Mindfulness Practices [F-13-34]
| Presenter: | Monique Tirion |
|---|---|
| Location: | Potsdam Civic Center: Community Meeting Room (2 Park St.) |
| Classes: | 4 Sessions 1.5 hours |
| Dates: | Mon 12:30 PM 10/07, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28 |
| Status: | CLOSED |
Print Info
Daily we read that mindfulness practice improves many aspects of life and health. We will discuss how to develop a practice to promote mindfulness and awareness via sensory exercises, body-awareness practices, bare-attention, as well as breath awareness.
NOTE: Please prepare for class by viewing the videos or reading the material suggested below:
LINKS BY TOPIC:
Mind / Body Interactions and Role of Posture
- http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html
The suprisingly critical role that posture has on mental attitude is described convincingly in this TED.com video by Amy Cuddy: "Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are". Highly recommended viewing.
- http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/science/02angier.html?ref=natalieangier&_r=0
Some surprising facts about mind-body inter-connections, questioning our tacit assumption that mind always leads and body always follows: "Abstract Thoughts? The Body Takes Them Literally" by Natalie Angier, NYTimes.com dated 02/02/10
Basics of Mindfulness
- http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/visions/wellness-vol7/whats-the-buzz-about-mindfulness
Basics of Mindfulness from Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness-Based-Stressed-Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based-Cognitive-Therapy (MBCT): "What's the Buzz about Mindfulness" by Marian A. Smith.
- http://www.mindful.org/mindfulness-practice/mindfulness-and-awareness/five-steps-to-mindfulness
Basics of Mindfulness from Thich Nhat Hanh: "Five Steps to Mindfulness" by Thich Nhat Hanh
- http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2010/11/wandering-mind-not-a-happy-mind/
A recent Harvard study, well publicized in the popular press, that demonstrates that attentive focus / mindfulness is critically tied to our basic sense of happiness: "Wandering Mind Not A Happy Mind" by Steve Bradt, Harvard Gazette, November 11, 2010.
Obstacles to Practice
- http://www.mindful.org/mindfulness-practice/meditation-in-action/why-we-find-it-hard-to-meditate
A discussion of some of the obstacles to mindfulness practice: "Why We Find it Hard to Meditate" by Ed and Deb Shapiro.
Help Developing and Maintaining Ones Own Mindfulness / Meditation Practice
- http://www.getsomeheadspace.com
For help setting up your own practice, here is a great website to get you started. The first ten days, ten minutes a day, are free of charge, and you can use these days as continuous support (i.e. for longer than 10 days!) The site is called: "Get Some Headspace," and is hosted by Andy Puddicombe. Be sure to check out the 3 introductory web-videos, they are also very useful.
- http://www.calm.com/
If you're at the computer a lot, and would like to enjoy a few moments of mind rest, there is a nice site called calm.com. You choose either a 2, 5, 10, 15, or 20 minute meditation, and whether you prefer a guided or non-guided meditation. Either way, beautiful music plays, and you choose from any number of restful image-sequences to help you settle down. Highly recommended. Also available as an App for your smart-phone. Both the online and App versions are free of charge.
Monique Tirion has an interest in physical science, and has conducted original research in the field of biomolecular physics. Since 2004, she has maintained a daily yoga and meditation practice, alongside her husband, and for the last 5 years she has hosted a weekly meditation session in the Labyrinth room of SUNY Potsdam.