Mindfulness Hamilton

A Five Day Session Meditation Program (5 Wednesdays)
2017-03-22 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | Regent Wellness Centre, 150 Locke St S, Hamilton, Canada

Hamilton Yogathon 2017
2017-04-08 10:00 - 17:00
Pose for a Cause, Support our Students & our Community
Join Student Open Circles and your community for our 2nd Annual Yogathon. This day-long event will feature both yoga & meditation sessions in a variety of styles and levels. From beginners to experts- all are welcome! Sessions will be led by a variety of prominent teachers from local companies & studios. Register for one class or stay for the whole day!
Saturday April 8, 10am-5pm
Hamilton Mennonite Church, 143 Lower Horning Drive
Tickets: $15 – $40
The Yogathon raises funds for essential programs and services offered by Student Open Circles (SOC). With your help, SOC is making a positive difference in the lives of McMaster students and those in the Hamilton community.
To register and for more information: http://www.studentopencircles.com/yoga

A Mindful Society Conference Toronto April 21 - 25 2017
2017-04-21 - 2017-04-25
Finding Common Ground
Frontiers of Human and Community Potential
http://amindfulsociety.org/
for Super-Early Bird Registration go to: http://amindfulsociety.org/event/2017-amindfulsociety-registration/

5-Day MBCT & MBSR Advanced Training
2017-04-23
Deepen your facilitation skills.
This training intensive supports facilitation skills while focusing on strengthening the facilitation of mindful inquiry. At its deepest, it is about our relationship to the practice of mindfulness and to the articulation of that process. The curriculum is highly interactive and highlights the necessity of personal practice as a platform from which to teach.
This course will be led by Susan L. Woods and Dr. Patricia Rockman. Susan Woods is the Senior Guiding Teacher at the Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute, UC San Diego, and one of the world’s leading experts and trainers in mindful inquiry. Dr. Patricia Rockman is the Director of Education and Clinical Studies here at The Centre, and has been educating healthcare providers in stress reduction, CBT and mindfulness-based practices for over 20 years.
The heart of this training program focuses on developing skills that increase an embodied mindful presence, mindful inquiry, and examines the theme, rationale, intention and practice skills for each of the eight MBSR/MBCT sessions. We will pay attention to nurturing specific qualities associated with mindfulness—such as a present-moment-directed focus, an awareness that represents an inner and outer listening, and a compassionate stance that incorporates a willingness to meet our teaching edges with generosity and kindness. This training offers the time to nurture these qualities through silent mindfulness practice, through simulated patient-teacher encounters, discussion and personal supervision from the retreat leaders.
Participants Will Learn
• Demonstrate proficiency in embodying present-moment-directed skills
• Identify the components and characteristics of the delivery and practice of inquiry
• Describe how mindfulness offers a radical perceptual shift for approaching difficult modes of mind and moods and creates a platform of self-compassion for the client
• Describe the theme, rationale, intention and practice skills embedded in the MBSR/MBCT programs
• Articulate appropriate professional and personal ethics
Who Should Attend
MBSR and MBCT facilitators.
Prerequisites:
• Advanced degree in a health-related field
• Attendance at a 6-day professional MBSR training and/or a 5-day professional MBCT training
• Teaching experience; the facilitation of a minimum of 3 MBSR or MBCT groups before the start of the 5-day advanced training
• Personal on-going mindfulness meditation practice
• Have attended an annual 5 or 7-day silent teacher led mindfulness meditation retreat
Following registration, participants will be asked to provide:
• Your intentions/reasons for attending this advanced training
• The year you attended the professional training(s) in MBSR and/or MBCT with the teachers’ names
• The number of MBSR/MBCT courses taught and where
• An outline of your attendance at 5+ day silent teacher-led mindfulness meditation retreats
• A description of your daily meditation practice and in what tradition you practice
• Your professional CV
• If you’re not sure if you meet the prerequisites, please email these to info@mindfulnessstudies.com before registering.
This training fulfills part of the requirements for the Level 2: Supervised MBCT Facilitator Certification at The Centre for Mindfulness Studies as well as the MBSR and MBCT certification pathway at UCSD Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute.
Timing
Five-Day Retreat: Sunday afternoon to Friday afternoon
4pm on April 23, 2017 – 2pm on April 28, 2017
Fee: $2,400 double, $2,900 single
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
More…
Facilitator(s):Susan Woods MSW LICSW & Patricia Rockman MD CCFP FCFP

1-Day Mindfulness Core Concepts
2017-04-24 09:30 - 16:30
Learn about the research and application of mindfulness. This is the first module of our MBSR Core Facilitation Certificate Program.
This one-day highly experiential workshop will introduce participants to the origins, principles and practices of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and other mindfulness-based interventions. We will move between didactic and experiential sessions throughout the day. Participants will gain an understanding of the historical and scientific underpinnings of mindfulness and its application to stress and everyday life.
The morning session will consist of an orientation and overview of mindfulness concepts and origins, and experiential exercises working with the senses. The afternoon session will delve deeper into experiencing the body through simple practices, move into exploring thoughts and feelings, and end with a discussion of the applications of mindfulness to daily living and how to learn more about mindfulness.
Participants Will Learn
• How to define mindfulness and give a description of its theoretical underpinnings
• To train the attention to be more present-focused
• To start to apply core mindfulness practices to everyday life and difficult situations
• Resources to learn more about MBSR and other mindfulness-based interventions
Who Should Attend
This introductory course is meant for general interest and is most suitable for those interested in the personal and professional applications of mindfulness including healthcare providers, other professionals, and those wishing to teach MBSR or other mindfulness programs. There is no prerequisite for this course.
If you are pursuing the MBSR Facilitation Certificate and you have prior formal mindfulness training, please contact The Centre to see if you can be exempt from completing this first training module.
Timing
One-Day Course: Monday
April 24, 2017 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Fee: $335 (please note that lunch is not provided)
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
More…
Facilitator(s):Gwen Morgan MSW RSW

