What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness practice connects you to the present moment which is the only time anyone ever has to perceive, learn, grow or change. When we practice present moment awareness we become attentive to and aware of thoughts, emotions and sensations in the body, which allows for more choice and ultimately freedom. Mindfulness can be practiced as a formal meditation, seated or lying down or you can practice mindfulness informally, as you walk, drive, eat and are engaged in your daily life.

When we practice mindfulness we are given the opportunity to adopt a curious attitude toward our relationship to stress, pain, and illness, as well as learning how to notice and open to moments of joy, happiness and love. Practicing mindfulness in our daily life can help us reconnect with our sense of wholeness, and interconnection with everything around us. This sense of spaciousness can help us respond to life rather than reacting automatically.

Learning how to practice mindfulness can help you:

• Reduce stress

• Reduce irritability, anxiety and depression

• Improve your relationships

• Develop resilience and inner strength

• Cultivate compassion for self and others

• Increase grey matter in the brain as well as increase blood flow to the brain (positive changes in memory capacity, aging, and problem solving)

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): 8 Week Program

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was founded 30 years ago at the University of Massachusetts Medical School by Jon Kabat Zinn, and is the gold standard for learning mindfulness meditation. MBSR is taught worldwide, and is the best researched mindfulness program there is.

Research has shown that in 8 weeks this practice can change the brain, increasing thickness in the frontal and prefrontal cortex, which in turn supports memory function and attention as well as emotional resilience and self awareness. Consistent, daily practice of mindfulness has also shown to decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as decreasing stress levels and issues related to chronic pain.

MBSR is an 8 week program, participants meet for 2 and a half hours once a week with a full day retreat (7 hours) in the middle. People who take the program commit to 45 min of home practice a day.

If you are interested in learning more about the MBSR program or would like to learn more about how mindfulness can help you, please click the link below!

Mindfulness Coaching

Mindfulness Coaching Sessions are also available. I offer 60-90 minute coaching sessions. One-on-one coaching can take place by telephone, online video conferencing, or face-to-face (or combination of these, depending on what works best for you).