Online Intro to Mindfulness 

This online version is a brief 4 session class that will guide you through simple and practical strategies to reduce stress and maintain your sanity during COVID-19.  In this class, we will learn and practice mindfulness as a way to support each other in becoming healthier and stronger. These practices won't be complicated or involve a lot of time. Small bits of practice done often is better than making a large commitment that’s quickly dropped. In our current world situation, we need brief, regular, and reliable strategies to address our acute and chronic stressors. Over 40 years of research have found that mindfulness meditation can improve physical and psychological health.

Summer 2020 details:

When: Thursday Evenings 630 - 745p, August 6th through August 27th
Where: Google classroom, please register to get the link
Cost: $10 to register, then "pay as you are able." Please email jjohnson@ccmindful.org to defer the $10 if needed.

Please consider the following sliding scale:

Low Income $25 - $50
Mid Income $50 - $100
Upper Income $100 - $200

Whatever amount allows you to participate is welcome!
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Teacher: Jude Johnson, MA, LMFT 

Note:  For Mindful Parenting Class, please see "Online Offerings" at the bottom page.

Register

Below is information for the in-person class version, currently on hold.

This class is taught from a neuro-scientific perspective of mindfulness, and 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 mindfulness 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

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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)