Wed, Nov 18 - Thu, Nov 19 2026, All day (Requires Registration)
AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing will be held November 18-19, 2026 at the Contemplative Commons. Registration is now open!
At a time when anxiety is increasingly felt about the rapid advancement, widespread adoption, and future uncertainty of artificial intelligence, this symposium convenes changemakers in emerging technology, higher education, and the contemplative sciences to address the driving question, “How can we prepare young adults for the future of AI?”
Fri, Nov 13 2026, 11:00am - 12pm
Fri, Nov 13 2026, 7:00pm - 8pm
Join the Contemplative Sciences Center and TechnoSonics for the debut of this live neuroart creation in the Conservatory. In partnership with TechnoSonics Festival, the Omnisonan Project, a new ensemble in the Contemplative Commons, launches its debut immersive light and sound exhibit, Synaisthesis in the CSC Conservatory. Omnisonan is a neuroart collaboration between Karianne Michelle (sound bowls), Matthew Burtner (computer music), R. Lee Kennedy (digital lighting), and David Acunzo (neuroscience).
Upcoming
Events
Fridays
6:30 - 8:00am
Open to All
Fridays
8:00 - 9:00am
Open to All
Fridays
11:15am - 12:15pm
Sundays
12:15 - 1:15pm
Wednesdays
5:30 - 6:30pm
For UVA students
On 10/18, class will be held in Studio 3C.
Mondays to Fridays
12:00 - 12:20pm
Open to All
Fridays
1:00 - 4:30pm
Open to All
Mondays to Thursdays
3:00 - 7:30pm
Sunday and Saturdays
12:00 - 5:30pm
Fridays
3:00 - 5:30pm
Open to All
Contemplative Commons
303 (Studio 3C)
&
First Floor Gallery
403 Emmet St South
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Open to All
Sundays
12:15 - 1:30pm
Open to All
Sundays
2:00 - 3:00pm
Open to All
Special Events
— Special Event
Join us for some Halloween day community events: an all-levels yoga class (all levels, all bodies) from 11:00am-12:00pm (Studio 3C) and some seasonal creativity from 12:30-2:00pm (Gallery). A cozy, low-key space to make something festive and take a breather before afternoon and evening festivities. Everyone welcome. Open to All.
— Special Event
Join the Contemplative Sciences Center and TechnoSonics for the debut of this live neuroart creation in the Conservatory. In partnership with TechnoSonics Festival, the Omnisonan Project, a new ensemble in the Contemplative Commons, launches its debut immersive light and sound exhibit, Synaisthesis in the CSC Conservatory. Omnisonan is a neuroart collaboration between Karianne Michelle (sound bowls), Matthew Burtner (computer music), R. Lee Kennedy (digital lighting), and David Acunzo (neuroscience). Requires Registration.
— Special Event
The Space Between Us is a highly interactive workshop designed for faculty and staff who want to navigate disagreement more effectively, provide direct and constructive feedback, and build stronger professional relationships across differences in perspective, status, and expertise. Drawing on mindfulness, mediation, contemplative traditions, and conflict transformation, participants practice four essential skills: tuning inward to recognize their own reactions, observing without evaluation to separate facts from assumptions, expanding beyond positions to understand underlying needs and interests, and exploring conflict with curiosity rather than defensiveness. Requires Registration.
— Special Event
AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing will be held November 18-19, 2026 at the Contemplative Commons. Registration is now open!
At a time when anxiety is increasingly felt about the rapid advancement, widespread adoption, and future uncertainty of artificial intelligence, this symposium convenes changemakers in emerging technology, higher education, and the contemplative sciences to address the driving question, “How can we prepare young adults for the future of AI?” Requires Registration.
— Special Event
As the semester’s demands crest alongside holiday pressures, join us for a faculty-centered day dedicated to rest, connection, and renewal. Rooted in the spirit of hygge, the practice of finding warmth and coziness in the everyday, this retreat for UVA faculty members isn’t about escaping the season; it's about remembering to pause in the busyness. The day offers two full rounds of programming blending movement, nature, community, and stillness to help you navigate winter blues and end of season stress. Choose your own adventure of T’ai Chi, nature connection, two interactive workshops offering practical tools to carry into the new year, and a restorative soundbath. Requires Registration.
Drop-in Events
Fridays
6:30 - 8:00am
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
8:00 - 9:00am
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.
Fridays
11:15am - 12:15pm
Wednesdays
5:30 - 6:30pm
Yoga is for everyone! Come and enjoy beginner friendly yoga practices led by members of our student peer programming team who have completed their yoga teacher training! Friday and Sunday classes meet in Studio 3B (300). Wednesday classes meet in Studio 3D (304). For UVA students.
On 10/18, class will be held in Studio 3C.
Mondays to Fridays
12:00 - 12:20pm
Join us for a midday contemplative break led by the Contemplative Sciences Center staff and guest instructors. While practices shared may come from various traditions, they aim to invite participants to explore the mindful qualities of present-moment awareness, curiosity, and non-judgment. These are free, drop-in sessions for all of the UVA and Charlottesville community. Open and accessible to beginners and advanced practitioners alike.
Open to All.
Fridays
1:00 - 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. Drop in to any class. All are open to the public.
Open to All.
Mondays to Thursdays
3:00 - 7:30pm
Fridays
3:00 - 5:30pm
Synaisthesis is an immersive light and sound exhibit in the Conservatory at the Contemplative Commons. A collaboration between Karianne Michelle, R. Lee Kennedy, David Acunzo and Matthew Burtner, the installation is open daily. Experience standing-wave acoustics and binaural beating patterns along with the synchronized lighting. Open to All.
Sundays
12:15 - 1:30pm
Write & Reset will provide an opportunity for participants to explore journaling as a form of practice, while enjoying a quiet and relaxing space to help move into the start of the week on the right foot. Journals will be provided as well as items to customize them. Each week will bring a new prompt to engage with as well as light refreshments for participants enjoyment.
Open to All.
Sundays
2:00 - 5:00pm
Put away your phones, turn off your laptops and settle in for screen-free reading at the Contemplative Commons.
Read for class (print out your coursework!) or just bring your favorite book or magazine. Comfy couches and snacks will be provided. Every Sunday from 2-5pm on the 4th Floor Alchemy space in the Contemplative Commons. Drop in and leave whenever you like. No registration required. For UVA students.
Sundays
2:00 - 3:00pm
Join us for all-level Capoeira on Sundays starting September 20 at the Contemplative Commons, from 2-3pm. Free and open to the public. Open to All.
Sundays
2:00 - 3:00pm
Join us for a relaxing sound bath session on Sundays at the Contemplative Commons. Led by a trained practitioner, a sound bath is a meditative sonic experience that eases stress and cultivates rest. Participants sit or lie comfortably while absorbing gentle vibrations from instruments such as chimes, drums, and singing bowls.
(Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)
Open to All.
Sundays
4:00 - 5:00pm
Instructor: Seunghun Lee. In this fun Sunday class, students will practice Ashtanga yoga and build a practice that works for them at their level and pace. Previous yoga experience is not required. Classes are filled with posture breakdowns, alignment cues, and variations to modify poses that may be new or currently inaccessible. This class will likely include half of the primary series and will be modified according to the needs of those practicing. Expect a lovely 40-minute yoga workout, cooldown and rest, and community fun in a low pressure environment! Open to All.
Mondays to Thursdays
6:00 - 9:00am
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.