Calendar of Events

As the holiday season starts with Thanksgiving leading the way, many of us count our blessings for all that we have. During this season of gratitude and giving, we may also consider others who are less resourced. Perhaps we volunteer to serve Thanksgiving turkey at a shelter or take a child’s name from an angel tree to provide holiday gifts.

This forum will expand our minds to consider the 365-days a year reality of racial and economic injustices and inequities. We will be inspired by the soulful lyrics of Kyshona Armstrong and then hear the stories of some of our neighbors navigating our housing, financial and criminal justice systems. These stories will challenge our beliefs about why so many people are financially insecure and inspire us to seek solutions.

Village Engage’s Faith & Justice Forum: Economic Liberation for All is a daylong event designed to inform and connect us with inspired solutions and people working to build a community where everyone can thrive. The symposium includes live entertainment, panel discussions and a networking lunch.

For more information about the speakers at the event visit villageengage.org.

Join Erika McClung, PMHNP and nature therapist, for movement on the land at our 16-acre sanctuary.

Shake, jump, wiggle, dance, and play to good music in good company. Similar in format to ecstatic dance, we celebrate our intentions and let the music and emotions move through our bodies in whatever way feels best to us, without judgement or expectation. Come see how healing movement can be!

The 5th annual South Asheville Turkey Trot presented by Hunter Subaru returns to Biltmore Park Town Square for 2023!

Make plans to bring your family and friends and join in on the fun. Awesome race swag includes a comfy t-shirt, goody bag and a unique finisher medal!

Thanksgiving is the largest running holiday with families all over the country! Turkey Trots are a great way to start the day. Join us at Biltmore Park Town Square and enjoy some fresh air and exercise before gathering around the table for your Thanksgiving feast! You’ll share miles and smiles with your family and friends as part of this fun, annual tradition.

The race is located in Biltmore Park Town Square in South Asheville, North Carolina. The entire race is run throughout the Town Square and the surrounding neighborhoods within Biltmore Park, and the course is USATF Certified!

The 23nd Annual Asheville Turkey Trot 5K and Gobble Wobble 1 Mile Fun Run presented by Jus’ Running is Thanksgiving Day- Thursday, November 23, 2023. Portions of the proceeds will be donated to MANNA Food Bank. Early packet pickup will be Wednesday November 22 at “The Wedge At Foundation Cloud Room 5 Foundy St Asheville NC from 3:00 pm until 6 pm. There will be late registration there also. Keep in mind shirts aren’t guaranteed during late registration. Race day packet pick up will be at Pack Square Park from 7am until 8:30am. The race starts on Woodfin St in front of the Downtown YMCA and finishes at Pack Square Park. Please note, due to restrictions NO DOGS/ PETS are allowed. Please don’t bring them. The course is not completely closed so this is for safety purposes. Race timing will be provided by Right on Time Productions.

A two-hour experiential workshop on abundance, gratitude, and the transformative power of giving, thoughtfully hosted by Whit Zeh, Happy Body studio manager, and Doug Zeh, Happy Body affiliate. At this unique workshop, we’ll guide you through an exploration sure to enrich your life with a deeper sense of abundance, gratitude, and the art of giving back to the world. The evening will kick off with gentle movement and meditation to help you center your mind and open your heart, setting the stage for a profound learning experience. Whether you’re new to these concepts or a seasoned practitioner, this workshop provides a valuable opportunity to gain insights, share experiences, and connect with a community of individuals dedicated to self-discovery and personal growth.

Event Details:

Date: Giving Tuesday, November 28th

Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: Happy Body Biltmore Village, 25 Reed St. Suite 210

Workshop Highlights:

Abundance: Discover the abundance that surrounds you every day and learn how to harness it in your life.

Gratitude: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude, allowing you to find joy in the present moment and appreciate the beauty of life.

Giving: Explore the power of giving and how it can create a ripple effect of positivity in your life and the lives of others.

Reserve your spot today and be part of this empowering experience.

Are you yearning for a more intimate and personalized yoga experience? Look no further! Happy Body, your haven for pilates, yoga, and massage, is excited to introduce our exclusive small yoga classes tailored just for you!

