Mindfulness is a practice of cultivating non-judgmental awareness in day to day life.  As we learn to become better observers of our experience in the moment, we learn to manage our emotions and prevent them from hijacking the brain.  Recent studies of the brain show that not only does the brain affect our experience (thoughts, feelings, behavior), but that our experience affects the brain.  How we think, feel and act changes the chemistry and structure of the brain.  

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, developed originally by Jon Kabat-Zinn, is a program that teaches how to use mindfulness to promote improved health and healing.  The skills learned can become part of a lifelong journey leading toward personal and social transformation.  This, of course, takes practice, and the workshop helps us start or continue on our way.  We will be meeting for eight 90 minute sessions on Thursday evening.  The content of the workshop includes didactic teaching, experiential learning and discussion.  There will be a half day silent retreat planned for a Saturday afternoon, 3-7pm toward the end of the workshop, which includes a vegetarian meal.  Handout material will be provided in the first class and will include a CD with guided meditations.

What is required of you is to come with an open mind, commitment to attend regularly and the willingness to practice mindful meditation daily (we will learn and discuss a variety of practices in the class).

The didactic content of the classes include information about stress management, the brain/body’s response to stress and behavioral skills that are useful in managing stress. 

This workshop is open to the public, it is non-denominational and health focused.  It is offered as education, and is not meant to be nor intended in any way as a replacement for therapy.

Winter 2012 Session:

Thursdays 6: 30 – 8:00 pm Jan 26 – March 22, 2012  (no session Feb 16)

Silent retreat will be held on Saturday, March 10th 3 – 7 pm.

Fees and Registration

The cost for the full eight weeks including the half day retreat is $80.00.  If that is a hardship, please contact the facilitators to discuss a scholarship reduction in cost.  The fee is payable at the time of registration.  To register, please contact the workshop facilitator(s) at any time.  Both can be reached via email: sullybro@rochester.rr.com.  Phone is 585-329- 9358 (Peter Sullivan) or 585- 329- 5759 (Wendy Sullivan)