AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing

AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing

Wed, Nov 18 - Thu, Nov 19 2026, All day (Requires Registration)

AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing will be held November 18-19, 2026 at the Contemplative Commons. Registration is now open! At a time when anxiety is increasingly felt about the rapid advancement, widespread adoption, and future uncertainty of artificial intelligence, this symposium convenes changemakers in emerging technology, higher education, and the contemplative sciences to address the driving question, “How can we prepare young adults for the future of AI?”

Sydney Wong viewing birds through binoculars

Contemplative Bird Watching Walks

Tuesdays

8:00 - 9:30am

(Open to All)

On Tuesday mornings, the Peer Programming Team will be leading a contemplative Bird Watching walk around the Perimeter Loop starting at the O-Hill trailhead weekly, open to all.

Upcoming
Events

a group of students sits on a wooden floor in the Contemplative Commons and meditates, overlooking the foliage below from the floor to ceiling window

Midday Mindfulness

Mondays to Fridays

12:00 - 12:20pm

Open to All

Four students painting in the Contemplative Commons first floor gallery. More students are further back in the hallway.

Thursdays

3:00 - 6:00pm

Open to All

Four people sitting on cushions experiencing the exhibit in the Conservatory

Mondays to Thursdays

3:00 - 7:30pm

Fridays

3:00 - 5:30pm

Sunday and Saturdays

12:00 - 5:30pm

Open to All

Contemplative Commons from the sky

Contemplative Sampler at the Contemplative Commons

Thu, Oct 8 2026, 4:15 - 6:30pm

Requires Registration

People stretching in front of yoga mats in the Contemplative Commons looking out at summer greenery

Therapeutic Yoga for Stress Management

Thursdays

5:00 - 5:45pm

Open to All

People meditating on mats

Yoga for Better Sleep

Thursdays

6:00 - 7:00pm

Open to All

Yoga class touching toes

Ashtanga Yoga: Led Primary Series

Fridays

6:30 - 8:00am

Open to All

Students around a table discussing yoga with John Bultman

Fridays

8:00 - 9:00am

Open to All

Students on yoga mats with arms raised in the Contemplative Commons

Fridays

11:15am - 12:15pm

Sundays

12:15 - 1:15pm

Wednesdays

5:30 - 6:30pm

For UVA students

Photo divided into three images: sound bowls, tai chi pose, yoga pose

Friday Rest Fest

Fridays

1:00 - 4:30pm

Open to All

Special Events

Contemplative Commons from the sky

Oct 8 — Special Event

Contemplative Sampler at the Contemplative Commons

For Colonnade Club members. Please Register. Join us for an afternoon of exploration, contemplation, and connection at UVA’s Contemplative Commons. Discover the building and its contemplative spaces through a guided tour, slow down with a sound bath or tea tasting, and connect with other Colonnade Club members over healthy bites. Requires Registration.

Sign for Big Meadow with the moonrise in the background

Oct 23 24 — Special Event

Camping and Contemplation Under the Cosmos

UVA Rec and the Contemplative Sciences Center are partnering to offer students a retreat under the sun and stars at the Big Meadows campground in Shenandoah National Park. Come experience the awe of the morning and night skies. The retreat includes star-watching, a hike, and morning yoga practice. Transportation will be provided. For UVA students.

AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing

Nov 18 19 — Special Event

AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing

AI Anxiety + Human Flourishing will be held November 18-19, 2026 at the Contemplative Commons. Registration is now open! At a time when anxiety is increasingly felt about the rapid advancement, widespread adoption, and future uncertainty of artificial intelligence, this symposium convenes changemakers in emerging technology, higher education, and the contemplative sciences to address the driving question, “How can we prepare young adults for the future of AI?” Requires Registration.

Drop-in Events

a group of students sits on a wooden floor in the Contemplative Commons and meditates, overlooking the foliage below from the floor to ceiling window

Midday Mindfulness

Mondays to Fridays

12:00 - 12:20pm

Join us for a midday contemplative break led by the Contemplative Sciences Center staff and guest instructors. While practices shared may come from various traditions, they aim to invite participants to explore the mindful qualities of present-moment awareness, curiosity, and non-judgment. These are free, drop-in sessions for all of the UVA and Charlottesville community. Open and accessible to beginners and advanced practitioners alike.

Open to All.

