Spring is finally here!! Although these beginning days of spring are still quite chilly, it has been energizing to have longer days and the anticipation of spring blooms coming soon!
The spring Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program starts April 24th and I will be co-facilitating with psychiatrist, Dr. Neil Levitsky. Visit his website for some very useful resources on cognitive therapy www.cognitivetoronto.com
Mindfulness is a non-judgmental way of paying attention in the present moment. This helps us to relate differently to life problems, and conditions such as Depression and Anxiety, opening us to the possibility for change, reducing our reactivity.
Mindfulness is not something that you have to “get” or acquire. It is already within you – a deep internal resource available and patiently waiting to be reawakened and used in the service of learning, growing and healing.
The main way we formally practice mindfulness in this program is through various forms of meditation and gentle yoga. These are practiced at home; you can expect about an hour a day of homework.
Our next course is starting on Wednesdays, from April 24th to June 19th, 5:00-7:30 pm (except May 22nd), and one Sunday session from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm on June 2nd. All sessions will be held at the Yonge Lawrence Centre for Counselling and Consulting. We are now accepting enrolment for the upcoming MBSR course in the spring.
More information: click on MBSR Spring Session 2013
For all current and past participants we will be holding our retreat on June 9nd. RSVP required.
Here is an interesting article entitled Mindfulness Meditation Training Changes Brain Structure in Eight Weeks
