4/9/2021
Often people just want to be heard, to have someone really listen to them. We can do this by listening mindfully, listening and paying attention in the same way we pay attention when we are meditating. When we meditate, we choose an object of attention, like the sensations of breathing, and place our attention there. Then when the mind wanders and we begin thinking, as soon as we notice the thinking, we direct the attention back to the sensations of breathing. As we do this, we can check in with our emotional state, noticing how we are feeling. When we listen to someone else, we can listen in the same way. We can make what they are saying the object of our attention, and notice when we get caught up in the dialogue that often is going on in our heads while we listen, or appear to be listening.
3/22/2021
All of us have core beliefs through which we judge the world. Often they are so ingrained we are not even aware that we have them, they are just the way we see things and think they should be. The most powerful core beliefs often come from recurrent stress or trauma that occurred when we were young. Why is this? Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of our brains to rewire and change. Our brains are very plastic when we are young, and they rewire all the time. When we have recurrent experiences, the connections become more well established, to the point that we aren’t even aware of their influence. As psychologist and meditation teacher Tara Brach has observed, “Although rooted in the past, our core beliefs feel current and true” (True Refuge p. 119).
3/22/2021
Mindfulness Training Improves Visual Processing and Attention in Older Adults Mindfulness has been shown to improve attention, which often declines with aging. These investigators used electroencephalograms (EEGs) to examine neural…
New Fee Structure for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Classes
3/2/2021
The Mindfulness Center will implement a new sliding-scale “pay what you can” fee structure beginning with the next Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction class which is scheduled to start on April 15. …
2/24/2021
Heart Rate Variability Is Enhanced by Mindfulness Practice This study evaluated the effect of a 10-day mindfulness intervention using the Headspace app on heart rate variability (HRV), mindfulness and perceived…
2/24/2021
By Cawood Fitzhugh, newly certified teacher The training to become certified to teach Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a rigorous and systematic process of courses, retreats and mentoring. All along the way, there is a focus on practice, reflection and self-knowledge. In addition, there is ongoing formative assessment and developmental feedback to support learning and skill development. MBSR is more than just teaching, it is a way of life. The nature of teaching MBSR means that the teacher’s own meditation practice and the way they approach their life matters. This translates to the classroom and to their teaching. There is the possibility of having their way of being and their most cherished values and priorities align with their work and their personal lives in a way that makes a difference in the world.
Thinking Mindfully: How Mindfulness Relates to Rumination
1/18/2021
Investigators from Germany conducted studies with two groups (70 students and 149 from the general population) using smartphones to page the participants six times daily. Each time they were paged,…
My Observations About Teaching MBSR
1/18/2021
Now that I am retiring after 17 years as an instructor of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at the UVa Mindfulness Center, I want to share a few observations about my experiences. MBSR is an 8-week course which, as taught at UVa, is open to people from Charlottesville and surrounding communities, as well as to UVa faculty and staff. With the tremendous growth in the popularity of mindfulness over recent years, an increasing number of people bring to class some familiarity with the subject. What many lack, however, is a systematic exploration of mindfulness and its applications in all areas of life—at work, at home, and at play.
12/17/2020
The end of the year is near, and what a year it has been. Although it has been very trying, there are signs of better times ahead. The coronavirus pandemic has had an immeasurable impact, and vaccines may finally change its course. The pandemic as well as the tragic deaths of multiple innocent people killed by police have highlighted issues of systemic racism and racial injustice and will hopefully lead to lasting changes. The results of the presidential election have been contested as never before, and the outcome finally seems settled. Despite these hopeful signs, all of these events have led to uncertainty, pain and grief. How can mindfulness help in coping with these?
New Advanced Mindful Leadership Training Course for UVA Leaders and Managers Coming in February
12/15/2020
The Mindfulness Center, in collaboration with Hoos Well and UVA HR, will be conducting an 8-week Advanced Mindful Leadership Training Course starting on February 15. Mindful leadership is based on…