A DAY OF MINDFULNESS: THEORY AND PRACTICE
2017-04-29 08:30 - 16:15 | Hamilton Family Health Team, 123 James St N, second floor, Hamilton, Canada
with
Anna Taneburgo
April 29, 2017 8:30 am – 4:15 pm
This workshop/retreat will explain the principles of mindfulness while also providing ample opportunity to understand them from personal experience through the practices. It is appropriate for anyone who is relatively new to mindfulness and looking to increase their knowledge and practice, especially the benefit of short retreat experience; but also appropriate for participants who are more experienced and perhaps wanting a refresher.
Mindfulness promotes personal wellness on all levels of being. It is an evidence-based practice in which participants can experience:

greater ability to cope with daily stress
lasting decreases in physical and psychological symptoms
greater ability to learn and focus
enhanced interpersonal communication and relationships
greater energy and enthusiasm for life

The morning will be an introduction to mindfulness through both practice and teaching. Topics will include:

What is mindfulness and how does it work?

How can it help me reduce stress in my personal life and in my work?

Can science prove that mindfulness works?

Why has it become so popular in western culture?

There will be ample opportunity for Q&A.
The afternoon will provide further opportunity to practice mindfulness with a series of guided meditations, both seated and moving.
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a shawl, blanket or extra sweater, and a pillow for your seat, if desired.
About Anna
Anna Taneburgo has over 30 years experience in health care. She has worked at Hamilton Health Sciences and Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital as a social worker and corporate educator. At Halton Healthcare in Oakville, Anna launched Kailo, a nationally recognized holistic staff wellness program.
Her training and experience straddles both Western and Eastern modalities. Anna has a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Adult Education. She is also a Reiki Master and Kripalu Yoga Teacher.
Anna completed the 7-day Residential Teacher Training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and the 9-day Intensive Practicum, through the Centre for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts Medical Centre. She also trained in Mindful Communication through the University of Rochester Medical Centre. She has over 25 years of personal meditation practice, including participation in numerous extended retreats with teachers from various traditions.
She has taught and co-taught dozens of mindfulness courses and workshops to staff and leaders at Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, Halton Healthcare and McMaster University. These include: MBSR, Mindful Communication and Mindful Leadership. Anna co-facilitated the retreat days, which were part of these courses. She also served as the Mindfulness Educator for Hamilton Health Sciences from 2013-2016. She has taught MBSR and Mindful Communication for Healthcare Providers in the Discovering Resilience theme courses for the McMaster University/ Faculty of Health Sciences/Program for Faculty Development and will be teaching a new Mindful Teaching course on May 31 (see https://fhs.mcmaster.ca/facdev/ ).
To register go to Mindfulnesshamilton.ca
For questions: Mindfulnesshamilton@gmail.com

2-Day MBCT Basics in Montreal
2017-05-04 09:30 - 17:00
NEW COURSE OFFERING IN MONTREAL in collaboration with The Mindspace Clinic: Explore the therapeutic benefits of MBCT while looking at its clinical applications. This is the first module of our Core MBCT Facilitation Certificate Program.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) combines the practice of mindfulness meditation with the tools of cognitive therapy. This highly experiential workshop adapts this treatment to health-care providers for personal use. Participants will explore habitual modes of mind that characterize changes in mood while simultaneously developing skills and a new relationship to these states. In addition, participants will be introduced to the theoretical assumptions underlying the model as well as the application of MBCT in clinical settings.
Participants Will Learn
• Mindfulness-based interventions are applicable to dealing with negative moods, stress and anxiety
• How to use mindfulness-based cognitive strategies in your personal and professional life to increase resilience
• How to use MBCT practices in addressing depression and anxiety at an introductory level
Who Should Attend
Healthcare providers interested in learning MBCT for personal and professional resilience will benefit from this workshop as well as those who wish to learn about the clinical applications of this modality.
Timing
Two-Day Course: Thursday & Friday
May 4 – 5, 2017 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Location
642 Rue de Courcelle, 3rd Floor, Suite 300, Montreal, QC
Hosted by Mindspace Clinic at an offsite location in Montreal, QC

Fee: $535 (please note that lunch is not provided)
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
Accreditation
This course has been accredited for 13.5 Mainpro-C credits through the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
More…
Facilitator(s):Zindel Segal PhD C. Psych & Patricia Rockman MD CCFP FCFP

Mindful Self Compassion 8 week program
2017-05-06 09:30 - 13:30 | Melrose United Church, 86 Homewood Avenue, Hamilton, Ontario, L8P2M2, Canada
May 6 – June 24
$350.00 Early Bird (suggested) before April 22 $400.00 afterward
Melrose United Church, 86 Homewood Ave., Hamilton

MINDFUL SELF-COMPASSION (MSC) is an empirically-supported, 8-week, training
program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion and is based on the
groundbreaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher
Germer.

Research has demonstrated that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional well-being, less anxiety, depression and stress, maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and satisfying personal relationships.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE PROGRAM
MSC includes 8 weekly sessions of 3 hours each, in addition to a 4-hour retreat.
Participants should plan to attend every session and practice mindfulness and
self-compassion at least 30 minutes per day throughout the program.
No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend MSC.

