Yoga • Mindfulness • Art • Spirituality
about the perch
The Perch helps exhausted people rest, find peace, and experience transformation. Designed to be a resting place, we offer an environment to experience rest, renewal, reflection, and rejuvenation.
​
We believe in order to love and live well, we need to experience love, healing, and holistic health ourselves. Toward this end, we offer retreats, classes, workshops, groups, and resources to help you develop in these areas. You'll find that we're always adding to our calendar, so check back often to see our latest offerings. The Perch is led by Amy Jackson and located in the heart of Aurora, Illinois. We hope you'll join us soon for an event!
​
The Perch is an inviting, supportive, and healing haven for ALL. If you're LGBTQIA, know that you'll be fully welcomed and affirmed here. People of faith, of no faith, and everywhere in between are invited and welcome! We can all benefit from our unique approach to personal wellness.
​
Unhurried: A 52-Week Meditative Bible Reading Guide
Unhurried shows you how to slowly, thoughtfully, and meditatively read the Bible. It invites you to kick off your shoes, settle into your favorite chair, and linger in God’s presence. There, you can hear God’s still, small voice and experience transformation in your heart, mind, and soul.
​
Over 52 weeks, you’ll discover a multitude of ways to sit with Scripture, enjoying God’s presence. Whether you're just beginning to read the Bible, or you've been reading it for years, these practices will help you cultivate an unhurried life from the inside out that allows you to hear from God each day.
31 Days of Self Kindness
What might happen if you began to treat yourself with kindness and compassion rather than constant criticism and disappointment? Despite what many believe, self-kindness isn’t self-indulgent. It doesn’t make you lazy or unproductive. In fact, research shows that people who are kind to themselves are healthier and get further in the long run.
​
This book is all about walking alongside you on the journey of self-kindness. Over 31 days, you’ll discover helpful truths, practical tools, and engaging exercises that will remind you that you are worthy of kindness and compassion.
upcoming events
.png)
Yoga
Classes
7 Classes Each Week!
The Perch offers 7 Yoga classes each week! See the full schedule and find all the information about each class and teacher. As always, if you've got questions, just reach out to Amy!
​
We will also be closed from December 23 - January 3.
​
Yoga classes resume on January 7.
.png)
New Year
Reset Retreat
January 4
Too often we start the new year completely exhausted from the one before. We speed through November and December, careen through the holidays, and drag ourselves into the new year. Imagine a day to rest and breathe, with no need to rush or hurry. Moving from one meaningful activity to the next, resting your mind, body, and soul, you find yourself completely unaware of the time, and it's incredibly freeing.
.png)
Spine Health
Yoga Workshop
January 11
Dr. Jeff Manning is back for another informative and enlightening workshop. This time we'll be learning about the anatomy and bone structure that makes up the spine. Through yoga poses, discussion, and partner work, we'll discover what it takes to have a healthy spine.
.png)
Tea Blending
Workshop
January 13
Join us for the perfect cozy workshop as the weather gets cold. In this fantastic collaboration with our friends at The Irie Cup, you'll learn the basic principles of creating different tea blends, taste a variety of teas and herbs, analyze individual flavor profiles, and make your own custom blend of tea using different herbs and flowers to enjoy at home.
Local Social
Networking
January 15
Join us for this unique networking gathering designed for making meaningful connections. No gimmicks. No presentations. No sales pitches. Just connecting with other business owners in the area. Join us from 4-6 pm at French 75 in downtown Aurora for a cocktail or mocktail. Bring a friend!
.png)
January
Book Chat
January 23
Join us for our monthly Book Chat! This FREE event is low-key and we always have a great conversation! All adults (18+) of all genders are invited. Even if you haven't read the book, we hope you'll join us for a great conversation!
January's book pick is Rest Easy by Ximena Vengoechea. This book is all about the power of rest, including explaining doable techniques for rest.
.png)
Microgreens
Planting Workshop
January 26
Mindfulness meets gardening in this hands-on creative workshop at The Perch! Farmers Sarah and Rachel of Homegrown Health Farms will walk you through the step-by-step process of planting, growing, and harvesting your own microgreens. Incorporating mindfulness techniques, participants will design their own "micro-art" using a 10x10" tray as their canvas. Participants will get to create and plant their own designs with a variety of seeds to take home.
.png)
Beginner Mat
Pilates Class
January 27
This beginner-friendly mat Pilates class is designed to introduce the fundamentals of Pilates in a supportive and accessible way. This special pop-up class will focus on building core strength, improving posture, and enhancing overall body stability. Through a series of gentle, low-impact exercises performed on a mat, you’ll learn how to activate your core muscles, increase flexibility, and develop a stronger, more balanced body.
.png)
Broken Bowls
Workshop
February 1
During this two-hour creative workshop, you'll be guided in a hands-on reflective experience that addresses the themes of brokenness, shame, and healing. We'll draw inspiration from the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, as well as the Japanese art form of kintsugi. This workshop will invite you to embrace the broken things in your life, putting them back together so that they can become strengths rather than deficits.
Sound
Healing
February 2
Shawna is back for another deeply relaxing sound healing session. In this restful and healing workshop, you'll be invited to find a comfortable and supported posture using our bolsters, blankets, and other yoga props. Then you will be enveloped in the soothing sounds of singing bowls, rain sticks, and more. Feel your body relax and your mind clear as the vibrations soothe and heal you. You'll leave feeling rejuvenated and rested.
.png)
.png)
The Enneagram and You Workshop
February 6
The Enneagram is an ancient tool that helps people understand who they are at a deep level. It can give you the tools to live in healthier, more life-giving ways, and it can even help you navigate tricky relationships in your life. During this "crash course" workshop, we'll talk about each of the 9 numbers, what the wings mean, and how this ancient tool can help you in your real life.
what we offer
Retreats
Get away, breathe, and reflect. We provide spaces where you can rest a while, recharge, and then return to living your calling. See our upcoming events here or book The Perch for a Personal Retreat here.
Yoga
Amy Jackson is an RYT-200 yoga teacher and loves leading yoga practices that invite you to connect with your body in a mindful way. The Perch offers weekly yoga classes as well as at-home yoga videos and a variety of workshops that incorporate yoga.
Workshops and Classes
Invest in your growth by attending a class at The Perch. You'll experience a unique learning atmosphere where you'll learn skills to deepen your connection with yourself and others. See all our events here.
Soul Care Sessions
Feeling stuck? Sometimes we need to process out loud—with someone else. Soul Care Sessions are one-on-one appointments with Amy Jackson, founder and director of The Perch. My goal is to help you feel affirmed, seen, and capable of taking your next step. Learn more.
Resources
The Perch offers a growing number of resources to help you rest, find peace, and experience transformation. Check out our store, our blog, as well as our podcast for our latest resources.
Custom Events
Create a custom retreat or training event for your group or staff team. Amy Jackson will work with you to create and lead the perfect event for your group. Contact Amy directly to plan a corporate yoga class, art experience, or mindfulness retreat either at The Perch or at your location.
