“Through mindfulness-based practices, I assist you in exploring deeper levels of connection with yourself and others. This level of connection is an embodied experience, felt in a palpable, accessible way. From this felt place arises a profound sense of wholeness, knowing, possibility, and trust. It’s where joy naturally arises. It’s where you naturally reside. It’s who you are.

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While I serve as a guide and support on this journey, ultimately, it belongs to you. I merely support your remembering. 

When you feel this knowing place, you remember that everything you want and need is already inside you. Are you ready to start the journey?  Let’s begin!”

Aurora Hutchinson is a meditation and Reiki Master teacher who is passionate about sharing the transformative power of mindfulness, meditation, Reiki, and other mind-body modalities.

After exploring different types of meditation over the years, she found that mindfulness meditation resonated in a way that felt natural, especially after years of struggling to build a consistent practice. Aurora appreciated the curiosity and aliveness cultivated through the meditative inquiry that arises through mindfulness. It was her meditation practice that helped her navigate personal loss, grief, depression, anxiety and PTSD. This allowing, kind and compassionate practice opened up a fuller engagement with life that was nourishing and healing. It felt like coming home.    

As a PhD candidate in Psychology, with training in neuroscience and pharmacology, Aurora has an understanding of the biological and psychological mechanisms underlying mind-body practices. This evidence-based perspective provides students and clients a meaningful way to connect with the practice of meditation. Aurora is a certified Science of Mindful Awareness (SOMA) meditation teacher. In addition, she is an iRest Yoga Nidra Level 2 Teacher.


Along with meditation, Reiki was essential in her healing journey. Aurora is also a Reiki Master Teacher in the Usui Shiki Ryoho tradition and has studied with Tonia Bultrowicz (Reiki I), Diane Armstrong (Reiki II) and Nikki Ward (Reiki Master Teacher and Jikiden Shoden), and is a certified RKMRI Medical Reiki Master. In addition to these modalities, Aurora has also trained in Clinical Hypnosis through the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), and is completing yoga teacher training. 

Aurora’s perspective has been influenced by a diverse body of work, which include the teachings of J. Krishnamurti, Thich Nhat Hanh, Tara Brach, Sally Kempton, Adyashanti, and Jon Kabat-Zinn, the poetry of Rumi, Mary Oliver, Marie Howe, and Diane Ackerman. She is grateful to her teachers, Deborah Norris, Ph.D., Anthony Riley, Ph.D., Beatrice Pouligny, Ph.D., Richard Miller, Ph.D., Nikki Ward, and James Foulkes, C-IAYT, for opening up rich lines of inquiry that continue to unfold.

As a wellness educator and meditation teacher, Aurora offers group classes, workshops, retreats and private instruction in mindfulness at wellness centers, hospitals, worksites, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools and universities, and at private homes. She also offers Reiki certification trainings. Aurora is on the faculty of The Mindfulness Center’s resident SOMA Meditation Teacher Training Program, and has served as the Mindfulness Programs Director at The Mindfulness Center, in Bethesda, MD.

What clients are saying -

"I have many positive things to say about Aurora, but to keep this to a reasonable length I'll focus on the first two things that immediately come to mind. The first is that Aurora possesses the unique combination of a deep understanding of the scientific principles behind mind-body practices, as well as a mastery of the art of their application. This combination makes Aurora a true "scientist-practitioner", a title that can be claimed by relatively few people in this field. The second thing that comes to mind is that Aurora's interaction with people, whether one-on-one or with a large group, is superb. She is skilled at creating a very comforting environment, which is a result of her very sincere and authentic approach to her practice (in both one-on-one practice and her role as a teacher), and her compassionate nature. I highly recommend Aurora to anyone interested in mind-body therapies.”

~ James M., Alexandria, VA

“Aurora embodies a kind, warm and caring spirit. She is passionate about the many benefits of a mindfulness meditation practice and shares this passion with her students. I always felt relaxed and at ease when in a class or in a mindfulness meditation session led by Aurora. Thank you for your expert teaching, guidance and care. I can now confidently lead mindfulness meditation sessions!”

~ Susan W., Silver Spring, MD

"I have worked with Aurora for 3 years, while on my journey to certification. Aurora is a natural leader and helper. She is passionate and curious about people and strives to connect people to themselves and their community. Her vulnerability helped me to become more a more confident meditation teacher by embracing my imperfections and becoming more mentally flexible. In my life, I have struggled with perfectionism and Aurora created space for me to explore myself and reflect about myself without judgement. I realized that feeling powerful and in control doesn't have to be abrasive or cold. It can be a quiet, secure, and lighthearted confidence, in which you feel at peace with yourself and that peace will easily reach other people."

~ Maria K., Alexandria, VA

"After attending many of Aurora‘s Advanced Meditation Seminars, I was beyond enthused to learn that she was going to be offering a Reiki certification program. I may have been the first to sign up for Reiki I! The training was amazing and beautifully launched me into my Reiki self-practice. I couldn’t wait for the Reiki II training to be scheduled. After attending that training, which was beyond phenomenal, I am now underway as a practitioner. Aurora doesn’t just sever ties after her Reiki trainings. She offers loving support all throughout the process and well afterwards.

Aurora’s gifts and talents as a teacher are demonstrated in each and every workshop or training she offers. She is deeply steeped in each practice in which she offers guidance, gently and wisely assisting and allowing each individual to find their own deeper connection."

~ Carol S., Springfield, VA

"Aurora Hutchinson is an extraordinarily gifted mindfulness meditation and Reiki teacher. I signed up for one of her mindfulness classes over three years ago, and I have been meditating daily since then. Her class is transformative and has given me skills to quiet and relax my mind and body.

I am an optimistic person but practicing mindfulness meditation is like the first time I put glasses on and I could see the leaves on the trees, not a big green blob. Mindfulness has profoundly deepened my ability to appreciate the joy of living. What a wonderful gift!”

~ Joan H., Silver Spring, MD

"Practicing mindfulness meditation with Aurora for 3 and 1/2 years has brightened my life in many ways. Before I began mindfulness meditation, when I got upset about something I would perseverate about it. I called this state, swinging from the chandelier. Now when something upsets me, I consider it and let it go. This has meant a vast improvement in my life, including a new peace of mind.”

~ Steve B., Silver Spring, MD

"I've been attending Aurora's meditation sessions and workshops for some months already. Learning with her is a gift; I am definitely deepening in my practice and getting to know myself better, in an easy, calm and gradual way. She's not only knowledgeable in her work, but, most importantly, she transmits a warmth and a kindness that I personally value in this type of teaching. You feel that she cares."

~ Ana M., Bethesda, MD

"Aurora intuitively weaves together meditation, energy work, and aromatherapy to help me find a better state of being every time that I come in to see her. I always walk out feeling clarity of the mind, openness of the heart, and ready to tackle whatever life has in store for me."

~ Jessica W., Laurel, MD

“Aurora has taught me valuable skills for centering myself and staying mindful in an often hectic life. I first attended her meditation classes two years ago. As someone who suffers anxiety and stress, her class felt like a sanctuary. Through those classes, I gained the tools I needed for a self practice that I use daily. It really lifted me out of a dark place."

~ J. C., Bethesda, MD