Calendar of Events

Monthly Visitor is a new class series by Period Nirvana. Every month, we will host a speaker to teach a class or lead a workshop in their area of expertise. The class will be about an hour long with the opportunity for questions and to shop for menstrual care and wellness products afterwards. Enjoy 15% off your purchase as a thank you for purchasing a ticket and attending!

This month, we invite Dr. Taylor Yankey to lead a workshop on contraception! This class will include a brief history, an overview of the hormones involved with menstruation to understand the variety of contraceptives, and a breakdown of all of the options for contraception. She will also cover how contraceptives can be used for more than preventing pregnancy.

This event is for anyone curious about contraception! Period Nirvana is an inclusive space and we welcome anyone who wishes to attend. This class is geared toward high-school and college aged folks, but is also appropriate for middle-schoolers who might be interested.

Get to know our August Monthly Visitor!

Dr. Taylor Yankey, PharmD, MPH is a pharmacist who currently serves as the primary pharmacist for the Sona Access Program at Sona Pharmacy & Clinic, a local independent pharmacy in Asheville, NC. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Public Health degrees at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN. Awarded the USPHS Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award in 2023, Yankey believes that a community pharmacist is the most accessible healthcare provider for rural and underserved communities. She strives to leverage pharmacy practice to enhance the holistic health of our community, working on projects related to medication adherence, medication access, health literacy, and the wellbeing of healthcare staff. When not on the job, you can find her meandering through the River Arts District or enjoying quiet time at home with her husband, Tanner, and feline companion, Lilly

Join AdventHealth Hendersonville and The Blood Connection for a blood drive on Thursday, August 21, at AdventHealth Hendersonville.

To make it easy for the public to donate, AdventHealth and The Blood Connection follow all safety protocols for blood donation.

Blood Drive at AdventHealth Hendersonville

Thursday, August 21 | 10 am to 3 pm

100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville

Look for The Blood Connection Mobile Donor Unit near the Valet parking lot.

Donors will receive up to $40 in rewards!

To make an appointment, visit thebloodconnection.org and search for the Sponsor Code 23AC.

Starseed Sound Bath with Levi Reynolds

Calling all Starseeds, lightworkers, and cosmic travelers—this is your invitation to a high-frequency sound healing experience designed to awaken your celestial essence and realign your energy with the cosmic flow.

Levi Reynolds will guide you through a multidimensional sound journey using upgraded gongs, sound bowls, and celestial vibrational instruments infused with meteorites and tektites from Mercury, Mars, the Moon, and asteroid Vesta (Tatahouine). These high-vibration frequencies resonate with starseed DNA, activating deep inner wisdom, light codes, and cosmic remembrance.

This experience is designed to help you:
✨ Connect with the cosmic origins of your soul
✨ Activate starseed light codes and higher consciousness
✨ Release stagnant energies and realign with your soul’s mission
✨ Journey through celestial frequencies in a deeply immersive soundscape

Our space is small and cozy, creating an intimate setting for this powerful experience. Arrive early to claim a spot lying down—otherwise, chairs will be available for seating.
Please bring any comfort items you may desire: blankets, pillows, bolsters, eye mask, etc. We also have some community items available for use.

🔹 Tickets: $33 per person
🔹 Purchase upon arrival

Come and bathe in the frequencies of the stars—your soul will remember the way home. 🌌✨

Immerse yourself in the healing power of sound. This restorative Sound Bath is designed to clear energetic blocks, uplift your spirit, and elevate your vibration. Let the soothing frequencies of crystal bowls and sacred tones guide you into deep relaxation, alignment, and renewal. Step into your highest frequency—peace, clarity, and inner radiance await.

Join your host Kristin Hillegas, for a one-hour Serenity Sound Bath and experience a deeply immersive, full-body sound and vibrational experience.

Note: Please bring a yoga mat/pillow/blanket since you will be lying on the floor. Wear warm, comfortable, and flexible clothing.

The Sound Bath will take place upstairs in the Education Building. Choose your space starting at 6:15 PM, doors close promptly at 6:30 PM.

This service is on a sliding scale of $10-20

Accessible parking is available in the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville upper parking lot. The entrance to the upper parking lot is off of S. Bear Creek Rd between Science of Mind Way and Sand Hill Rd.
There is a boardwalk from the upper parking lot to the building entrance.

Join Jessa at her new Holistic Skincare and Sound Bath Studio in Asheville for twice monthly Thursday Evening Sound Baths. ***Space is Limited- Tickets Required****
These sessions focus on revous system regulation, energetic balance, and seasonal, lunar, and solar alignment.

