AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing

AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing

Wed, Nov 18 - Thu, Nov 19 2026, All day (Requires Registration)

Registration Coming Soon

AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing will be held November 18-19, 2026 at the Contemplative Commons. Stay tuned for registration information! 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?”

Upcoming
Events

a group of students sits on a wooden floor in the Contemplative Commons and meditates, overlooking the foliage below from the floor to ceiling window

Midday Mindfulness

Mondays to Fridays

12:00 - 12:20pm

Open to All

A group of students practicing yoga. They sit with their legs straight and reach towards their toes.

Yoga for Resilience

Tuesdays

5:30 - 6:30pm

Open to All

Students practice Ashtanga Yoga, reaching their arms up towards the ceiling in a room with wooden floors

Ashtanga Yoga: Mysore-Style

Mondays to Thursdays

6:00 - 9:00am

Open to All

Students on yoga mats with arms raised in the Contemplative Commons

Fridays

11:15am - 12:15pm

Sundays

12:15 - 1:15pm

Wednesdays

5:30 - 6:30pm

For UVA students

Nora Brookfield demonstrating a yoga pose before a window at the Contemplative Commons

Yoga for Connection

Wednesdays

7:00 - 8:00pm

Open to All

Four students painting in the Contemplative Commons first floor gallery. More students are further back in the hallway.

Thursdays

3:00 - 6:00pm

Open to All

People stretching in front of yoga mats in the Contemplative Commons looking out at summer greenery

Therapeutic Yoga for Stress Management

Thursdays

5:00 - 5:45pm

Open to All

People meditating on mats

Yoga for Better Sleep

Thursdays

6:00 - 7:00pm

Open to All

Yoga class touching toes

Ashtanga Yoga: Led Primary Series

Fridays

6:30 - 8:00am

Open to All

Students around a table discussing yoga with John Bultman

Fridays

8:00 - 9:00am

Open to All

Photo divided into three images: sound bowls, tai chi pose, yoga pose

Friday Rest Fest

Fridays

1:00 - 4:30pm

Open to All

Student reading in the Contemplative Commons with a bookshelf and plant in the background

Reading Unplugged

Sundays

2:00 - 5:00pm

For UVA students

Starts September 6

Special Events

Poster for Spiritual Roots of Yoga talk with image of a woman meditating on the beach in the background

Sep 19 — Talk Series

The Spiritual Roots of Yoga — Free Public Talk and Guided Meditation

In this free public talk and guided meditation, Sister Brahmani, a nun of Self-Realization Fellowship, will explore the spiritual roots of yoga through the wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi, who helped bring India's ancient science of yoga meditation to the West and whose universal teachings continue to inspire seekers around the world. Discover how timeless guidance for revealing the peace, joy, and spiritual potential within each one of us can bring greater fulfillment to your life. Free and open to the public. Open to All.

Sign for Big Meadow with the moonrise in the background

Oct 23 24 — Special Event

Camping and Contemplation Under the Cosmos

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. Transportation will be provided. For UVA students.

AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing

Nov 18 19 — Special Event

AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing

AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing will be held November 18-19, 2026 at the Contemplative Commons. Stay tuned for registration information! 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.

Drop-in Events

Yoga class touching toes

Ashtanga Yoga: Sanskrit-Counted Led Primary Series

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.

Local sound practitioner Karianne Michelle leads 45-minute sound baths on Fridays as part of UVA’s Friday Rest Fest. (Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)

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.

Students practice Ashtanga Yoga, reaching their arms up towards the ceiling in a room with wooden floors

Ashtanga Yoga: Mysore-Style Sessions (Mon-Thu)

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.

a group of students sits on a wooden floor in the Contemplative Commons and meditates, overlooking the foliage below from the floor to ceiling window

Midday Mindfulness

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.

A group of students practicing yoga. They sit with their legs straight and reach towards their toes.

Yoga for Resilience

Tuesdays

5:30 - 6:30pm

How are the body and the breath connected to how we feel? This class explores how we can use our autonomic nervous system to reach a different state of presence. Each session opens with a form of embodied movement, often a vinyasa flow or something dynamic. Once the body is warm, we shift into breathwork sequences or meditation, drawing on practices refined over centuries in yogic traditions and adapted here for a modern, practical context. No prior yoga or meditation experience is required. Open to All.

Nora Brookfield demonstrating a yoga pose before a window at the Contemplative Commons

Yoga for Connection

Wednesdays

7:00 - 8:00pm

An upbeat, heart-centered class with an energizing flow that builds a feeling of vitality and community. Come to studio 3C to create space for authentic connection with yourself and others. Instructor: Nora Brookfield. Open to All.

People stretching in front of yoga mats in the Contemplative Commons looking out at summer greenery

Therapeutic Yoga for Stress Management

Thursdays

5:00 - 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.

People meditating on mats

Yoga for Better Sleep

Thursdays

6:00 - 7:00pm

In this restorative practice we will focus on calming the body, slowing the breath and focusing on the present. This yoga practice will increase circulation and endorphins that encourage relaxation which help you into a state of inner peace for a restful sleep. This class is taught Thursday 6-7pm in studio 4A. Open to All.

Students around a table discussing yoga with John Bultman

Chai & Chats (Yoga Q&A)

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.

Students on yoga mats with arms raised in the Contemplative Commons

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.

Photo divided into three images: sound bowls, tai chi pose, yoga pose

Friday Rest Fest

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.

A yoga class in the Contemplative Commons, students in the Hero Pose

Ashtanga Yoga Drop-in Led Class

Sundays

4:00 - 5:00pm

Instructors: 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.

3 Movement Mondays

Movement Mondays: The 360 Emergence: Conscious Dance and Embodiment Practice

Mondays

5:00 - 6:00pm

Join facilitator Samantha Lane for Movement Monday: The 360 Emergence conscious dance and embodiment practice 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.

Students doing yoga in the Contemplative Commons

Active Series Yoga (Mondays)

Mondays

5:00 - 6:30pm

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.

Sydney Wong viewing birds through binoculars

Contemplative Bird Watching Walks

Tuesdays

8:00 - 9:30am

On Tuesday mornings, the Peer Programming Team will be leading a contemplative Bird Watching walk around the Perimeter Loop starting at the O-Hill trailhead weekly, open to all. Open to All.

Students doing yoga in the Contemplative Commons

Active Series Yoga (Tuesdays)

Tuesdays

11:00am - 12:15pm

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.

Four students painting in the Contemplative Commons first floor gallery. More students are further back in the hallway.

Thursdays

3:00 - 6:00pm

The Peer Programming Team will be holding a weekly, rotating art or craft in the Contemplative Commons to provide an opportunity for anyone interested to enjoy some relaxing arts and crafts while engaging in community. Each session will feature an art or craft relevant to the time of year (pumpkin painting in October, snow flakes in December, etc.), along with some tried and true options that have been enjoyed in the past, such as crocheting, color by numbers, sticker making, and more! Stay tuned for further details.

Open to All.

Student reading in the Contemplative Commons with a bookshelf and plant in the background

Reading Unplugged

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.

Starts September 6