Facilitators
Hi I'm Vy ("V")!
I was born in Malaysia and came to the US when I was 3 months old. My parents escaped Vietnam when my Mom was 7 months pregnant with me, and we settled in California. I studied Math at UCLA and worked in management consulting and biotech. When my father passed away in 2010, I experienced a lot of anxiety. I came to the practice of mindfulness to help alleviate the anxiety, and found myself wanting to learn more and to share more of this practice with others. Self-compassion and lovingkindness practices have helped me befriend myself, to take on life's daily challenges, and bring equanimity and trust in my unfolding path.
I am a certified mindfulness facilitator from UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), part of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Wanting to share mindfulness at the workplace, I started a company bringing mindfulness practices to employees for stress reduction and greater wellbeing. I volunteer with Inward Bound Mindfulness Education and have taught mindfulness at Castilleja School.
What might we have in common?
I grew up in the Bay Area too, in Fremont. I love singing (even if off key) to the Sound of Music, Trolls and Frozen soundtrack, hiking, yin, vinyasa, and jivamukti yoga. Hydrangea flowers bring me so much joy and so does boba and cooking (and eating) San Marzano bucatini pasta. I'm a proud auntie of twins, Marcus and Sophie, the apple of my eye.
I struggle when:
As a first generation citizen, I've felt the pressure to succeed, to get into a good college and find a stable career. My parents have sacrificed so much for my siblings and me. I can also get caught up with my comparing and critical mind. And.. I struggle with recalling lyrics to songs! :)
I was born in Malaysia and came to the US when I was 3 months old. My parents escaped Vietnam when my Mom was 7 months pregnant with me, and we settled in California. I studied Math at UCLA and worked in management consulting and biotech. When my father passed away in 2010, I experienced a lot of anxiety. I came to the practice of mindfulness to help alleviate the anxiety, and found myself wanting to learn more and to share more of this practice with others. Self-compassion and lovingkindness practices have helped me befriend myself, to take on life's daily challenges, and bring equanimity and trust in my unfolding path.
I am a certified mindfulness facilitator from UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), part of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Wanting to share mindfulness at the workplace, I started a company bringing mindfulness practices to employees for stress reduction and greater wellbeing. I volunteer with Inward Bound Mindfulness Education and have taught mindfulness at Castilleja School.
What might we have in common?
I grew up in the Bay Area too, in Fremont. I love singing (even if off key) to the Sound of Music, Trolls and Frozen soundtrack, hiking, yin, vinyasa, and jivamukti yoga. Hydrangea flowers bring me so much joy and so does boba and cooking (and eating) San Marzano bucatini pasta. I'm a proud auntie of twins, Marcus and Sophie, the apple of my eye.
I struggle when:
As a first generation citizen, I've felt the pressure to succeed, to get into a good college and find a stable career. My parents have sacrificed so much for my siblings and me. I can also get caught up with my comparing and critical mind. And.. I struggle with recalling lyrics to songs! :)
Hi I'm Gregor!
I'm just happy to be here :)
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and then lived in a few different places and countries. I used to be an investment banker, but left that job because I was pretty miserable. Once I had some time and space just to be, I began to meditate, and the goodness of mindfulness found its way into my bones...Oftentimes it gives me joy just to be alive, and I can attribute this joy in large part to the practice of mindfulness and meditation :)
I deeply enjoy facilitating mindfulness, as it really amounts to sharing what I love. In whichever role I find myself, I intend and hope to always be a student.
What might we have in common?
I sometimes feel anxious, afraid, tired, bored, joyful, ecstatic, lonely, lucky, unlucky, confused, disappointed, surprised, excited…how about you? :) Then sometimes I just feel content with things, just as they are. I believe we all experience these various states as part of being human. This is our shared condition. Remembering that we’re all going through this unpredictable life together often gives me strength, and allows me to feel closer to people.
I struggle when:
I struggle when I take things personally. It’s an old habit! And I struggle when I forget my deepest intention, and fall into trying to be somebody.
I'm just happy to be here :)
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and then lived in a few different places and countries. I used to be an investment banker, but left that job because I was pretty miserable. Once I had some time and space just to be, I began to meditate, and the goodness of mindfulness found its way into my bones...Oftentimes it gives me joy just to be alive, and I can attribute this joy in large part to the practice of mindfulness and meditation :)
I deeply enjoy facilitating mindfulness, as it really amounts to sharing what I love. In whichever role I find myself, I intend and hope to always be a student.