International Overdose Awareness Day takes place on August 31st — in Asheville, OAD events will take place at Carrier Park from 12:30-5:30p Sunday. Join us in uplifting each other in recovery and honoring those we have loved and lost to overdose. This gathering will host panelists, a youth speaker, a guided writing activity, and community connection along with a collective honoring of loved ones lost. Free food from Equal Plates will be provided for lunch. We welcome friends, families, and community members in recovery as well as anyone who feels called to offer their heart to this meaningful day. Hosted by SeekHealing partnered with WNCAP, Buncombe County, UMOJA, RHA, Sunrise Community Center, and Vaya Health.

Literacy Together has a determined group of students waiting for volunteer tutors so they can move forward on their goals for a better future. We offer both in-person and remote volunteer opportunities. We offer programs that teach English to immigrants, provide adult literacy support for individuals working on their GED, and offer youth literacy services for children struggling to learn to read. In addition, we welcome everyone, even those who are not ready to volunteer, to attend and learn about the literacy challenges we face in Buncombe County. Thank you!

Eager to reset your inner being to peace and tranquility? It’s time for Humpday Harmony with a soothing Sound Bath!

Join your host Kristin Hillegas, for a one-hour Serenity Sound Bath and experience a deeply immersive, full-body sound and vibrational experience. A sound bath can cleanse your soul, restore your balance, surround you with peace and tranquility and stimulate healing.

Note: Please bring a yoga mat/pillow/blanket since you will be lying on the floor. Wear warm, comfortable, and flexible clothing.

The Sound Bath will take place upstairs in the Education Building. Choose your space starting at 6:15 PM, doors close promptly at 6:30 PM.

This service is being offered on a sliding scale of $10-20.

Accessible parking is available in the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville upper parking lot. The entrance to the upper parking lot is off of S. Bear Creek Rd between Science of Mind Way and Sand Hill Rd.
There is a boardwalk from the upper parking lot to the building entrance.

Literacy Together has a determined group of students waiting for volunteer tutors so they can move forward on their goals for a better future. We offer both in-person and remote volunteer opportunities. We offer programs that teach English to immigrants, provide adult literacy support for individuals working on their GED, and offer youth literacy services for children struggling to learn to read. In addition, we welcome everyone, even those who are not ready to volunteer, to attend and learn about the literacy challenges we face in Buncombe County. Thank you!

Join Jessa in her new Holistic Skincare and Sound Bath Studio for twice monthly Thursday Evening Sound Baths. ***Space is Limited-Tickets Required*** These sessions focus on nervous sytem regulation, energertic balance, and seasonal, solar, and lunar alignmnet.

Retreat leader, educator and Jungian psychotherapist Diana McKendree leads a discussion exploring the world of dreamwork and how we might better understand our dreams. Part of Kanuga’s Lunch & Learn series, the Thursday, September 18 event begins with a forest bathing nature walk (weather permitting) at 10 a.m. McKendree’s “What Did You Dream Last Night?” discussion begins at 11 a.m., followed by a buffet lunch in Kanuga’s dining hall. Bring a recent dream, notebook and pen. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.

Retreat leader, educator and Jungian psychotherapist Diana McKendree leads a discussion exploring the world of dreamwork and how we might better understand our dreams. Part of Kanuga’s Lunch & Learn series. The Thursday, September 18 event begins with a forest bathing nature walk (weather permitting) at 10 a.m. McKendree’s “What Did You Dream Last Night?” discussion begins at 11 a.m., followed by a buffet lunch in Kanuga’s dining hall. Bring a recent dream, notebook and pen. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.

Asheville, NC — September 19, 2025 — The Western North Carolina Recovery Community Collaborative (WNCRCC) will host the First Annual WNC Recovery Rally: “Pathways to Recovery – One Rally, Many Journeys” on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 1:00–5:00 p.m. at Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville.

This free, family-friendly event celebrates National Recovery Month, honoring individuals and families impacted by mental health and substance use disorders. The rally aims to break stigma, inspire hope, and connect the community with multiple pathways to recovery.

Event Highlights

Inspirational speakers & personal recovery stories

Live music & entertainment

Food trucks & family-friendly activities

Resource fair featuring 40+ community organizations

“This rally is about showing WNC that we are surrounded by recovery, the hope that’s available, and the many resources ready to walk alongside anyone throughout their journey,” said Jessica Shepherd Joudry, Chair of the Planning Committee.

Celebrate the autumnal equinox in an evening of yoga, spirituality and healing, Thursday, Sept. 22 at Kanuga. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with check-in at the Labyrinth and nature crafting, followed by slow-flow yoga at 6:30 p.m., and concludes with a healing sound bath at 7:45 p.m. To close the evening, attendees are invited to linger over a cup of tea and reflect on the coming fall season. Bring your own mat, blanket and camp chair. Cost: $18 (plus tax and fees). 130 Kanuga Chapel Dr in Hendersonville. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.

