We hear a great deal about mindfulness.

But what is it, really? Mindfulness is about paying attention in the present moment in a purposeful way. It is about not judging that moment as “boring” or “difficult” or “relaxing,” but just noticing any thought or reaction and letting it go, returning to the next moment. Mindfulness practice can be learned and used by people of all backgrounds or ages, regardless of prior experience. There are numerous studies that demonstrate the positive effects of mindfulness such as reducing anxiety and increasing a sense of personal well-being.

While MBSR techniques can be taught in any setting, this 8-week course (plus  orientation and retreat) designed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School Center for Mindfulness is a highly effective way to be introduced to mindfulness practice within a safe and supportive group environment. In this course, I will teach and use meditation, mindful movement such as meditation walking and gentle yoga postures, mindful eating, loving kindness exercises, a body scan relaxation technique, group discussion, and inquiry to help you discover ways that mindfulness might help you to relate differently to stress in a practical way. Starting with “Beginners’ Mind,” an admirable state to be in, we will practice integrating mindfulness into our daily lives each week, building and sustaining ways to create a personal mindfulness practice that fits your own lifestyle.

The course includes a free introductory session

to explain the course structure and basics of MBSR, followed by eight sessions of learning and practicing techniques with a day of mindfulness practice towards the end of the course, should you decide to join. Through many years of research at the Mindfulness Center, such techniques were found to have a powerful impact on levels of stress not only in patients dealing with challenging medical issues, but with ordinary folks who might feel overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, or depressed in their daily lives. Some of these strategies are ancient Buddhist practices that have been around for centuries.

We hope to offer a smaller-session group for children from 4th to 8th grade (9-13.)

If you are interested in such a class, please call Ann at 203-451-6208 or check the SOUND website for class information.