Programs are led by Trained Mindful Self-Compassion Teachers

See website for instructor profiles

Visit www.mindfulselfcompassionhamilton.org for more information

Mindfulness and the Science of Willpower
2017-05-16 19:00
A FREE Evening workshop
Wednesday May 17, 7-9 PM (doors open at 6:30, program starts at 7:00 sharp)
In this session, you will discover how mindful-based practices can strengthen your willpower and self-control. You will learn the brain science behind why we give in to temptation and how we can find the strength to resist. In this interactive session you will be guided in simple mindfulness-based practices to develop self- awareness to break old habits, increase your focus and manage stress.
with
Arunas Antanaitis, BA, BEd, OCT
Corporate Wellness Facilitator & Mindfulness Specialist
Arunas is the co-founder of Mindful Solutions for Change http://mindfulsolutionsforchange.com which delivers mindfulness-based programs for educators, organizations and individuals. Arunas is certified as a Mindfulness Meditation Specialist and Transformative Mindfulness Methods Facilitator, trained at the University of Toronto Factor Inwentash School of Social Work. He is an associate facilitator with Mindfulness Everyday delivering smart Education, a 20 hr self care program for educators and support staff. Arunas is also the Director of the Centre for Compassion and Wisdom, an international non-profit organization facilitating mindfulness-based programs.
This event will take place at McMaster Innovation Park
170 Longwood Road South, Hamilton (Conference Rm 1C)
Seating is limited, so please register here (in the https://etc) to get a free admission ticket:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/mindfulness-and-the-science-of-willpower-registration-32549831422?aff=eac2

2-Day Inquiry Essentials
2017-05-26 09:30 - 16:30
Inquiry is the practice of asking a question to investigate our experience. It is at the heart of MBCT and MBSR. This is the final course module of our MBCT & MBSR Facilitation Certificate Programs.
Inquiry is the practice of asking a question to investigate our experience. It has been referred to as the heart of MBCT because it is such an essential part of this modality and is vital for those wishing to facilitate MBCT groups. It is also the most difficult practice to learn.
Participants Will Learn
• How to examine the principles and practices of mindful inquiry as they pertain to “therapeutic mindfulness”
• This process through its application to the direct experience of mindfulness meditation practices
• The use of inquiry both personally and professionally as it relates to increasing the capacity to regulate affect and attention
• How to develop the ability to use inquiry
Who Should Attend
This course is suitable for those who have experience teaching mindfulness-based programs.
Prerequisites:
• If you are in the MBCT Certificate program, this course must be taken after the 5-day Intensive and the Practicum
• If you are in the MBSR Certificate program, this course must be taken after the 6-day Intensive
• It is recommended that participants have facilitated (assisted, facilitated alone or co-facilitated) a group or received mentorship prior to taking this course
• For those not in the MBCT or MBSR Certificate program, this course is suitable for those who have experience teaching mindfulness-based programs
Timing
Two-Day Course: Friday & Saturday
May 26 & 27, 2016 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Fee: $535 (please note that lunch is not provided)
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
More…
Facilitator(s):Patricia Rockman MD CCFP FCFP

Mindful Teaching: the Art and Science of Optimal Learning
2017-05-31 09:00 - 12:00 | David Braley Health Sciences Centre, 100 Main St West (corner Main and Bay), Hamilton, Canada
How can we help our students learn ?
This interactive half-day workshop will explore: various models for teaching; ways to
create conducive learning environments and approaches to different learning styles.
Participants will also be introduced to mindful teaching methods designed to cultivate
deepened awareness, concentration and insight.
The experiential format will demonstrate the basic principles of adult learning and
mindful teaching, and explore the applicability of these to your own setting.
The experiential format will demonstrate the basic principles of adult learning and
mindful teaching, and explore the applicability of these to your own setting.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will have a basic knowledge of:
• the specific learning requirements of adults
• the factors that maximize the receptivity of the learner
• the uses of transmissional, transactional and transformational learning models
• the four basic learning styles and how to accommodate each type of learner
• ways to cultivate mindful awareness to deepen knowledge
Facilitator: Anna Taneburgo has a Master Degree in Adult Education from OISE
(Ontario Institute for Studies in Education), U. of T. She is a Mindfulness Educator and
has taught at Mohawk and Sheridan Colleges, Hamilton Health Sciences, and
McMaster University.

6-Week MBCT Basics Online
2017-05-31 11:00 - 13:00
Explore the therapeutic benefits of MBCT while looking at its clinical applications. This is the first module of our Core MBCT Facilitation Certificate Program.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) combines the practice of mindfulness meditation with the tools of cognitive therapy. This highly experiential workshop adapts this treatment to health-care providers for personal use. Participants will explore habitual modes of mind that characterize changes in mood while simultaneously developing skills and a new relationship to these states. In addition, participants will be introduced to the theoretical assumptions underlying the model as well as the application of MBCT in clinical settings.
Participants Will Learn
• Mindfulness-based interventions are applicable to dealing with negative moods, stress and anxiety.
• How to use mindfulness-based cognitive strategies in your personal and professional life to increase resilience.
• How to use MBCT practices in addressing depression and anxiety at an introductory level.
Who Should Attend
Healthcare providers interested in learning MBCT for personal and professional resilience will benefit from this workshop as well as those who wish to learn about the clinical applications of this modality.
Online Format
Participation will be via your computer (Windows, Mac or Linux) or mobile device (iPad, iPhone, Android), with interactive audio, video and chat. Participants are required to have:
• High-speed internet connection (DSL preferable)
• Audio microphone (built-in or external)
• Earbuds, headphones or headset
• Video cam (built-in or external)
Please note this will be a highly interactive web-based program. Your full attention will be required.
Timing
Wednesday Afternoons
May 31 – July 5, 2017 | 11:00am – 1:00pm ET
Fee: $535
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
Accreditation
This course has been accredited for 13.5 Mainpro-C credits through the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
More…
Facilitator(s):Michael Apollo

