I love the guided mediation and teachings. Simple and practical. No need to be a Buddhist to gain…read morebenefits. It made me feel calmer, lighter, more peaceful---and motivated to develop a sitting practice-- I started a few minutes of sitting a day-- it helped me a lot to just let go and stop all the mental chatter. I'm amazed how I feel more connected --it changes the rhythm of the day!

Great place to learn how to meditate if you are new to it and curious. Also a solid avenue if you…read morewant to deepen an existing practice and commit to studying the Buddha's teaching more in depth. You'll probably want to check on their website, but I believe there are study groups on Tues/Thurs evening, Heart Jewel recitation at 10am M-F, and open guided lunchtime meditation at 12:15 M-F. Sunday morning classes are good for a drop-in: the meditation isn't too long but you work on your concentration and then ponder a topic in depth. The topic I sat in on was on the benefits of meditation - which, even though we may vaguely guess that it's healthy and have ideas about it calming us down or helping us focus better - it's kind of like exercise or eating right: Not all that pleasurable in the immediate, but with time and applied efforts, the benefits begin to manifest. Then we start to habituate our minds to virtue till it becomes more effortless. You know when you start craving healthy food and then are surprised? You're like - "Kale?! Really?!?!" And you like it. Then you LOVE it. Yeah, it's like that. Atmosphere is good. It's Hampton's esque and hard wood, complete with symmetrical offerings on the altar. The folks who go regularly are great and hail from a variety of backgrounds - artists and lawyers and dentists and cops. Kidding! I only vaguely remember meeting artists, but I'm sure some folks there were bankers - after all, this is the Hamptons. Sometimes there are delightful treats like cookies and cakes, and there is always a nice giant vat of tea. Sitting outside in the sun around the Buddha garden was also one of my favorites things; talking to people before and after class. Venerable Norden, the resident nun, is ACE. I was a bit intimidated to meet her at first - there is this secret power that some monks and nuns have due to the depth of their practices - YO - they can SEE your mind. And we all know our minds are total garbage. So it can be a little squirmy and unpleasant-like. But see, here's the deal with her magical powers: she will always find a way to encourage your practice. She is also a surgeon - like the Buddha - who will swiftly and with psychic precision expose whatever silly garbage you're riding on in your mind. The purpose of this is not to harm or intimidate you, but to give you whatever you need in the moment: whether that is a dose of 'calm down - you're not special' or whether it is 'hey, rejoice: you're not doing all that bad - this is all really ok - good, even.' Obviously I prefer the latter!!!! But that is because I am super samsaric and pretty much ONLY care about praise, gain, etc etc. In any case: Buddhism ain't easy. It's a tough, hard, rocky TRUE path for TRUE cessations. It's nice to be able to enjoy the rough navigation of chaotic inner waters in such a beautiful, calm environment amongst kind and curious people.

The Providence Zen Center is an incredible, healing place. I stayed there for a month in 2022 and…read moreit was a transformative experience. Everyone in the community is so incredibly kind. The mission of the Providence Zen Center is just simply to focus on compassion and practice meditation. That's it. And if by being more compassionate, learning to be more in the moment, learning to be focused and in control of our minds can help make the world a better place and help others, then heck yeah I'm going to keep doing that! I truly believe that people should at least visit the Providence Zen Center once, either on Wednesday nights at 5:30pm for dinner and meditation instruction and practice, or come check out the Sunday morning meditation instruction/practice at 9:00am and the Dharma (wisdom) talk led by a Dharma Teacher at 10:45am. The grounds are beautiful (there is a LOT of space to wander), the people are awesome, and they're even working on doing organic farming! I helped take care of plants when I stayed there. They've been selling their homegrown vegetables in farmer's markets after harvesting. The goodness they put into the local and greater community is immeasurable! It's a nonprofit organization too, so if you donate anything, it's tax-deductible. I sincerely hope that the Providence Zen Center can thrive but that can only happen if people continue to visit and join practice! So if you're looking for a place to grow your mindfulness, your compassion, and your meditation practice, look no further, this is the place for you :)

It has great energy there. Lots of beautiful flowers, plants and trees in lovely gardens. Kind…read moregentle people, absolutely amazing meditation. You have to try. Once you come, you will feel. They serve very delicious homemade vegetarian meal at 5:30 pm on Wednesday. They teach you how to meditate at 9:00 am on Sunday.

The Sacred Center is the most beautiful space to practice yoga on Aquidneck Island. The proximity…read moreto nature allows you to sink deeply into a meditative practice. The space is always clean, and well cared for by the teachers and students alike. Not only are there weekly yoga classes offered, but meditation circles, family yoga, book groups, prayerful study -- something for every one. Ample parking, tea and healthful snacks are a perk!

This is a beautiful chapel to practice in, lots of space and lots of props to assist you. Offering…read moremany forms of gentle practice good for all abilities. Also, offering Chair based classes, and children's classes, and many Friday evening special events, such as partner yoga, sound baths, yin by candlelight. All the teachers really care about each individual and hope each person has a positive experience in their practice. Medical experts endorse these gentle form of yoga, meditation and breathwork as the best healing modality, to calm the stressors and rushing of life. In the summer many classes are held at 3rd Beach for a different outdoor experience of "plein air practice" in the sun listening to the surf and wind, on the shifting sand gentler on body parts but also challenging to balance. Easy parking and handicap accessible, lowest price, make this one of the best studios on Aquidneck Island.

