Do you find yourself constantly worrying about the future, stuck in the past, or on "auto-pilot"? Mindfulness is about paying attention and cultivating an awareness of your thoughts, actions, and motivations. Two decades of published research indicate that the majority of people who complete an MBSR program experience:
An ability to respond more effectively to both short and long-term stress
Decreased pain and an improved ability to cope with pain or illness that may not go away
Potential benefits to immune function
An ability to make choices with greater clarity and awareness
An increased sense of well-being and appreciation for life
We are offering a modified 4-part series, introducing the basic tools of MBSR. These include practicing gentle, mindful movement, sitting and walking meditation, body scan meditation, and group dialogue. Mindfulness-Based Programs are taught in a non-religious way and focus on integrating mindfulness into the realities of daily living.
People taking MBSR classes come from all walks of life, but they share a common interest in that they want to find more balance, peace, and happiness in their lives. They are committed to doing the “homework” and to learning to actively participate in their own care.
SCHEDULE: 4-week series on Mon., Aug. 22 - Sept. 19 at 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Silent retreat Sat. Sept. 17 from 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Please note, we will not have class on September 5 due to Labor Day.
LOCATION: Virtual and In-Person (Basecamp @ PSVMC)
SPECIAL NOTE: In-person class has limited capacity, masking is required.
FREE CLASS: Registration is required.
INSTRUCTOR: Carole Melkonian, RN, L.Ac., has been practicing meditation for over 30 years. She trained for four years at a Zen Buddhist monastery, and for 16 years studied closely with Thich Nhat Hanh - helping start his publishing company, Parallax Press, in 1985. In 1997, she attended the MBSR training course with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli and has since taught MBSR in Northern California, at the National College of Natural Medicine and, since 2009, she has been teaching in the Providence Hospital System. Under the guidance of Tara Brach and James Baraz, she completed the 3-year Community Dharma Leadership Training, which certifies her to teach meditation courses. She has attended 3-month meditation retreats every year since 2010. In 2015 she spent 13 consecutive months on a meditation retreat at Buddhist monasteries in England, USA, and Canada. She continues to do month-long mindfulness meditation retreats at least once a year. Since February 2016, she has resumed her work as a meditation instructor, hospice RN at Hopewell House, and Licensed Acupuncturist.