Tag Archives: Mindfulness/ Veterans& PTSD/ War stress/ PTSD Medications.

Veterans Benefits

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Free To Veterans

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Hello Friends and Colleagues and Comrades.

I can testify to the potency of this work and the efficacy of the instructors. Tucson is very fortunate to have such skilled and enlightened teachers.  I had little idea, outside of an abstract understanding, of how powerful mindfulness training can be from the moment you wake until slumber arrives.  You’re gonna like the way you smile!

 

Here is information regarding the upcoming program.  As many of you know, we do a lot of outreach and scholarship via the “Mindful Veteran’s Project”, AND these programs are open to anyone in the community.   The blend of veterans, veteran’s family members, people who work with veterans, and civilians is perhaps one of the components that makes our MBSR program especially unique and increasingly relevant- as southern Arizona currently has the highest number of veterans relocating here.     We appreciate your support in getting the word out to ALL who may benefit from this important health education.   Happy Spring!

 

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

 

 

MBSR is a well-regarded mind/body skills training protocol that has been used successfully for over 30 years to help people deal with stress, pain, and illness. The program emphasizes experiential practices- both within the classroom and at home, for the duration of the course.   It is through these practices that participants learn to harness the power self-awareness and develop skills of self-regulation.  Experiential practice, a strong didactic foundation, and a highly supportive environment are the 3 pillars of MBSR.  For many participants, it is a unique and life-affirming educational experience that has enormous practical value.

 

Spring 2011 MBSR Schedule

Mondays 6:00-8:30pm April 11th thru May 30th

First United Methodist Church, 915 E Forth Street

or

Wednesdays 6:00 – 8:30 pm April 13th thru June 1st

Ada P. McCormick Building, 1401 E First Street

 

Fee: $300

Free to Veterans.  Sliding fees accommodated.

 

Advanced registration is required as well as the completion of an orientation session*

 

*Spring 2011 Orientation Sessions

Monday, April 4th, 6:00-8:30pm, First United Methodist Church

Wednesday, April 6st, 6:00- 8:30 pm, Ada P. McCormick Building

 

Note: You are welcome to attend orientation simply to learn more about the program.

 

registration@yogaatheart.org (480) 648-9642

 

 

About the Facilitators:

Natasha Korshak is a yoga, meditation, and mindfulness teacher with 20 years of experience.  She has completed professional training at the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine and is the former Director of Mindfulness at Miraval Arizona.  She is an Interfaith Minister and founder of Yoga at Heart.

Teri Davis, ND, is the Executive Director of Purple Mountain Institute. She has been licensed to practice naturopathic medicine in Arizona since 1978 and was one of the first integrative medical providers in the city. Dr. Davis has completed several professional training programs under the direction of Drs. Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli.

 

 

 

 

Alternative Care, Health, Uncategorized, Veteran Pals, Veterans Benefits, Veterans Events, Veterans Global

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Summer Program/ Free To Veterans/ Welcome Home

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This is good stuff. The Purple Mountain Institute is a non-profit organization established in 1999 to develop and bring programs, like this Mindfulness class, to special needs groups.

The curriculum and offering is from the heart of the Executive Director, Teri Davis, ND.

The Mindful Veterans Project, (MVP) is a PMI program to provide funding for vets and  their families to participate in the classes.  I was privileged to be able to participate in the last series. Not being one who believes in born again zappings or a make-over metamorphosis of the psyche, this course came close. It is often said, that everything is in the timing, so I may have just been ready for this brand of instruction. Never mind the analysis, it works, and it works like magic.

I suppose the validation and camaraderie that combat veterans experience when they gather contributed to the magical aspect, as we all have our very nuanced war induced stress issues to remove from our saddle.  At the end of eight weeks I felt like I could ride with the wind, without a saddle. Moreover, it has remained with me to date.

The course moves one to more concentration, focus, clarity, insight, patience and peace of mind, while reducing anxiety,depression, anger, fear, stress, chronic pain, and those bugger intrusive thoughts and feelings.

“The quality of bringing our attention into the present moment and keeping it and sustaining it in the present moment and not judging anything or fix anything, or force anything, or reject anything, that is what mindfulness is about.” Jon Kabat-Zinn

Doug Bremer, MD, director of mental health research for the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, recently completed a study using MBSR for veterans with PTSD. He had favorable results and says, ” we may have the ability to teach our returning soldiers the skill to control their reaction to those painful memories, without the use of medication, and before the stress from the memories causes further damage.”

My only observation here about Dr. Bremer’s statement is this; is not control and letting things flow, antithetical?  But then, that is why I took the course, to calm my over active analytical mind! The one that does not trust authority! Oh well, got some stuff to work on this summer.

MBSR Introduction and Information sessions start with a series of orientation classes on Thursdays 6-7:30pm at the Ada Pierce McCormick Building on the U of A campus at 1401 E. First Street (at Highland underpass.) Library of  the Little Chapel of All Nations. Orientations are May 13, 20 & 27. June 3rd.

The MBSR 8-week Program begins on Wednesdays 6-8:30pm. June 9,16,23 & 30. July 7,14, 21 &28. Registration is required.

Their is no charge for veterans, families of veterans, (the last class had two mothers of combat vets), and those who work with veterans. Registration fee for others is $250. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

For more information contact Teri Davis, ND^ Executive Director. “teri@welcomehomefreeclinic.org”  520-624-7183

Purple Mountain Institute is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit serving Pima County since 1999. EID, 31-1733820