MINDFUL SOLUTIONS FOR WILLPOWER CHALLENGES WITH ARUNAS ANTANAITIS
2017-06-01 19:00 - 2017-06-22 21:00
Join me in this 4-week series that will provide you with the skill-set to harness the power of mindful awareness to help free yourself from the bondage of unwanted habitual patterns. In this experiential program, you will learn to:

incorporate simple mindfulness-based tools into your daily life
set intentions to align your behavior according to your long term goals
utilize reliable methods to cultivate resilience
be more compassionate to yourself and others.

Thursdays June 1, 8, 15 & 22 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Studio for Mindful Solutions 501 Templemead Drive Hamilton ON
Fee: $95.00 Register: https://msc-arunas.eventbrite.ca/
For inquiries, please contact Arunas Antanaitis: (905) 317-9521
arunas@mindfulsolutionsforchange.com

Mindfulness in Everyday Life: 16 Guidelines Equine Assisted Learning to Develop Compassion and Wisdom
2017-06-03 09:00 - 2017-06-04 16:00
This series of workshops is for anyone who is looking for a framework for change and the experiential setting to help shift the way you think, act, relate and create meaning.
The 16G are a set of guidelines being used around the world to bring mindfulness into everyday life. They have been taught to school children, hospital staff, people working in the not-for-profit sector, health, mental health, university settings and in the corporate world. They are a tool to help create a culture of kindness, wisdom and compassion from families to professionals. They help us to explore How we think, How we act, How we relate, How we find meaning.
Through experiential activities and interaction with the horses at Sierra Acres we will explore the 16G and how they can help create a more meaningful life.
These first two workshops will address the following wisdom themes and guidelines:
June 3, 9am-4pm
How We Relate: Realizing connection and creating the relationships you want
Guidelines of Respect, Forgiveness, Gratitude and Loyalty
June 4, 9am-4pm
How We Find Meaning: Embracing change and the possibility of creating a meaningful life Guidelines of Aspiration, Principles, Service and Courage
Fees: Price per workshop/day- $185.00 +HST [includes price of 16 Guidelines book and cards. Price per workshop without book and cards – $150.00 +HST.
Price for both workshops/days: $250.00 + HST [book/cards extra] Fees include materials, refreshments and snacks. Please bring your own lunch.
Location: Sierra Acres Equine Assisted Learning Centre Rockwood, Ontario
Facilitators: Valerie Spironello MSW, RSW & Anne Porteous, MScN, EPC.
To learn more about Anne and to register for one or both workshops, please visit: www.sierracres.ca
To learn more about Valerie and her services please visit www.choosewellness.ca
Learn more about the 16 Guidelines: www.16guidelines.org

Trauma-Informed Yoga Training - Early bird rate ends May 8
2017-06-08 - 2017-06-11
Trauma-Informed Yoga Training in Halifax, NS
Approved for Continuing Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
Integrating principles drawn from neuroscience, yoga therapy, attachment theory, Somatic Experiencing and trauma-informed care to increase safety, embodiment, choice, voice and empowerment for trauma survivors
Many trauma survivors seek out yoga and meditation to support them in their healing journey. However, without the proper awareness or safeguards in place, these practices can be re-traumatizing and lead to many adverse effects. Focusing on the breath, body or certain intentional movements or positions can trigger postural or procedural memories, emotions or physical sensations that are painful or overwhelming. Some students may find themselves discouraged, upset, or coping by bottling up, overriding or dissociating, reluctant to return.

Explore the neuroscience of trauma, stress and dysregulation
Find out how yoga, mindfulness and meditation can backfire
Identify concrete ways to minimize risks
Integrate new skills and principles into your teaching to adapt and enhance your existing yoga styles
Learn tools to support your own self-regulation and self-care
Deepen your ability to maintain boundaries while fostering therapeutic presence for students and clients

Part professional development training and part personal growth workshop, this compassionate and practical East meets West experiential learning opportunity appeals to new and seasoned yoga teachers and mindfulness instructors alike.

