In preparation for the Awareness of Breath Meditation we will start with a few minutes of gentle stretching with awareness or chair yoga. We gently stretch the body while paying attention to those physical sensations that are most predominate as we 1) stretch our hands up over our head, 2) then we’ll do neck rotations in three directions, 3) followed by shoulder rolls back and forward in wide full circles, finishing with gentle spinal stretches. If the mind wanders with thoughts of the…

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The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) workshop provides guidelines and practices for bringing mindfulness to stress/suffering that we all experience in life. MBSR was developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the Center for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts in 1979. It is one of the most effective and researched stress reduction workshops available today. MBSR is taught and researched at US medical centers, universities, and elsewhere throughout the world. And the MBSR workshop is available…

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In the service of Mindfulness

Developing a concentration meditation practice can bring about a sense of joy and happiness as afflictive thoughts and emotions are set aside, temporarily. Practicing concentration also supports Mindfulness or Insight practice, which is an effective way of changing your relationship to different forms of stress or suffering.

The ability to keep the mind focused on one object or “one-pointedness” has several benefits. Below we discuss four ways to…

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A free Loran Smith Center, Piedmont Athens Regional

Explore a few ways to enjoy a less stressful vacation, mindfully.

Mindfulness Meditation – Attention, Concentration, Awareness, with Compassion

Mindfulness is awareness that arises by paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally (that is, suspending judgment). Mindfulness involves training in attention, awareness, concentration, and compassion.

Key aspects of mindfulness: Concentration – the ability to…

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A free offering from the Loran Smith Center, Piedmont Athens Regional

“When hungry – just eat.”
This is wonderful advice found in eastern philosophy/psychology. And Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch speak of “intuitive eating” and “awakening the intuitive eater” in their book “Intuitive Eating” (1995). But how do we follow this sage advice to – just eat when hungry?

Mindful Eating Overview
Food and eating play a major and important role in our everyday life. Mindfulness…

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Sponsored by the Loran Smith Center at Athens Regional Medical Center

Mindfulness
Mindfulness Meditation or formal sitting meditation practice – Concentration and Awareness

Mindfulness is awareness that arises when we pay attention on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally. Awareness – another way of knowing that is non-cognitive, experiential; Present moment – now (“Be Here Now”), not in the future or in the past. Paying attention, both through formal meditation and…

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A free offering from the Loran Smith Center, Piedmont Athens Regional

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is awareness that arises by paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally (that is, suspending judgment). Another way to define mindfulness is to look at its components – Attention, Concentration, Awareness, and Compassion and its benefits.

Key Aspects – Mindfulness involves training in attention, awareness, concentration, and compassion: Attention –…

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Resolutions are future oriented, and we often find them difficult to achieve. By cultivating intentions mindfully, we are working with habitual habits of behavior in the present moment, both in meditation and in every day life. Explore cultivating intentions mindfully as a more effective way to achieve your goals.

Mindfulness Meditation – Attention, Concentration, Awareness, with Compassion

Mindfulness is awareness that arises by paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment,…

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Research shows gratitude improves health, helps you to feel more connected, decreases depression and increase your sense of wellbeing.

Mindfulness Meditation – Concentration, Awareness, with Compassion Mindfulness is awareness that arises by paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally. Mindfulness involves training in attention, awareness, concentration, and compassion.

Key aspects of mindfulness: Concentration the ability to stay focused on one object,…

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A free Loran Smith Center, Piedmont Athens Regional

Mindfully Dealing with Holiday Stress

Dealing with Holiday Stress – with Mindfulness

We plan to discuss a few effective and immediate ways to manage holiday stress. Then, we will discuss and practice mindfulness as a way to deal with stress as a longer-term strategy for changing your relationship with stress, anxiety, sadness and other challenging holiday emotions and situations. Mindfulness – a simple and effective but not always…

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