Meditation for Health

Meditation for Health is :

a community-based medical program in Toronto, Canada, that teaches mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) as a self-care treatment for chronic, stress-sensitive symptoms.
a complement and support to regular medical treatment. It helps people to mobilize their own inner resources for coping and healing -- especially for symptoms no longer responding to more standard medical treatments, or for symptoms exacerbating the course of chronic disease.
an instruction in self-regulating techniques that have been shown to change the experience of symptoms, and to promote healing by reducing the stress response in mind and body.

Has been useful for such conditions as :

chronic pain
anxiety and panic
sleep disturbance
gastrointestinal distress
fatigue
headaches
job or family stress
skin disorders
high blood pressure
stress factors in heart disease

What is 'mindfulness' ?

'Mindfulness' is moment to moment awareness --- our experience of being here, now.

Mindfulness can be cultivated by deciding to pay attention to things that we normally never give a moment's thought to :

.... Like the sounds you are hearing right now ....

.... or the feeling of your eyes as they scan this text ....

.... Can you feel your next breath beginning ? .............

This is mindfulness.

What is MBSR ?

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) develops our capacity for mindfulness, with a program of simple meditation exercises and body stretches.

This is important because research studies have shown that the regular practice of MBSR can benefit many people suffering from chronic pain and stress-related illness.

The MBSR method was developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn and his colleagues at the Stress Reduction Clinic of the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. This hospital clinic was established in 1979, and its effective treatment program has attracted international medical recognition. The MBSR program is fully described in Dr. Kabat-Zinn's book, Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illness. Meditation for Health is modeled on this program of the Stress Reduction Clinic of the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

Although mindfulness meditation has been most developed in the traditions of Asia, it is taught without a particular religious or philosophical belief. It is a basic awareness technique, a way of looking at things, that people of all faiths can share.

Program Details :

This 9 week program is offered in 2 parts.(ItÕs usually most effective to attend both parts, but you may attend only Part One, if you prefer.)

Part One:
Two private interviews before group sessions begin
Five weekly, 3 hour group sessions

Part Two:
Four weekly, 3 hour group sessions
ÒThe Saturday of MindfulnessÓ
(a 6 1/2 hour weekend session in Week 8 of the program)
Follow-up group meeting, 3-4 months after last session
All sessions are held at locations near Bloor & Spadina.
Group size: 24 - 30 participants
Between-session, telephone support is available, as needed.

About Payment: OHIP coverage of medical services is possible for patients referred by their physician for medically necessary treatment. An additional sign-up fee is required to pay for materials and program services not insured by OHIP. (Materials include the workbook & 5 CD recordings to guide home practice.)

Part One fee: $265 / Part Two fee: $185

Is your health worth 60 minutes a day ?

Your commitment is the key to MBSR. To benefit fully, you will need to practice meditation and relaxation at home -- 6 days/week for 8 weeks. We will show you how and give you self-help recordings to guide your home practice. We intend to support you fully, but no one else can do the actual practicing for you --- are YOU ready?

Taught by :

Lucinda Sykes, M.D. is a Toronto physician psychotherapist with over twenty years experience in general practice psychotherapy. She trained with Jungian analysts, Marion Woodman and Fraser Boa, and has twice participated in MBSR professional training programs under the direction of Dr. Kabat-Zinn. She is a board member of the General Practice Psychotherapy Association. She has had a personal practice of hatha yoga and meditation for over fifteen years, and has lead Meditation for Health groups since 1997.

Meditation for Health is taught by Dr. Sykes, with the assistance of a social work or psychotherapy colleague as group facilitator.

For more information :

Contact our friendly program coordinator, Diana Wilson. She's usually in the office on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays -- or leave us a message anytime.

We will send information packages to your doctor or other health professional, at your request.

Phone : (416) 413-9158

e-mail : info@meditationforhealth.com

Mailing address (of our administration office) :

Meditation for Health, Suite 509 - 720 Spadina Ave.,, Toronto, ON, M5S 2T9, Canada