Uplift Buffalo is an all day event designed to celebrate our region's inner and outer revitalization and help expand our perceptions about social change. From wellness related vendors and expert mindfulness teachers to book sales and food trucks, experience the revolutionary wave of mindfulness. Come and become a pioneering supporter of the mindfulness movement in Western New York!
Stay tuned for more information and updates on Uplift Buffalo 2021!
On September 28, 2019, The Mindfulness Alliance hosted its inaugural Uplift Buffalo event, WNY’s first Mindfulness Festival. Featuring world-renowned mindfulness teacher and New York Times-bestselling author Sharon Salzberg and over 40+ wellness related vendors, expert teachers guiding mindfulness techniques, a Learning Center, a Kids Corner, arts-based offerings, book sales, and food truck fancies, the festival was a huge success and a giant step for the mindfulness movement in Western New York!
Who We Are
The Mindfulness Alliance is a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that unites mindfulness practitioners, facilitates trainings, hosts events large and small, and runs educational programs. Our mission is to combine the power of mindfulness practices with the power of community to advance collective wellbeing. The Mindfulness Alliance works with all manner of professions and organizations across the region. Together, we can build healthier, flourishing regions where individuals, institutions and systems embody more compassion, justice and inclusivity.
The Mindfulness Alliance is a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that unites mindfulness practitioners, facilitates trainings, hosts events large and small, and runs educational programs. Our mission is to combine the power of mindfulness practices with the power of community to advance collective wellbeing. The Mindfulness Alliance works with all manner of professions and organizations across the region. Together, we can build healthier, flourishing regions where individuals, institutions and systems embody more compassion, justice and inclusivity.
Why Mindfulness
From celebrities like Anderson Cooper to our local teachers, more and more of us are practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is a state of mind and a life practice. It is an open, curious, and kind engagement with what is happening in the present moment. Leading scientists have studied its benefits and learned that mindfulness helps us increase our ability to regulate emotions, decrease stress, anxiety and depression, reduce chronic pain, and increase overall well-being and happiness.
From celebrities like Anderson Cooper to our local teachers, more and more of us are practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is a state of mind and a life practice. It is an open, curious, and kind engagement with what is happening in the present moment. Leading scientists have studied its benefits and learned that mindfulness helps us increase our ability to regulate emotions, decrease stress, anxiety and depression, reduce chronic pain, and increase overall well-being and happiness.
Uplift 2019 Goals
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Learn
Increase public awareness of the combined power that awareness and community can have on collective wellbeing Demystify mindfulness and illustrate its application in every aspect of daily life 
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Learning Center
How to Lead a More Mindfully Inspired Life & Information to Get Started The Learning Center offered a mini-speaker series, educational materials, and experts on hand to answer all of your questions! We had talks from counselors, doctors, psychologists, educators, lawyers, professors, facilitators, and advocates on:
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Experience
Provide a dynamic array of mindful experiences for the community to engage in and benefit from. Create a welcoming environment that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion 
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Serenity Stage
The Art of Mindful Living & the Joy of Community Connection Experience the miracle of mindfulness first hand with exercises and engaging practices from local expert teachers:
And New York Times best-selling author Sharon Salzberg! |
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Enjoy
Build community region-wide among awareness-based practitioners, advocates, teachers and the general public Highlight the services and products of mindfulness-based community organizations and practitioners 
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Vendors
Enjoy holistic services, local artisan products, and food truck fancies! Utilizing more than 17,000 square feet of event space at the Buffalo Grand Hotel, Uplift Buffalo offered vendor space to more than 40 wellness-related vendors. WE ACCEPT VENDOR APPLICATIONS We are seeking those in the health, wellness and holistic fields to come and vend, sample or demonstrate - share your services with the community! Questions to vendor@themindfulnessalliance.org |
EVENT DETAILS
Uplift Buffalo 2019 was held on September 28th, 2019 from 10am - 4pm at the Buffalo Grand Hotel.
General admission tickets were $10, while kids under age 10 had FREE admission.
We also offered Community Scholarships if the price of a ticket prevented people from coming to the event.
General admission tickets were $10, while kids under age 10 had FREE admission.
We also offered Community Scholarships if the price of a ticket prevented people from coming to the event.
WNY WALKS!
Phil Haberstro and friends from the Wellness Institute went on a free 40 minute guided walk of the Historic “Hooks” Neighborhood! Walkers met in the lobby of the Buffalo Grand Hotel.
Phil Haberstro and friends from the Wellness Institute went on a free 40 minute guided walk of the Historic “Hooks” Neighborhood! Walkers met in the lobby of the Buffalo Grand Hotel.
Past Activities
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Embodied Expression
Making visible the intrinsic values of mindful connection and presence in community |
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A diverse series of dances by Buffalo-based artists.
Programming and choreography by Anne Burnidge, Director of Anne Burnidge Dance, Associate Professor and Chair of the UB Department of Theatre & Dance.
Programming and choreography by Anne Burnidge, Director of Anne Burnidge Dance, Associate Professor and Chair of the UB Department of Theatre & Dance.
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Kids Corner
It's never too early to start teaching kids how to be mindful, focused and regulate themselves. Our Kids Corner has just the right age-appropriate activities to keep your kids of all ages engaged in a mindfulness practice all their own. Parents & Teachers Our Resource Center has free materials for you, including handouts outlining activities, materials, and instructions! |
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Activity Stations
Yoga for All Ages
*Thank you to Yogis In Service for facilitating! |
Kids will create a 'Calm Down Kit', taking home the items they create.
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*Additional all day offerings also include a Gratitude Wall, Sensory Walk and Joy Wall!
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Book Store
Visit our book store with over 150 titles for sale! A portion of the proceeds are being donated - thank you Talking Leaves Books! And don't miss the book signing opportunity: 1:00pm - Sharon Salzberg book signing |
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Food Truck Fancies!
Enjoy the delights of food truck fun from 11:30 - 2:00pm |
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Labyrinth
Ever try a walking meditation? 10:00 - 12:00pm & 1:30-4:00pm Connect with this ancient practice when you walk our indoor labyrinth. The Mindfulness Alliance founding member and certified labyrinth walk facilitator Mitch Allegre will be there to support your contemplative experience. |
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Donations
Katie Darling, University at Buffalo
Ophelia Morey, University at Buffalo
Michele Mercer, Millennium Collaborative Care
Danielle Pelfrey Duryea, Boston University
Michelle Zimmerman, Buffalo Public Schools
Kristin Santa Maria, Kids Corner Designer
Ophelia Morey, University at Buffalo
Michele Mercer, Millennium Collaborative Care
Danielle Pelfrey Duryea, Boston University
Michelle Zimmerman, Buffalo Public Schools
Kristin Santa Maria, Kids Corner Designer
Teachers
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Rolf Sovik, PsyD
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Catherine Cook-Cottone, PhD
Founder & President 
Nicole Chumsky, LMHC
Founder & Director |
Felicitas Kusch-Lango
Founder & Director 
Michelle Gigante
Director |
Vendors
Sponsers
Community Supporter Sponsor
Community Supporter Sponsor
Featured Speaker Sponsor
Connection Maker & Ticket Sponsor
Forget-Me-Not Sponsor
Printing Sponsor
Ticket Sponsor
Marketing Sponsor