🌈 What Sets Us Apart: ✨ Intimate Setting: Enjoy the tranquility of a small group setting with classes limited to 6-8 people, fostering a sense of community and connection. ✨ Personalized Attention: Our experienced instructors can focus on your individual needs, ensuring a more tailored and effective practice. ✨ Serene Studio Space: Immerse yourself in a peaceful and inviting environment designed to enhance your yoga journey.

📅 Reserve Your Spot: https://www.ashevillehappybody.com/yogaclasses

🌟 Come, Find Your Happy Body! 🌟

Are you yearning for a more intimate and personalized yoga experience? Look no further! Happy Body, your haven for pilates, yoga, and massage, is excited to introduce our exclusive small yoga classes tailored just for you!

🌈 What Sets Us Apart: ✨ Intimate Setting: Enjoy the tranquility of a small group setting with classes limited to 6-8 people, fostering a sense of community and connection. ✨ Personalized Attention: Our experienced instructors can focus on your individual needs, ensuring a more tailored and effective practice. ✨ Serene Studio Space: Immerse yourself in a peaceful and inviting environment designed to enhance your yoga journey.

📅 Reserve Your Spot: https://www.ashevillehappybody.com/yogaclasses

🌟 Come, Find Your Happy Body! 🌟

Walk With Ease is designed to help people reduce pain and discomfort of arthritis, increase balance and strength, reduce disability, build confidence in the ability to be physically active and improve overall health among older adults. The program is also helpful for people with chronic disease, such as diabetes and heart disease. Walk with Ease Madison will be offered at the Otis Duck Trail, Mars Hill. Group meets at the Mars Hill University Softball Field Parking Lot.  Please contact Brea Kuykendall at [email protected] or call 828-251-7438 to register.

Got stress? International speaker and stress physiologist Dr. Rebecca Heiss is here to help!

With a show full of humor, audience interaction and practical tips and tricks to recalibrate and reframe our stress (perfect for the holidays!), Rebecca takes us on a personal journey to transform our fears into fuel to propel us forward. For anyone that’s struggled with imposter thoughts, lack of worthiness, and overwhelm, it’s time to take back your power over these limiting thoughts.

With research designated as “transformative” by the National Science Foundation, find out why Rebecca is one of the most in demand speakers and entertainers on stages across the world.

For more information, visit the official site.

Don’t miss the 4th Annual Ugly Sweater Run 5K and 10K presented by Hunter Subaru! The race is set for Saturday, December 2nd at the Riveter in Fletcher, NC! Ugly Sweaters and holiday cheer are strongly encouraged!

Join iDaph Events for a festive 5K and 10K hosted by the Riveter, the nation’s premier indoor climbing gym, bike park, and wellness arena. The courses start at the Riveter and run along scenic and rural paved and farm roads, and return to the Riveter for even more merriment. There’ll be delicious food, drinks, and refreshments (including adult beverages and coffee), and plenty of activities including a premier bike park and a climbing wall.

The races include something for everyone! A 5k, and a 10k (double loop)! Everyone receives a free, cozy, ugly sweater shirt until the deadline, a Hunter Subaru swag bag, and a finisher Christmas ornament! All levels and abilities are welcome! Run a relaxed pace and take selfies, OR run your heart out and try to get a personal best!

Find your rhythm with Lululemon Ambassador Briar Buchanan in The Solarium!
This barre-inspired workout combines dancer-like movements with low-impact cardio to get your blood flowing and your body moving. The event is free to all. Just bring your own yoga mat and water bottle to start grooving.

Flow with us at our Rooftop Yoga Series hosted by Asheville Community Yoga! This powerful Vinyasa flow is perfect for yogis of every experience level. Bring your water bottle and your mat to The Solarium on the 6th Floor of The Restoration Hotel and get ready to feel restored.

