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The University of British Columbia presents a workshop led by an expert in metaphor and adult development and aging… and is listed in the Who’s Who in Canada and the United States!
Dr. Kenyon will:
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What if slowing down is the most powerful move senior living leaders can make? On this episode of Foresight TV, Steve Moran is joined by Dr. Gary Irwin-Kenyon, gerontologist, author of Pathways to Stillness, and creator of Seated Tai Chi—a shared practice designed for residents, frontline staff, and leaders alike. They’ll explore how stillness can reduce burnout, strengthen teams, and support more person-centered care. Challenging the assumption that better care always means moving faster. |
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The course:
Meet Seated Tai Chi instructor Dr. Gary Irwin-Kenyon! Dr. Irwin Kenyon is a renowned gerontologist, author, and educator whose work explores the deep connections between aging, meaning, and personal narrative. |
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EPISODE #1
Host Dr. Gary Irwin-Kenyon introduces viewers to the practice of stillness, and how it can transform the way we think of aging, death, and loss. Gary answers viewers' questions, and leads viewers through a tai chi exercise. |
EPISODE #2
Host Dr. Gary Irwin-Kenyon and co-host Vicki Hogarth discuss the complexities of aging and the benefits of practicing stillness on an all-new Pathways to Stillness on CHCO-TV. |
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EPISODE #3
Chronological age doesn't fully define a person. Dr. Kenyon explains the difference between chronological, functional and subjective aging, noting that we experience aging differently. |
EPISODE #4
The theme of today's show is how the journey of aging and life transitions are about changes on all levels. |
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EPISODE #5
Explore how the practice of stillness can transform the way we see aging, death and loss and how it can help us understand our lives as a story. |
EPISODE #6
Learn how stillness practices like mindfulness and Tai Chi help reframe aging, loss, and life transitions, revealing new insights and healing through life’s story. |
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EPISODE #7
Stillness helps reframe aging and life transitions. While the show explores serious topics, it's ultimately about living fully. They revisit a viewer exercise about finding new passions, places, or people that bring meaning to life, and reflect on how life can be reshaped at any stage. |
EPISODE #8
This conversation highlights the value of stillness and mindfulness—like meditation, Tai Chi, yoga, or prayer—for busy minds. Dr. Gary Irwin-Kenyon stresses that the practice doesn’t need to be perfect; short, flexible moments count. |
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EPISODE #9
The episode focuses on grief, discussing the well-known Kubler-Ross stages (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance), with a newer sixth stage: finding meaning. Gary emphasizes that these are not linear steps but themes that people may move in and out of. Grief, like stillness, is deeply personal and often intertwined with past and future thoughts, making it hard to stay present. |
EPISODE #10
In this milestone episode, Dr. Gary Irwin-Kenyon reflects on how viewing life as a journey or story can help us find meaning—especially in aging, loss, and uncertainty. Viewers share how this perspective has helped them reframe challenges, recognize personal growth, and embrace new chapters with purpose. The episode explores key aspects of the life journey: it's personal, shared, unpredictable, and ever-changing. |
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EPISODE #11
The episode opens with viewer responses to an exercise asking for metaphors describing their life journey. Examples included: a patchwork quilt, a canoe trip, a garden in progress, a spiral staircase, and a lighthouse in the fog—each reflecting the ups and downs of personal growth, loss, and resilience. The discussion then deepens into the origins and philosophy of Tai Chi, rooted in Daoism and the concept of yin and yang—the balance of opposing energies (e.g., strength vs. softness). |
EPISODE #12
In this episode of Pathways to Stillness, Dr. Gary Irwin Kenyon explores self-care, caregiving, and “narrative care” - the idea that every person has a story and caregiving means both telling and listening. He highlights the need for caregivers to balance others’ needs with their own, showing through examples how compassion, shared storytelling, and care partnering can bring meaning, balance, and resilience to both caregivers and those they support. |
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EPISODE #13
In this episode of Pathways to Stillness, Dr. Gary Irwin Kenyon and Vicky Hoggarth explore caregiving as a shared story, where presence, creativity, and compassion deepen connections. They highlight the need for caregivers to find balance and stillness to avoid burnout, and close with a guided Tai Chi practice while introducing grief as the next theme. |
EPISODE #14
In this episode of Pathways to Stillness, Dr. Gary Irwin Kenyon and Vicky Hoggarth discuss grief in its many forms and how each experience is unique. They emphasize the importance of listening, community support, and stillness practices like Tai Chi in navigating loss, and close with a calming Tai Chi exercise while inviting viewers to share their own stories. |
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EPISODE #15