What might we have in common?
I sometimes feel anxious, afraid, tired, bored, joyful, ecstatic, lonely, lucky, unlucky, confused, disappointed, surprised, excited…how about you? :) Then sometimes I just feel content with things, just as they are. I believe we all experience these various states as part of being human. This is our shared condition. Remembering that we’re all going through this unpredictable life together often gives me strength, and allows me to feel closer to people.
I struggle when:
I struggle when I take things personally. It’s an old habit! And I struggle when I forget my deepest intention, and fall into trying to be somebody.
Hi I'm Nirali!
In my twenties I spent several years meditating in monasteries and retreat centers in different parts of Asia and the US. Stress reduction, increased productivity and better health have been great byproducts of this beautiful practice. But what I value most about Vipassana meditation is that it evokes a deep and honest self-inquiry. It lends itself to a profound exploration of the mind-body phenomenon. It helps me look closely at how my own happiness is tied to the greater well-being of others.
As one of the outcomes of this practice I spent four years serving in one of the largest slum communities of Asia. I am a certified mindfulness facilitator from UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center, part of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. I teach at technology companies around the world and facilitate retreats with Spirit Rock, CA and Inward Bound Mindfulness Education.
What might we have in common?
I love poetry! Like my friend says, "without poetry, we live only partially conscious of the possibilities that life affords." I love rap music and once I performed on stage and managed to make a complete fool of myself and that was super hilarious :)) I also love playing the bamboo flute and farming. I lived for about a year in remote parts of India in mud huts close to rivers and tropical forests without any electricity and running water with indigenous communities. It was one of the best things I have done with my life.
I struggle when: There are times when I have to work for hours on the computer and I go spiraling down the internet rabbit hole. So I am learning to take mindful breaks to reconnect with my body, mind and spirit. What else? Oh yeah...I also struggle with Aaron :) when he does his George Bush impersonations!
In my twenties I spent several years meditating in monasteries and retreat centers in different parts of Asia and the US. Stress reduction, increased productivity and better health have been great byproducts of this beautiful practice. But what I value most about Vipassana meditation is that it evokes a deep and honest self-inquiry. It lends itself to a profound exploration of the mind-body phenomenon. It helps me look closely at how my own happiness is tied to the greater well-being of others.
As one of the outcomes of this practice I spent four years serving in one of the largest slum communities of Asia. I am a certified mindfulness facilitator from UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center, part of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. I teach at technology companies around the world and facilitate retreats with Spirit Rock, CA and Inward Bound Mindfulness Education.
What might we have in common?
I love poetry! Like my friend says, "without poetry, we live only partially conscious of the possibilities that life affords." I love rap music and once I performed on stage and managed to make a complete fool of myself and that was super hilarious :)) I also love playing the bamboo flute and farming. I lived for about a year in remote parts of India in mud huts close to rivers and tropical forests without any electricity and running water with indigenous communities. It was one of the best things I have done with my life.
I struggle when: There are times when I have to work for hours on the computer and I go spiraling down the internet rabbit hole. So I am learning to take mindful breaks to reconnect with my body, mind and spirit. What else? Oh yeah...I also struggle with Aaron :) when he does his George Bush impersonations!
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Hi I'm Aaron!
I started meditation and mindfulness when I was 18 (ummm... 17 years ago) right after high school because I thought school was a stressful environment. It's now a big big part of my life - I'm a medical student currently, but I take breaks to go learn more about meditation and mindfulness (and myself) at retreat centers in Burma, Nepal, Malaysia, and the US. What might we have in common? What's dear to me: friends, music (hip hop, Rn'B, rock, indie, electronic, classic) but I can't sing well so am always looking for someone to teach me, I love computer stuff (used to work at a Dotcom), nature: hiking/backpacking/scuba diving, sports like NFL/NBA/tennis. Oh and I love travel too - I've been to every continent but Antarctica and South America. I struggle when: My phone says it has reception but really doesn't (something about that really gets to me), and when I can't focus on a teacher for more than 20 minutes. |
Wearing a traditional longyi in Burma, amazed at this eco-friendly broom....
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