Mary Magdalene’s story is shrouded in mystery and mysticism. In the sacred circle, we invoke her truth, wisdom, deep love and reverence for visceral teaching, clearing and activation.
Each month we will gather to connect and commune with the essence of this visionary aspect of divine feminine. We will explore the alchemy of Mary Magdalene in relationship to her Divine attributes of mysticism, love, sacred sexuality, Divine adoration, surrender, faith, and unity consciousness to awaken deeper levels of the Divine feminine to RISE with YOU! Recurring every 1st Tuesday of the month, 7:00-7:30pm EST

Adora Winquist is a distinguished Modern Alchemist, author, visionary Founder of The Soul Institute, and co-author of “Detox Nourish Activate: Plant & Vibrational Medicine for Energy, Mood, and Love”. Having over two decades of experience as a facilitator, educator, formulator, and entrepreneur, she holds certifications in vibrational medicine and aromatherapy from the renowned Barbara Brennan School for Healing and Rutgers University. She is a true authority in plant and vibrational medicine. Her expertise in essential oil formulation, combined with her deep understanding of esoteric philosophy and energy medicine, has made her a sought-after authority in the field. With a passion for education and transformation, Adora continues to empower individuals on their journey to holistic well-being and self-discovery.

Come join Heather Bauer as we explore the “Active, But Care-full” (ABCs) of falls prevention. This free session at the Weaverville Library is for anyone of any age who is interested in staying strong, grounded, and independent! We will discuss and assess fall risk with nationally recognized tools, share resources, and practice gentle seated exercises. Each participant will take home a falls risk score, prevention tools, home safety assessment, and a greater understanding of what we can do to reduce our risks! This free class is Dec. 7 at 10:30 a.m. and you do need to register. Call the library 250-6482 or come by to sign up.

Instructor Heather Bauer is a long-time falls prevention coach and consultant, trained in evidence-based falls prevention programming. She has worked in aging services since 2006, in-home care agencies and community-based human service non-profits. She is a firm believer in living well at any age. She lives in Waynesville with her family, facilitates falls prevention programming across the United States, and co-owns a local pickle business where she stays active in farmers markets and works with customers across WNC.

Huge thanks to the Friends of the Weaverville Library for sponsoring this program!

How can a spiritual perspective help us make sense of the times in which we live?

Despite efforts by many well-intentioned people, it seems more true now than ever that the problems humanity is facing sometimes seem to be getting worse not better. Divisions appear to grow deeper day by day, social relationships can feel strained, our institutions often appear unable to meet the needs of the world today, and even the viability of the natural environment around us seems threatened. So in the midst of these turbulent times, where can we turn to for sources of hope? In times of crisis, are there actually new opportunities for a more peaceful, just, and sustainable way of life? How can we help build those new patterns in our communities?

Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on how to promote constructive change in these difficult times. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the role spirituality can play in our efforts to construct a new, more meaningful path forward in the midst of social turmoil.

“The world of mankind is in the throes of evolutionary activity indicating the passing of the old conditions and advent of the new.” – Bahá’í Teachings

*** This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.

WEDNESDAY HIKE
Asheville urban hike 5+ miles

Please join us for a brisk downtown hike! The planned route will include neighborhoods, wooded trail, and views of the city from the ridge. We planned this route with the lovely views and fall foliage in mind. 🍁🍂

Please remember to bring or wear a headlamp, bright colors, and reflective gear if you have it. Keep in mind that we will be walking on some roads without sidewalks however, they are not heavily trafficked. 🦺

We will start and end the hike at White Labs where we can enjoy food and drinks after.

Join us for an enriching and experiential meetup, where we’ll explore the powerful connection between body, mind, and heart. The session will begin with a Meditation for Emotional Healing, a proven method to alleviate the impact of unhealthy emotions. Led by Bill, a Heartfulness meditation certified trainer and valued member of our meetup, this 15-20 minute meditation invites both beginners and experienced practitioners to delve into the transformative journey of inner balance. We’ll follow up with an emotion identification and coloring exercise. Come, engage in these exercises designed to deepen your connection with self, and discover the profound synergy of mind-body-heart alignment.

Is there more that unites us than we realize? How can spirituality help us look past our differences as people and nations and instead focus on the inherent commonality we all share as spiritual beings part of one humankind?

The world around us seems focused on amplifying the existing fractures in society, highlighting messages of division and conflict over those of peace and unity. So in this environment, how can we as individuals make a difference? Can spirituality help us foster that peace and unity? How can we stop talking over each other and start listening to those we disagree with? How can we create unified and inclusive communities that can work for the benefit of us all?

Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on our essential common humanity. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the role of spirituality in healing the divisions present in our society.

“The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch.” – Bahá’í Teachings

*** This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted