Online Intro to Mindfulness for "Stay At Home" time.

For this online version, we will meet for 1.15 hour once a week, on 4 consecutive Thursday mornings, 930 - 1045A, beginning May 7th. We will be using a Zoom classroom to learn and practice with some very practical mindfulness skills for learning ways to work with our stress that are stronger, healthier and just feel better. These practices won't be complicated or involve a lot of time. Small bits of practice done often is actually better than setting out with a large commitment that quickly gets dropped-- and in this current world situation, these small bits done often are even more important than before. 

This class is offered for a $10 registration fee, and then a "pay as you are able" model. If the $10 registration fee is a challenge for you, please email Lindsay Bridges at lbridges@ccmindful.org to get registered. 
Please consider the following sliding scale:
Low Income $25 - $50
Mid Income $50 - $100
Upper Income $100 - $200
Whatever amounts allows you to participate is welcome.


When: Thursday Mornings 930 - 1045A,
5/7
5/14
5/21
5/28
Where: Zoom classroom, please register to get the link
Cost: $10 to register, then "pay as you are able." Please email lbridges@ccmindful.org to defer the $10 if needed.
Teacher: Lindsay Bridges, MD

Register

Below is information for the live class version, currently on hold.

This class is  from neuro-scientific understandings of mindfulness, this class is a practical, skills-based course that offers the opportunity for greater confidence, ease and sense of well-being right in the midst of life’s realities.

While our 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) class provides the most in-depth introduction to mindfulness, this class is offered for people who either don’t have the time for the 8-week course, or who want to have a “lighter” first class. It can also be appropriate for experienced meditators who are looking for a refresher or want to work on integrating mindfulness meditation as a life skill for managing stress.

​Benefits

There are many scientifically documented benefits of practicing mindfulness. These benefits include:

• Improved physical wellbeing (e.g., improved immune response, decreased pain, and decreased blood pressure)
• Improved mental and emotional wellbeing (e.g., reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, improved focus and concentration)
• Improved interpersonal skills and relationship quality (e.g., better listening skills, increased compassion)
• Greater resources to make changes, try new activities, and deal with life’s challenges
• Greater meaning and fulfillment (e.g., increased clarity about personal values)

Class Format 

• ​Orientation Session
• 2 hour class for 5 weeks
• Beginning formal and informal mindfulness meditation practice
• Sitting, walking and gentle mindful yoga meditations (appropriate for any condition)
• Guided CD’s/mp3’s for home use
• Basic neuroscience to better understand the effectiveness of mindfulness
• Integration of mindfulness skills for daily life

Cost

​We believe strongly in making this class available to anyone who believes that Mindful Eating might be helpful in their life and is willing to commit themselves to do the work. Therefore, we offer this class on an honor-system based Sliding Scale, and the generosity of those who are able and choose to pay more directly supports those who are not.

Our suggested scale rate is:

• High Income $300
• Medium Income $225
• Low Income $150

​
If $150 is difficult for you, please consider the class anyway. We ask that you decide what amount you can contribute as a commitment and investment in your own process as well as helping to support financial health of the class and our ability to offer this kind of sliding scale.

No one is ever turned away for financial reasons. For more information on the sliding scale and/or a payment plan option, please contact the teacher.

The registration fee for the orientation session is $15. If, after the orientation session, you choose to sign up for the class, the $15 may be applied to your class cost. If the $15 fee is an obstacle for you, please email us directly.

I got what I hoped for—and so much more… Mindfulness led me into a self-awareness and connection… that I was not expecting. My body learned to be more present with itself; my mind became more calm. I felt connected with the energy of my classmates; and my spirit was balanced. "

Susan B.

​Upcoming Classes & Registration

​More classes coming in 2020
Contact Lindsay Bridges for more information (lbridges@ccmindful.org, 704-299-0768)

​Resources for more Information

MBSR overview video from UMass Center for Mindfulness
Healing and The Mind – PBS documentary on MBSR with Bill Moyers and Jon Kabat-Zinn
History of MBSR (includes a video on MBSR research)