AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing

AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing

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?”

Two hands reaching toward each other

Conflict, Power, & Dialogue: Faculty & Staff Lunch Series

Fri, Nov 13 2026, 12:00 - 1:30pm (Requires Registration)

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.

The Omnisonan Project: Synaisthesis

Synaisthesis Premiere

Fri, Nov 13 2026, 11:00am - 12pm Fri, Nov 13 2026, 7:00pm - 8pm

This event is full.

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). THIS EVENT IS FULL.

Upcoming
Events

Four people sitting on cushions experiencing the exhibit in the Conservatory

Synaisthesis Open Hours

Mondays to Thursdays

3:00 - 7:30pm

Sunday and Saturdays

12:00 - 5:30pm

Fridays

3:00 - 5:30pm

Open to All

A student writing in a journal

Sundays

12:15 - 1:30pm

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

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

Reading Unplugged

Sundays

2:00 - 5:00pm

For UVA students

A man doing summersault amidst graphics of flowers

Contemplative Capoeira

Sundays

2:00 - 3:00pm

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

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

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

Open to All

Students doing yoga in the Contemplative Commons

Active Series Yoga (Mondays)

Mondays

5:00 - 6:30pm

Open to All

3 Movement Mondays

Movement Mondays: The 360 Emergence

Mondays

5:00 - 6:00pm

Open to All

Special Events

The Omnisonan Project: Synaisthesis

Nov 13 — Special Event

Synaisthesis Premiere

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). THIS EVENT IS FULL. Requires Registration.

Two hands reaching toward each other

Nov 13 — Special Event

Conflict, Power, & Dialogue: Faculty & Staff Lunch Series

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.

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. 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.

The University of Virginia Rotunda in the snow

Dec 10 — Special Event

Faculty Winter Wellness Retreat Day

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.

Poster for Salon: PAIN with Patrick Finn's photo

Dec 10 — Special Event

Humans are fundamentally motivated to pursue pleasure and avoid pain. Yet, our behavior is bounded by floors and ceilings for these phenomena. Pain is (mostly) necessary for survival, so we can’t avoid it entirely. And unchecked pleasure can spiral into harm, so “everything in moderation” is commonly accepted wisdom. How do these tensions manifest when the natural order of pain and pleasure become distorted (e.g., chronic pain; substance use disorder)? This discussion will address these questions through the lens of affective neuroscience, psychology, and contemplative practices.

Open to All.

Drop-in Events

Four people sitting on cushions experiencing the exhibit in the Conservatory

Synaisthesis Open Hours

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.

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.

A student writing in a journal

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.

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.

A man doing summersault amidst graphics of flowers

Contemplative Capoeira

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.

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.

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

Ashtanga Yoga Drop-in Led Class

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.

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.

Students doing yoga at the Contemplative Commons

Active Series Micro-Residency Classes

Mon, Nov 9 2026 Wed, Nov 18 2026

Active Series Micro-residency

Join this all-level Active Series micro-residency with instructors Elizabeth Van Genderen and William Mushkin — Sharath Jois Authorized teachers from Ashtanga Yoga Denver. The series honors Ashtanga linage holder, Sharath Jois, who passed away two years ago in November. Sharath was an inspiration to many including Elizabeth and William. Learn more about Sharath Jois.

All offerings are free and open to the public.

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.

Man walking while balancing on one side of an old railroad track in a sitting

Movement Mondays: Ways of Attending: Movement and Embodiment Practice

Mondays

6:30 - 7:30pm

Instructor: Brad Stoller

Open to All.