Adrian is the co- founder and guidance teacher of Mindful Harlem and MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction). He has been practicing Mindfulness and Insight Meditation for many years; a practice which has been a deep transformative experience for him and for the people around him.

Andrew has been a Harlem resident since 2008 and it was the only neighborhood he considered living in when moving from Los Angeles to New York City. He's been involved with Mindful Harlem since its inception three years ago and looks forward to its continued growth in the community. 

Archimedes is an inspirational teacher, fluent in three languages, and has served as a keynote address and guest speaker for a number of organizations both in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.

Bhante Suddhāso is a Buddhist monk living in New York City, ordained in both the Theravāda and Soto Zen traditions of Buddhism. The co-founder of Buddhist Insights, an organization designed to connect people with Buddhist monks and nuns, his work aims to convey Buddhist concepts and their practical applicability to everyday life.

Rev. Daiken Nelson, Sensei began Zen Practice 30 years ago. Since that time, he has practiced at the Zen Center of Los Angeles, where he ordained with Nyogen Yeo in 1996; The Zen Peacemaker Order, where he studied with Roshi Bernie Glassman & Sensei Jishu Holmes; The Village Zendo, where he was Shuso (Head Trainee) under Roshi Enkyo O’Hara in 2001 and Upaya Zen Center, where he studied with Roshi Joan Halifax. In October, 2013, Daiken received Shiho/Dharma Transmission from Sensei Genkoji. 

Daiken is the Guiding Teacher for The Pamsula Zen Center which meets on Mondays at 6:00 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 521 W. 126th Street (betw. B’way & Amsterdam). pamsulazen.org.

Fay Leeper, the treasurer of Mindful Harlem, can be found at meditation most Saturday mornings at 9 am. She has taken the MBSR class many times. Each time, for her, it is simply a magical revelation. she declares that through Mindful Harlem's teachings and meditation, the breath and breathing mindfully for her is the most powerful discovery toward relaxation.

Fay has encouraged many people to come and check out the Mindful Harlem family. Not only will one learn and share, but as importantly, it's a lot of fun.

Elizabeth is currently a Master's student studying Social Work at Columbia. She moved to the Harlem neighborhood to be close to school, and is grateful to have discovered Mindful Harlem.

If you have ideas about potential program offerings, send her an email at elizabeth@mindfulharlem.org

Jayne Gumpel LCSW - Co-founder of MindfulHarlem and a qualified MBSR teacher.

Mickie Brown, RN, HN-BC, is the Clinical Manager for Education, Mindfulness and Patient Well - Being at the Mount Sinai Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health and the World Trade Center Responder Health Clinic.

Mickie is certified in Mind Body Medicine and is a qualified MBSR instructor. Mickie currently teaches Mindfulness to employees at Mount Sinai Health System as well as residents, fellows and attending physicians for the Mount Sinai Graduate Medical Education Program. Mickie's personal experience of mindfulness informs her passion for sharing it with others.

Joan Walsh is The Nation’s National Affairs Correspondent and a CNN political contributor. She is the author of What’s the Matter With White People? Finding Our Way in the Next America, which the Philadelphia Daily News called “one of the best books of 2012 – and even more relevant now.” Author Anne Lamott described it as “a brilliant and illuminating book about America since the upheavals of 60's and 70's." Walsh lives in New York.

Krishna is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, health coach, and 500-hr certified yoga instructor.  She has extensive training in preventive health and holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition. Krishna has worked in the health and wellness field for over 13 years. She has helped many individuals improve their health, and the quality of their lives by focusing on changing lifestyle behaviors in the areas of nutrition, stress management, mindfulness, yoga and movement.

Laura Brinker is a certified yoga instructor who completed both her 200-hr Teacher Training and Mentorship at Yoga Vida, a school certified by the Yoga Alliance. She has been practicing yoga for 12 years as a means to spiritual, emotional, mental and psychical well-being, and loves sharing the gifts it offers her with her students. Laura's Vinyasa Flow classes are challenging and dynamic, yet accessible to all levels, with a focus on alignment and set to fun, upbeat music. You can find her on the schedule at all four Yoga Vida locations, or on Instagram as @laurabrinker26.

Nevah Assang is a long-time member of Mindful Harlem and supporter of the arts and humanities in New York City. She currently holds the position of senior vice president of Cultural and Community Affairs at NYC & Company, serving as a key liaison between New York City’s official tourism organization and the many cultural institutions and community organizations throughout the five boroughs.

Pamela Newkirk, PhD, is a native New Yorker and award-winning journalist who spent ten years working as a reporter and writer before joining the journalism faculty at New York University. Pamela began her meditation practice at Mindful Harlem about three years ago and cherishes the brilliant minds she meets in the community.