All Programs
The Women’s Initiative offers a variety of programs, groups, and workshops to help support mental health in our communities.
view our programs by type
Mindfulness Practice Group
Every Tuesday, ongoing
Virtually via Zoom
Nurture greater well-being through evidence-based mindfulness skills. Each week, we will review a different theme or aspect of mindfulness and put it into practice with time to connect, process, and discuss for further personal development. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to attend. Any level of mindfulness experience is welcome. Led by Audrey Stefenson, LPC
Click here to register.
Feel free to drop in or make it a weekly ritual.
Craniosacral Gentle Touch
Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 30-minute sessions from 1-3pm, ongoing
The gentle touch of craniosacral therapy supports the body in re-patterning the nervous system beyond unresolved stress and trauma and re-discovering the body’s natural state of wellness. This therapy uses light touch on the body while clients recline on a massage table, fully clothed. Participants often experience a greater sense of self-connection, clarity, renewal, and peace following a craniosacral session. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to participate. Led by Amina Stevens of Common Ground Healing Arts
Contact us at 434.872.0047 to register for a one-on-one session.
Mindfulness Practice Group
Every Tuesday, ongoing
Virtually via Zoom
Nurture greater well-being through evidence-based mindfulness skills. Each week, we will review a different theme or aspect of mindfulness and put it into practice with time to connect, process, and discuss for further personal development. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to attend. Any level of mindfulness experience is welcome. Led by Audrey Stefenson, LPC
Click here to register.
Feel free to drop in or make it a weekly ritual.
Chihamba West African Dance
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday, ongoing
Join us for a West African dance class for women and children who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), in partnership with Charlottesville dance troupe Chihamba. In this fun and energetic hour, we will enjoy movement and rhythm, build community, and connect with our African ancestry as we explore the meanings and stories behind each dance. Led by Lillie Williams
First-time participants register here.
Mindfulness Practice Group
Every Tuesday, ongoing
Virtually via Zoom
Nurture greater well-being through evidence-based mindfulness skills. Each week, we will review a different theme or aspect of mindfulness and put it into practice with time to connect, process, and discuss for further personal development. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to attend. Any level of mindfulness experience is welcome. Led by Audrey Stefenson, LPC
Click here to register.
Feel free to drop in or make it a weekly ritual.
Yoga for Well-Being
Sundays, August 4–25
In partnership with Mindful Mountain Yoga Cville.
Join us for this yoga class to build strength, improve balance, and enhance overall health and well-being. We will use gentle, accessible yoga postures and practice self-compassion toward our body. No experience or ability is expected. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to attend. Led by Monica Farrell, certified yoga instructor.
Click here to register.
Yoga for Well-Being
Sundays, August 4–25
In partnership with Mindful Mountain Yoga Cville.
Join us for this yoga class to build strength, improve balance, and enhance overall health and well-being. We will use gentle, accessible yoga postures and practice self-compassion toward our body. No experience or ability is expected. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to attend. Led by Monica Farrell, certified yoga instructor.
Click here to register.
Yoga for Well-Being
Sundays, August 4–25
In partnership with Mindful Mountain Yoga Cville.
Join us for this yoga class to build strength, improve balance, and enhance overall health and well-being. We will use gentle, accessible yoga postures and practice self-compassion toward our body. No experience or ability is expected. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to attend. Led by Monica Farrell, certified yoga instructor.
Click here to register.
Yoga for Well-Being
Sundays, August 4–25
In partnership with Mindful Mountain Yoga Cville.
Join us for this yoga class to build strength, improve balance, and enhance overall health and well-being. We will use gentle, accessible yoga postures and practice self-compassion toward our body. No experience or ability is expected. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to attend. Led by Monica Farrell, certified yoga instructor.
Click here to register.
Chihamba West African Dance
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday, ongoing
Join us for a West African dance class for women and children who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), in partnership with Charlottesville dance troupe Chihamba. In this fun and energetic hour, we will enjoy movement and rhythm, build community, and connect with our African ancestry as we explore the meanings and stories behind each dance. Led by Lillie Williams
First-time participants register here.
Mindfulness Practice Group
Every Tuesday, ongoing
Virtually via Zoom
Nurture greater well-being through evidence-based mindfulness skills. Each week, we will review a different theme or aspect of mindfulness and put it into practice with time to connect, process, and discuss for further personal development. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to attend. Any level of mindfulness experience is welcome. Led by Audrey Stefenson, LPC
Click here to register.
