primarily from literary studies. In this workshop we week to identify features of metaphorical expression that are often a work in Buddhist contemplative literature. For UVA Graduate Students and Faculty. UVA Community.
— Special Event
Join us for this talk with Asa Jackson, multidisciplinary artist, curator, and director or the McColl Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jackson will discuss his work on display in the lobby of the Contemplative Commons. Titled Daybreak (Dawn of Consciousness 2), the work—composed of fabrics cut and sewn together—explores the cross section of textiles from various countries, time periods, and personal histories, transforming fabric into visual narratives. Open to All.
— Special Event
Marc Brackett examines his own challenges dealing with emotions, explains the latest science of emotion regulation, and provides a set of practical, evidence-based strategies to help us use our feelings wisely to nurture healthy relationships, achieve ambitious goals, and experience greater well-being. At the heart of his message is acceptance: There are no bad emotions—only emotions we don't understand or know how to direct in positive, intentional ways. This event is free. Requires Registration.
to — Special Event
UVA Rec and the Contemplative Sciences Center are partnering to offer students a retreat under the sun and stars at the Big Meadows campground in Shenandoah National Park. Come experience the awe of the morning and night skies. The retreat includes star-watching, a hike, and morning yoga practice. Registration Full.
— Special Event
The University of Virginia School of Nursing; School of Education and Human Development; and Contemplative Sciences Center are co-hosting a half day pan-University Compassionate Care Research Symposium related to compassion research and scholarship across Grounds. This symposium will explore compassion related research with an interdisciplinary focus and is intended to spark connections and collaborations. Requires Registration.
— Special Event
Mountainfilm on Tour visits Charlottesville on April 18 at the Contemplative Commons. Join us for an evening of inspiring and captivating films handpicked from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado. Watch the trailer. Open to All.
— Special Event
This workshop will begin with an introduction to the view that how we show up in our lives is often mediated by a constellation of parts and patterns that manage and protect us in an attempt to achieve a sense of safety and connection. Although these parts of us are well intentioned, mistaking them for the essence of who we are disconnects us from our already whole and awakened nature and limits our ability to courageously and responsively meet life and show up in this world from our greatest depth and integrity. Open to All.
— Special Event
As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, economies, and daily life, a deeper question rises to the surface: What is all this innovation for? AI & Human Flourishing invites leaders, founders, policymakers, and technologists to zoom out from product features and market disruption to examine the broader societal and ethical implications of artificial intelligence. What does responsible innovation look like at scale? Open to All.
— Special Event
Join an Ayurveda weekend workshop with author Kate O’Donnell. The event will include three separate workshops on Ayurveda over the course of the weekend. You may register for the whole weekend or for a single day. We are offering reduced prices for students. Requires Registration.
— Special Event
This concert features the importance of Basant or Spring in the mystical traditions of South Asia. Acclaimed Indian classical vocalist, Vidushi Ramneek Singh will render shabads (meditative hymns) from the Guru Granth Sahib in the ragas of Basant, Bahar and Hindol. She will also present aspects of Spring from the Sufi poetry of masters such as Amir Khusraw. Accompanists include Shreyas Ravi (Harmonium) and Abhay Kulkarni (Tabla). This event is presented by the Poetry, Mysticism, and Performance Working Group at the Institute for the Humanities and Global Cultures (IHGC) and is cosponsored by the Contemplative Sciences Center and Mr. Sartj Alag. Open to All.
— Special Event
The final presentations of the 2025-2026 Citizen Leaders Fellows are the culmination of a year-long fellowship for a select group of UVA international students, transfer students, and student athletes who designed innovative projects to promote student flourishing. Open to All.
Drop-in Events
Monday and Wednesdays
12:15 - 12:45pm
A seated movement practice meant to meet the physical body where it has landed. In this practice we will breathe and flow through sequences that help us find roots and passively achieve deep, strengthening postures. Join in person or virtually on Zoom. Instructor: Allie Redshaw. Open to All.
