Sometimes I gain amazing insight from my students, both on the mat and in a mindfulness class. During my initial Koru Mindfulness class Wednesday night we were discussing the definition of mindfulness, as posited by the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn. Kabat-Zinn defines mindfulness as “the act of paying attention to the present moment without judgment, and with compassion for yourself and others.” This succinct definition captures the essential elements of mindfulness, and it is used by many teachers in the Mindfulness Community. In the discussion one of my students added, so then “we are paying attention to paying attention.” I think that this is a great summary of how to best practice mindfulness and I am grateful for their inspiration.
Trauma Informed Mindfulness, a.k.a. Trauma Sensitive or Trauma Responsive Mindfulness Training
Dr. Gabor Matte, the renowned Canadian specialist describes trauma as being more than the precipitating event (or events) in the quote below:
I am always eager to add to my knowledge of how to best welcome people living with the aftermath of traumatic experiences to the yoga mat, to a mindfulness class or sangha (meeting), or to one of my resilience coaching programs.
I am participating in a three-day course on how to better understand the varied sources of trauma and how to apply best practices in bringing our students the best possible experience. Sometimes, the traditional meditation method of “leaning into to your trauma” only reinforces the pain. This course is adding additional best practices to my Trauma Informed “toolkit,” such as encouraging the student to change their “object of meditation” or “anchor” to disrupt intrusive thoughts. In effect, we are applying the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principle of “changing your thoughts” and “you are not your thoughts.” I am enjoying the course thus far, and after some time for reflection I hope to bring other best practices to your attention.
Yoga Workshop for Men – 16 October 2021
Men are often notorious for hiding injuries, denying the degree of discomfort or pain they live with, or wishing away the effects of aging. I know – I was one of them. Years of injuries brought me, some what reluctantly to yoga in 2008. I have not stopped practicing this ancient discipline since then – which is the best recommendation that I can provide.
Yoga For Men Workshop – Agility, flexibility, strength and relaxation
Would you like to learn a new way to feel calmer and stronger that would also improve your agility and flexibility? Let us show you how with yoga!
Do you suffer with tightness in your body such as your hamstrings hips and shoulders? What about your back? We will show you specific yoga poses that you can use every day to soften and release those crucial points in the male body.
We will listen to your needs and offer options and variations that suits your body.
And yoga comes with the added bonus to teach you how to properly relax so that you can tap into your full potential using the breath to go deeper.
Whether you play sports or not, think of releasing tension and feeling flexible and agile, and feeling relaxed… think how your performance will increase just by feeling at ease with your body!
Join us in this workshop to learn a new way to strength. The workshop is available in Studio and Online. In Studio: $35+tax Online $30+tax
10% off for Unlimited Members (contact us to claim your 10% discount)
Sign up here(link is external): Breathing Space Tantallon (mindbodyonline.com)
or email us(link sends e-mail) for more info or to pay by e-transfer.
