Last week, about 6 of us got together from the Mindfulness Committee for a mindfulness walk through Mission Trails. It was an absolutely beautiful day for such an event. We started with Alex Laifer, PhD giving us a brief overview of traditional mindful walking. We practiced noticing how it felt to shift the weight in our bodies, lift our legs and slowly put step with our feet. With awareness to our bodies and our five senses, we went on a walk around the Visitor's Center Loop that lasted about 45 minutes. Most of us noticed that we had greater awareness to the act of walking itself, and to the beauty around us, rather than treating the walk as a "hike" or a goal to be completed. It was a perfect Sunday morning activity, and what a great way to continue or expand our personal mindfulness practice.

John Todd (Mary's husband), Mary Todd, Kirsten Helgager, PsyD, Thomas O'Shea, Ph.D., Alexandra Laifer, PhD, Kathryn Kimball, Ph.D. 

Hello Mindfulness Committee,

We are so happy to have begun the year on a lovely note with a great meeting in Encinitas yesterday, where we discussed the DBT concept of wise mind, practiced accessing our wise mind, and addressed spiritual components of this important concept for clients. Great way to spend a sunny Sunday morning!

We hope you will join us at our next meeting, which will be held on Sunday, April 15 from 10:30 to 12pm at the Mission Trails Visitor Center. We will discuss and practice mindful walking on a brief hike through the Visitors Center loop. Please mark your calendars and join us! We will send out an official invitation as it gets closer.

Wishing you all the best,

Alex & Kirsten