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Natural Awakenings Westchester / Putnam / Dutchess New York

Omega to Reopen Rhinebeck Campus July 23

The Sanctuary at Omega

More than 100 in-person workshops planned through October. Livestreams, virtual classes and self-paced courses on demand provide year-round option to learn remotely at eOmega.org.

After a year-long closure in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Omega Institute, a premiere destination for lifelong learning in New York’s Hudson Valley, will reopen its Rhinebeck campus on July 23 for three months of in-person workshops, conferences, retreats and professional training opportunities through October. Additionally, Omega will continue to expand its digital offering, which has grown significantly to include access to popular workshops and many free resources, including conversations with top teachers, a podcast, the Omega Online Community and more.

“As a nonprofit educational institution, we have been working hard to ensure the reopening of our campus in Rhinebeck, New York. People are longing to connect, learn and recharge together in real time,” says Robert “Skip” Backus, chief executive officer at Omega. “We are committed to carrying forward the many lessons learned during the past year, and to be a resource for building personal and collective resilience. And we’re proud not only to reopen our campus doors, but also to keep open the virtual doors that have expanded access to Omega for our global community online. We are profoundly grateful to our members, donors and participants for helping to make it all possible.”

Omega has made modifications to campus operations that put health and safety first, including requiring staff, teachers, participants and visitors be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 prior to arrival, a policy the organization plans to adjust in the future based on pandemic conditions. To learn more about new protocols and what to expect, visit eOmega.org/covidsafety.

In response to the times, Omega’s 2021 curriculum will aim to support people and communities in building personal and collective resilience; healing from trauma and grief; advancing understanding and action for a more inclusive and equitable world; reimagining communities, the economy, and how to work and live; catalyzing climate change solutions; and fostering joy, connection and creativity.


A Sampling of Omega’s 2021 Program Highlights

12th Annual Mindfulness & Education Conference – Experts in the fields of mindfulness in education and social and emotional learning explore mindfulness as a tool for social change (July 23-25).

You Belong: A Call for Connection – A weekend meditation retreat with Sebene Selassie, a popular featured teacher on the Ten Percent Happier app (July 30-August 1).

Freedom from Chronic Pain: A Mind-Body Approach – Discover how the release of repressed emotions can lead to a mind-body transformation, and freedom from chronic pain (August 1-6).

Bliss Brain: The Neuroscience of Remodeling Your Brain for Joy & Resilience – Rewire the brain for happiness and creative flow with integrative healthcare researcher Dawson Church (August 6-8).

The Four Agreements for a Better Life – Best-selling author don Miguel Ruiz (via livestream) and sons teach how to apply the concepts of The Four Agreements in everyday life (September 9-12).

Women & Power – For 20 years, Omega’s Women & Power conferences have nurtured and catalyzed thousands of women to “Do Power Differently.” Be strengthened by community, get informed on issues, and discover practices for restoring inner peace and courage (September 17-19).

A Five-Day Residential Mindfulness Retreat with Jon Kabat-Zinn – Dive deep into a rigorous practice of silent meditation, dialogue and inquiry with the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (September 19-24).

The Moth X Omega – Celebrate the art and craft of storytelling at the first Omega StorySLAM with The Moth Radio Hour, featuring Kate Tellers and Elizabeth Lesser (October 15-17).

R&R Retreats – Available August to October, Omega’s Rest & Rejuvenation Retreats are a great way to unwind on their beautiful 250-acre campus.

Omega Conversations – Conversations with leading teachers on current events and culture, and how-to practices for building resilience, stoking creativity and staying inspired (ongoing—watch for free on Zoom and Facebook Live).

Omega’s forced campus closure in 2020 created substantial economic hardship for the 501(c)3. Its quick pivot to online learning, cost cutting, fundraising and applying for federal assistance narrowly paved the way toward recovery, enabling Omega to carry forward its mission to “awaken the best in the human spirit.” Constituents interested in making a donation are encouraged to visit eOmega.org/givetoday or email [email protected] for more information.

For more information visit eOmega.org and follow Omega on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest.