Wellness in the Gardens

Programs for 2025

Nature Therapy

Advance registration and payment are required.

Nature Informed Mental Health and Wellbeing - Beneficial for all adults, this 6-week program integrates nature’s connection with mindfulness and other resiliency practices to assist people in regulating stress, anxiety, depression, and pain. Participants will learn techniques such as guided relaxation, breathing exercises, and forest bathing that can become lifelong practices for wellness. Held in our gardens, this class combines therapeutic group conversations with time for personal reflections. We will explore nature’s role in stress reduction, a healthy lifestyle, and greater resiliency through intentional connection and relationship with the natural world.

Led by various mental health professionals from The Chesapeake Mental Health Collaborative and the Center for Nature Informed Therapy.

CMHC Team - Dedicated Experts in Mental Health & Therapy Services

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Yoga and Meditation

DATES & TIME | Vary per program – See dates and times in descriptions below
FEE | $10 Members | $30 Non-members | Member child FREE | $5 Non-member child REGISTRATION REQUIRED - Fee includes admission to the Gardens for the day. All sales are final.

Check-in at the Admissions Gatehouse. Liability waivers must be signed upon arrival. Please arrive early for check-in.

Meet Marcy Kelly, a retired pharmacist turned yogi, and founder of Seasoned Life Yoga LLC. Marcy is dedicated to inspiring a positive mind-body connection through Meditation, Restorative, Gentle and Chair Yoga, and guiding Yoga Nidra. Her mantra is "Aging gracefully, one breath at a time". With her years of experience and her passion for yoga, Marcy brings a unique perspective to her teaching. She believes that yoga can help people of all ages and abilities to find peace and relaxation, and to live a healthy, joyful life.

Marcy loves practicing yoga outdoors in nature, where she can connect with the earth and experience the peace that comes with meditative yoga practices. She also leads yoga hikes, book discussions, and enjoys writing, sipping tea, and laughing with family and friends.

Chair Yoga for the "Seasoned Gardener" with Marcy Kelly Designed for “seasoned gardeners” and those aging gracefully. This class is perfect for those who may have difficulty getting up and down from the floor or who simply prefer a more accessible approach to yoga. This class is designed to improve functional movement and flexibility while also promoting a positive mind-body connection through meditative yoga. It will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Chairs & props will be provided.

Saturday, April 12
9:30 am

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Saturday, Oct. 4
9:30 am

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Gentle Meditative Yoga in the Gardens with Marcy Kelly

We invite you to join us in the Iris Garden, surrounded by the beauty of nature, to experience a delightful outdoor meditative yoga practice that will inspire a positive mind-body connection. This mat-based class is suitable for all skill levels and is a great way to connect with nature while improving your physical and mental well-being. Please bring a yoga mat, beach towel and water.

Saturday, April 12
11:00 AM

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Thursday, May 8
9:30 AM

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Saturday, June 21
11:00 AM

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Thursday, July 24
9:30 AM

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Saturday, Aug. 9
9:30 AM

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Thursday, Sept. 11
9:30 AM

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Saturday, Oct. 4
11:00 AM

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Family Yoga with Marcy Kelly

This class is perfect for adults and their special little nature lovers. In this class, together you will move, breathe, and enjoy the beauty of nature in the Iris Garden. With joyful movement, this practice is designed to inspire a positive mind-body connection, and ripple peace into your family’s life. Please bring a yoga mat for each participant.

Saturday, June 21
11:00 AM

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Saturday, Aug. 9
11:00 AM

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Sunset Gentle Meditative Yoga with Marcy Kelly

Join us in the Iris Garden, as the sun sinks down, to inspire a positive mind-body connection. This mat-based class is suitable for all skill levels and is a great way to connect with nature while improving your physical and mental well-being. Please bring a yoga mat, beach towel and water.

Tuesday, June 10
6:30 PM

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Tuesday, July 8
6:30 PM

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Tuesday, Aug. 19
6:30 PM

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Peat Purol has been teaching yoga around the U.S. for the past 13 years. He has trained in various forms of yoga and meditation. He enjoys finding the commonalities of philosophy and principles within various spiritual traditions and applying them to our modern day to day. He spends his time in nature, making art, and caring for others’ animals with his partner, Alexa. He is also a member of the Horticulture staff at Ladew

Power Flow Yoga with Peat Purol

For the more advanced yogi, join us for a Power Flow in the gardens! This fast-paced, invigorating yoga focuses on building strength, endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness by moving through faster-paced sequences of yoga postures, matching breath to movement.

Monday, April 21
9:30 AM

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Friday, Sept. 19
9:30 AM

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Garden Meditation Walk with Peat Purol

Explore the gardens and share in practices designed to bring awareness to the 5 senses. Beginning in the Cutting Garden to explore the sense of taste, you'll meander along the different garden rooms with guided walking meditations. The walk will end alongside the Koi Pond in seated meditation observing the mindfulness of our breath.

Friday, June 6
9:30 AM

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Monday, Oct. 27
9:30 AM

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Tai Chi Mondays 2025

DATES | EVERY MONDAY - May 12 until August 25
TIME | 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
FEE | FREE for Members | Included with general admission for non-members
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED – DROP IN
*Guest passes are allowed for this program*

We are excited to continue our partnership with Carol Suzdak to offer Tai Chi Mondays. Carol has been a Tai Chi practitioner for more than a dozen years. She practices the Yang Style short form of Tai Chi Chuan, the Tree of Life Tai Chi protocol, Ichuan standing meditation, the Tai Chi sword, fan, and stick forms, as well as various Qigong forms including the Five Animal Frolics and the Soaring Crane set.

Ladew’s mission is to provide a mental and physical health benefit for our community as well as an extra perk for our members. Classes run approximately 45 minutes.

CHECK-IN | Check-in at the Admissions Gatehouse. Liability waivers must be signed upon arrival. Classes will be held in the Iris Garden. If there is a change in location, you will be notified at check-in. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Classes begin promptly at 9:30 am. Please arrive early for check-in.

Inclement weather policy: Classes will still be held in light rain. In the event of severe weather classes will be cancelled.

Qigong Workshops with Carol Suzdak 2025

DATES | Spring Workshop – April 28 | Fall Workshop – October 31
TIME | 1 PM – 2:00 PM
FEE | $10 Members | $30 Non-members (Price includes admission to Gardens)
Advance registration and payment are required. Fee includes admission to the Gardens for the day. All sales are final.

Spring Workshop April 28		Fall Workshop October 31
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Back by popular demand! Join Carol Suzdak as she guides you through this mind-body exercise. Qigong uses meditation, breathing, and movement to increase energy and enable the body to heal itself. This practice was developed in ancient China and Tibet and has countless health-related benefits.