Join us this fall for four different mindfulness workshops presented by Human Resources and the Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness.

Introduction to Mindfulness

September 23rd, 3-4:30 p.m., 2270 Kirkhof Center | September 30th 12-1:30 p.m., 303C DeVos Center

Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to, and seeing clearly what is happening in our lives one moment at a time.  Since the late 1970's there has been an explosion in publications and research articles documenting the medical and psychological benefits of mindfulness.  Mindfulness supports the ability to recognize and step away from habitual, often unconscious emotional and physiological reactions to everyday events, and to live in a way that embraces healthy choices, flexibility and creativity both at work and at home.  This 2-hour introductory workshop will provide an overview of the history and research as well as exercises and suggestions for how participants can bring mindfulness into both personal and professional lives.

Schedule

• September 23rd 3-4:30 p.m., 2270 Kirkhof Center
  Introduction to Mindfulness 
• September 30th 12-1:30 p.m., 303C DeVos Center
  Introduction to Mindfulness
• October 8th 12-1:30 p.m., 2270 Kirkhof Center
  Interpersonal Mindfulness
• November 11th 3-4:30 p.m., Kirkhof Center 2266
  Mindful Eating (in time for the holidays)
• December 3rd 12-1:30 p.m., Kirkhof Center 2270
  Mindful Parenting

Interpersonal Mindfulness

October 8th 12-1:30 p.m., 2270 Kirkhof Center

Our lives are webs of social relationships and communication. In all relationships, we find joys and tensions, the wish that things be different, appreciation, longing and challenges. Often, we function in our relationships with others as if we are asleep; being pulled by likes and dislikes, assumptions and judgments. Developing an interpersonal mindfulness practice helps us cultivate our abilities to be more present, kind, and responsive in the moment with self and others. 

Introduction to Mindful Eating

November 11th 3- 4:30 p.m., Kirkhof 2266

Mindful Eating is a transformative approach to helping people change their relationship to food.  The practice of mindfulness helps us bring more awareness to our eating habits and helps us reconnect with our body’s cues, so we can consciously decide when and what to eat as well as learn to better manage the impulsive urges to eat that may arise from emotional triggers. This two-hour presentation will provide an introduction to the basic principles of Mindful Eating. The session will include mindful eating exercises and suggestions for how participants can bring mindful eating into their everyday life.

Introduction to Mindful Parenting

December 3rd 12-1:30 p.m., Kirkhof 2270

Parenting is full of joys and challenges and can produce a considerable amount of stress for everyone involved. It is very difficult to be kind when you feel like you are going to explode or you just want to hide under the covers. It is vitally important to learn how to cultivate a deep sense of compassion for self and for all members of the family as well as the clarity to know how to step out of reactivity in order to respond more effectively in the moment. Learn how to take responsibility for your own behavior and how to start over in each moment of the parenting journey!