Mindfulness Explained

Written by Charmaine van Niekerk

Jon Kabat-Zinn—referred to by some as the father of mindfulness—says: “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally”.

Mindfulness explained

Mindfulness is about waking up to life and bringing open, non-judgmental awareness our present moment experience. Most of the time we go through our days only partially present to our here and now. Living this way can cause us to feel a disconnected and vaguely uneasy or unhappy.

Charmaine will be hosting a half day workshop on Saturday, 5/18 1 - 5pm. This half-day workshop draws on the 8-week Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and is a way to get started with your mindfulness practice if you are unable to do the full course now. Created in the late 70’s by John Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. at the UMass Medical Center, MBSR is an evidence-based intervention designed to teach you how to apply mindfulness in everyday life, and to the range of challenges arising from medical and psychological conditions and life stresses.

What to expect in this class?

Mindfulness is highly experiential and focuses less on theoretical knowledge and more on actual practicing and experiencing. This workshop includes various guided mindfulness meditations, a body scan and yoga, as well mindful inquiry, Q&A, and sharing. You will learn about stress physiology, constructive responding to stressful situations, and bringing awareness to many areas of life, including physical sensations, thoughts and feelings, communication styles, relationships, and making healthy choices. Participants receive recorded meditations to complete at home and guidance on how to incorporate mindfulness into your everyday life.

Who should attend?

Research has shown that Mindfulness helps people cope with a range conditions and life stresses, including medical conditions such as chronic pain and cancer; psychological problems including anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders; and stress related to relationships, school, finances. Benefits include reduced reactivity, stress, anxiety, and depression; lower blood pressure, improved concentration and self-awareness; and ability to manage chronic pain and distressing emotions.

Mindfulness is a way of training yourself to focus on whatever is happening right now and can be a transformational tool for personal and spiritual development. No wonder it’s become a with athletes, corporations and wellness professionals all claiming its significant benefits. Sign up for this workshop or any of our workshops on our Workshops page.