In this episode of Pathways to Stillness, Dr. Gary Irwin Kenyon and Vicky Hoggarth share viewer stories of loss and resilience, noting that grief is personal, timeless, and takes many forms. They highlight the value of storytelling, support, and stillness in navigating grief, and close with a simple Tai Chi practice. |
EPISODE #16
Exploring grief, including anticipatory grief, widowhood, and how faith, humor, and community support shape the journey. They emphasize that grief is deeply personal but also social, and that finding stillness, sharing stories, and connecting with others can bring hope and new meaning. |
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EPISODE #17
The episode reflects on the “unlived life,” exploring how choices, sacrifices, and unexpected turns shape who we become, using personal stories and audience reflections to show that paths not taken can hold both loss and gratitude. This leads into a discussion of loneliness—not simply being alone, but a deeper experience often tied to change, grief, or transition, and how sitting with it, rather than avoiding it, can transform loneliness into solitude, insight, and personal growth. |
EPISODE #18
In this episode, Gary and co-host Vicky continue their conversation on loneliness, exploring how practices of stillness—such as breathing, meditation, Tai Chi, creativity, volunteering, and quiet presence—can help transform loneliness into a sense of belonging, meaning, and inner peace, especially during periods of loss, aging, or transition. |
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EPISODE #19
In this episode, Gary and Vicky continue their thoughtful exploration of loneliness, highlighting how volunteering, creativity, listening to others’ stories, and simple human connection can restore a sense of belonging, while also introducing a deeper conversation about death as an essential part of life’s journey—one that, when acknowledged with curiosity and stillness, can bring greater meaning, compassion, and peace |
EPISODE #20
In this episode, Gary and Vicky are joined by Dr. Bill Randall, a pioneer in narrative gerontology, for a deep and reflective conversation on aging as an adventure—one that unfolds outward, backward, inward, and forward—inviting curiosity, stillness, storytelling, and a more compassionate understanding of aging, death, and the meaning we make of our lives. |
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EPISODE #21
In this episode, Gary and Vicky reflect on aging as a meaningful journey rather than something to fear, revisiting insights from Dr. Bill Randall’s work and exploring how stillness, storytelling, and openness to loss and death can deepen appreciation for life, connection, and the continuing bonds we hold with those we love, even as we grow older. |
EPISODE #22
In this episode, Gary and Vicky reflect on community-shared euphemisms for death and the comfort they offer, while exploring how stillness, storytelling, and Tai Chi can help people face grief, aging, and uncertainty with greater calm, balance, and compassion, inviting viewers to see life as a meaningful journey shaped by presence rather than fear. |
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EPISODE #23
In this episode Gary and Vicky focus on the physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits of Tai Chi, exploring how gentle movement, breath, and attention can reduce stress, improve balance and well-being, and cultivate inner calm, before guiding viewers through simple seated Tai Chi movements that can be practiced at home as a short, accessible routine for everyday stillness. |
EPISODE #24
In this Christmas special of Pathways to Stillness, Gary and Vicky explore how grief and loss can feel intensified during the holidays, reflecting on community stories, cultural expectations, and personal memories to show how simplifying traditions, sharing stories, offering compassion, and allowing space for stillness can help people navigate the season with greater gentleness, meaning, and connection. |
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EPISODE #25
In this follow-up holiday episode of Pathways to Stillness, Gary and Vicky continue their reflective conversation on grief at Christmas, exploring how storytelling, humour, community connection, scaled-back traditions, and personal meaning can help people move gently through loss, honour loved ones, and find moments of peace and stillness during an emotionally complex season |
EPISODE #26
Through thoughtful discussions, personal reflections, poetry, nature, mindfulness, Tai Chi, and community engagement, the program encourages people to slow down, reconnect with themselves and others, and discover practical ways to cultivate inner peace, resilience, compassion, and meaning in an increasingly busy and uncertain world. |
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EPISODE #27
Pathways to Stillness explores how people can navigate life's changes, losses, and uncertainties through the practices of stillness and narrative care, the process of understanding and reshaping our personal life stories. Drawing on real-life experiences, aging, grief, health challenges, and community reflections, Dr. Gary Irwin Kenyon and Vicki Hogarth encourage viewers to find meaning, resilience, and connection by embracing change, sharing their stories, and discovering new pathways to purpose, peace, and personal growth |
EPISODE #28
Dr. Gary Irwin Kenyon and Vicki Hogarth explore how people can adapt to life’s inevitable changes. Drawing on community stories and personal examples, they discuss the importance of acceptance, resilience, mentorship, and finding new meaning through changing circumstances. The conversation highlights how shifting our perspective, embracing support, and engaging in meaningful activities can help us navigate aging, health challenges, and major life transitions with greater peace, purpose, and stillness |
