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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March
Book Chat
March 27
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. March's book pick is The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This book explains the idea of a "gift economy" as it is presented by Mother Earth. This intriguing and insightful book is sure to get you thinking! Light refreshments will be served.
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Stretch + Sip
Yoga
March 30
In this collaboration event from The Perch and McCarty Mills Taproom, you'll enjoy a beginner-friendly yoga class and a drink of your choice!
We'll start at The Perch at 11 am for a gentle class focused on stretching, breathing, and relieving tension in the body. Then we'll walk over to McCarty Mills and enjoy a drink together at noon! When you register for this class, you'll get a credit for a drink of your choice (some exclusions apply) at McCarty Mills to use after class.
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Creative
Cafe
March 29 & April 5
Gather some friends or family and enjoy time creating in our peaceful space! Creative Cafe is all about creating space for creating and connecting. It's a great way to spend time with friends other than going to a restaurant or bar. Plus, you'll get to try creating something new without investing in all the supplies to make it.
Reserve your table today! When you arrive, you'll be given a menu of creative activities to choose from. Each guest can choose their own activity. Then enjoy creating and connecting!
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First Fridays:
Self-Care Party
April 4
Explore a variety of self-care practices around The Perch during our Self Care Party! Try your hand at a soothing art project, our favorite yoga poses, self-guided hand massage. Plus take a load off in our Relaxation Room, listen to a guided meditation, and enjoy live music from Michelle Curiel. Plus, see what's new in our gift shop and enjoy specials just for First Fridays! We'll have activities for all ages and all genders. Join us for a few minutes or the whole night! We can't wait to see you.
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Parent Self Care
Retreat
April 6
Being a parent is incredibly hard and even draining. We love our kids, and we're trying to raise them to be caring, kind adults--all while dealing with our own trauma and unhelpful generational cycles. Take some time to refill and refresh with this retreat created just for parents. In this peaceful, supportive space, you'll enjoy time to relax and be cared for so you can keep doing the important work you do as a parent. Join us Sunday, April 6 for this restful and refreshing afternoon in supportive community.
Sound
Healing
April 6
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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Yoga for
Gardeners
April 12
Give your back, knees, and legs some love! Join us for an educational and enlightening yoga workshop designed to help you feel good in your body as you hit the garden and yard this spring. All that raking, weeding, and planting takes a toll. Find some relief through yoga in this workshop taught by Dr. Jeff Manning. Plus, you'll learn how to safely do yard work so you don't end up so sore.
Spring Wellness
Weekend
April 26
Join us at The Perch on April 26 for a full day of programming focused on spring cleaning your life. Purchase the Full Access Pass to attend all of the workshops and classes and get a discount! Or register for individual workshops to create your own wellness adventure! Included in the day is yoga and breath work, Dopamine Reset Workshop, creating your own wellness tea, and more!
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 supportive learning atmosphere where you'll learn skills to deepen your connection with yourself and others. See all our events here.
Wellness Coaching
Feeling stuck? Sometimes we need to process out loud—with someone else. Wellness Coaching is available 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 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.