Stress Reduction Program

Stress can be defined as an internal or external event that requires a response. When we have to respond to our world, whether its the alarm clock, the red light, the 8 people in front of you at Starbucks, the boss, the dishes, the dog, the kids, our bodies react to meet the challenge.

The unchecked activation of our sympathetic nervous system - the fight/flight/freeze response - has a cascade of consequences over time. It can lead to high blood pressure, headaches, muscle aches and pains, digestive problems, eating disorders, misuse and abuse of medications, drugs, alcohol, tobacco. The proverbial short fuse that comes with feeling stressed harms inner peace and outer relationships with others.

We all would like to be able to relax and enjoy our lives. The choices we make moment to moment and day to day reinforces patterns of emotions, moods, thoughts and behavior. These patterns can be either continually reinforced, strengthening the neural connections involved. Yet the possibility exists to make new choices at any time. By continuing to make those preferred choices, the new neural networks are reinforced, and the old patterns begin to fade - both the neural connections in the brain and the behaviors.

It begins by asking the question.

What would your life be like if you were able to respond to life’s unfolding events, rather than reacting in the heat of the arisen emotion?

What kind of a life do you want to live? Is there a way of being, a way of abiding, that might sustain your greatest aspirations? What would a meaningful life look like for you. When you are at the end of your life and look back over your shoulder, what would you like to see to be able to say, yes, I lived a meaningful life.

Beginning to aspire, to want to live in a way that is conducive to your own well-being, as well as to the well-being of those around you is the first step. And just thinking about it will begin the neuro-electrical, neuro-hormonal, and neuro-chemical changes that will lead to new networks of neurons. Acting on your aspirations will reinforce the new patterns with your words and your behavior. Reaching out to help others in need will strengthen the new path even more.

Remember, it took you a few years to develop the habitual patterns you now live with. Offering yourself patience and compassion while you lay the foundation for the new you, will bring more ease and peacefulness to your heart.

2010

FREE Orientation

•February 23, 2010 5:00pm-6:00pm or

•March 4, 2010 5:30pm-6:30pm

Class:

March 11-May 10. 8-week class

March 11 Thursday 5:15pm-8:15pm

March 18 Thursday 5:15pm-7:15pm

March 25 Thursday 5:15pm-7:15pm

Apr 1 Thursday 5:15pm-7:15pm

Apr 5 Monday 5:15pm-7:15pm

Apr 12 Monday 5:15pm-7:15pm

Apr 17 all day Saturday session 9:00am-4:30pm

Apr 19 Monday 5:15pm-7:15pm

May 10 last class Monday 5:15pm-8:15pm

mbsr

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was developed at U Mass Medical Center by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, 27 years ago. There are now more than 240 MBSR clinics worldwide serving tens of thousands of people. FREE Orientation

•February 23, 2010 5:00pm-6:00pm or

•March 4, 2010 5:30pm-6:30pm

clinical care

There are 27 programs in California alone, including Kaiser So. San Francisco, Stanford, San Diego, and Davis. More than 17,000 people have completed the 8-week Stress Reduction Clinic/Program at U Mass Medical Center.

research

According to Alan Wallace, PhD (Stanford), recent studies of the effects of meditation practices on stress management and emotional stability and of meditation as a therapeutic agent have produced exciting results. Research continues throughout the world as physicians, medical care givers, and scientists look for ways to help ease the suffering of others.

contact

E mail: snooz2pain@mac.com

775 852-7900

1699 S Virginia St. Suite 100

Reno, NV 89502

Normal or excessive : STRESS

Ongoing Practice

Meditation Works.doc

How can one develop the skills to respond to life rather than react to life’s stresses?