History and Origin

Grief Circles - Center for Mindfulness, Compassion and Community™ for Grief and Loss

When my husband died within.six-weeks from a brutal rare illness (that is related to, yet distinguished from cancer) as I parented a young grieving child, my life’s path changed forever in service of healing for everyone who suffers.

When my own child spent five years home bound from a debilitating illness, on top of my own chronic illness, our personal practices and experience helped us through the storms that most people do not get to experience.

I have worked with thousands of people who have experienced grief and loss. Here is a bit more about how and why griefcircles started.

My desire and heart driven intention became one with supporting anyone who is grieving.

The idea and vision for Center for Mindfulness, Compassion and Community for Grief & Grief Circles

began with

My Personal Journey with Grief and Healing

and

continued with supporting many precious grieving hearts.

When my mother died young (for both of us) from cancer, I understood how lonely and solo grieving can become, with most of my friends not knowing how to handle my grief.

When my dad died (also from cancer) a few years later, I knew that I had to become a hospice volunteer, having witnessed the selflessness of the nurses and staff.

As a grief guide, end-of-life doula, hospice volunteer, widow, mother, caregiver, living with chronic illness, mindfulness and compassion teacher and educator, university faculty in graduate studies of Mindfulness, and a fellow human being, I am honored to walk with you on your path of grief, transformation and living with purpose in this new life that is laid in front you.

The program which I have developed is meant for equally expressing our sorrows and hopes, sparking healing and transformation, creating meaning amidst loss and moving through grief with what will serve you the best. I have been practicing mindfulness and Vipassana for over 40 years. I feel privileged to have received mindfulness and compassion training from some of the most leading and respected teachers. I am trauma informed and operate with sensitivity to all types of diversities.

I identify as BIPOC, I have at times been questioned in ary group that I join. The sense of belonging or questioning belonging in different spaces has brought me to a knowing of where I belong no matter what:

We all belong right here, right now, as we exactly are.

As member of a culturally, ethnically and racially diverse family, I find diversity and inclusion to be not only critical but a way of being.

What I learned, personally experienced in my own life and from the bereaved and the dying whom I’ve accompanied, are how I intend to sincerely companion and support you.

From a place of respect, hope and LOVE.

Approaching grief experience with loving awareness, courage and radical acceptance, opening your heart when it’s ready, is something you can do on your own. Or, you may prefer an experienced guide to serve you, while you are still at the driver’s seat. If you decide to work with me, I would love to work with you.

With loving kindness,

Yasemin Yamodo-Isler (YaYa)

I had always been fascinated with the power of the mind. I believed that it held the key to healing, growth, and transformation. But it wasn't until I experienced deep personal losses that I truly understood the profound impact that mindfulness could have on the journey of grief.

After losing my mother at a young age to cancer, in 1989, then my father five years later, I found myself drowning in sorrow and despair. While my yoga and mindfulness practice helped, I also struggled to come to terms with my losses and was overwhelmed by the whirlwind of emotions that engulfed me. Loving Kindness (Metta) saved me after diligently practicing it daily for 5 years. It was during this time that I connected deeper with mindfulness and compassion – the practice of being fully present and lovingly aware in the present moment.

Driven by my own healing journey, I immersed myself in the study and practice of mindfulness. I attended numerous meditation retreats, read countless books, and trained with experienced teachers. When my husband died from a sudden and brutal illness, with our five-year-old son also grieving this immense loss, I found solace in mindfulness and compassion, continuing on attending retreats, becoming a shaman, a certified meditation teacher in multiple programs, receiving a graduate degree in Mindfulness Studies. As I delved deeper into understanding of mindfulness to understand the theories and applications of what worked and why, I gained significant knowledge and experience that it held the potential to transform the lives of others who were grieving. I created a comprehensive healing program.

I hope I get to know you. I am in the Boston area and provide grief support locally and online. The program and the curriculum I created remain solid and strong through the turmoils of global pandemics and wars, communal losses, and individual griefs and losses.

I am a certified mindfulness teacher, certified end-of-life professional, certified integrative thanatologist, professor of mindfulness, and writer, among other credentials which you may find useful to know. My roots and my family's roots are multi ethnic, spanning from Turkey to the Central African Republic and France to the USA.

There are a range of ways I offer the programs. I believe that there may be a synergy, with the intention and hopes to contribute to a positive difference for you personally and your community in need.

My Credentials include:

I have been studying and teaching for decades. I offer you this humbly: Working with me as a client, student or a professional, you will directly benefit from my 2000+ hours of professional training and certification (not counting academic education), 40+ years of personal practice, 10 years of professional experience in the field, experience with thousands of clients and students whom I supported/guided/taught.