Four people sitting on cushions experiencing the exhibit in the Conservatory

Mondays to Thursdays

3:00 - 7:30pm

Sunday and Saturdays

12:00 - 5:30pm

Synaisthesis is an immersive light and sound exhibit in the Conservatory at the Contemplative Commons. A collaboration between Karianne Michelle, R. Lee Kennedy, David Acunzo and Matthew Burtner, the installation is open daily. Experience standing-wave acoustics and binaural beating patterns along with the synchronized lighting. Open to All.

Four students painting in the Contemplative Commons first floor gallery. More students are further back in the hallway.

Thursdays

3:00 - 6:00pm

The Peer Programming Team will be holding a weekly, rotating art or craft in the Contemplative Commons to provide an opportunity for anyone interested to enjoy some relaxing arts and crafts while engaging in community. Each session will feature an art or craft relevant to the time of year (pumpkin painting in October, snow flakes in December, etc.), along with some tried and true options that have been enjoyed in the past, such as crocheting, color by numbers, sticker making, and more! Stay tuned for further details.

Open to All.

People stretching in front of yoga mats in the Contemplative Commons looking out at summer greenery

Therapeutic Yoga for Stress Management

Thursdays

5:00 - 5:45pm

This yoga practice will help lower stress, calm the nervous system, and release physical tension in the muscles. Through yoga, we can cultivate a sense of calm and balance, even amidst life‘s uncertainties and challenges. Instructor: Cindy Crace. Open to All.

People meditating on mats

Yoga for Better Sleep

Thursdays

6:00 - 7:00pm

In this restorative practice we will focus on calming the body, slowing the breath and focusing on the present. This yoga practice will increase circulation and endorphins that encourage relaxation which help you into a state of inner peace for a restful sleep. This class is taught Thursday 6-7pm in studio 4A. Open to All.

Yoga class touching toes

Ashtanga Yoga: Sanskrit-Counted Led Primary Series

Fridays

6:30 - 8:00am

In this class, the instructor leads participants through the entire ashtanga primary series, pairing movement with in- and out-breath to the traditional Sanskrit-counted vinyasa. The aim is for participants to flow through the poses and breathe together in a moving group meditation. As time does not allow for the instructor to explain the poses or the flow between them, this class is most suitable for those with experience practicing Ashtanga yoga. Open to All.

Students around a table discussing yoga with John Bultman

Chai & Chats (Yoga Q&A)

Fridays

8:00 - 9:00am

We will discuss yoga-related topics from philosophical ideas to questions about poses over a cup of chai. All are welcome. No physical practice required. Led by John Bultman. Open to All.

Students on yoga mats with arms raised in the Contemplative Commons

Fridays

11:15am - 12:15pm

Wednesdays

5:30 - 6:30pm

Yoga is for everyone! Come and enjoy beginner friendly yoga practices led by members of our student peer programming team who have completed their yoga teacher training! Friday and Sunday classes meet in Studio 3B (300). Wednesday classes meet in Studio 3D (304). For UVA students.

Photo divided into three images: sound bowls, tai chi pose, yoga pose

Friday Rest Fest

Fridays

1:00 - 4:30pm

Join us Friday afternoons for these contemplative activities specially curated to help you reconnect with your body and feel refreshed for the weekend. Drop in to any class. All are open to the public.

Open to All.

A student writing in a journal

Sun, Oct 11 2026

Write & Reset will provide an opportunity for participants to explore journaling as a form of practice, while enjoying a quiet and relaxing space to help move into the start of the week on the right foot. Journals will be provided as well as items to customize them. Each week will bring a new prompt to engage with as well as light refreshments for participants enjoyment.

For UVA students.

Student reading in the Contemplative Commons with a bookshelf and plant in the background

Reading Unplugged

Sundays

2:00 - 5:00pm

Put away your phones, turn off your laptops and settle in for screen-free reading at the Contemplative Commons. Read for class (print out your coursework!) or just bring your favorite book or magazine. Comfy couches and snacks will be provided. Every Sunday from 2-5pm on the 4th Floor Alchemy space in the Contemplative Commons. Drop in and leave whenever you like. No registration required. For UVA students.

A man doing summersault amidst graphics of flowers

Contemplative Capoeira

Sundays

2:00 - 3:00pm

Join us for all-level Capoeira on Sundays starting September 20 at the Contemplative Commons, from 2-3pm. Free and open to the public. Open to All.