What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a Buddhist psychology in which we bring attention and awareness into the present moment in non-jugement. We let go of regrets and troubles of our past, or worries about our future, and return our attention to what is happening right now. Mindfulness isn’t about stopping thoughts, but coming into a kinder and more accepting relationship with them. The main purpose of Mindfulness is to lead us to healing, well-being and inner freedom, no matter what the changing circumstances of life might be. When we are depressed or anxious, we lose our sense of well-being. Mindfulness reminds us of the possibilities we create when we are more open, gracious, wise, loving, and compassionate.
Mindfulness has various tools for calming anxiety. There’s so much scientific research that shows that if you cultivate these tools there is a growing capacity for emotional regulation and a decrease in anxiety. You will be able to tolerate things that would otherwise upset you. There are exercises to put you back in your body and ground you. Can you feel your feet on the floor? Can you feel yourself seated in the chair? How does the chair feel beneath you? How does the fabric feel on your body? Just starting to pay attention to your breath and to the subtle body, and quiet the mind. Pay attention to yourself when you get upset and return to focusing on yourself and notice how it can begin to stabilize and calm you.
Benefits of Mindfulness
The practice of sitting still and inducing a state of relaxation can have a positive impact on your mind and your body. Concentrating on your breathing and simply being aware of the action of breathing in and breathing out can divert feelings of panic and anger and calm you down.
The most common benefits of Mindfulness are…
Improves physical health : A mindfulness practice trains you to be more sensitive to the needs of your physical body.
Relieves stress : By calming the amygdala - the area of your brain that triggers the stress response - you become more aware of your feelings and make way for solutions. The level of cortisol lowers in your body, which reduces your chances of getting stress-related diseases such as migraines, hypertension, ulcers and depression.
Treats mood swings : Mindfulness raises serotonin levels in the brain which is important in regulating mood. With practice, mindfulness meditation can strengthen the region of the brain that is responsible for feelings of optimism and well-being.
Alleviates depression and anxiety : Studies have suggested that conducting mindfulness practices enhances recovery from anxiety disorders and depression while also preventing relapse. Mindfulness trains you to familiarise yourself with negative thoughts, to take a step back and to simply observe without judgement.
Enhances the ability to deal with illness : Mindfulness may not take away the symptoms, but it can help you focus less on the pain, improving your quality of life. Mindfulness helps reduce symptoms of stress, enhance spirituality and non-reactivity to experience, and relieves fatigue and post-traumatic growth.
Accelerates recovery : Mindfulness accelerates the repair and revitalisation process of the body because it goes into deep rest. Mindfulness has been known to help recovery from addictive behaviors during the therapeutic stage of rehabilitation.
Increases focus : A regular Mindfulness practice retrains your brain to be more effective. It boosts concentration and improves memory. It brings present moment awareness to what you’re doing, which helps you make better decisions.
Mindfulness in My Sessions
As a Breathwork Coach and Reiki Master, Mindfulness is an important part of my Breathe in Paris sessions. Practicing Mindfulness during Breathwork helps increase your tolerance for the painful emotions and physical discomforts that can surface during a Breathwork session. This ultimately will lead to more resilience towards everyday stress, whether it’s mental, emotional or physical. Mindfulness enhances your ability to remain attentive and curious without jugement, allowing the uncomfortable sensations to take on a new light. These physical sensations are not constant, they pulse and change from moment to moment, and sometimes disappear without any special action on your behalf. Mindfulness allows you to continue breathing while also being able to take a step back, observe from afar and connect to your body and feelings with compassion, acceptance and impassivity. Your thoughts and feelings are just thoughts and feelings, not facts and certainly not permanent. Instead of getting lost in fear, you can redirect your attention to what is unfolding in the present moment with a fresh perspective of presence. The more you practice Mindfulness during your Breathwork sessions, the easier it is to practice it in your everyday life. It’s a mindset that doesn’t come naturally, you have to show up and do the work. Whether it’s a group or one-on-one session, I’m here to guide you to cultivate moment-to-moment awareness, tailoring the practice to fit your needs.
I was trained by Jack Kornfield at the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine NICABM in 2013.