- Core faculty, Lesley University Master’s in Mindfulness Studies Program

I teach graduate level courses including Mindfulness and Resilience (and yes, we cover illness, aging, death, and grief), Mindful Communication, Practice, Theory and Science of Mindfulness, Retreat and Meditation, Teaching Mindfulness and more.

- Currently doing PhD studies with interdisciplinary focus on human development and post traumatic growth

- MA, Mindfulness Studies, with deep focus on grief, death and transformation

- Developer of Mindfulness, Compassion and Community for Grief™ Curriculum and Program

- Certified End-Of Life Doula Professional

- Certified Hospice Volunteer

- Certified in Integrative Thanatology, the study of death, dying and bereavement

- Certified Advanced Trauma Informed Mindfulness Provider

- Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield

- Certified Compassion Teacher

- Developer of Mindful and Compassionate Parenting Program

- Developer of Living with Illness Program

- Certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher

- Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Trained Teacher

- Certified Mindfulness Educator, Mindful Schools

- Certified Senior Teacher and Consultant, Workplace and Corporate Based Mindfulness Training (CBMT)

- Trained in Co-Active coaching

- Trained in Path of Freedom - Prison Mindfulness

- 40+ years personal practice in mindfulness and meditation

- Meditation teacher trainer and mentor

My son experienced the illness and death of his father at the age of five, and lived with his own chronic illness that was debilitating for five years. He is now thriving and we are so grateful. I asked him to write about the origins of Grief Circles, which he heard a million times by now.

Here it is, in his words:

With a deep sense of purpose, she embarked on a mission to help thousands of people on their grief journey through the power of mindfulness and compassion. She started by offering free mindfulness workshops in her community, where she taught simple yet impactful techniques to reconnect with the present moment and to cultivate self-compassion.

News quickly spread about her workshops, and people from all walks of life flocked to attend. They found solace and comfort in the safe space she created, where they could openly share their pain and learn tools to navigate their grief with more grace and resilience.

Yasemin's workshops became a sanctuary for those in need. Through guided meditations, breathing exercises, reflections, journaling, sharing in community, and gentle movement, she helped participants to gently explore their emotions, without judgment or resistance. She taught them to befriend their grief, to sit with it, and to embrace it as an integral part of their healing process.

Word of Yasemin's work soon reached a wider audience, beyond her local community. She was approached by grief support organizations, wellness retreat centers, and even mental health conferences, all eager to invite her to share her wisdom and insights. Yasemin humbly accepted these invitations, grateful for the opportunity to touch the lives of more people.

With her soothing graceful presence and profound understanding of grief, Yasemin became a beacon of hope for thousands. Her dedication to mindfulness and its ability to transform the grief journey inspired countless individuals to embark on their own path of healing. Through her grief circles, workshops, retreats, and online programs, Yasemin reached people from all corners of the globe, guiding them through the darkness of grief, towards a place of acceptance, growth, and renewed purpose.

As Yasemin witnessed the profound transformation in the lives of those she helped, she realized that her own grief had become a catalyst for something extraordinary. It became a vessel through which she could offer solace, support, and healing to others. In helping people navigate their grief with mindfulness, Yasemin not only gave them the tools to heal, but also empowered them to live wholeheartedly, carrying their loved ones' memories with them, always mindful of the preciousness of life.

Through her tireless efforts, Yasemin helped thousands in their grief journey, fostering a community of support and understanding. Her story became a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light – a spark of mindfulness that can guide us back to the present moment, where healing begins. Yasemin's impact continues to ripple through the lives of those she touched, illuminating the path for others to find solace and embrace their own transformation.

“Yasemin approaches her chosen work with a unique sensitivity and openness to learn and meet others at their own individual place and readiness.

Due to this, she is a gifted and genuine communicator and healer.”

- AA 

“Yasemin is an expert facilitator. I feel blessed to have connected with her in this forum. Her guidance enabled me to lean into my grief and begin to process it. Through multiple modalities, like journaling, meditation and visualization, Yasemin helped me journey through challenging emotions and unpack some of my deepest sadness. The process wasn't always easy, but I felt supported by Yasemin and safe with my fellow Grief Circle peers. Without hesitation, I would recommend participating in a program with Yasemin.”

- Samantha

“Yasemin is an exquisite healer and teacher. I am so glad to have joined her class.”

“I spent decades dealing with childhood trauma and grief. The last year of learning from and practicing with Yasemin has been life affirming and life changing. Thank you.”

- A bit more about me on MINDFUL LIVING - 

for Life Beyond and Alongside Grief

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