Mindfulness Workshop for Engineers

“How Engineers Can Enhance Professional Development with Mindfulness Practice”, a 2-hour workshop, was co-presented by Andrew Safer and Dr. Janna Rosales, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, with Renato Rodrigues, graduate student in Humanities and Social Sciences, in the Boardroom of the Engineering Building at Memorial on June 20th. Present were engineers from companies and organizations in St. John’s and graduate engineering students.

Join mindfulness instructor Andrew Safer and facilitator Dr. Janna Rosales (Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University) who will guide you through a basic mindfulness practice with discussion and reflection on the ways that mindfulness can support your professional growth and development.

Thursday, June 20. For details, click here.

 

W.I.S.E. Mindfulness

Dr. Janna Rosales, Renato Rodriguez, and Andrew Safer presented “How Mindfulness Can Support Your Work and Study” to Women in Science and Engineering graduate students in process, electrical, and civil engineering, and science at Memorial University on May 22nd.

Left to Right: Renato Rodriguez, graduate student in Philosophy who attended our 10-week Workplace Mindfulness program; Dr. Janna Rosales, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science; and Andrew Safer, Mindfulness instructor and workshop facilitator.

 

In Recovery from an Addiction?

Mindfulness Training Can Help!!

Anxiety, Stress & Mindfulness: Spring Workshop Series

Begins April 23rd

Click each image to enlarge.

 

Mindfulness for Engineering Students

This program for Engineering students at Memorial University (mostly graduate, and from around the world–from Kenya to El Salvador) completed April 2nd.

 

 

Podcast: Sandy Joy Weston and Andrew Safer

 

 

BOOK REVIEWED IN MINDFUL MAGAZINE

Anxiety, Stress & Mindfulness: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wellness was reviewed in the April issue of Mindful magazine!

“SLIPPING ON THE ICE OF THOUGHTS”

On February 19th, Andrew’s article, “Slipping on the Ice of Thoughts” was published on the Anxiety Relief Project web site.

 

WINTER MINDFULNESS RETREAT

 

This hardy bunch gathered for a photo on February 16th!

 

 

STUDENTS AT MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY FIND

WORKPLACE MINDFULNESS TRAINING PROGRAM BENEFICIAL

(L to R) Dr. Janna Rosales, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University;Vashti Campbell, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Medicine; and Andrew Safer of Safer Mindfulness, Mindfulness Instructor and Trainer

To read the article “Being Present” by Jackey Locke published in the Gazette on January 23rd, click here.

Three groups of undergraduate and graduate students from seven disciplines received mindfulness training in a workplace context in 2017 and 2018 through a project funded by Memorial’s Teaching and Learning Framework. Each group met for one-and-a-half-hour weekly sessions for 10 weeks. The project was led by Dr. Janna Rosales, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Andrew Safer of Safer Mindfulness developed and presented the Workplace Mindfulness program.

Two sets of evaluations were conducted: Safer Mindfulness’ which was tailored to the program, and three questionnaires administered by the Memorial University research team. To view a one-page summary of the Safer Mindfulness evaluation, click here.

To view the full evaluation report including evaluation form, click here.

 

LIFE SCHOOL 101 TV INTERVIEW

“Anxiety, Stress & Mindfulness” LIFE SCHOOL 101 TV  

An interview with Andrew Safer by CATV co-hosts Mary Adams and Linda Carbino

ANXIETY, STRESS & MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP SERIES STARTS IN JANUARY

ANXIETY AND STRESS WORKSHOP SERIES AT CHANNAL

This six-session workshop series will meet in person at CHANNAL…

FALL MINDFULNESS-AWARENESS MEDITATION RETREAT

There’s nothing like two and a half days of sitting and walking meditation! (of course, with coffee breaks, meals, etc.) There was a lot of heart. The Presentation Sisters Retreat House, in a secluded spot in St. John’s, is the perfect venue. The retreat took place November 23rd through 25th.

