I'm writing this as a concerned parent after my daughter attended a 10-day Vipassana retreat at…read moreDhamma Dhara. Before attending, she was loving, connected, and in close contact with our family. After the retreat, there was an immediate and complete cutoff in communication with all of us--something entirely out of character and deeply painful. The staff were kind when I reached out, and I respect that many benefit from this practice. However, I don't believe there is enough awareness about how intense 10 days of silence and deep introspection can be, especially for someone already going through major life changes. When such a drastic shift happens so suddenly, it raises real concerns about vulnerability, influence, and lack of support during reintegration. Families should be aware and prepared for possible unexpected changes. If my daughter ever reads this: you are loved, missed, and always welcome back

I wish I knew about this 10 years ago even 20 it was intense, but so life-changing... So well…read moreorganized... The food was great even though I don't particularly like vegetarian vegan food. It was wonderful... And thankfully previous students had clean very well, and the place was spotless. I will go back and serve on a course... Try and get the time to go and do this. You will be thankful.

A lovely pastoral setting to reflect, and meditate, the Peace Pagoda has lovely rock garden, and…read morethe temple is beautiful. The atmosphere around the compound, shrines, and ponds is one of complete serenity. Prayer ceremonies take place in the early morning, and the evening. It was great learning that there was this lovely Buddhist temple located in the area that we were traveling. Your GPS is your friend to find this wonderful serine location, it is difficult to find without...

What a beautiful place to visit for relaxation and meditation!…read more I have been searching it for a long time. This is the place that I call home of Buddhism

First of all, a disclaimer of sorts ... I am one of the long time students of Sensei Louis…read moreJumonville. I have been training with him for over 10 years and have been enjoying every minute of it. Louis Sensei is an incredible teacher. He is very detailed, yet sees the big picture. Sensei also finds time to spend with his students, during, before or after class to improve one's technique. In addition, students, including myself, also have more senior students to provide others with guidance. Hikari Dojo provides a very supportive, safe, and friendly environment to train and make good friends. Hikari Dojo has a beautiful space conveniently near freeway access. The mats are quite comfortable and clean. We have classes 5-6 days a week, allowing folks with challenging work schedules like me, to enjoy class when one can. Lastly, in choosing aikido as a martial art over others: I have briefly practiced Judo and Tai Chi in the past, but Aikido is one that moves with me as I change through the years. I started practicing aikido as physical exercise, but through the years, as my body and psyche changed, I found that aikido is still as relevant. Hikari Dojo is a very traditional Japanese dojo - which means that your spiritual growth is equally important. Through the years, with aikido's help, I connect and hear myself better, and I also connect and hear others better ... but I still have a long way to go. Aikido is a journey, not a destination, as life itself should be. - Jem S-W

Here's my disclaimer: I started in martial arts in April of…read more2001 with Jumonville Sensei, and I remain with him to this day. I plan to stay with him as long as we both can still train, because the teaching he imparts is, quite simply, extraordinary. I have had the pleasure and privilege of meeting and training with Aikido instructors from around the world. We are, after all, a Community of dedicated individuals. There are some truly amazing Senseis out there, and I would never wish to compare. I will, however, say that at Hikari Dojo, we learn in a way that is traditional yet progressive, disciplined but fun, and group-oriented while remaining very personalized. It's about as Yen and Yang as you can get! For me personally, the benefits of Aikido have been tremendous. I'm no "spring chicken," but I am more flexible and in better shape than I was 10 years ago, mentally as well as physically. I should also mention that the kid's class is wonderful. I am constantly amazed at how much fun they have while learning the beautiful movements, building confidence and developing the fundamentals of self-defense. If you've managed to read this far, you should probably consider coming in to check it out. You're obviously interested in getting into a martial art. This just might be the one for you. Who knows? You just might be my new favorite training partner! I look forward to seeing you on the mat. Tim P

I would encourage anyone interested in trying meditation or leaning relaxation techniques to try…read moreheartfulness. It is amazing that the organization never charges any fees and is run by volunteers.

I've been attending the free Heartfulness meditation sessions with transmission at the Pioneer…read moreValley meditation center in Sunderland for many years. I love it! The meditation center is very welcoming, and the meditation sessions are really simple and easy to become very relaxed and feel that inner peace. A good place to know about in the area.

It's so wonderful to have a mindfulness/ meditation spot right here in Amherst. I was always…read morecurious about mindfulness and was welcomed into the classes and made to feel right at home. I took 2 courses and look forward to more. It has changed my life and attitude, and has given my life a deeper meaning. Shaking is the best instructor and makes it all seem so easy. So if you've ever thought about it, don't wait! NAMASTE!

From the owner: In addition to classes in downtown Amherst, online Classes available for the summer months: please…read morevisit my website to learn more about an assisted, yet autonomous journey into mindfulness training to improve 8 qualities of your mind including: The ability to see clearly, with compassion, curiosity, energy, joy, inner calm, focus, and balance. Develop mindfulness wherever you are, with a Certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Search Inside Yourself (program that started at Google)teacher.

Beautiful space right here in the city offering workshops and other classes centered around…read morewellness. Zayda and her team were so welcoming and kind. I recommend this space for a retreat too as I believe HeartWell offers rental/use for other holistic practitioners.

Mindfulness as a Catalyst for Equity and Collective Healing at the HeartWell Institute was one of…read morethe most transformative Professional Development (CEU) trainings I have ever experienced. I am very grateful for the time spent in community breaking down very complex systematic and personal perspectives that I otherwise would have never considered.

This was my first Retreat at Spirt Fire. I was the presenter and had the orpputinity to see more…read moreinto the dealings of how the center is run. Tim and Steve made our stay unbelievably comfortable. The Retreat center has a warm, clean, well kept, welcoming feeling from the moment you step out of your car. We were welcomed with open arms. The feeling entering the retreat center was lovely and so were the rooms, and other accommodations. The food prepared by these two chefs was out of this world. It nurtured everyone to the core. The energy on this solid quartz mountain is pretty special. The hikes are great, even though during our stay it was icy and slippery, so we didnt venture out too much. I highly recommend this retreat center. It's all done with TLC and you can feel it! I can wait to come back!

I recently conducted my first retreat at Spirit Fire and if I could give them a million stars, I…read morewould...they earned every single one of them. Coming from California to Massachusetts without doing a site visit prior was a bit daunting however, Tim's amazing customer service and attention to detail during my planning process quickly set my mind at ease. The center itself was GORGEOUS -- inside and out. I instantly felt welcomed -- amazing energy and a peaceful, magical, healing property/ atmosphere. The food and service exceeded my expectations in every way. Every attendee commented on how "at home" they felt at Spirit Fire. While this may have been my first retreat there, it won't be my last.

Having had it suggested to take a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction class, finding this offered in…read moremy new home town of Northampton--I couldn't resist the trial first class. Though it was happening the night I learned of it. So very glad I did. The leader/teacher Jean Erlbaum gently led us through the 8-week class (on Tuesday nights) and the additional "retreat" on one Sunday, to instruct us on various skills we might use for our practice. Always professional, but also always kind and accepting, Jean was a wonderful teacher and so much so, my husband called to ask when she might offer the class next time.