10th Global Conference on Buddhism: "Buddhism, Neuroscience and Mental Health:
2017-06-17 08:00 - 2017-06-18 17:00 | Ontario Science Centre 770 Don Mills Road Toronto ON M3C 1T3, 770 Don Mills Road , Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1T3, Canada
Description
TICKETS GO ON SALE ON 15TH JANUARY, 2017
“Buddhism, Neuroscience and Mental Health: Making a Mindful Connection”
We are living in a society that is becoming increasingly aware of acts of violence bred by intolerance. How can we build a less violent and more compassionate society for our children and their children in the future? How does the practice of mindfulness improve physical and mental health?
We can no longer hide our feelings entirely. Scientists are now using fMRI scans to study the brain activity underlying our thoughts and emotions. Continuing a tradition of expanding the role of Buddhism in modern society, in this conference you will have the opportunity to listen to some eminent speakers around the world who can elucidate the connections, opportunities and requirements for Buddhist thought, technique and philosophy in improving the life and, in particular, mental well-being of society through mindfulness. Our experts in both the Buddhist and the scientific communities will make a collaborative effort to explore this question deeply, and to find common ground on how we can strive to alleviate human suffering. Please join us on this important conversation.
For more information visit: www.10gcb.org
FAQs
Can I reserve my seating?
No, all tickets are on a first come first serve basis. This meas that there is no seat number assigned to your ticket (general admission).
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
ALL student tickets require a student ID, minimum age is 16 years
What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
Please refer to the website for transpotation options and directions to the event. Parking is FREE before 9:00am at the SOUTH parking lot (specially designated for the 10GCB) and $10 per vehicle after 9:00am.
What can I bring into the event?
Small personal items are allowed. No flash photography and video recording allowed. ALL cell phones must be turned off at ALL times during sessions. No food and drinks are allowed inside the auditorium. All meals (vegetarian) and tea/coffee and snacks are included in the price of the ticket.
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
email: 10gcbtoronto@gmail.com
What’s the refund policy?
You may apply for a refund no later than 17 May 2017 by contacting 10gcbtoronto@gmail.com with details of your request. Refunds will incur a $30 fee per ticket per day. No refunds will be made after 17 May 2017.

4-Week smart Education
2017-07-04 10:00 - 15:00
Increase your resilience and help create an emotionally balanced, compassionate school environment.
What is smartEducation?
smartEducation (Stress Management And Relaxation Techniques) is an evidence-based program designed for educators and professional support staff.
This program provides educators with an opportunity for immersion in mindfulness practice to apply techniques for developing emotional balance, to enhance concentration, decrease occupational stress, and employ self-care techniques.
By the end of the smartEducation program, you will have a “SMART-Tool-Box” of skills to:
– Develop greater awareness of emotions
– Create more effective strategies for responding to difficult situations
– Apply mindfulness training to interactions with students, colleagues and others
See more details on UBC’s website here.
Participants Will Learn
How to manage stress by recognizing, tolerating, and transforming your reactions to challenging emotions. Rekindle your passion for teaching through exercises and discussions connected to experiences in the classroom.
Who Should Attend
Education professionals including teachers, guidance counsellors, and professional support staff. The program is also suitable for healthcare professionals who work with children and teens. Previous experience with mindfulness is not required.
Timing
Tuesdays
July 4 – July 25, 2017* | 10:00am – 3:00pm
* Additional Retreat Session on Thursday, July 20, 2017 | 10am – 3pm
Fee: $520 ($500 + $20 for materials)
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
More…
Facilitator(s):Melissa Nigrini & Mary Githumbi

3-Day Mindfulness in Education: What Really Matters for K to 8
2017-07-05
This three-day experiential workshop for educators and professional support staff teaches participants how to implement mindfulness programs for students to promote health and wellness. This intensive will include practices in mindfulness, emotional regulation, compassion and movement to provide a foundation for self-care and to impart mindfulness to students.
Participants Will Learn
• Foundational mindfulness practices for personal and professional use
• Considerations for a successful implementation plan
• Core social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies supported by mindfulness practice
• Key elements and lessons for mindfulness programs in education
• Cultivating a Mindful Culture in Schools
Who Should Attend
Education professionals including teachers, guidance counsellors, and professional support staff. The program is also suitable for healthcare professionals who work with children and teens. Previous experience with mindfulness is not required.
Timing
Three-Day Course: Wednesday – Friday
July 5-7, 2017 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Fee: $520
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
More…
Facilitator(s):Karen Davis & Dianna Last

3-Day Mindfulness in Education: What Really Matters for Teens
2017-07-05 09:30 - 16:30
This three-day experiential workshop for educators and professional support staff teaches participants how to implement mindfulness programs for students to promote health and wellness. This intensive will include practices in mindfulness, emotional regulation, compassion and movement to provide a foundation for self-care and to impart mindfulness to students.
Participants Will Learn
• Foundational mindfulness practices for personal and professional use
• Considerations for a successful implementation plan
• Core social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies supported by mindfulness practice
• Key elements and lessons for mindfulness programs in education
• Cultivating a Mindful Culture in Schools
Who Should Attend
Education professionals including teachers, guidance counsellors, and professional support staff. The program is also suitable for healthcare professionals who work with children and teens. Previous experience with mindfulness is not required.
Timing
Three-Day Course: Wednesday – Friday
July 5-7, 2017 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Fee: $520
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
More…
Facilitator(s):Heidi Bornstein & Stephen Chadwick

2-Day MBCT Basics
2017-08-01, 2017-08-01 09:30 - 16:30
Explore the therapeutic benefits of MBCT while looking at its clinical applications. This is the first module of our Core MBCT Facilitation Certificate Program.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) combines the practice of mindfulness meditation with the tools of cognitive therapy. This highly experiential workshop adapts this treatment to health-care providers for personal use. Participants will explore habitual modes of mind that characterize changes in mood while simultaneously developing skills and a new relationship to these states. In addition, participants will be introduced to the theoretical assumptions underlying the model as well as the application of MBCT in clinical settings.
Participants Will Learn
• Mindfulness-based interventions are applicable to dealing with negative moods, stress and anxiety
• How to use mindfulness-based cognitive strategies in your personal and professional life to increase resilience
• How to use MBCT practices in addressing depression and anxiety at an introductory level
Who Should Attend
Healthcare providers interested in learning MBCT for personal and professional resilience will benefit from this workshop as well as those who wish to learn about the clinical applications of this modality.
Timing
Consecutive Tuesdays
Session 1: August 1, 2017 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Session 2: August 8, 2017 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Fee: $535 (please note that lunch is not provided)
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
Accreditation
This course has been accredited for 13.5 Mainpro-C credits through the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
More…
Facilitator(s):Evan Collins MD FRCPC

