We are Upstate NY With Nina Smiley Director of Mindfulness at Mohonk Mountain House

For Nina Smiley, the journey to becoming the Director of Mindfulness at Mohonk Mountain House was anything but linear. Though her path wound through a Ph.D. at Princeton University and a career in marketing and psychology in Washington, D.C., a single jogging session in the park changed everything. Faced with the opportunity to return to the Hudson Valley and lead her family’s legendary 150-year-old resort, Nina and her late husband, Bert, realized their diverse skills in finance and mindfulness were the perfect ingredients for stewarding the historic estate into a new era of wellness.

In our exclusive interview, Nina delves into the “essence of Mohonk,” explaining how the Victorian castle’s spectacular natural setting has been facilitating “re-creation and renewal” long before mindfulness became a modern buzzword. From her “Three-Minute Meditator” philosophy to the neuroplasticity of “forest bathing,” Nina shares how she helps guests dismantle the barriers to meditation.

Read our exclusive interview with Nina Smiley to get a glimpse into how a stay at Mohonk or a class with Nina can transform a simple vacation into a lifelong practice of presence.

INSIDE+OUT: Where are you originally from, and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

Nina Smiley: I grew up on Long Island and came to the Hudson Valley to go to college at Vassar. When I met my late husband, Bert Smiley, on a blind date at the end of my senior year, I fell in love and chose not to leave the area. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I had also become enamored with this spectacular region. Bert and I eventually left the Hudson Valley to pursue PhDs at Princeton and build careers. We lived in Washington, DC, where I taught psychology at the University of Maryland, then went into communications and marketing for nonprofits. In 1990, Mohonk Mountain House needed a family member to lead its family business into the future. Although Bert and I had never intended to do this, our skills (finance – Bert / marketing – me) were a perfect fit for running a resort! And I also brought decades of mindfulness practice with me! We were jogging one day in a park in DC, stopped, looked at each other, and said, “We can’t not do this!” Mohonk brought us home!

Tell us about your role as the Director of Mindfulness at Mohonk Mountain House and what first drew Mohonk to make mindfulness such a central part of the guest experience.

Nina Smiley: The mission of Mohonk Mountain House from the very beginning has been “to provide opportunities for re-creation and renewal of body, mind, and spirit in a beautiful natural setting.” The natural world and the renewal and inspiration it provides have been part of Mohonk’s essence since it opened. So, in a sense, Mohonk has been offering mindfulness – the opportunity to be present in the moment, engaging all the senses in a gentle, non-judgmental way – to guests for over 150 years! It’s been a joy to align a core value of Mohonk with the opportunity to bring mindfulness into present-day experiences. As Director of Mindfulness, I invite guests to explore the world in a way that calms the body and clears the mind, bringing the present moment into gentle ascendance. I host wellness/mindfulness programs multiple times a year, teach weekly mindfulness classes and private sessions, bring mindfulness into Orientation training for new staff, and use Mohonk’s spectacular setting to lead mindfulness-in-nature “forest bathing” walks.

What is your background in mindful meditation, and how has teaching mindfulness at Mohonk shaped your own practice?

Nina Smiley: There are many ways to meditate. I began meditating in the 1970s, and when I discovered mindfulness in the 1980s, I knew I’d found a practice that resonated deeply for me. Moment-to-moment awareness of what is, and simply being present with gentle curiosity in a non-judgmental way, helped me learn how to calm the body and clear the mind one moment at a time. I’ve been fortunate to study with remarkable teachers – including Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Joseph Goldstein, and Caverly Morgan – and to go on silent retreats.

“Moment-to-moment awareness of what is, and simply being present with gentle curiosity in a non-judgmental way, helped me learn how to calm the body and clear the mind one moment at a time.” – Nina Smiley

I eventually wrote a book with my twin brother, David Harp. People often believe that it takes a lot of time to meditate, and sometimes they never get past that “barrier to entry.” So David and I decided to call our book The Three Minute Meditator to remove that obstacle, and we found an enthusiastic audience when it was translated into seven languages!

The science behind this is neuroplasticity – when you do something repeatedly, the neurons in your brain connect to form a new neural path to support that activity. Repeated small chunks of mindfulness practice build neural pathways that make mindfulness more accessible, and this new way of being present enhances clarity and reduces stress. I’m passionate about sharing mindfulness, and teaching at Mohonk gives me the opportunity to plant a seed in people who are on vacation and often willing to try things they wouldn’t take on at home. When they leave Mohonk, they have the beginning of a life skill that can truly make a difference. Sharing mindfulness with others strengthens my own practice, and I love the sense of connection I feel in passing this practice along.

How does practicing mindfulness at Mohonk differ from doing it at home or in a studio?

Nina Smiley: Mindfulness is the same no matter where you practice. It’s an opportunity to use the breath as the focus of observation and learn to be fully present in the moment, gently observing the mind and all of the senses.

“When they leave Mohonk, they have the beginning of a life skill that can truly make a difference.” – Nina Smiley

This March, you have two exciting programs: Five Senses midweek programming throughout March and your Wellness Weekend. Tell us about that.

Nina Smiley: Winter Wellness Weekend (March 6 -8) is a sampler of experiences that support resilience and self-care. Including mindfulness, yoga, forest bathing, skincare, Qi Gong, a Celestial Sunset Stretch, and more, we’re delighted to offer simple, sustainable practices that guests can learn and take home. Music in the evening – traditional bluegrass, classic rock – adds yet another kind of energy to support wellness this weekend!

Explore the Five Senses (March 1 – 31, midweek) is a getaway that invites guests to slow down and savor the moment, creating experiences that highlight how it feels to touch, hear, see, taste, and smell. Refreshing the mind, energizing the body, and exploring the beauty of the natural world, this time is meant for you to be present and reconnect with yourself.

