MIND & BODY APPROACH

For more information, please visit my blog at http://www.themindfulpractice.org/

 

You are all in this together!

Mindfulness, certainly NOT new to the field of health professionals, is a skill that compassionate & competent therapists bring to every minute of every session with every client. Paying attention (to you), with purpose & without judgment.

  

MIND:  (noun) a process that regulates the flow of energy and information

 

MINDFUL: (Noun) The quality or state of being conscious or aware of something without judgment; paying attention on purpose in the present moment. A parent might say, “Mind your manners,” basically asking them to focus on their politeness.

 

MEDITATE vs. MINDFULNESS:  Meditate: (verb) To engage in contemplation or reflection. Meditation is simply one of several tools for achieving mindfulness.

Mindfulness has its origins in ancient meditative practices many centuries ago & all traditions cultivate mindfulness. Differences between various meditative traditions are unimportant as long as the focus is on greater well being & minimizing harm. All mindfulness techniques are a form of meditation.

 

Mindfulness Techniques

• involve being kind & forgiving of yourself

• unify mind & body

• are compatible & can be anchored to your goals or spiritual beliefs

• are all forms of meditation

 

Based on your specific need, I utilize breathing exercises & an inter play of various meditative techniques:

• Concentration

• Mindfulness

• Reflective

• Creative

• Heart-centered

 

HOW IT WORKS

It allows us to create a neutral zone, or lounge area, around the habits of our mind & body so we can notice & observe them non-judgmentally and make an alternative plan. Have a seat, put your feet up, take a deep breath.  With consistent practice, it gives us opportunities to:

• choose how we relate to our automatic responses (“I’m angry with myself when I yell at my family.”),

• choose habits that empower and are congruent with our values (walking away, using “I” statements to demonstrate respect).

• move closer to our goals (feel happier, improve connection & communication with others).

 

There is an abundance of research substantiating that with regular practice, mindfulness can reduce pain and suffering among individuals struggling with many different types of physical and/or mental challenges. Imaging studies show that practicing mindfulness soothes brain patterns underlying pain, eventually altering the structure of the brain itself, resulting in patients no longer feeling pain with the same intensity.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/use-your-mind-change-your-brain/201305/is-your-brain-meditation

 

Our minds can be in the past, present or future, but our body is in the present.  Practicing mindfulness brings both mind & body in the present, unifying & coordinating their dialogue with one another.  It weakens the neural pathways/connections to our ineffective old ways of responding, changing our automatic reactions we have collected over a lifetime.

Mindfulness is NOT:

• a religion; there are no necessary religious components about paying attention to the present moment

• just for those who have knowledge or previous experience with meditation

 Benefits: (this is not an exclusive list)

• free

• no special knowledge or skill needed

• reduces anxiety/worry/rumination

• increases relaxation

• improves dialogue between mind & body

• helps us to trust in our own experiences and perceptions

• increases connection with self and others

• improves concentration & working memory

• resiliency~ improved ability to cope with & accept adversity

• reduces “brain chatter”

• increases creativity

• improves patience

• increases pleasure