Financial Support

Our mission is to make all of our programs accessible. Every fee-based offering has a limited number of pay-what-you-can spots available to support self-identified people of color, members of marginalized groups (queer people, transgender people, and  people with disabilities) and those in financial need (those for whom the cost to attend is not financially possible). 

These spots are offered on a first come, first served basis. Please pay at the highest level you can afford. In order for this support to be available, we rely on those who can afford to pay the full price to do so.

Find out if spots are available by clicking REGISTER NOW on the event you are interested in.

Safety 

We work to protect the safety of all students. We reserve the right to remove any student from any class, sitting group, retreat, or any event if the student is disruptive to the safe learning environment we maintain for all.

Cancellation & Refunds

We reserve the right to cancel a class or special event due to low enrollment or other circumstances which would make the event non-viable. If InsightLA cancels an event you’ve registered for, you will be offered a full refund. If an event has to be postponed for any reason, you will have the option to either receive a full refund or transfer your registration to the same event at the new, future date. If you cancel, we apply a 5% credit processing fee and the refunded amounts are listed below:

MBSR, MSC, & MBHC, Mindfulness for Beginners & Special Events

7 days – 95% Refund
<7 days – No Refunds – Credit given if requested or donation to InsightLA

Fee-Based Non-Residential Retreats (note: Donations are non-refundable)

>7 days – 95% Refund
<7 days – No Refunds – Credit given if requested or donation to InsightLA

Residential Retreats

> 8 weeks – amount paid less $100
4-8 weeks – amount paid less $175
2-4 weeks – amount paid less $300
< 2 weeks – No refund

Residential Retreats with Financial Support:

> 8 weeks – amount paid less $75
4-8 weeks – amount paid less $100
2-4 weeks – amount paid less $200
< 2 weeks – No refund

Non-Residential Retreats (Half-Day)

Together Again: Mindful Aging Half-Day Retreat at Benedict Canyon

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Wendy Schmelzer, LCSW Teacher

Refund and Event Policies

Join local Mindful Aging friends for a Half-Day Sense and Savor Retreat amidst the green and wild beauty of InsightLA’s Benedict Canyon Retreat House in North Beverly Hills.

All activities will take place outdoors and on patios. We’ll walk, we’ll even talk. We’ll meditate, learn and share a meal together—sensing and savoring, moment by moment.

Mindful Aging

“This being human is a guesthouse.  Every morning a new arrival…” Rumi

As we age, so many of each morning’s new arrivals seem to be challenging guests. Join with friends as we explore how mindfulness and self-compassion practices can support us through what can be difficult and uncertain times. 

Let’s travel this path with mindfulness, the strength of our practice and the warmth of our community. Together, we’ll cultivate more equanimity—wisdom and heart—amidst the ever-changing landscape of our lives

The Mindful Aging practice group also meets online every Wednesday. If you’d like to join the weekly practice group please register here.

Who is this half-day retreat for?

This session is for anyone who would like to learn more about aging mindfully. The reparative, restorative and healing practices offered will be accessible and meaningful for beginners as well as experienced practitioners. Everyone is welcome.

Where is this half-day retreat located?

This event will take place in person at the Benedict Canyon Retreat House. All scheduled activities will take place outside.

Find directions, parking instructions and accessibility information here. To offer or join a ride share, please click here. Thank you for supporting the earth and your fellow practitioners.

Please note: In keeping with the principles of the dharma that underlie our activities, primarily non-harming, we are requiring that all attendees be fully vaccinated in order to attend in person.  

About Wendy Schmelzer

InsightLA teacher Wendy Schmelzer is a longtime meditator and a graduate of InsightLA’s first MBSR class as well as its initial MBSR teacher training course and inaugural Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Teacher Training program.

Wendy is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist specializing in aging and end-of-life concerns. Prior, she was an award-winning Science Correspondent for NPR, specializing in aging and health-related issues. Learn more about Wendy here.

Financial Aid: 

Please click on ‘Register Now’ to see options.   

Exciting News!

InsightLA is running a Food Bank Program to offer our community the opportunity to support the Westside Food Bank and help folks dealing with low-income living and/or experiencing houselessness. To participate please click here.

Wendy Schmelzer, LCSW Teacher

Wendy Schmelzer has been teaching meditation in health and healing environments since 2006 — most recently as an instructor at the Greater Los Angeles VA where for five years she taught mindfulness and compassion practices to staff, veterans, and family caregivers as part of InsightLA’s VA CALM team. A longtime meditator, she is a graduate... Read more

Pricing Options
Class Fee $45
Need Financial Support?

Financial Support

Our mission is to make all of our programs accessible. Every fee-based offering has a limited number of pay-what-you-can spots available to support members of marginalized groups (people of color, queer people, people with disabilities) and those in financial need (those for whom the cost to attend is not financially possible).

These spots are offered on a first come, first served basis. Please pay at the highest level you can afford. In order for this support to be available, we rely on those who can afford to pay the full price to do so.

Register Now

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