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SPRING CLASS RESUMES 2023
Email below or call (817) 360-4462 to SIGN UP!
[email protected]
A Note from your program Creator/Facilitator:
We are living in a time where the availability of information and stimulation is more prevalent than ever. Mindfulness has become somewhat of a buzzword in our culture recently, although this ancient philosophy is about much more than just quieting the mind. A common misconception about Mindfulness assumes it is a means to escape or avoid reality.
In truth, when we practice pure, unbiased attention to the present moment, we are slowing down to explore all of the details and nuances of our experience. Therefore, we are actually getting really REAL with ourselves instead of merely mentally checking out.
The challenge then becomes, what to do with the awareness? For all of the energy that we are now able to give over to our anxieties, consequently, we have the space to increase our awareness and significantly shift our mental patterns away from dis-ease and towards greater harmony and well-being.
So, what might YOU be able to do, WHO might you be able to BE, if you were able to experience the moments of your life with greater presence, wholeness, and truth?
It is truly an honor to be able to hold space for others, regardless of where they are on their journey through this life. To be able to help others reduce stress and tension and find greater ease in their bodies, minds, and spirits is my passion and life's work.
~Laura Foulds, M.S., LMFT, RYT
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the skillful practice of paying attention to the present moment with intention and without judgment. We often find ourselves caught up in either PAST thinking (which can inspire DEPRESSION) or FUTURE thinking (which can inspire ANXIETY). Rarely in our fast-paced world do we take the time to slow down and practice living more in the PRESENT moment. Mindfulness is a highly effective and and evidence-based practice towards managing one's STRESS, ANXIETY, and DEPRESSION with greater ease.
What is MBSR?
MBSR, or Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, was developed at the University of Massachusettes Medical Center in the 1970s by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn. MBSR and Dr. Kabat-Zinn have been featured on PBS in Bill Moyers' documentary on Healing the Mind, The Oprah Winfrey Show, NBC Dateline, and in numerous clinical research journals.
The basis of the program, which teaches skills in Mindfulness, Meditation, and gentle Yoga, is what Kabat-Zinn calls, "moment-to-moment, non-judgmental awareness." Students of the eight-week intensive program learn how to use their innate resources and abilities to respond more effectively to stress, pain, and illness. Since its inception, the program has provided consistent and reliable clinical relief for the following physiological conditions: Anxiety, Asthma, Cancer, Chronic Pain, Diabetes, Depression, Fibromyalgia, Gastrointestinal, Heart Disease, Hot Flashes, Hypertension, Mood Disorders, Sleep Disturbances, Stress Disorders, etc.
Why commit to the 8-week MBSR program?
The skills cultivated in the 8-week MBSR intensive will create space for greater mind-body awareness, which will allow a person to move away from physical and mental dis-ease and find more ease and freedom, moment-by-moment.
A culture of fast-paced living and technological advances occurring at light-speed has created a perfect storm of citizens who operate at a very high threshold of anxiety, experience a severe lack in attention span, and find it difficult to manage day to day stressors and emotions. A healthcare system that is more focused on treating chronic illness and is largely dependent on the trillion dollar pharmaceutical industry is less interested in holistically and systemically treating and preventing illnesses in the first place.
Practicing Mindfulness empowers people to take an active role in their own health and well-being and teaches them to live and operate more from the present moment. Rather than feeling scattered with thoughts of past ruminations or potential future threats, participants in the 8-week MBSR intensive learn to respond rather than react to life's stressors.
What to expect from the MBSR course:
During class, participation will include:
- Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation (seated, walking, and dynamic)
- Gentle stretching and mindful movement
- Mindful discussions
- Homework assignments (Students are encouraged to commit to 45-60 minutes of daily, independent practice between meetings)
- Access to audio recorded guided meditations
- Program workbook
Additional readings encouraged though not required:
- "Full Catastrophe Living" by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn
- "Heal Thyself: Lessons on Mindfulness in Medicine" by Saki Santorelli
- "Wherever You Go, There You Are" by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn
- "When Things Fall Apart" by Pema Chodron
When you're ready to invest in your personal Self-Care and Well-Being, I would be honored to support your journey.
Please call (817) 360-4462 or email [email protected]
**Private Mindfulness Coaching for Couples, Individuals, and Corporate/Wellness Teams available upon request.
