Unwind & Thrive: Practical Tools for a Calmer You

Join us for a fun, action-packed day, meet great people and leave with many practical tools to try—authentic, time-tested and easy to practice. After all, you deserve more peace in your life.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
• Positive community
• Information to empower you
• Lots of Q&A time
• Stretching, breathing and meditation
• Cooking
• Gifts and handouts
• Healthy food included
• Lots of holistic take-home practices

SCHEDULE OF THE DAY
9:00am – Refreshments and mingling
9:45am – Welcome
10:00–11:00am Series of lively talks with Q&A
Stretch break
11:15am–12:15pm – Talks continue
Vegetarian lunch provided
1:30pm – Panel discussion with all speakers
3:00pm – Practice Sessions: Choose from Gentle yoga / Breathing / Meditation / Thought power / Cooking
4:15pm – Wrap-up and harvest

• Panel Discussion with all speakers
We’ll discuss how physiological stress responses (heart, hormones, nervous system) interact with emotional and psychological stress and how holistic systems support mental health in conjunction with psychotherapy and medicine. We’ll look at our modern-day issues of isolation, community connection, and belonging and how they influence stress and mental health outcomes. Your participation is welcome.

• Practice Sessions
Your chance to try out something new! Break into smaller groups choosing the topic of your choice.
Gentle yoga: Experience a well-rounded yoga class suitable for all levels of experience, includes relaxation
Breathing: Make your breathing conscious and diaphragmatic, includes exercises that balance your energy.
Meditation: Learn a classical method to train your mind toward peace.
Thought power: Build awareness of the antics of the mind and tools to counteract negativity.
Cooking: Learn how to make a basic kitchari (Indian comfort food)—easy, balanced and nourishing.

MORNING TALKS
• The Answer Lies Within
Presented by Swami Sivasankariananda, C-IAYT
Are you feeling stressed, or stretched too thin, in the busy-ness of life? This lively session first explores ways that stress wreaks havoc on all the systems of the physical body, as well as the mind. We will explore gentle, nourishing practices to calm the nervous system, relax the body and steady the mind. Experience movement, breath, deep rest, and meditation in a supportive space. Use these tools any time to feel refreshed, centered and renewed.

• Restoring Balance: Understanding Trauma and Stress
Presented by Jessica Mariglio, MA, MSc, LMFT
Trauma and chronic stress affect both the mind and body, often leaving the nervous system in a prolonged state of tension, alertness, or exhaustion. When stressful experiences are not fully processed, they can shape our thoughts, emotions, and physical wellbeing, sometimes leading to anxiety, fatigue, or difficulty feeling safe and grounded. Over time, this inner strain can disrupt sleep, digestion, and emotional balance.

• The Heart and Stress
Presented by Kashyap Amin, MD, FACC
Stress affects the heart through both functional disturbances—such as palpitations, chest discomfort, and blood pressure fluctuations—and organic cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis and myocardial dysfunction. The endocrine system plays a central role—stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline influence heart rhythm, vascular tone, inflammation, and long-term cardiac risk. Understand the heart–brain–hormone connection, with practical insights into prevention, early recognition, and holistic management of stress-related cardiovascular conditions.

• Ayurveda’s Approach to Managing Stress
Presented by Lalitha Vaidyanathan
Ayurveda views stress as a disruption to our body/mind’s natural equilibrium. Whether the stress is caused by physical, emotional or environmental factors, the resulting imbalance can be understood through its expressions. Expressions such as anxiety, inflammation, and emotional withdrawal tell us a lot about how stress is causing imbalances in an individual’s body and mind. Once we understand the specific ways in which stress is expressing in an individual, we can then use Ayurveda’s tools to manage the imbalance. Through diet, lifestyle, bodywork, herbal supplements and yoga/pranayama/meditation, Ayurveda gently and holistically addresses the imbalances and guides us back to our natural state of health, wellness, and equilibrium.

• From Stress to Release: Finding Safety in the Body
Presented by Alexandra Erin Gross, MA, LMFT, LPCC
True relief from stress is not about forcing a positive mindset. Beneath stress often lives an emotion waiting to be acknowledged and allowed to move. In this experiential session, we explore why suppressing or overthinking our emotions can keep us stuck and how bringing awareness to what we’re feeling creates the internal safety needed for stored tension to soften and move. You’ll leave with practical tools to navigate stress with greater clarity, presence, and ease.

We would like to thank Banyan Botanicals and Yogi Tea for their support of this event.

PARKING

Free parking onsite—first come, first served
Free street parking (limited availability on W 27th, more availability on West Adams)
Carpooling encouraged.

FOOD

Food will be lacto-vegetarian. Please let us know if you have dietary restrictions and we will do our best to accommodate you. Herbal tea and water will be available throughout the day.