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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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!
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No yoga classes on Thanksgiving. We will also be closed from December 23 - January 3.
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Neck and Shoulders Yoga Workshop
November 30
Dr. Jeff Manning is back for this special workshop! So many of us hold so much stress and tension in this topmost part of the spine. Join us for a rejuvenating yoga workshop designed to relax and unlock your neck and shoulders. Through yoga poses, targeted stretches, and mindful breathing exercises, we’ll address common areas of tension and stress.
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December
Book Chat
December 5
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. We've combined November and December to avoid the holidays. This month's book pick is Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee. This book is all about finding joy in the little things in our lives. For this special holiday book chat, you're invited to bring an appetizer to share!
Cocoa
Crawl
December 6
This popular Downtown Aurora event is back! Buy a special mug at The Perch ahead of time and then enjoy free coca throughout downtown Aurora from 5-9 pm. Be sure to get your mug early! They always sell out.
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We will also have several local businesses popping up at The Perch so you can get your holiday shopping done. Stop by and support them!
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Mindful
Cooking
December 12
I'm SO excited to partner with Fox Den Cooking to bring you an amazing cooking class focused on mindfulness. During this class, we'll learn how to create homemade pasta and then get to savor it together. This event will be held at Fox Den Cooking in St. Charles. Sign up through their website!
Sound Healing
with Shawna
December 15
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.
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Paint
and Sip
December 15
Join us for a social gathering where everyone will get a meditative painting kit and paint together!
You'll receive two paint-by-number pictures, paint, and brushes for this workshop! Choose your designs when you register! Pick your favorite to paint during the workshop, and then complete the second one at home another time. Mocktails, snacks, and sweets will be provided.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