Unlock The Power Of Mindfulness Workshop
2017-08-23 18:30 - 21:00
Do you love stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself and at the same time find it’s becoming harder to bounce back from stressors in your day? Are you tired of constantly doing battle with yourself and find it’s harder to stay focused and achieve your goals?
If this is you, you’re not alone – come find out why.
Join us for a deep dive into mindfulness and discover science proven ways to create positive and lasting change. I’ll show you the exact steps to leverage the power of mindfulness in your work and life. This is an enlightening, entertaining and experiential introduction to mindfulness and resilience training. It will provide you with the exact tools you need to apply mindfulness in your personal or professional life.
You’ll leave this workshop with outstanding resources and insider intel. You’ll have direct experience with the practice and be ready to begin leveraging the power of this training immediately.
Learn more here.
THE WAKEUP WORKSHOP INCLUDES:

Kate’s international keynote talk on how to unlock the power of mindfulness, calm the voice in your head, build unshakable resilience and up your game.
The exact steps to practice mindfulness anytime, anywhere and tools you can apply to your work and life immediately.
My go-to 3 practices to kick start your own mindfulness training program.
A mindful listening and speaking tool that will give you instant leadership credibility and improve all your relationships.
6 easy to implement strategies to apply mindfulness in your busy workspace environment.
Exclusive bonus material 21 ways to bring mindfulness to your workday.
Refreshments and appetizers.
Easy to use handouts, powerful lasting resources.
A community of like minded professionals, entrepreneurs and senior leaders you can meet.
10% of proceeds from this event will be donated to RETHINK Breast Cancer, the young women’s breast cancer movement.

REGISTER EARLY
We’re hosting an intimate gathering and releasing 40 tickets and only offer this workshop twice a year.
WHEN:
Wednesday August 23, 2017 | 6.30pm – 9.00pm
WHERE:
SPOKE CLUB, 600 King Street West, Toronto
COST:
LIMITED TIME OFFER, GET $50 OFF
PAY $97+hst UNTIL AUG 12, 2017
ENTER PROMO CODE: WAKEUPWORKSHOPAUG2017
$147+hst AFTER AUG 12, 2017
OUR GUARANTEE
Tickets to Wake Up Kate events are non-refundable, but fully transferable. In other words, you can transfer your ticket to any of our other programs, or send a friend.

Meditation Group on Tuesday nights now open to public
2017-09-05 19:30 - 21:30
Long established meditation group will now meet at Hamilton Quaker Meeting House, 7 Butty Place in West Hamilton near Whitney and Lower Horning on first and third Tuesday of each month. Start at 7:30 with 45 minute sitting meditation followed by a short reading and a talking circle. We end with tea and socializing, finished by 9:30. A donation of $2.00 appreciated.There is no teacher and the meditation is self-guided. All welcome.

1-Day Mindfulness Core Concepts
2017-09-08 09:30 - 16:30, 2017-09-08 09:30 - 2017-11-10 16:30
Learn about the research and application of mindfulness. This is the first module of our MBSR Core Facilitation Certificate Program.
This one-day highly experiential workshop will introduce participants to the origins, principles and practices of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and other mindfulness-based interventions. We will move between didactic and experiential sessions throughout the day. Participants will gain an understanding of the historical and scientific underpinnings of mindfulness and its application to stress and everyday life.
The morning session will consist of an orientation and overview of mindfulness concepts and origins, and experiential exercises working with the senses. The afternoon session will delve deeper into experiencing the body through simple practices, move into exploring thoughts and feelings, and end with a discussion of the applications of mindfulness to daily living and how to learn more about mindfulness.
Participants Will Learn
• How to define mindfulness and give a description of its theoretical underpinnings
• To train the attention to be more present-focused
• To start to apply core mindfulness practices to everyday life and difficult situations
• Resources to learn more about MBSR and other mindfulness-based interventions
Who Should Attend
This introductory course is meant for general interest and is most suitable for those interested in the personal and professional applications of mindfulness including healthcare providers, other professionals, and those wishing to teach MBSR or other mindfulness programs. There is no prerequisite for this course.
If you are pursuing the MBSR Facilitation Certificate and you have prior formal mindfulness training, please contact The Centre to see if you can be exempt from completing this first training module.
Timing
One-Day Course: Friday
Friday, September 8, 2017 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Fee: $335 (please note that lunch is not provided)
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
More…
Facilitator(s):Gwen Morgan MSW RSW

Mindfulness for Stress Reduction - 6 week courses
2017-09-12 18:30 - 2017-12-09 11:00
This is a 6-week course for small groups (maximum 6 participants) that is a variation on the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program. It is primarily practice-based, with teachings arising out of the participants’ experience. Therefore, it is suitable for those new to mindfulness and those wishing to continue their practice in a supportive environment.

