THE AGE OF ANXIETY – WHAT IS CALLED FOR NOW?
Consider this…if you are experiencing anxiety…and you would like some information about what action might be appropriate….I suggest watching the Age of Anxiety, a documentary by the CBC on Doc Zone.
http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/episode/age-of-anxiety.html#socialcomments
The documentary outlines how anxiety is being defined and redefined by the pharmaceutical industry and how “pills” are commonly prescribed as an effective solution.
One valuable insight you might gain is just how prevalent the experience of anxiety is in our society. It suggests that it may be one of the biggest health challenge commonly reported around the world. You are not alone! This fact on its own can help reduce the already heightened unease and agitation that you may be experiencing.
In the program I offer, called Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, there is always a lot interest and questions with respect to the application of mindfulness and the experience of anxiety. These are some of the comments that I make that are drawn from the work of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneer in exploring the mindfulness as a resource for stress. Interestingly enough, at the end of the documentary, mindfulness is mentioned briefly as an alternative to the medication route.
I refer to anxiety as a state of insecurity experienced both physically and psychologically that can be triggered by almost anything. Sometimes there can be a specific cause while, at other times, there may be no obvious apparent source.
Regardless, the experience of anxiety is often experienced as very uncomfortable and it will often cause one to look for ways to cope. Sometimes the choices made are maladaptive. In the short run, they will bring temporary relief of the symptoms, however, in the long run, greater problems may surface related to these choices.
One way of understanding the experience of anxiety is that is consists of a variety of body sensations, thoughts, and emotions in varying combinations. The practice of mindfulness suggests that one can learn how to work with these symptoms by changing the way one perceives them and changing our reaction to them. Through the practice of mindfulness one develops and gets to know a stable inner core. With persistence and effort, the capacity for mindfulness becomes more powerful than any anxiety state.
Mindfulness takes the view that the symptoms of anxiety will come and go. When they arise, the suggestion is to observe them from a place of calmness and stability and then to decide what action needs to be taken, if anything. Sometimes, the wisest action is to bring tolerance, patience, and equanimity to the experience and to accept the discomfort, for the time being. In time, one can explore the source of the discomfort. Kabat-Zinn suggest suggests that the source of discomfort may be related to a sense of dissatisfaction with the present and a sense of wanting something more to happen in order to feel more complete and/or happy. He points out that there is often an underlying assumption present…..you are not getting what you want and you need to be able to get what you want in order to be content.
Try it out for yourself. Start to develop a capacity for mindfulness and investigate whether these ideas shed any light on the experience of anxiety.
Free Introductions to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
In the next four weeks, 4 free introductions to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction are planned. This is a good opportunity for those who might be interested in the practice of mindfulness, but, not sure if it is a good fit.
Each session will be 2 hours long and is designed to accomplish the following. You will learn:
- 3 mindfulness practices
- receive free guided mindfulness meditaitons in mp3 format
- review that content and major learning outcomes of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
- how mindfulness works
- some suggestions on how to apply mindfulness in your life
Registration is limited to 15 people per session.
Please let anyone you know who would be interested in Getting Control of Their Stress:
For the Uptown Crowd: Yoga Mandala 3522A 19th Street SW in Marda Loop.
Saturday April 7, 2012, 10:15 am to 12:15 pm
Sunday, April 15, 2012, 1 pm to 3 pm
For the Downtown Crowd: Livebreatheyoga, 703 6th Avenue SW (Lower level)
Wednesday, April 4, 2012, Time: 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Wednesday, April 11, 2012, Time: 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Free parking available on the street after 6 pm
Please register by emailing doug@practicalwellbeing.ca or call 403-998-7213
Free 2 Hour Introductions to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program on Wednesday March 14 and Wednesday March 21 in Downtown Calgary
In the next two weeks, 2 free introductions to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction are planned. This is a good opportunity for those who might be interested in the practice of mindfulness, but, not sure if it is a good fit.
Each session will be 2 hours long and is designed to accomplish the following. You will learn:
- 3 mindfulness practices
- receive free guided mindfulness meditaitons in mp3 format
- review that content and major learning outcomes of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
- how mindfulness works
- some suggestions on how to apply mindfulness in your life
Registration is limited to 15 people per session.
Please let anyone you know who would be interested in Getting Control of Their Stress:
When: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 or March 21, 2012
Time: 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Location: Livebreatheyoga, 703 6th Avenue SW (Lower level)
Free parking available on the street after 6 pm
Please register by emailing doug@practicalwellbeing.ca or call 403-998-7213
Mindful Meditation Workshop on Saturday, November 26
“Find some Calm amid the Chaos…..”
This is a 3 hour workshop.
You will learn and receive:
- 3 mindful meditation practices
- Free guided meditations on mp3
- How to apply mindful meditation at home, work, and with friends
- Detailed handout with suggested references for learning more
Date: Saturday, November 26
Time: 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Investment: $55 plus GST
Location: Yoga Passage, 524 11th Avenue SW
How to register: With Yoga Passage at www.yogapassage.ca or call the studio at 403-277-3058
Finding the Still Point – Mindfulness Workshop on Sunday, November 6
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