Mindfulness in Nature with Saumitra Kelkar

In this guided workshop, you’ll explore mindfulness as a practice of deep sensory awareness using sight, sound, touch, and more to better perceive the living world around you. While modern environments often distance us from nature, this experience invites you to slow down and reawaken your connection to the ecosystems that surround us every day.

As we walk through Leona Canyon, you’ll be led through simple yet powerful exercises designed to sharpen your attention and expand your awareness of both human and non-human life. This workshop offers a grounding, reflective experience that supports both personal well-being and a deeper understanding of our place within the broader ecosystem.

No prior experience with mindfulness is necessary, just curiosity and a willingness to observe.

Accessibility: We’ll hike less than 2 miles on an established trail with some elevation gain. Short sections may include narrow, steep animal paths.

Saumitra Kelkar is a biologist and educator based in Oakland, California. After four years teaching high school biology in Oakland public schools, he now works as a botanist, native plant gardener, and mushroom foraging guide. He enjoys photographing small creatures, exploring local ecosystems, and sharing videos on Instagram (@oakland.bio) to raise awareness about Oakland’s remaining natural habitats.

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Host or Publisher Natural History & Sustainability, Merritt College