Mindfulness Meditation
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the purposeful practice of paying attention in a particular way, to the present moment non judgmentally. It is often referred to as a beginner’s mind, noticing with curiosity, without labels. Mindfulness can be practiced during any part of your day anywhere, take a moment to tune into your senses: feel your feet, feel your body, notice your breath, tune into any smells, sounds or sights around you. Just noticing without attachment or judgment, imagine the young curious mind and how they see the world for the first time.
What is Meditation?
In a meditation practice, one is often sitting without distractions to intentionally focus on the present moment using some form of anchor to come back to full awareness of BE-ing. An anchor can be anything of your choice, such as the breath, focusing on a specific body part, or even choosing to have a soft gaze on something specific in front of you. Aware as thoughts, emotions, feelings and any other sensation that arises during the practice, as they always do, and notice anything that comes up for you with an open, curious, non-judgmental, beginner’s mind. There are many different forms of meditation practice. My classes focus on Yoga Nidra and Guided Mindfulness Meditation (from breath awareness to visualization).
Why is Mindfulness an integral part of my Osteopathic practice?
To provide the best Osteopathic Manual Care to my patients I need to be in a calm, intuitive state. Often I sense my breath syncing with my patient’s breath, bringing us into the same present moment awareness. Osteopathy is much more than a science, it is an art, in which you have to be present and fully aware of your body, your movements, your touch, in relation to your patients.
Mindfulness is also integrated into every appointment with my patients: bringing awareness to the breath, the powerhouse of the body, asking them to lengthen their breath or sometimes hold it as needed for treatment. Bringing awareness to where they feel the breath in their body – noticing if the breath is shallow or deep. Integrating the mind-body connection with purpose gives ownership back to the patient of their body and even further of their health, fully encompassing the mind, body, and spirit.
Online Mindfulness Classes
Please email if you’d like for information and the link to join once classes resume. To continue your meditation journey feel free to try out some links from the Youtube Channel SMTOsteopath below.