A Little About Me
Kristen Connolly, CMT-P, is dedicated to introducing the numerous benefits of mindfulness to those who are new to meditation and those who would like to develop a workable, customized practice that best fits their needs. She is committed to demonstrating spiritual return on investment – the practical applications of being present, responding vs. reacting, and experiencing genuine confidence to achieve short- and long-term goals. Kristen works with people to find the best solution to meet their mindfulness aspirations, while embodying what she teaches with an empathetic, engaging demeanor.
After years of adventure in the music business, Kristen supported Fortune 100 senior and C-level executives for over 20 years. She experienced first-hand the struggles to balance work and personal life, navigate career advancement, and manage multiple competing priorities. In 2015, after meditating for almost a decade, Kristen fully committed to learn how to stay true to herself while managing the chaos of the corporate executive suite. She embarked on a journey that would bring clarity, calm, and mindfulness to her own life.
Kristen has received certifications from and participated in several notable mindfulness programs. She has completed the UCLA Semel Institute Training in Mindfulness Facilitation, having previously completed the Intensive Practice Program at UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), led by Diana Winston and Dr. Marvin Belzer, and is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher - Professional Level, accredited by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. She is a Teacher/Trainer in Shinzen Young’s Unified Mindfulness system, having participated in the inaugural cohort of Compass; Unified Mindfulness’ advanced teacher training. Kristen has also completed a training with Diana Winston on the Spectrum of Awareness, cosponsored by UCLA MARC and the Instituto Mexicano de Mindfulness. She completed Spirit Rock’s Living Dharma Program with Marc Coleman and JoAnna Hardy, and continues to deepen her practice through ongoing programs with Michael Taft and Ethan Nichtern. For just over a year, she was a volunteer facilitator and team coordinator for Mindful Leader’s Meditate Together program focused on supporting the greater community during these extraordinary times.
Kristen finds gratification and inspiration through discovering amazing fresh fruits, veggies, and treats at her local farmers’ markets, and revels in guiltlessly spending an entire afternoon on her couch with a great, or even just pretty good, book.
Podcast alert!!
I got to sit down and talk with Paula at The Tailored Mindfulness Experience to talk all things mindfulness. Check out our conversation here!
What People Are Saying
Kristen and I both volunteered in the Meditate Together program, hosted by Mindful Leader. We led groups and held space for meditators a couple of times per week. As part of this group, I have seen the ways in which Kristen is adept at holding space for the participants in a principled and compassionate way.
— Allie S.
I had the pleasure of doing a 12-week continuing education mindfulness course with Kristen and got to know her well as a fellow teacher. Her extensive training and experience is evident in her ability to bring relevance and context to every teaching situation, and her desire to guide her students along their own direction on this path is refreshingly apparent. She cares deeply about her students, making whatever effort is necessary to ensure that they are empowered and self-assured in their new skills. I would have no hesitation in sending my own students to study with her, confident that they would both benefit from and enjoy their interactions with her.
— Pez Owen, Stillpoint Meditation
Let’s Connect
Whether you’re just starting out in your practice, or looking for new growth, I’d love to help you get to where you’d like to be.