Mindfulness Meditation Classes
Mindfulness Meditation Orientation Session (free)
Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013
7 to 8 p.m.
Mindfulness Meditation Eight-Week Class (Fee: $300)
Classes begin Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, and end Wednesday, March 27, 2013.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Call the Center for Integrative Medicine at UPMC Shadyside, at 412-623-3023 for more information and to register.
What Is Mindfulness Meditation?
Mindfulness meditation is derived from the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program originally developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in the late 1970s by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD. Mindfulness meditation is an eight-week class that is currently offered at more than 250 hospitals, universities, and clinical settings in the United States and around the world.
The program’s primary aim is to develop skills that can be flexibly applied in everyday life to stress, pain, and illness. The Mindfulness Meditation Program at the Center for Integrative Medicine is modeled after the original University of Massachusetts program that was featured in Newsweek magazine.
The entire program is based upon systematic and intensive training in mindfulness meditation and mindful hatha yoga. Participants learn and refine a range of self-regulatory skills that involve finely tuned attention to thoughts, emotions, and reactivity to physical sensations. Through experiential learning and discussion during class, as well as daily homework practice, participants mobilize their inner resources for making positive changes in their health attitudes and behaviors.
The Mindfulness Meditation Program Includes:
- A group orientation session to help you decide if you would like to sign up for this program;
- An eight-week program that meets once per week for two hours each time
- Instruction and group practice that includes several formal mindfulness meditation skills -- sitting meditation, body scan, and walking meditation;
- Instruction and practice of mindful hatha yoga, a series of gentle stretches and postures;
- Discussion of the roles of stress, thoughts, and emotions as they may contribute to chronic pain and illness;
- CD(s) of meditation guidance for home practice;
- Silent meditation practice half-day retreat for current and past class participants;
Who Can Benefit From Mindfulness Meditation?
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, up to two-thirds of all office visits to family doctors are for stress-related symptoms. Depression and anxiety disorders are associated with chronic illness and chronic pain and should be addressed as part of the overall management of health problems. Mindfulness meditation may help reduce medical symptoms and psychological distress as well as the need for clinical services.
Health Benefits of MBSR and Meditation
- Reduced pain
- Reduced medical symptoms
- Improved immune system function
- Improved mental health
- decreased stress hormones
- Improved sleep
Mindfulness Meditation Has Been Researched in Conjunction With:
- Chronic pain
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cancer quality of life
- Heart disease and risks
- Stress
Join us in achieving heightened awareness and control over your mind and body. Register for a free orientation session and the eight-week class by calling 412-623-3023 or complete the registration form (PDF) and bring it to the orientation session, or fax or or return via e-mail to: grecocm@upmc.edu
Continuing education (CEU) credits will be offered for nurses, psychologists, social workers, and licensed counselors through Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC.
This class is taught by Carol Greco, PhD. She has practiced mindfulness meditation for 16 years and participated in MBSR teacher training at the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society.