My First Time going to a Buddhist Retreat but, it was very Calming and Learned about the Buddhist…read morePractices. Spiritual Teacher and Members no pressure a place to Calm Mediate in Peace. Thank you

I made the best decision of my life when I decided the check out the Odiyana Kadampa Buddhist…read moreCenter. And I'm not exaggerating. Beginner or well-practiced, Buddhist or non-Buddhist...do yourself an honest favor and check out one of their drop-in meditation classes!! They have Centers for practice in, not just East Hartford, but also Manchester, Old Lyme, Hamden, Hartford, and Guilford! Check out their website for class days and times! I just returned from their 'How to Transform Your Life Day Retreat' at the East Hartford location, and I am absolutely thrilled with the experience that I had today. I attended the event with my friend Dereka, a dedicated Yogi (and a Yelp Elite), who agreed that we will both be back for many more meditation classes. *HUGE thank you to Resident Teacher Kelsang Khyenwang for providing us with the her incredible wisdom, hospitality, and compassion. She taught all 4 classes throughout our retreat day with insurmountable love and sincerity. Each class during our retreat was about an hour long, where we were lovingly taught about basic Buddhist lessons that were aimed to teach us how to "step out of the ordinary of our daily lives" to be mindful in what we think, say, and do in order to positively transform our lives and those that we come in contact with. The lessons were so relatable and our Teacher explained them in a way that was not only easily understood, but also profoundly moving. I will absolutely be back for more meditation classes. In fact, when I come back, I want to bring my parents, my siblings, my friends, my staff...pretty much anyone who is willing to come with me. My experience here was THAT good. And trust me when I say you can be any religion, age, gender, etc to appreciate and learn from these lessons. Don't just take my review for it...PLEASE check out one of these classes for yourself!! It will change your life if you let it!!! *This is a 501-C3 non-profit organization that functions on volunteers-- make a donation today to help keep this wonderful Center up and running!!*

Love This place! The best hot yoga high energy vinyassa classes led my awesome teachers…read more Great energy, bright and sunny. I only will.go here for hot yoga on the shoreline, and I am a 15 year practiced hot yoga vinyassa yogini..this place is the best in the area.

Zen and Now has caring and knowledgeable instructors. I recently walked in feeling right and sore…read moreall over. Heather's gentle yoga was perfect and loosened up my spine from top to bottom. She was kind and knowledgeable. I was a new woman when I left. I should add the studio is set up to be safe during COVID. Clearly posted mask and social distance rules that don't infringe on your experience.

This amazing experience was beautiful, surreal and profound. I was so relaxed and happy after the…read moresound meditation session. It had transported me to a place of ever changing color and what felt like our primordial Universe! So wonderful!

This place is awesome!! I haven't been for Sound Healing yet (though I will plan) but have gone for…read moresome Emei Qigong training. What a lovely location. Gracious host, clean and calm interior and decor, well cared for trails... everything you could want in an escape! Highly recommend you come check out this gem! Detach from the world for a few days... you might just make some friends too

The studio is absolutely beautiful! It's so bright and airy. I love the high ceilings and heat…read morelights. The plants are beautiful and adds to the ambiance. Shannah is truly one of the best yoga teachers I have ever had. Go take a class with Shannah and thank me later. She also offers a yoga retreat which I was fortunate enough to go on this year. We went to Dominica and it was a great life experience. Highly recommend!

We came on Election Day for their free community yin class, which was a great opportunity to check…read moreout the studio and meet one of the teachers. I appreciate that they offered this class on election night for free and that they did not insist on a complicated registration process, just advertising on their Insta and encouraging folks to show up. The turnout was perhaps more than anticipated, and while the teacher was able to strategically make space for everyone who wanted to attend, things were a bit cramped, which made it a little less relaxing than I expected, but the teacher was great and it was still helpful to do the postures. The studio has beautiful hardwood floors, plants and is nicely decorated. It's in a part of the building that is used for the winter farmers market, so if you are used to coming to the market, this should be easy to find. I will definitely keep this studio on my yoga radar and check their class schedule for other community offerings and special pop ups. I don't think I am likely to visit regularly though because the parking situation is rough with limited street parking.

Careful care, consideration, love and respect has gone into the creation of the physical and…read morespirtual space at Tenth Gate Center. This is obvious from the moment that you enter this sanctuary. It is a most ideal location to retreat for a class, a workshop, and/or a medititation experience. The owners and director have put significant time, energy, thought, and care into creating a space for so many to practice, step away from the business of life, and to share its community. I would recommend to beginners and to the experienced. A wonderful, wonderful place.

Tenth Gate Yoga Center For Yoga and Meditation is a sanctuary for students and teachers. Owners…read moreReinette and Tom dive deep into the yogic teachings, delivering them in a very down to earth and practical way. Their teacher trainings and workshops are superb. The studio itself is very clean and comfortable, carrying a sweet and loving energy. All of the teachers are warm, friendly, knowledgeable and highly trained. Their class schedule offers a wide range of yoga styles - Kundalini, Hatha, Gentle Hatha, Vinyasa, Heated Vinyasa, and Yin. Beginners are always welcome. They have expanded and opened The Nest, which focuses on young children's, teens, and young adult yoga programs. There is something for everyone, supporting individuals, families, and community in mind, body and spirit.

I come to this farm for martial arts. I leave with a greater understanding of myself, allowing me…read moreto see new depth in everything else. I am Grateful above all else, for the teachings Stephen is offering to humanity. This place is balance and peace, chasing sunrises and sunsets along the driveway while you get the odds on the beavers re-routing the lake across the driveway to bless your wheels as you leave this place. Love and Laughter are virtues of Stephen's Kung Fu - lucky are you to read this review and follow through. Thank You

Stephe is an outstanding teacher. Anyone interested in martial arts, philosophy, or meditation…read moreshould visit him.