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EPISODE #29
Dr. Gary Irwin Kenyon and Vicki Hogarth explore how people can find new meaning and purpose when life changes make it impossible to continue activities they once loved. Drawing on inspiring stories from viewers who adapted hobbies, careers, and passions to fit new circumstances, the discussion highlights the importance of resilience, creativity, and staying open to new possibilities. The conversation encourages viewers to see life as an evolving story, where challenges and losses can become opportunities to discover fresh pathways to fulfillment, connection, and inner peace. |
EPISODE #30
Dr. Gary Irwin Kenyon and Vicki Hogarth explore how people can move through periods of loss, uncertainty, and transition by finding new sources of meaning and embracing stillness. Drawing on viewer stories, personal reflections, and teachings from Gary’s book, they discuss the importance of not letting stressful events define our life story, learning to observe thoughts without becoming overwhelmed by them, and reconnecting with nature, relationships, spirituality, and other meaningful pursuits. |
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EPISODE #31
In this episode of Pathways to Stillness, Vicki Hogarth shares her personal journey of rebuilding her life, and discovering a deeper sense of purpose through storytelling, community, and service. Together, she and Dr. Gary Irwin Kenyon explore how life’s setbacks can become turning points that lead to unexpected opportunities and greater meaning. The conversation highlights the importance of listening to inner callings, embracing change, and trusting that stillness can help reveal the next chapter in our lives. |
EPISODE #32
Explore how curiosity, community, and simple everyday experiences can become pathways to peace and meaning. Through Gary’s story of learning the art of making coffee as a barista, they discuss the value of trying new things, embracing lifelong learning, and finding refuge in welcoming community spaces such as cafés. The conversation highlights how childlike wonder, social connection, and a willingness to explore can help combat loneliness, deepen our sense of belonging, and create moments of stillness in daily life. |
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EPISODE #33
In this heartfelt episode of Pathways to Stillness, Dr. Gary Irwin Kenyon and Vicki Hogarth reflect on grief, community, and the enduring impact of those we love after they are gone. Inspired by the passing of community leader Kate Akagi, they explore how loss can deepen our appreciation for connection, service, and the lessons others leave behind. Through conversations about writing, poetry, spirituality, and personal growth, they encourage viewers to embrace grief as an expression of love, find meaning in both joy and suffering, and recognize that stillness can help us remain connected to those who continue to shape our lives through memory, influence, and legacy. |
EPISODE #34
In this episode of Pathways to Stillness, Dr. Gary Irwin Kenyon and Vicki Hogarth explore the connections between anxiety, grief, and personal growth. Drawing on mindfulness research, lived experience, and the stages of grief, they discuss practical ways to navigate anxiety through self-awareness, compassion, community support, and stillness practices. The conversation emphasizes that anxiety and loss are part of the human experience, and that healing often comes not from avoiding difficult emotions but from understanding them, accepting them, and ultimately finding new meaning and purpose through life's challenges. |
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EPISODE #35
In this episode of Pathways to Stillness, Dr. Gary Irwin Kenyon and Vicki Hogarth explore anxiety, mindfulness, and the healing practice of Tai Chi. Drawing on community responses, they discuss how people find calm through nature, journaling, meditation, social connection, and professional support. The conversation then delves into the philosophy of Tai Chi as a form of moving meditation that promotes balance, presence, and resilience by helping people respond to life’s stresses with openness rather than resistance. Through practical examples and gentle instruction, the episode highlights how stillness can be cultivated through movement, awareness, and a willingness to approach life with a beginner’s mind. |
EPISODE #36
Explore how stillness, connection, and compassion can remain present even in the face of dementia, aging, and cognitive decline. Drawing on Gary’s experiences teaching seated Tai Chi in retirement residences and Alzheimer care settings, they discuss how movement, music, and mindful presence can foster calm, dignity, and meaningful connection for people living with dementia. The conversation challenges common assumptions about aging and cognitive loss, highlighting the enduring humanity, awareness, and capacity for stillness that remain within every person, while emphasizing the importance of person-centred care, acceptance, and creating opportunities for connection through simple, shared experiences. |
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Dr. Gary Irwin-Kenyon, Tai Chi instructor and author of "Pathways to Stillness", sits down with CHCO's Vicki Hogarth to talk about the importance of finding calm and stillness, and how anyone can use the art of Tai Chi to practice mindfulness in an often busy and hectic life.
