The retreat, scheduled for the weekend of Dec. 4-6 at the Copper Beech Institute in West Hartford, will explore mindfulness practices to help parents focus on what really matters.

Submitted by the Copper Beech Institute

Copper Beech Institute will offer parents the opportunity to explore the transformative power of mindfulness in the parent-child relationship in the retreat, “Mindful Parenting: Helping You Focus on What Really Matters.” The retreat will be offered the weekend of Dec. 4-6, 2015, with the option of attending for the entire weekend or on Saturday only. Retreat leaders are Carla Naumburg, Ph.D. and Hunter Clarke-Fields, MSAE, RYT.

Mindful parenting is about bringing moment-to-moment, openhearted and nonjudgmental attention to our children—to seeing them as they are, not as we want them to be. This affects the emotional and relational development of the child in a positive way.

This retreat is for parents of young children and older kids as well as grandparents who would like to bring greater mindfulness, balance, and acceptance to their relationships with their children and themselves. Continuing education credits are also offered. Participants will explore basic concepts and practices of mindfulness, meditation and yoga, and learn how these practices can help them stay more connected with their children, grounded in themselves and as present as possible.

Both retreat leaders are working mothers of young children. Dr. Naumburg is a clinical social worker, writer, and mindfulnesspractitioner. She is the author of the new book, “Ready, Set, Breathe: Practicing Mindfulness with Your Children for Fewer Meltdowns and a More Peaceful Family” and “Parenting in the Present Moment: How to Stay Focused on What Really Matters.” Ms. Clarke-Fields has more than 18 years of experience helping mothers bring more peace and joy to life using the traditions of yoga and mindfulness.

Copper Beech Institute’s mindful parenting retreat is the first stop on Carla Naumburg’s “Ready, Set, Breathe” book tour. There will be special offers for all retreat attendees, including a free copy of Carla’s first book, “Parenting in the Present Moment.”

The retreat includes optional yoga and a Saturday night musical performance. Tuition is $250 plus accommodations for the full weekend; $125 for those who wish to attend on Saturday only. A weekend commuter option is also available. Healing arts therapies including massage and reflexology are available for an additional charge. For more information and to register visit: copperbeechinstitute.org/parenting.

Copper Beech Institute offers more than 40 overnight and day retreats and workshops, courses and events for all levels of experience and ability. Continuing education credits are pending for several of the new season’s offerings, and scholarships are available through the Institute’s Boundless Heart Fund and Hemera Educator Scholarships programs.

To learn more about Copper Beech Institute, please visit copperbeechinstitute.org.

Copper Beech Institute is deeply thankful for the generosity of the Aetna Foundation, Hemera Foundation, and Petit Family Foundation whose support enables us to offer mindfulness practice to our community.