Emotions are a natural part of life. Join us to explore how mindfulness can help you recognize and respond to your emotions with greater awareness, calm, and acceptance.

“Attention & Presence” is a 6-session mindfulness program designed for adults—particularly those navigating life transitions such as retirement, relocation, or cultural adaptation.

Set within the quiet, reflective environment of a library, this program offers a structured yet experiential space where participants can develop a more grounded, clear, and less reactive relationship with their inner experience.

Sessions are 30 minutes with time afterward for questions.

Purpose

• To provide practical tools for reducing stress through awareness

• To support emotional adaptation during life transitions

• To cultivate clarity, presence, and internal stability

• To offer a contemplative space within the community

Target Audience

• Adults and retirees

• International residents living in Oaxaca

• Individuals experiencing transition, relocation, or lifestyle changes

• Open to local community members interested in mindfulness

RSVP is appreciated but not required. Programming is presented in English, with Spanish interpretation available.

Vasti María de Jesús Ayala Vásquez holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, with graduate-level training in mindfulness and a specialization in facilitating processes based on mindfulness, compassion, and socio-emotional regulation. She has over fifteen years of professional experience in private clinical practice, as well as in psychosocial and psychoeducational interventions with vulnerable populations. She has served as a teacher, workshop leader, and organizer of academic and training programs, integrating clinical, neuropsychological, and contemplative approaches. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Mindfulness, focusing her professional work on strengthening psychological well-being, human development, and evidence-based ethical intervention.

This program, part of the year-long celebration of the OLL's 60th anniversary, is free and open to all.