Mindfulness is the art of openly and actively paying attention to the present moment. This approach has scientific support as a means to reduce stress, improve attention, boost the immune system, reduce emotional reactivity, and promote a general sense of health and wellness. We will present some science behind how mindfulness works on our body and brain, and then several experiential practices where we will learn the basics of mindfulness meditation. We will discuss how it can be used specifically by cancer patients and their caregivers.
Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education for UCLA’s Semel Institute’s Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC). She has been teaching mindfulness since 1993, and has brought mindful awareness into schools, hospitals, and nonprofits as well as to adolescents, leaders, teachers, activists, and health professionals. At UCLA she has been teaching mindful awareness practices to the UCLA community and the general public, including ongoing classes and a weekly group for hospital staff and faculty. MARC is dedicating to fostering mindfulness through education and research to promote personal well-being and a compassionate society. www.marc.ucla.edu
