Getting Started

Many of us are feeling overwhelmed and depleted. Family issues, politics and war, the economy, our jobs, our health, all occupy our thoughts. We worry about the future and may be obsessed with things in our past. All of these concerns weigh us down and we may not know how to start caring for ourselves in such challenging times.

It can be as simple as taking one or two minutes, a couple of times per day, and just stopping. Stopping doing whatever you are doing. Closing your eyes if you can, taking a deep breath in and then letting it out. As you sit (or stand or lie down), noticing that you are breathing, that there is an in-breath and an out-breath. Noticing the sounds that are present in this moment. Bringing awareness to the sensations in your body. And then, just letting yourself be for a minute or two...

When you are done, pay attention to how you are feeling now. Do you notice a difference from just a couple of minutes ago? This is how it feels to be present. Being present is one of the best ways to start caring for yourself-more on this later. For now, just practice "being" a couple of times a day and see what happens...

DISCOVER

Discover the powerful interplay of your mind and body:

• Cope more effectively with short and long-term stresses
• Increase your ability to relax
• Achieve lasting decreases in physical and psychological symptoms
• Reduce pain levels and enhance ability to cope with pain that may not go away
• Improve your ability to enjoy life.
• Commit Now to improving your life.

Participate in the Stress Reduction Program and access through daily practice and regular class attendance a new way of being. A new way of being You in the world.

MINDFULNESS BASED STRESS REDUCTION (MBSR)

Learn Mindfulness, a way of relating directly to the events in your life, of consciously and systematically working through experiences. Develop healthy and positive approaches to handling stressful challenges, whether they are physical or emotional. By enrolling, you will discover:

• Practical tools and skills for handling stress
• Adaptable Relaxation Methods
• Gentle exercises to strengthen and condition your body as well as release tension
• The interplay of mind and body in health and illness
• How to take responsibility for your own health
• Ways to face change and difficult times with greater ease
• Greater balance, control and peace of mind

BECOME

Become the change agent of your life. Receive support and instruction as you participate in this deeply engaging course. This life-affirming class is offered in 8 weekly sessions. New sessions begin every Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer term.
Orientation Sessions are offered free of charge and are a prerequisite to program participants. Some employers provide reimbursement for wellness programs.

In addition to regularly scheduled classes, we offer:
• Customized and private classes
• Personal and professional consulting.