Mindful Being

Improve ability to focus and pay attention

Boost immune system functioning

Decrease anxiety, depression, and physical pain

Change the structure and functioning of the brain, including calming areas of emotional reactivity and increasing gray matter in areas of impulse control, judgment, memory, and learning.

A Personal Note from Our Founder

Mindfulness meditation changed my life which is why I share it with others. As a young person who struggled with mild anxiety, there came a time that my own anxiety increased to a level that caused me suffering. By that time, I was a psychologist who was adept at helping others with anxiety, among other issues, but I did not have a personal practice to calm myself. In 2007, with no idea what I was getting into, I plunged into my first 7-day silent mindfulness retreat.

At the retreat, I learned to watch my own mind for long periods of time and saw, clearly, how the chatter rarely ceased. Much of it was repetitive. I noticed my frustration with people and events that I could not control, as well as regular criticisms of myself and others. We all struggle from time-to-time with life’s challenges. I needed to learn how to quiet my mind, find acceptance, and become more compassionate with myself and others.

From that time on, I could not get enough of mindfulness. I listened to tapes in my car and regularly practiced mindful driving. My walks often became practice. I connected monthly with teachers and a practice group. I have also attended several 7-10 day silent retreats annually with national teachers.

While many people will not get as enthusiastic as I did about mindfulness; like most things in life, the more we put into it, the more we get out of it. Many people have found that practicing for a short period daily–perhaps 10 to 20 minutes—has a positive impact on their day.

I hope you will experience my class as warm, inviting and supportive. I am here to assist you with developing a practice and if you so choose, to become engaged with a practice community to support you.

I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Ann Friedman, PhD.