vibrantBrains
Minding Your Mind: An 8-week course to change the course of your life with Dr. Domonick Wegesin
We are pleased to offer a stress management and mindfulness class at vibrantBrains, Minding Your Mind with Dr. Domonick Wegesin.
Please join us for an informational workshop at vibrantBrains on Saturday, June 21st from 2 – 4pm. Classes will be held Thursday evenings from 6 – 8pm, beginning July 17th, 2008.
Domonick Wegesin is uniquely qualified to lead this course. He holds a PhD in psychology and cognitive neuroscience and worked for 10 years at Columbia University studying brain imaging and complementary medicine. He is a registered teacher of Chakra Yoga and is a Licensed Massage Therapist. Dr. Wegesin received his training in mindfulness from Jon Kabat-Zinn, the creator of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program and currently teaches mindfulness classes at UCSF.
Why people participate...
- Stress: job, family, financial
Worries about the future
Memory problems
Chronic illness or pain
High blood pressure
Sleep disturbances
Anxiety and panic
Headaches
Many enroll because they feel that the pace of their lives is out of control, even though they are physically healthy.
How To Enroll
Call, email, or stop by vibrantBrains to enroll.
415.775.1138 / info@vibrantbrains.com / 3235 Sacramento St (@Presidio)
Cost of the 8-week Program
Early Registration and vibrantBrains members
(must register by 6/21/08).....................................................................$400
Register after 6/21/08 ............................................................................$450
A deposit of $50 is required upon enrolling; full balance due at the first class.
Class size limited, so enroll now to guarantee your participation.
Dates
Informational Workshop: Saturday, June 21st, 2pm – 4pm (free of charge)
Session 1: July 17, 2008 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Session 2: July 24, 2008 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Session 3: July 31, 2008 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Session 4: August 14, 2008 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Session 5: August 21, 2008 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Session 6: August 28, 2008 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Session 7: September 4, 2008 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Silent Retreat: September 6, 2008 9.30am - 3.30pm (Saturday)
Session 8: September 11, 2008 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Background
This course combines techniques from modern cognitive psychology with ancient Eastern practices of meditation. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) emphasizes the importance of our thoughts in determining how we feel and what we do. You will learn to identify patterns of “distorted thinking” that inhibit your well-being, and reframe your thoughts more positively to promote mental health and happiness. In order to catch your “distorted thoughts”, you need to be aware of your thoughts. Mindfulness meditation techniques will help you learn to be aware of what is happening in the present moment in a non-judgmental way. For example, you will learn to identify when you are worrying about your finances or fretting about your relationships, and learn to work with your thoughts with greater acceptance and ease, instead of feeling overwhelmed by them. Mindfulness practice also helps build your mental muscle of attention, a cognitive skill that declines with aging, and is related to your ability to remember things, to multi-task, and to focus.
The course includes
- Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices: sitting and walking meditation, body scan
and gentle yoga to wake up to the present moment.
Awareness exercises to promote physical & mental health.
Cognitive behavioral therapy to identify and work with faulty ways of thinking.
You will leave the course with
- An established, individualized home meditation practice, combining techniques that work best for you.
Course Manual with home practice exercises.
Course textbook on Mindfulness.
CDs for guided home practice.
A better understanding of how to work with your thoughts to improve your quality of life.
