

Imee Contreras, CMT-P
Entrepreneur, dharma teacher, mindfulness facilitator, yoga therapist, mom and transformative leader & speaker
-
Founder of Mindfulness Asia (2015)
-
Co-Founder of Philippine Insight Meditation Community (2011)
-
Co-Founder of Katahimikan, Philippine National Day of Mindfulness (2017)
-
Co-Founder of Nibbāna Forest Refuge Meditation & Retreat Center (2020)
-
Board Member and Mindfulness Teacher for Braided Wisdom (2020)
-
International Mindfulness Teachers Association, Certified Mindfulness Teacher (Professional Level)
-
Mentor for Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach's Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with Sound's True
-
UCLA Authorized MAPs I Teacher
-
UCLA-Trained Mindfulness Facilitator
-
Community Dharma Leader of Spirit Rock Meditation Center; California, U.S.A.
-
Visiting Teacher, East Bay Meditation Center; California, U.S.A.
-
Visiting Teaching Assistant for Psychology 101 Summer Program with Marvin Belzer - UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center; California, U.S.A.
-
Bonus Expert for the Foundations of Well-Being program with Rick Hanson Ph.D.
-
United Nations Delegate for the UN Vesak Celebrations
-
Founding Coordinator of Deep Renewal Women’s Gathering; California, U.S.A.
-
Founding Advisory Council Member for the Global Compassion Coalition
-
Membership Coordinator for International Mindfulness Teachers Association
-
Traditional Yoga Teacher Trainer
-
Yoga Therapist
Mentored by:
Other Mindfulness Trainings:
-
Compassion Cultivation; Compassion Institute, Stanford University
-
Curriculum Facilitator; Mindful Schools
Yoga Trainings:
-
Government of India Authorized Yoga Teacher since 2009
-
B.K.S. Iyengar - China-India Yoga Summit 2011; Guangzhou, China
-
200-hour Yoga Teacher Training; Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Nasik, India (2009)
-
200-hour Advance Yogic Studies; Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Nasik, India (2013)
-
200-hour Yoga Therapy; Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Nasik, India (2013)
Social Work:
-
Behavior Modification Program for Incarcerated Women; Correctional Institute for Women, Mandaluyong, Philippines
-
Mindfulness Program for Sexually Abused Women and Children; Bahay Tuluyan, Mandaluyong, Philippines
-
Dharma Teacher; Universal Wisdom Foundation, Inc., New Manila, Philippines
-
Animals Asia; Hong Kong
-
Helpers for Domestic Helpers; Hong Kong
-
Aurora Wellness Center; Amsterdam, Netherlands
GET TO KNOW ME
Imee first discovered meditation when she was 16 years old, around the time when she faced one of the most impactful crossroads in her life. She spent a large part of her younger years growing up in the United States and after experiencing a traumatic deportation process, she is now based in her motherland; The Philippines. After decades of searching, she discovered herself and a true sense of belonging in motherhood, yoga, and mindfulness meditation.
She is the founder of Mindfulness Asia and co-founder of the Philippine Insight Meditation Community. She is a UCLA-Trained Mindfulness Facilitator, a Community Dharma Leadership Program graduate of Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and the Membership Coordinator of International Mindfulness Teachers Association. She is a board member of Braided Wisdom, a core leader of Deep Renewal Women’s Gathering, and a visiting teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center. She develops and facilitates innovative mindfulness programs for international companies, schools, and events. She volunteers to teach incarcerated women serving life imprisonment in the Correctional Institution for Women and supports sexually abused women and children being sheltered in Bahay Tuluyan.
Imee mentors with a unique blend of traditional yet progressive, Eastern yet Western, and gentle yet firm approach. She works in Buddhist, secular, and cross-cultural settings that intertwine harmoniously within the mindfulness field. She believes that everything belongs when exploring one’s own mind and heart. Hence, it takes courageous and compassionate enthusiasm to meet ourselves fully. She loves engaging in relaxed, meaningful conversations that build relationship and cultivate connection.
Imee is mixed-race, adopted, and raised by hard-working, lower middle-class, immigrant Filipinos. The best thing she’s ever done is to give birth naturally at home. She’s a mom to two boys whom she aspires to raise as respectful, kind, and dignified human beings. She loves dancing to live music, nature hikes and campfires, and soaking in warm ocean waters. She’s a health and wellness advocate, an organic gardener, and a yoga therapist.


Psychologist, Author, Meditation Teacher,
Author, Meditation Teacher, co-founder of
East Bay Meditation Center
Imee is one manifestation of that breadth of the Dharma that we had hoped for. Deep gratitude for her offerings and service on this collective journey to greater freedom for us all.

Meditation Teacher, co-founder of
New York Insight Meditation Center
Thank you for the service you offer and all of the ways in which you will share what has moved and inspired you. To imagine the expanding circles that will benefit is indeed a joy and occasion for celebration.

Psychologist, Author, Meditation Teacher,
co-founder of Insight Medication Washington D.C.
I am really touched by the deep wounding of Imee's past, and the healing grace of the dharma. Even more, by the shining spirit within her that endured so much, and continues to become more radiant. I trust that wherever she is, she will bring the light of dharma.

Psychologist, Meditation Teacher, Co-founder of Philippine Insight Meditation Community
Imee’s fierce heart and commitment to the practice of mindfulness as a practitioner and a teacher is unwavering.
Her ability to take the practice of mindfulness off the cushion and into life is transformative action of right livelihood. It’s always an honor to have such a dedicated spirit on the path to relieving suffering for others, as well as, teaching the value of self-care as a radical and necessary practice of overcoming the challenges of being human at this juncture in history.

Psychologist, New York Times
Best-Selling Author
Imee is truly a special person. She is a deep practitioner with a deep practice.
She is a truly exceptional, wonderful, soulful, wise, conscious being.