Mondays
7:15 - 7:45pm
An integrative practice with gentle guidance meant to end the day with stillness in the body and presence in the mind. Instructor: Allie Redshaw. Open to All.
Tuesday and Thursdays
7 - 7:20am
An integrative practice with gentle guidance meant to welcome the day with stillness in the body and presence in the mind. Join in person or virtually on Zoom. Instructor: Allie Redshaw. Open to All.
Thursdays
7 - 7:45pm
Fridays
5 - 5:45pm
A practice of bringing the nervous system into the realm of deep relaxation with breath and guided meditation. Instructor: Allie Redshaw. Open to All.
Tuesdays
4 - 4:45pm
If you are dealing with (chronic) pain or recovering from an injury, this gentle yoga practice can help you find relief and renewed energy for self-care. Through breath work, movement and modifications, we cultivate a greater sense of body awareness in your healing journey. Please check with your physician for permission to participate. Instructor: Cindy Crace. Open to All.
Tuesdays
5 - 5:45pm
This yoga practice will help lower stress, calm the nervous system, and release physical tension in the muscles. Through yoga, we can cultivate a sense of calm and balance, even amidst life‘s uncertainties and challenges. Instructor: Cindy Crace. Open to All.
Wednesdays
6:30 - 7:30pm
An upbeat, heart-centered class with an energizing flow that builds a feeling of vitality and community. Come to studio 4A to create space for authentic connection with yourself and others. Instructor: Nora Brookfield. Open to All.
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Join us for two Capoeira classes with Reggie "Reisa" Harrison in Studio 1B on Saturday April 11, 2026 and Saturday May 2, 2026 from 11am-12:30pm.
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that blends dance, music, acrobatics, and spirituality, rooted in flow rather than fixed stances.
Open to All.
Mondays to Thursdays
6 - 9am
Mysore-style classes provide students the opportunity to expand their experience and knowledge through individualized instruction and allow for traditional ashtanga yoga sequences to be modified to suit individual needs. This is a great class for beginners and those looking to deepen their relationship with yoga and establish a regular, personalized, and sustainable practice. Open to All.
Fridays
6:30 - 8am
In this class, the instructor leads participants through the entire ashtanga primary series, pairing movement with in- and out-breath to the traditional Sanskrit-counted vinyasa. The aim is for participants to flow through the poses and breathe together in a moving group meditation. As time does not allow for the instructor to explain the poses or the flow between them, this class is most suitable for those with experience practicing Ashtanga yoga. Open to All.
Fridays
8 - 9am
We will discuss yoga-related topics from philosophical ideas to questions about poses over a cup of chai. All are welcome. No physical practice required. Led by John Bultman. Open to All.
Mondays to Fridays
11:30 - 11:50am
Learn about and practice mindfulness and meditation in these free, drop-in sessions for all of the UVA and Charlottesville community. Open and accessible to beginners and advanced practitioners alike, these guided sessions are short and provide time for questions and reflection. Open to All.
Fridays
1 - 4:30pm
Join us Friday afternoons for these contemplative activities specially curated to help you reconnect with your body and feel refreshed for the weekend. (Sound Bath, Qi Gong, Yoga, and T'ai Chi) Drop in to any class. All are open to the public. Open to All.
Mondays
6 - 7:15pm
Tuesdays to Thursdays
5:30 - 6:45pm
The Active Series was developed by Sharath Jois and derived from a traditional Ashtanga Yoga practice. It retains all the benefits of the traditional method keeping the linking of movement with breath but includes new more accessible postures for a wider range of students in a modern age and setting. Students from all levels will be able to participate in a non-intimidating inclusive setting. Classes are open to all. Open to All.
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Join us every Sunday for a sound bath led by Selena Cozart. Free and open to the public.
Selena began her contemplative practice in a 115° heated yoga room in the early 2000s, moving through a 90-minute sequence repeated in the same order each session. Her entry into yoga was sparked by seeing a friend meditate in Easy Pose (Sukhasana) for over an hour — something she once believed was beyond her reach. Curious and determined, she took her first class and was hooked.
Open to All.