
They could lie quietly, concentrate on each tiny bit of their body in turn, and notice how each part feels, from their scalp to their toes. Kabat-Zinn also taught patients to perform a body scan, a second way to train their attention. When their attention wandered, as it inevitably does, they learned to observe their thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judging them, then to gently bring their attention back to their breath and the present moment. That is, he taught people to select a quiet spot, sit still, close their eyes, and focus on their breathing.

The exercise he chose-and the core of most mindfulness programs-is concentrating on one’s own breath. Kabat-Zinn defined mindfulness as “the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally, to the unfolding of experience moment by moment.” He saw it as a way to train the mind, which he thought of as being like a muscle: With exercise, it could get stronger. Mindfulness is even used to treat post-traumatic stress, rheumatic arthritis, eating disorders, immune disorders, insomnia, and irritable bowel syndrome. Since then, studies have shown that Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program-and its many offspring-reduces chronic pain, as well as lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, stress, anxiety, and depression. In the late 1970s, Jon Kabat-Zinn, a biologist at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, realized that a non-religious form of meditation, which he dubbed “mindfulness,” might help patients deal with chronic pain. No matter which mindfulness program or app is guiding them-whether it’s Calm Classroom, Mind Yeti, MindUP, Mindful Schools, Quiet Time, Inner Kids, Kindness Curriculum, or one of the many other programs available-it is sure to stem from the Buddhist tradition of meditation. Question: What do hundreds of thousands of children worldwide have in common with Google employees, US military personnel, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Boston Red Sox? There is no charge for attending, but donations to support our work are appreciated.Mindfulness, Children, and Teachers: The Sound of Silence Posted: J| Author: Judy Sklar Rasminsky | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: amygdala, brain development, calm classroom, challenging behavior, executive function, inner kids, kindness curriculum, mind yeti, mindful schools, mindfulness, mindUP, quiet time, self-regulation, teachers, young children | Leave a comment Please arrive early with your vaccination card to register on your way in. Our in-person venue requires that you are fully vaccinated to enter. Pre-registration, via the links provided, help us to prepare and ensure that we have room for everyone.ġst Tuesday of each month, starting August 2, 1:00 – 2:00 PM – South Hills JCCĢnd Saturday of each month, August 13, 8:30-9:30 AM – Squirrel Hill JCCģrd Monday of each month, starting August 15, 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Squirrel Hill JCC In-person and on-line Guided Mindfulness MeditationĪwaken Pittsburgh is offering three monthly guided meditations open to anyone! This is a chance to practice in community together.Įach session follows the same format: introductions, a period of guided meditation, and then a chance to support one another, discuss how our meditations are going at home, and ask any questions we have about practice. Design mindfulness-based lesson plan objectives.Integrate a trauma-informed approach to delivering mindfulness to students.Facilitate students’ natural capacity to give and receive love, empathy, and compassion.Nurture students’ positive self-talk and self-compassion.Help students understand and identify their stress responses.Lead age-appropriate mindfulness practices with students.Embody and model in the classroom and with colleagues.

SAMPLES MINDUP CURRICULUM PROFESSIONAL
For school staff, a 12-hour program will then be delivered to fit your professional development calendar and could be offered in a variety of structures and formats.

We typically begin with a one-hour presentation to the parents and community about the program. Its goal is to guide school staff in bringing meditation and mindfulness practices into their professional educational praxis after they have introduced it into their own lives through Mindful Connections™ for Educators. Mindful Connections for Classrooms is an evidence-based program unique to Awaken Pittsburgh.