Southwest Magazine is an original CHCO Television production taped on location at the CHCO-TV studio in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada. |
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February 6 - March 5 - Each Tuesday, 09:00-09:40 AST - Weekly live interactive Zoom sessions
The second portion of the course involves five -40-minute interactive sessions, spread over five weeks. During these sessions, you receive feedback to help you feel more comfortable performing the tai chi movements, work out how to organize sessions for people in your care and begin to guide sessions on your own. |
Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts
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Dr. Gary Irwin-Kenyon shares a stillness story and guided relax-into-stillness movements based on Tai Chi. He will guide you through simple relax-into-stillness movements that you can practice and incorporate into your daily life— no matter how demanding your schedule.
Dr. Irwin-Kenyon is a regular contributor to the free monthly online 30-minute Pathways sessions for caregivers and care professionals who welcome help, and would like to improve your ability to manage your energy, motivation, and perspective— for your own wellbeing—and in order to better provide the quality care that you desire to achieve. Visit here to learn more. |
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Hosted by Samantha Hachey, New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes.
Please enjoy this 20 minute stillness practice with Dr. Kenyon. This short Tai Chi lesson can be done sitting or standing. It may help you to relieve stress and move forward with your day. Tai Chi can help you to improve sleep quality, relieve fatigue, reduce depression, and increase quality of life. |
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In this podcast Dr. Gary Irwin-Kenyon discusses his book which allows us to meander through topics of stillness, aging, loss and the meaning of life. Gary shares his wisdom, reflections and learnings. There are so many relatable themes and anecdotes that will make you reflect and perhaps laugh out loud. This is was such a warm and meaningful conversation.
- Dana Lloyd |
Click below to watch the presentation
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These sessions bring long-term people together to find stillness and share our collective wisdom so that we can provide better person-centred care to our elders.
The presenting team includes Dr. Gary Irwin-Kenyon, renowned pioneer and veteran in the field of narrative gerontology, Ashley King and Daphne Noonan, co-Founders of Person Centred Universe and, Rahzeb Choudhury, Founder of Lifelong Inspiration. A One-Page Profile is a profile of a person, which is positively focused on their core qualities. They capture all the important information about a person on a single sheet of paper under three simple headings: what people appreciate about me, what’s important to me, and how best to support me. |
Click below to watch the presentation
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Sometimes the answers are found in what we already know. Gary and Rahzeb look at the case for embedding tai chi in daily dementia care.
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Click below to watch the presentation
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The Pathways Series
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The Pathways Series
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The Pathways Series
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The Pathways Series
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00:00 Opening
02:25 Stillness as core care 05:55 Stillness exercises 13:24 Imagining the feeling of home 19:52 Reconnecting with core values 22:57 Next session and closing |
9th International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality
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Aa a prelude to the conference, here is a discussion between conference coordinator Jane Kuepfer and Gary Irwin-Kenyon Enjoy!,
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Wednesday, May 27th 4 pm
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Saturday January 25, 2020 from 1-4 pm
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March 10 - 12, 2020, Saint John's on the Lake, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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November 9th, 2019 - Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
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October 2019, University of Barcelona, Spain
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 - 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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Jan 23, 2019 - 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
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September 30, 2018
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September 19, 2018
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July 2, 2018
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February 15, 2018
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February 12, 2018
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