KATIE ZAFFRANN
Guest Teacher
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, Singer, Theatremaker
CREDS
Certified Mindfulness Meditation Instructor | Dharma Moon & Tibet House US
Member, International Mindfulness Teachers Association
Usui Reiki Level 2 Certified | Sol Seek Yoga
Yearlong Buddhist Studies with Ethan Nichtern (Certificate)
Advanced Buddhist Studies with Ethan Nichtern (Ongoing)
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Education:
B.F.A. Musical Theatre, Syracuse University
M.F.A. Theatre, Guildford School of Acting (Ongoing)
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a bit about Katie
Katie Zaffrann is a theatremaker, singer, and mindfulness meditation teacher at the intersection of drama + dharma. A longtime yoga practitioner, she came to her meditation practice specifically during a period of acute anxiety. It has since grounded her through many life transitions, bouts of stage fright, traffic jams and toddler tantrums. She completed four levels of The Sacred Path of the Warrior training at Shambhala NYC, and continues her studies with Ethan Nichtern. Katie has taught at Tibet House US and writes the newsletter drama/dharma.
With over 20 years’ experience onstage, Katie brings a deep understanding of what it means to be human to this time-honored way of waking up to our lives. She is certified as a Mindfulness Meditation teacher by Dharma Moon / Tibet House US and is also an Usui Reiki practitioner. www.katiezaffrann.com
four to the core: instructor Q&A
How did your meditation journey start, and what does it look like today?
During my engagement, I had paralyzing wedding anxiety (spoiler alert, we got married over a decade ago and it was the best thing I ever did!). My then-fiancé was attending a weekly meditation evening, and one week I joined him. When we left, I felt like I had returned to myself - and I could see him clearly, with love instead of fear. Since then my practice has seen me through the mundane, the sublime, the difficult. That’s one thing I love about it - wherever we are on any given day, it’s okay.
What’s something outside of meditation that inspires your practice?
The world is constantly giving us opportunities to wake up and be present here and now. Cultivating a relationship with nature and the world around me, noticing the change of seasons and the way even my block is not the same from one day to the next - we don’t have to be on the cushion to come back to ourselves and the moment.
What do you hope students take away from your classes?
I hope the practice of meditation feels accessible to them. We all have a monkey mind - but it’s not a problem! I hope they feel like they can go become their own best friend.
In three words, how would you describe the vibe of your classes?
Welcoming, Grounding, Enlightening