This summer, CIM and DiabetesSangha are Collaborating to infuse an extra dose of wellness into our Slipstream programs.
Diabetes Sangha is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals living with diabetes through education and community building, with a specific focus on meditation and mindfulness. With an emphasis on empowerment and holistic well-being, DiabetesSangha offers a range of programs, events, and resources centered around meditation, connectedness, and mental health. Their programming includes:
1. Support Groups
Navigating life with diabetes can sometimes feel like an uphill climb. That’s why DiabetesSangha hosts support groups where individuals can connect, share stories, and find solace in a judgment-free space. These groups foster a powerful sense of belonging, knowing that we are not alone on our journey. You can check out their upcoming events here.
2. Educational Content
Knowledge is power, and DiabetesSangha delivers it in abundance. From personal stories to mindfulness practice strategies, the educational content featured on the DiabetesSangha blog equips us with the tools we need to thrive. Prepare to uncover new insights and gain a fresh perspective on living with diabetes.
3. Resource Library
Not able to make it to a live session? Don’t let that stop you. DiabetesSangha has organized a series of resource videos into different sections to make it easy for you to find exactly what you need. Whether you’re looking for meditation and mindfulness practices, tips for managing diabetes, or insights on living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), their resource library has got you covered.
This summer, Connected in Motion is excited to be working with this amazing organization to share the practices of mindfulness and meditation to Slipstreamers throughout North America. We’re excited to introduce you to the folks who are joining (or have joined!) us at our 2023 Slipstreams and share a little bit more about what they’ll be bringing to Slipstream.
Peter Friedfeld: At the carefree age of 56, Peter was quite surprised to be diagnosed with Diabetes, on Valentine’s Day no less. Talk about Self-Compassion. For his first year, he lived a life trying to accept this misdiagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes, only to be correctly diagnosed as Type 1 eighteen months later. During that time, Peter developed an engaged yoga practice which helped him heal his mind and body. In the early days of COVID under home confinement (everything from home) he began his relationship with a mindfulness practice and Zen teachings—both of which have helped him immensely in so many ways. Peter is passionate about connecting in this community and in finding ways to give back, to continually share his experiences, and in growing from these relationships. Peter will be joining us at Colorado Slipstream and hosting a meditation workshop where participants will have the chance to learn about the foundations and history of meditation and mindfulness, and a guided meditation session.
Brianna Schiavoni: Diagnosed with T1D at age 14, Brianna wanted nothing more than to escape her mind and body as she transitioned from adolescence into adulthood. During the years of numbing, running and hiding – that followed – she found that yoga and meditation would ultimately provide her with the sanctuary she so desperately needed; but couldn’t sit still long enough to explore these practices until understanding the nuances of also having AD/HD. Brianna’s T1D experience, values, character-strengths, and skill-sets helped her to become the advocate, educator, and mental health professional that she is today. Similar to Peter, Bri will be hosting a meditation workshop at Southern Slipstream where participants will have the chance to learn about the foundations and history of meditation and mindfulness, and a guided meditation session. She will also be facilitating Yoga practices throughout the weekend.
Sam Tullman: If you’ve attended a Virtual Slipstream, you’ve likely met Sam Tullman! Sam Tullman, MPH, is the Head of Clinical Research for Quilt Health, and dedicated in this role and in his life at large to making healthy, life-affirming behaviors as simple as water flowing downstream. In his role with Quilt, he does this by aiding in the development of clinical biomarkers for anxiety, depression, and other behavioral health challenges, and then building games based on these biomarkers for individuals to more easily take care of themselves in everyday life. His previous work was in EEG (brain waves), and involved recording and analyzing the brain activity of meditation masters, death row inmates, and participants in a clinical trial of a classic psychedelic, as well as heading up the neuroscience wing of a neurotech retreat center. He received his MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Washington and BA in Biological Basis of Behavior from University of Pennsylvania. In 2020, Sam co-founded the DiabetesSangha with a few dear friends in an effort to bring the benefits of meditation practices and intentional community to the T1D community. He currently oversees all programming for the DiabetesSangha. He is a dedicated student of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism, but draws heavily in his practice from other Buddhist traditions, yogic practices, and modern Western psychology and Neuroscience. We’re excited to be introducing Sam, in person, to our friends at Ontario Slipstream. Sam will be sharing a meditation workshop.
And if you had the chance to join us at Northeastern Slipstream or Western Slipstream, you would have been lucky enough to meet Sarah Petti or Brooke Cassoff.
Sarah Petti: Sarah’s diabetes diagnosis came at the age of 15 when she was a freshman in high school. It wasn’t until many years later that Sarah discovered the diabetes community and the power of peer support. For the last decade she has been leading support groups for people with all types of diabetes, both in the Boston area as well as virtually. Sarah’s experiences with Type 1, as well as diabetes complications like gastroparesis and neuropathy, inspired her to study integrative nutrition, as well as yoga and meditation, and most recently she trained to become a full-spectrum doula. In an effort to help herself, Sarah has gained knowledge and developed practices that have allowed her to be an even better resource for others living with diabetes and chronic illness. She is the founder of Grace & Growth, a group that focuses on spiritual wellness for women with diabetes. She is also the host of The Diabetes Doula Podcast, a program that explores pregnancy, postpartum, and reproductive health through the lens of living with diabetes. Sarah loves all things spirituality and especially enjoy tarot and astrology which she often incorporates into her meditation and yoga practices. Sarah lives on the East Coast, halfway between Boston and Cape Cod, with her husband, their baby, Angus, and a mini Aussie named Hawkeye.
Brooke Cassoff: Brooke is an avid learner, traveler, and cookie enthusiast that has been living life with T1D (and all of its ups and downs) for over 15 years. She came to meditation in 2016 while in the midst of significant personal and professional transitions and has been growing in the practice ever since, most recently as a member of the first Applied Compassion Training cohort offered through the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research & Education (CCARE). Mindfulness and compassion practices have been tremendous forces for good in Brooke’s life and she is excited to share them with the broader diabetes community.
Are you ready to jump into a world of community wellness with DiabetesSangha and CIM? Explore DiabetesSangha’s website, follow them on social media, and get involved with their initiatives. And be sure to consider joining us together at an upcoming Slipstream event!
