We are a non-profit organization made up of directors, teachers, volunteers, and founding members dedicated to guiding meditation practitioners from suffering to awareness. We offer online classes and meditation retreats in various locations around beautiful Muskoka.
We are a non-profit organization made up of directors, teachers, volunteers, and founding members dedicated to guiding meditation practitioners from suffering to awareness. We offer online classes and meditation retreats in various locations around beautiful Muskoka.
Board of Directors
The practice of Mindfulness Meditation changed Sarah's life. So much so that she chose to train and be certified as an MBSR facilitator 3 years ago. She taught classes for Dr. Shane Williams wellness program and now teaches mindfulness to women through the YWCA where she is a facilitator for Women's programs and Youth Programs. Sarah weaves mindfulness and meditation into each program as much as she can for she believes that it is the most important wellness practice anyone can do for themselves and for the healing of this world. She also has her own practice as a facilitator of healing. Through the methods of life coaching, reiki and mindfulness meditation she works with individuals who are wanting to deepen into the experience of their life and grow their awareness for healing and happiness.
Sarah was thrilled to join the board of CMM in January 2020 to be a part of a community that promotes and practices peace and love.
Leanna Zylstra
Secretary
Joan has lived in Muskoka since 1978 and has been a full time Realtor since 1984. Her three children have given her the honour and pleasure of being Nanny Joan to 7 wonderful grandchildren. Her interest in meditation began in the 90’s and she explored many different types. The opportunity presented itself to participate in a MBSR course about 5 years ago and since that time Joan has enjoyed the benefits, peace and happiness that stems from her daily mindfulness practice. Serving on the Board of Directors of CMM provides a wonderful opportunity to deepen her practice, spend time with like minded people and assist in bringing mindfulness meditation to the local community.
Joan Ricard
Grant Committee Chair
Jiana Cutting
Treasurer
Jiana Cutting is a certified mindfulness meditation teacher receiving her training from the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program developed by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach and offered by the Awareness Training Institute and Sounds True.
She grew up in sunny California and she and her partner Wayne moved to Muskoka, Ontario, Canada in 1995. While raising a blended family of 4 daughters she went to work at the YWCA Muskoka, a local non-profit whose mission is to see all women and girls thriving.
Mindfulness has taught her to truly accept who she is - messiness and all - and see clearly the circumstances of this life and then to move forward with wisdom and compassion - the two wings of mindfulness - for herself and others. She regularly leads two local mindfulness groups, facilitates intro to mindfulness and self-compassion, radical self-love programs, and is Treasurer for the non-profit organization, The Centre for Mindfulness in Muskoka.
As a settler to the Muskoka area, in the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg people, Jiana's people are Hawaaiian, Scots/Irish folks, and she is a heterosexual woman with cisgender privilege. She is an advocate for mental health and addiction awareness.
As a graphic designer, Sarah worked in marketing and media for 15 years. As an artist, she has exhibited around Ontario and was a member and co-chair of Art on Main artist collective in North Bay from 2013-2017. Sarah began meditating in 2010 starting with MBSR and has attended retreats every year since. At first she began meditating to help manage MS symptoms. It helped immensely and then her spiritual practice took on a momentum of its own as she worked with several different teachers in the Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions. Sarah is one of several sangha leaders with the Muskoka Mindfulness Community and mentors with Bill Knight. She also works with Mala Sikka and Terry Hagan, current resident teachers at The Dharma Centre of Canada, and non-dual teacher, Matt Flickstein. Meditation has been such a gift in her life and she would like to share that gift with others.
Sarah Carlin-Ball
Chairperson
Advisory
Council
The CMM Advisory Council advises on teachers and programs. The council consists of previous board members, trusted mindfulness meditation teachers and/or community members who can offer guidance to the Board of Directors. The council reviews and comments on teacher applications as needed. They also follow CMM’s offerings and activities as they relate to the organization’s vision, mission, and values and present any concerns to the Board.
By consulting with the Advisory Council, the CMM board of directors aim to increase transparency and accountability and to better represent the interests of the growing mindfulness community.
Bill Knight
Bill was trained as a physician and started his career doing emergency medicine and general practice. His interest in educating as well as treating patients resulted in his writing and producing medical and lifestyle programs for television. After training as a psychotherapist he spent 8 years working with individuals, couples and families. During this time he twice volunteered to work in refugee camps in Pakistan, treating refugees and training Afghan medics. As a part of his own process of growth, he discovered the practice of mindfulness. Seeing the profound benefits of this practice in his own life, he trained with Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). He was a co-founder and the Medical Director of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Clinic at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto and from 1995 until 2016 he taught Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Huntsville. He has trained with many of the senior teachers in the west and has spent time practicing in India and Burma. His current teacher is Matthew Flickstein.
Karen Davis
Karen Davis is a retired educator who enjoyed sharing mindfulness with students and colleagues. Karen has been leading mindfulness groups for nine years in Muskoka, Simcoe and across the GTA. She is a certified facilitator of Stress Management and Resiliency and Mindful Self Compassion. Karen is a member of the Muskoka Mindfulness Community and leadership group. She has participated in retreats and trainings at retreat centres across Canada and the USA. She has a dedicated daily practice and delights in sharing mindfulness with others. In retirement she has enjoyed hiking and practicing mindfulness in nature with friends and family. She lives with her husband Simon and they enjoy traveling to Vancouver Island to visit with their two sons.
Samantha Pollington
Sam Pollington is a member of the Muskoka Mindfulness Community and one of several leaders in the group. Sam moved from England to Huntsville 14 years ago with her husband Graham. Two months after their daughter was born, she was diagnosed with a chronic illness. This brought her to The MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) course offered by Dr. Bill Knight. When faced with her mortality it made her aware of how precious every day is. She is healthy and loves the outdoors and traveling. She walks daily with her Goldendoodle dog Luna in nature. Raising a teenager takes deep awareness and patience and has helped her to be a more conscious parent. Presently she is training to become a Trauma informed Mindfulness teacher. She wants to share in the teachings as she sees the benefit of having a daily practice. Her life is her practice.