5. What is Mindfulness?
“Mindfulness is the awareness that
emerges through paying attention on
purpose, in the present moment and
non-judgementally to things as they are
”Williams, Teasdale, Segal and Kabat-Zinn (2007)
7. Mindfulness Practice
Structured to:
• Sustain attentional focus
• Learn the difference between thinking about
versus experiencing sensations
• Observer mode - to see and relate differently
to mental states such as boredom,
restlessness etc..
13. Neuroscience Research
Studies show changes in brain structure & activity
• More activity in neural pathways associated with
calm and well-being
• Less in those associated with anxiety, stress
• Thickening of the grey matter, protecting against
age-related thinning of the cerebral cortex
14. Benefits
Sara Lazar et al, Harvard 2010
Increased attention regulation
– Better focus and concentration
Improved emotional regulation
– Better control over autonomic nervous system
Enhanced learning and performance
– Increased working memory capacity