Dates and Times:
Tuesdays, September 12 – October 17, 6:30-8:00 pm
or
Saturdays, September 16 – October 21, 9:30-11:00 am
Fee: $150. for 6 weeks (90 minute sessions)
Group size is limited.
Location: West Hamilton
(directions available upon registration)
Please note:
The courses will run continuously. The next courses are:
Tuesdays, October 24 – December 5
or
Saturdays, October 28 – December 9
(no classes week of November 13th)
If you are interested:
Email Anna at annataneburgo@gmail.com
She will book a phone conversation with you to ensure that the course will meet your needs.
website www.wholehealing.ca

Trauma-Informed Mindfulness Training - Early bird rate ends August 1
2017-09-22 - 2017-09-24
Trauma-Informed Mindfulness Training – Guelph, ON
Pre-Approved for 20 CE Credits with the
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Integrating principles drawn from neuroscience, attachment theory, Somatic Experiencing and trauma-informed care to increase safety, embodiment, choice, voice and empowerment for trauma survivors
Mindfulness has become a popular tool in many clinicians’ toolkits, and the research behind it is overwhelmingly positive. Trauma survivors often seek out mindfulness or other forms of meditation or spirituality, such as yoga, to support them in their healing journey, or have been “prescribed” these by a professional. However, without the proper awareness or safeguards in place, these practices can be activating and re-traumatizing for some people, leading to many adverse effects, such as anxiety, panic, psychotic breaks, terror, dissolution of ego boundaries, flashbacks, repressed material resurfacing, and uncomfortable physical sensations associated with unresolved trauma responses.
Others turn to contemplative practices as a form of spiritual bypassing, a way to dissociate and avoid or disconnect from distressing symptoms. As is true with other approaches, no one modality is a panacea and recognizing when a tool is the right fit or not is important. This East meets West workshop will review the shadow side of spirituality, and introduce practical principles to adapt mindfulness in a trauma-informed way. Participants will be introduced to:

Integrating a trauma lens of polyvagal theory, attachment theory and psychophysiology into mindfulness
Adverse effects and benefits of contemplative practices, in particular for those with early developmental trauma
Body memory, the biological cycle of stress activation, defensive responses and completion, and how thwarted self-protective efforts can manifest during meditation
Frameworks and principles to support a more nuanced approach to mindfulness, in alignment with staged models of trauma treatment
Caveats around breath work practices for trauma
Ways to adapt mindfulness to support client safety, choice, voice and empowerment

Mindful Self-Compassion
2017-09-26 08:00 - 17:00 | McMaster Innovation Park, 175 Longwood Road South,, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Increasingly, health-care institutions are coming under pressure to do more with less, to provide quality care with less resources and to improve the experience of patients and their families.
As a result, many health-care workers find themselves grappling with increased levels of stress, burnout, compassion/empathy fatigue and conflict within their teams and colleagues.
There is a way to create workplaces that both support physician/staff/learner; one that creates resilience and enables compassionate care not only for patients but for fellow co-workers as well.
Mindful Self-Compassion provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, motivate ourselves with kindness, forgive ourselves when needed, relate wholeheartedly to others, and be more authentically ourselves. Increased self-compassion improves compassion for others.

Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
Handle difficult emotions with greater ease
Transform challenging relationships, old and new
Manage caregiver fatigue
Practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation

Multiple studies have shown that 30-60% of physicians and other health care providers are experiencing significant levels of professional and personal distress, including burnout, emotional exhaustion, and low self-accomplishment. Burnout has been linked to many adverse outcomes including poor quality of care, increased errors and decreased ability to demonstrate empathy.
How can the individuals who choose this “helping” profession thrive in the face of personal and work
stresses? As we meet suffering in clinical practice, can we practice building resilience rather than cynicism
and exhaustion? Who of us has not left themselves out in the process of caring for others? Who does not
have an inner critic that barks at us periodically? Who has difficulty navigating stress or conflict in
interpersonal relationships?
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an empirically-supported, (evidenced based) 9-week, training program
designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. Based on the ground-breaking research of Kristin Neff and
the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding.
This mindfulness course is an experiential curriculum for all health care providers. The program uses didactic teaching, experiential work including group, large and small, interpersonal work as well as individual work.
We will meet for 2 1/2 hours each Tuesday and will have a half day retreat after session 5. To receive the most benefit from the program, participants are advised to attend every session along with the retreat and to develop a mindfulness practice each day during the program.
Overall Goals
• Promote resilience, health and well-being within the self and the health care environment
• Engage self-compassion and self-kindness verses the inner critic
• Develop self and other observational tools thus improving one’s relationship with self and others
• Learn to manage suffering and difficult emotions
• Learn to develop compassion and set boundaries without burnout, apathy, numbness and exhaustion
• Learn self-care strategies to prevent burnout
• Develop the capacity for an open heart
• Develop mindfulness verses over-identification
Faculty/Teachers/Facilitators:
Barbara Smith, MFA, GIT, MS. Psych, CRPO
Registered Psychotherapist in private practice and mental health counsellor with the Hamilton Family Health Team. Barbara has been involved in contemplative studies for over 4 decades and has extensive training and experience in Mindfulness. She has trained in MBSR, DRAM (Discovering Resilience Through Applied Mindfulness), Mindful Communication at the University of Rochester, NY, is a trained MSC (Mindful Self-Compassion) teacher and studied with Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer. She presently teaches Mindful Self-Compassion and Mindful Communication courses in Hamilton. Barbara is part of the executive of Mindfulness Hamilton, has studied with Michael Stone and the application of mindfulness in clinical practice and has studied with Pema Chodron and Thich Nhat Hanh. She has extensive professional experience as a group leader.
Mary Linda Burgess, MSW, RSW
Mental Health Group Facilitator with Hamilton Family Health Team, has 20 years of experience as a Mental Health Counsellor with Hamilton Family Health Team; is a Trained Teacher in Mindful Self-Compassion with the Centre of Mindful Self-Compassion; has completed Mindful Eating course with Jan Chosen-Bays; completed training with Sunnybrook Hospital and U of Toronto in leading mindfulness based group programs; has attended MBSR training with Jon Kabat Zinn and Saki Santorelli; has attended mindfulness based programs with such esteemed teachers as Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hahn, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Saltzberg, Tara Brach, Norm Feldman and Molly Swan and others. Mary Linda has extensive experience in group facilitation; currently teaches Mindful Self– Compassion courses in Hamilton.

