A small gathering in Hastings will put peace into practice this weekend, with meditation, yoga, and open conversation on what it means to live peacefully in today’s world.
The event, titled Peace in Action: Celebrating the International Day of Peace, will be hosted by friends Nicole DePalma and Mary Schwantes. The International Day of Peace is officially observed on September 21, but the pair wanted to create a local moment of reflection ahead of the date, recognizing what DePalma described as “the unrest, and stress of our world presently.”
The gathering will take place at the Hastings Family Chiropractic building, 1266 North Frontage Road, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Admission is free, and everyone is invited to participate.
The program begins with meditation, followed by Yin Yoga. No experience is required, and participants can either bring a yoga mat, blanket, and pillow, or simply join in from a chair. The afternoon will close with a community discussion, focused on how peace translates into daily action both personally and universally.
“It is a free event from 2 to 3:30 p.m. featuring a meditation, Yin Yoga that anyone can participate in, and ending with a community discussion of what action looks like within personal and universal peace,” DePalma explained in her invitation.
Organizers say the heart of the event is connection. While the yoga and meditation provide a calm foundation, the conversation is meant to give space for neighbors to share perspectives and explore what peace can look like in practice.
For DePalma, holding space for this conversation feels more important than ever. She says she hopes participants leave with not only a sense of calm, but also a renewed idea of how to embody peace in their own lives.
Anyone interested in attending can reach DePalma by phone at 651-318-9168 or send her a message on Facebook.