Also engaging the senses, there’s the Ballroom Weekend and Chef’s on the Mountain Weekend. What can guests expect from that as relates to mindfulness and presence?

Nina Smiley: Each Mohonk program is an opportunity to be present and enjoy the moment! Learning something new, whether it’s a dance step or a cooking technique, activates the senses in these explorations. Pausing for a moment to appreciate this heightened awareness magnifies the experience. At bedtime, we have a turndown service where overnight guests receive a small treat – a special chocolate with a mindfulness haiku I wrote. There’s also an invitation to call our “Mohonk Mindfulness hotline” to enjoy 30 seconds of calming the body / clearing the mind as they prepare for sleep and end their day.  Learn more: Ballroom Weekend and Chef’s on the Mountain Weekend.

What surprises guests most when they try mindfulness for the first time here, and if someone only remembers one practice from their stay, what do you hope it is?

Nina Smiley: I offer a half-hour “Mindfulness in Minutes” class on Saturdays at noon for guests who want to explore mindfulness. I’ve honed the presentation to offer a sense of how it feels and how it works as we do several short “chunks” of mindfulness together. And at the end, I say, “You’re now bringing mindfulness home with you!” And I note that it’s something to practice one moment at a time. The acronym S-T-O-P is a reminder to Stop… Take a breath… Observe… Proceed… Be present with a gentle curiosity, and take the moment in with all of your senses. Respond, if needed, instead of reacting. Guests are surprised by the simplicity of mindfulness. Surprised that they don’t have to close their eyes or sit still to meditate. Surprised at how readily mindfulness can become a skill to be used in real life and in real time.

What’s one moment you’ve witnessed where a guest clearly “got it” — when mindfulness clicked for them?

Nina Smiley: I’ve seen guests have an “Aha moment” when I walk them through the mindful awareness that “Minds Tell Stories!” I ask if anyone has ever woken up at three in the morning… started to think about something coming up the next day that might be of concern… and begun to feel stressed or anxious? Many can relate to this… myself included!

“Mindfulness helps us understand that the thought taking over our mental space IS A STORY! We can begin to realize: “I’m Telling the Story… I’m Believing the Story… And I’m Having a Stress Reaction… to Something That’s Not Happening!”

At 3 a.m., the mind may start telling a story about what might go wrong – a “mess rehearsal” as my twin likes to say! Mindfulness helps us understand that the thought taking over our mental space IS A STORY! We can begin to realize “I’m Telling the Story… I’m Believing the Story… And I’m Having a Stress Reaction… to Something That’s Not Happening!” Perhaps my story is that I’ll miss a connecting flight due to bad weather.

Mindfulness reminds me that I’m lying warm and safe in bed. I’m not actually IN the airport, missing the connection on my flight, but my body is reacting to the story and tightening up as if I were. The awareness that we can breathe into the moment and mindfully observe a story rather than have it take over is often a breakthrough!

You are also a Board Member of Mohonk Preserve. How do the two organizations partner?

Nina Smiley: Mohonk Mountain House and Mohonk Preserve are separate organizations that are aligned in their desire to encourage people to enjoy and explore the natural world. They share an interconnected trail network, and both offer hiking programs and experiences in nature year-round.

What makes living in the Hudson Valley special for you?

Nina Smiley: The spectacular natural beauty of this region is a delight! It’s a vibrant area with so much going on – culinary, music, art, history, fascinating people, interesting towns… students often come to college here and never leave, or they choose to come back as I did. It’s got the comfort of small towns with the excitement of so much to explore. You can do as much or as little as you please… and have a great time simply being here!

What are some of your favorite ways to unwind and unplug in the Hudson Valley when you are not working?

Nina Smiley: Connecting with others and sharing mindfulness is a joy! And I love being outdoors and being mindful in nature! Each season is an opportunity to be outdoors in a different way. I’m on the trails hiking as the natural world comes to life in the spring… summer is jogging, then jumping in the lake…fall foliage is magnificent colors everywhere… and winter is cross-country skiing… although this year it’s been uncommonly cold! I’m a foodie, and the restaurants in the Hudson Valley are wonderful – exploring the tastes, tidbits, and libations of this region is an ongoing delight! I enjoy getting massages and pedicures, browsing in fun shops, looking for unique clothing and crafts… listening to music… and sitting outside at sunset watching the sky change color.

Who or what inspires you personally?

Nina Smiley: Seeing resilience in people… in Nature… inspires my own resilience… This poem, written by Frieda Feldman, reminds me to celebrate resilience:

“As often as I can remember to sing a joyful song
It opens wide my heart to love…and I am strong!”

Tell us something about yourself that people would be surprised to know.

Nina Smiley: I have an amazing twin brother who got me started on mindfulness decades ago. When I saw David start this type of meditation and become calmer, more relaxed, happier… I thought… hmmm… we’re twins… if this is working for him, I’ll give it a try! And I’ve never looked back! I sometimes joke that mindfulness changed my life – that I used to be 5’8” and a redhead! While neither height nor hair color change is true… I want to capture the sense that, along with nurturing depth of insight and growth in my life, mindfulness has also enhanced playfulness, lightness, and humor!

What is your current state of mind?

Nina Smiley: I’m pausing as I read this question… taking a full, gentle breath…and right now I’m grateful to be present and to appreciate this moment.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Nina Smiley: The ability to communicate the joyful simplicity that mindfulness is only a breath away and offer this as a gift to others for moment-to-moment use in daily life.

Photos and video courtesy of Mohonk Mountain House

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Learn more about Mindful programming and experiences here