Wake Up Kate 8-Week MBSR Course
2017-10-10 18:30 - 2017-12-05 21:00
WHAT IS MINDFULNESS-BASED STRESS REDUCTION?
This 8 week, 9 session MBSR curriculum is being offered by Wake Up Kate and is based on an intensive training in mindfulness meditation. The curriculum was developed by the University of Massachusetts Medical School & Centre For Mindfulness over the course of three decades and is designed to teach participants how to integrate and apply mindfulness in their everyday lives and to the range of challenges arising from life stresses. Learn more here.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
“Mindfulness provides a simple but powerful route for getting ourselves unstuck, back in touch with our wisdom and vitality. It is a way to take charge of the direction and quality of our own lives, including our relationships with the family, our relationships to work and the larger world and planet, and most fundamentally, our relationship with ourself as a person.” Jon Kabat-Zinn.
This 35 year old course is highly respected in the medical, business and educational community. It has been featured on 60 minutes with Anderson Cooper, on PBS in Bill Moyer’s documentary, Healing and the Mind (seen by more than 40 million people), Time Life Magazine, The Oprah Winfrey show, ABC’s Evening News with Dan Harris and hundreds of publications.
WHAT DOES THE 8-WEEK MBSR COURSE INCLUDE?

Wake Up Kate’s signature introduction to mindfulness keynote and MBSR orientation (1.5 hours).
Eight weekly classes (2.5 hours each).
One ALL DAY silent retreat usually on a Saturday or Sunday.
Dedicated one-on-one weekly email consultation with a Qualified Mindfulness Instructor.
On going resources, teaching tips and support with Membership in Wake Up Kate’s Private Facebook community.
One-on-one guided instruction in mindfulness across all foundational mindfulness practices including sitting and walking meditation, mindful eating, mindful dialogue/communication, body scans and body-mind awareness.
Gentle stretching, mindful yoga.
Group dialogue, experiential exercises and enquiry aimed at cultivating emotional intelligence and self-awareness in everyday life and work.
Daily home assignments.
Life time access to Wake Up Kate’s guided meditation recordings to keep you on track after the course ends.
An easy to use home practice manual to keep you on track.

AN EVIDENCE BASED PROGRAM
Two decades of published research indicate that the majority of people who complete this course experience:

Reduced stress, anxiety and depression
Improvements with pain, tiredness and headaches
Increased awareness and concentration
Increased perception and memory
Greater energy and enthusiasm for life
Improved self-esteem
An ability to cope more effectively with both short and long term stressful situations

WHEN:
Mandatory Orientation: Tuesday October 10th, 2017 | 6.30pm-8.00pm
Class Dates: 8 Tuesdays: October 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28. December 5th. Class Time: 6.30pm-9.00pm
All Day Retreat: Saturday November 25th, 9am – 4pm
WHERE:
MacLachlan College | 337 Trafalgar Road | Oakville, Ontario
LIMITED TIME OFFER
SUPER EARLY BIRD $595+HST

GET $100 OFF UNTIL AUGUST 29
ENTER PROMO CODE: SUPERWAKEUPKATEFALLMBSR

EARLY BIRD $620+HST

GET $75 OFF UNTIL SEPTEMBER 26
ENTER PROMO CODE: WAKEUPKATEFALLMBSR

REGULAR PRICE $695+HST

AFTER SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER THE PROMO CODE TO RECEIVE YOUR EARLY REGISTRATION OFFER.

100% RISK FREE GUARANTEE
Full tuition is due to register for the course. If at the end of the mandatory orientation session you decide – or we decide – this course is not for you, your full tuition will be refunded in full, less a $50 non-refundable processing fee. Once you begin the program (after Orientation), your tuition fee is non-refundable.

The Centre for Compassion and Wisdom Presents: 16 Guidelines for Life
2017-10-21 09:00 - 2017-10-22 16:30 | Women’s Native Centre, 21 Rosedene Ave, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
16Guidelines Level 1: Tools for cultural and personal change.
Participants will develop tools to change the way they Think, Act, Relate and Create Meaning.
This workshop is for those who are interested in taking mindfulness into the world in order to create a wise, kind society:

Educators
Facilitators
Health and Mental Health practitioners
Parents
Business Leaders
Community Developers
Coaches

The 16G have attracted everyone from neuroscientists to school teachers, corporations to social services agencies, parents to community builders – anyone who is in need of motivation to change their outlook and practices. The 16G are currently being used for personal and cultural change in hospitals, schools, social service agencies, drug rehab, hospices, universities, youth-at-risk programs, youth leadership programs, businesses and prisons as well as in families, communities and neighborhoods.
REGISTER: https://16guidelinesworkshopjune2017.eventbrite.ca
INQUIRIES:
peace@centreforcompassionandwisdom.com
craig@essentiachange.net
FEES:
Registration includes cost of 16 G Book and Cards ($35 value)
$225 early bird
$275 regular fee
In partnership with: essentialchange.net
