| Charlottesville, Virginia and surrounding communities are home to many active organizations supporting contemplative practice — offering meditation, mindful movement, and teachings in community. This calendar gathers these contemplative offerings each week. |
34 events this week 4 on the horizon |
Recurring This Week
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Self-paced Mysore-style ashtanga practice with individualized instruction, suited to beginners and experienced practitioners. Open to all.
Cloud Floating FreeMorning sitting meditation, online only.
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Free, drop-in midday contemplative break exploring present-moment awareness, curiosity, and non-judgment. Open to the UVA and Charlottesville community and accessible to beginners and advanced practitioners.
Monday, October 05
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Conscious dance and embodiment practice led by Samantha Lane, blending free-form movement with personal growth. Open to all.
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Accessible Active Series yoga derived from traditional Ashtanga, linking breath and movement in an inclusive setting for all levels. Open to all.
Tuesday, October 06
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Contemplative bird-watching walk led by the Peer Programming Team around the Perimeter Loop, starting at the O-Hill trailhead. Open to all.
Blue Ridge Zen GroupWeekly evening zazen (sitting meditation) practice at the Blue Ridge Zen Group zendo.
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Yoga and breathwork that use the autonomic nervous system to reach a more present state, drawing on yogic traditions. No prior yoga or meditation experience required. Open to all.
Insight Meditation Community of CharlottesvilleAn evening of guided meditation followed by a dharma talk with Matt Fritts.
Serenity Ridge Retreat Center (Ligmincha)With Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. A featured retreat at Serenity Ridge on being present to the moment of death, running October 6 through October 11, 2026. Details and registration are on the event page.
Wednesday, October 07
Cloud Floating FreeSitting and walking meditation followed by dharma reading and dharma sharing, in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.
Blue Mountain DharmaVenerable Gephel gives a weekly Dharma Talk on Zoom covering Chapter 9 of Santideva, with a short meditation, a talk, Q&A, and a dedication prayer. There is no charge, and donations are welcome.
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Upbeat, heart-centered energizing flow that builds vitality and community, taught by Nora Brookfield. Open to all.
Thursday, October 08
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Student-led art cart offering open, drop-in creative time. Open to all.
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Gentle yoga practice to lower stress, calm the nervous system, and release muscle tension, taught by Cindy Crace. Open to all.
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Restorative practice focused on calming the body, slowing the breath, and encouraging relaxation to support restful sleep. Open to all.
Friday, October 09
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Instructor-led ashtanga primary series paired with breath in a moving group meditation. Best suited to those with prior Ashtanga experience. Open to all.
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Discussion of yoga topics, from philosophy to questions about poses, over a cup of chai, led by John Bultman. No physical practice required. Open to all.
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Friday afternoon drop-in contemplative activities to help participants reconnect with their bodies and feel refreshed for the weekend. Open to the public. Sessions: Sound Bath (1:00-2:00 pm); Qi Gong (2:30-3:30 pm); Yoga (3:00-4:00 pm); T'ai Chi (3:30-4:30 pm).
Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW)With Dhammadipa, Jeff Rosenberg. Come join us and experience the support of sangha on this retreat. The weekend option will provide an overview and model for this with opportunity to practice — the weeklong will take the dive deeper and harvest what ripens.
Saturday, October 10
No events
Sunday, October 11
Cloud Floating FreeSitting and walking meditation followed by dharma reading and dharma sharing, in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.
Insight Meditation Community of CharlottesvilleA drop-in mindfulness group for families. Come whenever you can.
Insight Meditation Community of CharlottesvilleA circle-format gathering with member-led practice and discussion. This month's focus is the parami of truthfulness (sacca), with Sylvia Boorstein's Pay Attention, for Goodness' Sake as a reference.
On the Horizon
Insight Meditation Community of CharlottesvilleSix-week course on establishing a meditation practice and fundamental mindfulness practices, Wednesday evenings through Nov 18. Facilitated by Phil Dupont. Sliding fee scale.
Contemplative Sciences Center (UVA)Two-day symposium (November 18-19, 2026) convening changemakers in emerging technology, higher education, and the contemplative sciences to address how we can prepare young adults for the future of AI. Registration required.
Serenity Ridge Retreat Center (Ligmincha)With Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. A featured winter retreat at Serenity Ridge running January 1 through January 10, 2027. Details and registration are on the event page.
Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW)With Marjolein Janssen, Deborah Ratner-Helzer. Join us to explore the body and mind with openness, clarity, and kindness. Create space to see habitual patterns clearly and discover greater clarity, freedom and inner peace.
