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.

I was introduced to mindfulness and meditation many years ago and it has cultivated the landscape to come to the realization and recognize the fact that who I essentially am has nothing to do with my thoughts, feelings, sensations, and perceptions.   This practice has provided me with the tools to navigate and be present with the ever-changing, and at times, treacherous terrain called life.  I wish as a young teenager growing up in the Bronx, I had these tools in my toolbox to allow me to be present with all of the internal discomfort and uneasiness associated with growing up.   

Alex Beckmann is a musician, producer, and sound meditation facilitator based in NYC.   He has toured the world as a drummer and makes electronic music under the name MMBLR.  A fascination with sound healing and sound meditation has led Alex to study various techniques and instruments including tuning fork Biosonics with John Beaulieu and Gong Yoga with Don Conreaux.

Kristina is an Afro-Caribbean meditation teacher born and raised in NYC. She began her daily meditation practice under the suggestion of a friend and soon learned the importance of sharing the practice with others. She has participated in silent retreats with Buddhists Insights and the Chan Meditation Center. She has found refuge in the teachings offered at Three Jewels NYC where she’s studied the Gelugpa Mahayana school of Tibetan Buddhism from Hector Marcel and others. She holds a 100hr Compassion Teaching certificate from the Nalanda Institute and a 200hr Meditation Teaching certificate from Three Jewels. She’s currently studying to be a Death Doula and her research projects include studies of visual perception, ritual, and meditation. She believes in the power of meditation as a tool for liberation.

Angela Dews found the dharma in 1996, at Vallecitos Mountain Ranch in New Mexico, and began dedicated practice at Deer Park In California with Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh. She is a graduate of the fourth Community Dharma Leaders Program at Spirit Rock and her primary teachers are Gina Sharpe and Gloria Taraniya Ambrosia. Angela co-leads the NYI Harlem Insight Sangha.

“I walk for my ancestors.” ~Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh. Because the ancestors seldom walked slowly and empty-handed and sometimes had to run.

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.

Elizabeth is a licensed social worker and discovered Mindful Harlem when exploring ways to manage stress while pursuing her graduate degree.  Having a space for the practice has benefited her more than she could have imagined.  Her involvement has allowed her to work collaborate with teachers from different modalities, including meditation, somatic movement, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), all of which continue to enrich her work and therapeutic perspective.  She is passionate about the center's dedication to making mindfulness practices accessible to the Harlem community.  

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

Hallee Altman was trained by Joesph Pilates' protege, Romana Kryzanowska and has been teaching the Pilates Method since 2001. Hallee is also a MELT Master Trainer and co-creator of MELTed Pilates: a revolutionary approach that focuses on rebalancing the nervous system and hydrating connective tissue, resulting in greater overall performance of the body. Hallee has presented her curriculum at the annual Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) conference, Balanced Body’s Pilates on Tour (POT), and most recently on Pilates Anytime.

Hallee graduated summa cum laude from Emory University and authored her first Psychological research study in 1999. In 2003 she earned a Master’s degree in Dance Education from NYU. Prior to opening The Center Studio in 2004, she worked as a creative movement teacher and social skills educator, teaching children with special needs to discover the power of movement and nonverbal communication. She lives in Harlem with her husband, two daughters, and puppy, Kona

Howard joined Mindful Harlem at its inception in 2014. He serves Mindful Harlem as a board member, digital strategist, and mindfulness instructor. He started and led the center’s Wednesday evening meditations, and has served as assistant facilitator for several MBSR courses. Howard has led Mindfulness classes for the New York City Board of Education, Bellevue Hospital, the American Cancer Society, and in several New York based corporations. 

Howard is a media and marketing executive with deep industry experience in utilizing digital platforms in the concert, television, and music industries. Notable producing team credits include concerts for Simon & Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Diana Ross, and Metallica, as well as the Broadway show, Liza’s at the Palace starring Liza Minnelli (which won a Tony Award), and the Emmy nominated TV show Wonderama.

His current practice centers around a simple Vipassana meditation, and bringing the tenets of mindfulness into everyday activities and interactions.

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

Jean-Sebastien is Vipassana meditation practice in 2004. Since then he has developed a daily practice and undertakes regular long term retreats in both Vipassana and Zen traditions. He is a certified professional mindfulness meditation teacher (CMT-P) with the International Mindfulness Teachers Association.

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.

Senior complex litigation and white collar associate with experience in securities lawsuits, international white collar investigations, arbitration, and a robust pro bono practice that encompasses criminal defense, economic justice, and immigrants’ rights.

Kierra Foster-Ba has studied the 5Rhythms® with Gabrielle Roth, the founder, for 15+ years. Kierra appears in Gabrielle's Power Wave video and in the documentary "Dances of Ecstasy". She also dances with PURE (Public Urban Ritual Experiment) an international organization of artists devoted to using belly dance to promote peace and end suffering.  Kierra has been offering 5Rhythms® classes in New York City since 2008 and expanding her offerings to include Femme! a movement practice to live drumming. She offers workshops throughout the world including Europe, Latin America, Asia, and across the US. Reach out to Kierra@Shakingspiritwaves.net to bring these offerings to your community.

Mindy Bacharach www.mindybacharach.com

A seriously playful and inspiring yoga teacher – my teachings invite a meaningful connection and are full of self-discovery. I strive to expresses a depth of knowledge to students of all levels. My yoga classes weave the historic traditions of yoga with current relevance. I teach publicly and privately, educate and consult on Ayurvedic methods of health and wellness, mentor new yoga teachers, lead retreats, and teach seriously playful workshops.

As a student of yoga since 1995, I continue to broaden my studies with nationally recognized teachers.  I currently teach Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Alignment Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga, Relaxation, Meditation, Pranayama (breathing), Relaxation Techniques, Ayurveda and more.

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.

Will thinks of his yoga training in three phases:

-Studies of strong foundational styles and scriptures and owning and directing a yoga studio.
-Discovering my true love, Yin yoga.
-The ongoing education I receive from my students and the learning that comes from intuitive awareness and life.