Waking Up in the Heartland
The practice of mindfulness, rooted in an ancient meditation tradition, is a challenging and effective way to do something for yourself in a way that only you can do. It is a way of being fully in your life, recognizing the richness and possibility within daily routines, times of
difficulty and pain, and times of joy and ease.
Mindfulness is seeing life clearly as it is right now, as if looking in a mirror, without judging what is reflected. This awareness invites us to
awaken to the reality of what is actually happening, accept that it is here and to discern a wise response. With practice, our responses become healthier, kinder, more skillful and creative while less automatic and habitual.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)—for stress, chronic pain/illness, anxiety, low moods, sleep disturbance, desire for self-care and wellness
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)—preventing depression relapse
- Mindfulness for Freshmen (2 credit hours)—navigating transitions, exploring the ever-changing sense of self, studying with clarity and focus, making skillful choices
- Mindfulness for Medical/PA Students—learning to care for yourself while caring for others; introduction to effective intervention for patients, cognitive, psychological and physical benefits of mindfulness
- Continuing Mindfulness Classes—offered to those who have completed any of the above programs, to support the deepening of practice in everyday living
The UI Hospitals and Clinics mindfulness-based program offerings reflect what research supports: that mindfulness is an inclusive, beneficial program which speaks to the needs and longings of many—patients, students, professionals, parents, employees, leaders and others.
Mindfulness-Based Programs are modeled on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD and the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in 1979.