LivinginthePresent:MindfulnessforEducators

BethRieken

introduction

WorkshopStructure

• Introduction• Part1:Whatismindfulness?• Part2:Benefitsofmindfulness• Part3:Simplemindfulnesstechniques• Closing

Ingredientsfordiscovery

• Whatyoubring:• Interestinmindfulness• Experienceworkingwithstudents

• WhatIoffer:• Basicsofmindfulness• Simplemindfulnesstechniques

let’s breathe

Part1:Whatismindfulness?

Yourexperiencewithmindfulness

Whatactivities,words,and/orimagesdoyouassociatewith“mindfulness”?

“Payingattentioninaparticularway:onpurpose,inthepresentmoment,andnon-judgmentally”(Kabat-Zinn,1994).

Part2:Benefitsofmindfulness

GeneralBenefitsofMindfulness

• Reducesstress&anxiety• Betterattention,workingmemory• Lessemotionalreactivity• Increasesself-awareness,self-compassion

happybrainmovement.com

Benefitsforeducators

• Toolforself-care• Improvesfocusandawareness• Increasesresponsivenesstostudent’sneeds• Increasesawarenessofpersonalaccomplishment• Supportshealthyworkrelationships

Part3:Simplemindfulnesstechniques

MindfulBreathing

• Prepare:• Take5minutestositstillinaquiet,comfortableplace• Turnoffphone,putasideyourto-dolist• Setatimer• Findacomfortablesittingposition

• Basicsteps:• Breathenormallyandpayattentiontothesensationofyourbreath• Noticewhenyourmindwanders• Gentlyreturnyourattentiontoyourbreath

MindfulListening

Whydidyouchosetoattendthiswork/lifebalanceworkshop?

• Listeninsilence• Givefullattentiontospeaker• Becuriousbutdon’taskquestionswhilelistening• Ifthespeakerrunsoutofthingstosay,givehim/herthespaceforsilence

• RASA=Receive,payattentiontotheperson;Appreciate;Summarize;Ask,askquestionsafterward(JulianTreasureTEDtalk)

GratitudeJournaling

• Writesomethingyouaregratefulforafewtimesaweekinajournal• Settheintentiontobehappier/moregrateful• Tryfocusingonpeople andexperiences ratherthanthings• Thinkaboutthingsthatwereunexpectedorsurprising

MindfulMovement

• Mind-bodyconnection• Energizing:Backbends,SideBends• Calming:Forwardbends• Neutral:Twists

Mindfulnessforyoustudents

• Take1minute,orevenjust5breathsatthebeginningofeachclassbringattentionandawarenessintotheroom

SupportEachOther

• Considerstartingamindfulness“supportgroup”• Accountabilityfor5minutepractice• Communitytotalkaboutmindfulteaching–howisitgoing?whenisithard?whatdoyouenjoyaboutit?doyouthinkit’shelpful?• Attendyogaclasstogether

Closing

Recap

• Betterunderstandingofwhatmindfulnessmeans• Bigpictureofthebenefitsofmindfulness• Anassortmentofmindfulnesstechniquesyoucanchoosetotry

AdditionalResources

• Meditationapps:• Headspace• Calm

• MeditationcentersintheBayArea:• InsightMeditationCenter(audiodharmapodcast)• SpiritRockMeditationCenter

• Mindfulness-BasedStressReduction• PAMF

Reflection

Fromthisworkshop…• OnerealizationIhadis____.• Mynextstepwithmindfulnessis____.• I’dliketolearnmoreabout____.

Thankyouforyourtimeandengagement!