Imee Contreras, CMT-P
Dharma teacher, mindfulness facilitator, yoga therapist, mom and wellness advocate and nature lover
Imee first discovered meditation over thirty years ago, at 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 is now based in her motherland; the Philippines. After decades of searching, she discovered a true sense of belonging in nature, motherhood, yoga therapy, meditation practice and the Dharma.
She 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.
Professional background
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Founder of Mindfulness Asia (2015)
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Co-Founder of Philippine Insight Meditation Community (2011)
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Co-Founder of Katahimikan, Philippine National Day of Mindfulness (2017)
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Co-Founder of Nibbāna Forest Refuge Meditation & Retreat Center (2020)
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Board Member and Mindfulness Teacher for Braided Wisdom (2020)
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International Mindfulness Teachers Association, Certified Mindfulness Teacher (Professional Level)
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Mentor for Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach's Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with Sound's True
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UCLA Authorized MAPs I Teacher
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UCLA-Trained Mindfulness Facilitator
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Community Dharma Leader of Spirit Rock Meditation Center; California, U.S.A.
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Visiting Teacher, East Bay Meditation Center; California, U.S.A.
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Visiting Teaching Assistant for Psychology 101 Summer Program with Marvin Belzer - UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center; California, U.S.A.
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Bonus Expert for the Foundations of Well-Being program with Rick Hanson Ph.D.
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United Nations Delegate for the UN Vesak Celebrations
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Founding Coordinator of Deep Renewal Women’s Gathering; California, U.S.A.
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Founding Advisory Council Member for the Global Compassion Coalition
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Membership Coordinator for International Mindfulness Teachers Association
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Traditional Yoga Teacher Trainer
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Yoga Therapist
Mentored by:
Other Mindfulness Trainings:
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Compassion Cultivation; Compassion Institute, Stanford University
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Curriculum Facilitator; Mindful Schools
Yoga Trainings:
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Government of India Authorized Yoga Teacher since 2009
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B.K.S. Iyengar - China-India Yoga Summit 2011; Guangzhou, China
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200-hour Yoga Teacher Training; Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Nasik, India (2009)
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200-hour Advance Yogic Studies; Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Nasik, India (2013)
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200-hour Yoga Therapy; Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Nasik, India (2013)
Social Work:
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Behavior Modification Program for Incarcerated Women; Correctional Institute for Women, Mandaluyong, Philippines
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Mindfulness Program for Sexually Abused Women and Children; Bahay Tuluyan, Mandaluyong, Philippines
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Dharma Teacher; Universal Wisdom Foundation, Inc., New Manila, Philippines
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Animals Asia; Hong Kong
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Helpers for Domestic Helpers; Hong Kong
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Aurora Wellness Center; Amsterdam, Netherlands