Run beside an active runway!  The AVL Runway 5K is exciting and unique!

Ready to run the FLATTEST 5K in the mountains?  How about a morning with music, local food trucks (think coffee and pastries) and better-than-ever plane spotting?

Asheville Regional Airport looks forward to welcoming you to the airfield!  

Our race is the most unique 5K in the mountains – it’s completely FLAT, and hey – it’s on the airfield of the airport. Racers will run on Taxiway Bravo, beside our active Runway 17-35.  Once again, the event is located on the north side of the airfield, so all attendees will be much closer to the taxiway and runway in the festival area. Be sure to wave to the passengers in the planes that will be taking off and landing while you run! What are you waiting for?

The Black Bear Half Marathon & 8k presented by Hunter Subaru is an exhilarating fall event that beckons both seasoned athletes and recreational runners alike. Nestled within the charm and beauty of Hendersonville, North Carolina, this race offers participants a unique opportunity to challenge their limits while immersing themselves in the splendor of the autumn season. Whether conquering the half marathon’s 13.1-mile stretch or embracing the spirited atmosphere of the 8k, participants love supportive community vibe, scenic course, and post-race festivities, including the Black Bear Fall Market!

We’re back in the heart of Hendersonville and we’re bringing some spirited fun—with an awesome new race shirt and shiny finisher medal for every participant. Costumes? Highly encouraged. FOMO? Guaranteed if you skip it. Run or walk through the Historic 7th Avenue District with a crowd of costumed runners, then keep the party going at the Fall Festival just steps from the finish line!

Get ready to roll into fall! The Pumpkin Pedaller, benefitting Asheville on Bikes, is back on Saturday, Oct. 25th at New Belgium Brewing. Join the community for a fun, festive bike ride celebrating everything that makes riding in Asheville special.

Event Schedule:
1:30pm – 7pm: Pop-Up Bike Park
2pm: Pedal Prep (15 minute ride brief + safe rider habits talk)
1:30-2:30pm: Entry for Costume Contest
2:30pm: Costume Contest!
3pm: Rides stagger start and depart New Belgium
4-5pm: Staggered return
5pm – 7pm: Continued bicycle frolic

2025 Costume Contest Categories: Best Group, Best Kids Costume, Local Life, Best Use of Bike

After being cancelled last year due to Helene, our annual fundraiser Walk For Your Neighbor is BACK! Please join us on Sunday, October 26 at First Baptist Church of Swannanoa for a walk and block party! There will be music, as well as food and drink! The walk will start at 2pm, with the block party continuing until 5pm.

To register for Walk for Your Neighbor, just scan the QR code on this flyer, or follow the link below. Registration is by donation only, but we are encouraging a $20 minimum donation for those who are able. You can also ask family and friends to sponsor your walk using the donation link you receive when you register. To be cost and environmentally conscious, we will be using last year’s t-shirts.

Our valley is still recovering and needs remain high. The more we raise through this walk, the more we can tangibly share the love of Christ with neighbors in need through food, clothing, baby supplies, healthcare, home repairs, and so much more! We hope you’ll give generously, lace up those sneakers, and come walk with us!

Join medicinal herb farmers, buyers, and celebrate the season at the 10th Annual NC Medicinal Herb Grower Buyer Event in Mills River, NC!

Join naturalist and educator, Jessie Wilder, for a thoughtful conversation on the benefits of living a place-based life, Thurs. November 20 at Kanuga. Part of Kanuga’s Lunch & Learn series, the event begins with a forest bathing nature walk (weather permitting) at 10 a.m. followed by the conversation with Jessie Wilder at 11 a.m. Enjoy a buffet lunch in Kanuga’s dining hall after the presentation. Cost: $20 (plus tax and fees=$24.74). KANUGA, 471 Kanuga Chapel Dr. in Hendersonville. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.

Event registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lunch-and-learn-discovering-a-sense-of-place-with-jessie-wilder-tickets-1849253971409

Details:
10–11AM, Forest Bathing with Aimee Bostwick: Join Aimee for a time to ground ourselves by engaging our senses and tuning into our relationship with Nature. Dress comfortably for the weather and be sure to wear comfortable shoes. We will end this time with a cup of tea and sharing.
11AM–12PM, Jessie Wilder on Sense of Place: Join us for a conversation with naturalist Jessie Wilder as she shares with us about our deep connection to place and how it forms us. Consider where you currently live and ask yourself this: I live here, but how much do I really know, love, and inhabit this place as home?
12–1:30PM, Lunch and Discussion in the Dining Hall

This is how South Asheville does Turkey Day! Kick off Thanksgiving morning with a relaxed 5K through the beautiful Biltmore Park neighborhood – where the vibes are festive, the shirts are vintage-cool, and the finisher medals are worth the effort! Whether you’re running, walking, or just trotting it out for the pie, this event is for everyone. Awards for festive costumes and top finishers in each age group!