Feel free to drop in or make it a weekly ritual.
Craniosacral Gentle Touch
Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 30-minute sessions from 1-3pm, ongoing
The gentle touch of craniosacral therapy supports the body in re-patterning the nervous system beyond unresolved stress and trauma and re-discovering the body’s natural state of wellness. This therapy uses light touch on the body while clients recline on a massage table, fully clothed. Participants often experience a greater sense of self-connection, clarity, renewal, and peace following a craniosacral session. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to participate. Led by Amina Stevens of Common Ground Healing Arts
Contact us at 434.872.0047 to register for a one-on-one session.
Mindfulness Practice Group
Every Tuesday, ongoing
Virtually via Zoom
Nurture greater well-being through evidence-based mindfulness skills. Each week, we will review a different theme or aspect of mindfulness and put it into practice with time to connect, process, and discuss for further personal development. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to attend. Any level of mindfulness experience is welcome. Led by Audrey Stefenson, LPC
Click here to register.
Feel free to drop in or make it a weekly ritual.
Yoga for Well-Being
Every Sunday from June 2 - June 30
Join us for this yoga class to build strength, improve balance, and enhance overall health and well-being. We will use gentle, accessible yoga postures and practice self-compassion toward our body. No experience or ability is expected. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to attend. In partnership with Mindful Mountain Yoga Cville. Led by Monica Farrell, certified yoga instructor.
Click here to register.
Register once and attend any of the sessions.
Mindful Meditation and Yoga for Black and POC
Every Wednesday from April 10 - June 26
All Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are encouraged to join these times to be grounded in ourselves and our bodies. Each session includes 45 minutes of practice and 30 minutes for connecting and conversation. On 2nd Wednesdays, we practice mindfulness and meditation, use prompts for journaling, and support one another along our journeys to wholeness. On 4th Wednesdays, we practice restorative and yin yoga in a safe, nurturing setting. Each yoga class will focus on postures accessible to all bodies and all levels of experience, especially beginners. Led by Ayanna Hall
First-time participants register here.
Expressive Movement and Body Relaxation
Every Wednesday from June 5 - June 26
Virtually via Zoom
Join us for a mid-day reset to re-energize both body and mind. We’ll engage in flowing movements, gentle stretches, and mindful breathing exercises designed to release tension and increase energy for the remainder of the day. Participants will be guided in a self-reflective, conscious movement experience that supports their body-mind-emotion connection. Gentle movement and dance as well as resting and being will be honored in the class. Women are invited to attend; we’ll greet one another with cameras on but can be off camera for the remainder of the session. Led by Brigitta White, MS, R-DMT, RYT-200
Click here to register.
Register once and attend any of the sessions.
Chihamba West African Dance
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday, ongoing
Join us for a West African dance class for women and children who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), in partnership with Charlottesville dance troupe Chihamba. In this fun and energetic hour, we will enjoy movement and rhythm, build community, and connect with our African ancestry as we explore the meanings and stories behind each dance. Led by Lillie Williams
First-time participants register here.
Mindfulness Practice Group
Every Tuesday, ongoing
Virtually via Zoom
Nurture greater well-being through evidence-based mindfulness skills. Each week, we will review a different theme or aspect of mindfulness and put it into practice with time to connect, process, and discuss for further personal development. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to attend. Any level of mindfulness experience is welcome. Led by Audrey Stefenson, LPC
Click here to register.
Feel free to drop in or make it a weekly ritual.
Cultivating Self-Care Skills
Every Thursday from May 30 – June 20
Join us for an active class for Latina women to learn gentle movements to promote relaxation. Learn how to strengthen the connection between our bodies and mind to promote healing and well-being. *This group is facilitated in Spanish by a bilingual facilitator. Facilitated by Alma Molina
To register for the group, call 434.328.1800 or email bienestar@thewomensinitiative.org.
Cultivating Self-Care Skills
Every Thursday from May 30 – June 20
Join us for an active class for Latina women to learn gentle movements to promote relaxation. Learn how to strengthen the connection between our bodies and mind to promote healing and well-being. *This group is facilitated in Spanish by a bilingual facilitator. Facilitated by Alma Molina