5 Great Resources for Mindfulness, Meditation, and Yoga During COVID-19

Whether you’re a regular meditator or considering it for the first time to deal with anxiety, isolation, or the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, these free resources can help you clear your mind, come into the present moment, and soothe your body with gentle yoga.

UC San Diego

This collaboration of The Center for Mindfulness, The Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion, and the Compassion Institute offers both live daily streams and recordings of mindfulness and compassion-boosting meditation sessions. Scroll down to the schedule to see the line-up of upcoming sessions like Working with Strong Emotions, Caring for Your Body with Kind Attention, and Parenting with Compassion. Note that you’ll need Zoom to attend the sessions

UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center has a robust set of free resources in its Guide to Well-Being During Coronavirus. There are articles on topics like how to be intentional about consuming coronavirus news, how to help teens shelter in place, and a round-up of acts of goodness amid the outbreak. There are also live and recorded meditations, sessions, and a three-times-weekly 50-minute Dose of Togetherness to help people feel connected in this time.

Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital

The Center for Mindfulness and Compassion is offering daily free community practices. More than 20 teachers are offering sessions in “mindful movement; bringing kindness to our stress, anxiety, grief and fear; supporting caregiving during this difficult time, and expressing appreciation and love for each other.” Its weekly schedule currently includes both general sessions on topics like mindfulness, compassion, and grounding (including some sessions in Spanish) and sessions targeted to groups like parents, healthcare providers, and caregivers.

Unfold

Unfold Digital is offering free virtual yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 – 2:50 p.m. ET | 1:30 – 1:50 CT | 11:30 – 11:50 a.m. PT. This series is designed to support the wellness of office workers and can be done without needing to change into exercise clothes. It targets areas of discomfort including low back pain, neck and shoulder tightness, and wrist discomfort.

Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach Half-Day At-Home Mindfulness Retreat

If you’ve always meant to try a mindfulness retreat, this could be your chance. Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach have created this free home-based personal retreat that can help you unplug from the chaos for a few hours and find some grounded calm. It’s geared to all levels from beginners on; all you need is about three hours and some quiet space.

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