Join us for the Woven Word Retreat – a cozy bohemian winter writing retreat for women nestled in the tranquil beauty of House Boheme. This is a transformative, creative, all-inclusive gathering designed to awaken your inner storyteller.

This 4-day, 3-night experience weaves poetry, movement, ritual, nourishment, and embodied storytelling to stir the creatrix within.

Guided by skilled and popular local facilitators who will help you explore your voice and connect deeply with yourself and others, you’ll have the space to write, reflect, and express your truth in a supportive, welcoming space.

Expect soul-nourishing practices like Yoga Nidra, writing workshops, yoga, and more, plus time to ground into nature and connect with a community of women.

Whether you’re new to writing or a seasoned storyteller, you’ll leave feeling inspired, empowered, and more aligned with your creative spirit.

Learn more and secure your spot at www.wovenwordretreat.com

🌟 Winter Solstice Sound Bath 🌟
Join me in celebrating the Winter Solstice with a deeply restorative Sound Bath! ❄️✨
This sacred turning point invites renewal, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness. It’s a beautiful time to release what no longer serves you and welcome new beginnings. 🌙🌅
🕯️During the meditation, you’ll experience the energies of the stars and the gentle warmth of the rising sun as its healing rays bathe your body in peace and renewal. 🌞💫
🧘‍♀️ What to Bring:
A mat, blanket, and pillow for comfort — you’ll be lying down for the session.
Wear warm, flexible, and cozy clothing.

💰 Sliding Scale $10-20
📍 Location: Center for Spiritual Living Asheville (Education Building, upstairs)
🕘 Arrive at 12:45 PM to choose your space — doors close promptly at 1:00 PM.
🚗 Parking: Accessible parking is available in the upper lot off S. Bear Creek Rd (between Science of Mind Way and Sand Hill Rd). A boardwalk walkway connects the lot to the building entrance.
(📍 See map in comments)
✨ Come rest, renew, and realign with the returning Light. ✨

🌟 Begin Your New Year in Sacred Intention + Self-Love 🌟

Step into 2025 by nourishing your spirit and opening your heart through the healing vibrations of a Serenity Sound Bath. Allow the frequencies to wash over you, realign your energy, and awaken the peaceful wisdom within. ✨💖🌙

Join your host Kristin Hillegas, for a one-hour sacred sound immersion, where crystal tones and soothing vibrations gently clear what no longer serves you and invite harmony, clarity, and divine connection. 🎶💜✨
Experience the stillness. Feel the light within. Return home to yourself.

🧺 What to Bring:
A yoga mat, pillow, and/or blanket for comfort as you rest on the floor. Come in warm, cozy, flexible clothing that supports deep relaxation. 🧘‍♀️💫

📍 Location:
Upstairs in the Education Building at the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville.
Arrive beginning at 12:45 PM to choose your space. Doors will close promptly at 1:00 PM to honor the sacred container we create together. 🔔✨

💰 Sliding Scale: $10–$20

Accessible parking is available in the upper parking lot off S. Bear Creek Rd. A boardwalk walkway leads directly to the entrance. 🚗💫

✨ Give your soul the gift of presence.
✨ Let the sound gently reset your energy.
✨ Step into the New Year aligned, open, and renewed.

Spirited Improv is a 5-week expressive arts and spiritual development experience that invites you to play, heal, and reconnect with your creative essence. Unlike traditional improv, this series isn’t about comedy or performance techniques, it’s about presence, expression, and connection.

Guided by creator Jessica Chilton, a seasoned performer, expressive arts therapist, and spiritual practitioner, you’ll step into a welcoming space where vulnerability is met with love, creativity is encouraged, and every emotion has room to breathe. You’ll explore spontaneous movement, sound, character work, song, storytelling, ritual, and group co-creation. Each session includes grounding meditation, heart-centered intention, and spacious improvisational activities that awaken joy, courage, and curiosity.

Throughout the series, you practice releasing control and trusting the unknown, an experience participants often call “both liberating and deeply healing.” As the group’s trust and connection deepen, a final performance is created. It’s not scripted or rehearsed; instead, it emerges from the collective heart and the spiritual aliveness of the moment.
The closing performance becomes a celebration of everything you’ve reclaimed: your voice, your playfulness, your presence, your courage, and your connection to community.