MINDFULNESS TRAINING AT DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

On October 31, Andrew Safer conducted a two-hour mindfulness workshop for Child Care Services staff in the Department of Education building on Strawberry Marsh Road in St. John’s. The training was focused on “Mindfulness—Personal Practices for Managing Workplace Pressure and Stress”. Afterwards, participants purchased copies of Anxiety, Stress & Mindfulness: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wellness. Below: Andrew Safer with Kelly Piercey, Social Worker, Child Care Services, Department of Education.

ANXIETY, STRESS & MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP SERIES

STARTING SEPTEMBER 26

(For detailed information, including the session themes, click here.)

NOVA SCOTIA SOCIAL WORK CONFERENCE: A RED-LETTER DAY!

On September 12th, Andrew Safer presented a workshop on “Mindfulness–Personal Practices for Managing Workplace Pressure and Stress” to two groups of child-welfare social workers at the provincial Reclaiming Social Work conference in Halifax. Each participant received a copy of Anxiety, Stress & Mindfulness: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wellness in their conference bag on arrival, compliments of the Department of Community Services.

Photos: Courtesy of (L) Jennifer Georgeff and (R) Stacey Greenough

 

 

MINDFULNESS FOR OVEREATERS

An intensive weekend workshop Friday, August 24th through Sunday, August 26th with Claudio Corbelli and Andrew Safer.Click here for a Detailed Outline.

 

“MINDFULNESS IN THE WORKPLACE” PRESENTATION TO POSITIVE THINKERS CLUB

July 28th at The Bella Vista, St. John’s

Bottom: R to L: Jesse Stirling presented on Meditation; Dominique Hurley on Affirmations; and Glenda Little provided the introduction and closing remarks.

Photo collage: Courtesy of Alick Tsui

“WALK TOWARD ANXIETY TO HELP BEAT IT”, CHRONICLE HERALD (HALIFAX) ARTICLE ABOUT ANXIETY, STRESS & MINDFULNESS: A DO-IT-YOURSELF GUIDE TO WELLNESS,      JULY 27, 2018

http://thechronicleherald.ca/books/1586920-walk-toward-anxiety-to-help-beat-it

 

SUMMER MINDFULNESS-AWARENESS MEDITATION RETREAT

Our eighth annual meditation retreat took place July 13-20 at the Conception Bay Renewal Centre in Conception Harbour. Below are the intrepid meditators who gathered for a photo on July 19.

MINDFULNESS AND PTSD ON CROSSTALK

In the second half of this recording, Andrew Safer talks about Mindfulness and PTSD with Cecil Haire on CBC Radio’s Crosstalk, June 4th.

http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/cross-talk/episode/15548713

 

MINDFUL EATING WORKSHOP SERIES

 

MINDFULNESS TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS & VETERANS

SUMMER MINDFULNESS MEDITATION RETREAT IN JULY

SPRING SERIES: MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION CLASSES

SPRING SERIES: NAVIGATING ANXIETY & STRESS THROUGH MINDFULNESS

This is the sixth year this unique program is being offered. We will meet on Tuesday nights from 8:00 to 9:30 pm, starting May 1st and ending July 3rd (10 1.5-hr. weekly sessions). We meet via video conferencing–you can connect via computer or smartphone–but this is not an online course where you watch videos. Everything is live. There is lots of interaction–even one-on-one private conversations–and you don’t have to drive!

STUDENTS WEIGH IN: WORKPLACE MINDFULNESS AT MEMORIAL

The Winter 2018 Workplace Mindfulness Training Program is currently underway at Memorial University.

Undergraduate and graduate students who were on co-op work terms, internships, and practicums participated in the program in the Fall of 2017.

Andrew Safer, Dr. Janna Rosales, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, and Vashti Campbell, MSW, PhD student in Medicine, co-facilitated the 10 weekly sessions.

Student reflections on Workplace Mindfulness (Fall 2017):

— Workplace mindfulness training has made me a more aware individual. I have learned techniques that have improved my listening skills, how I react to stressful situations, and the kindness I show others. Ultimately the training sessions have improved my relationships with others and myself.

— This course has at times gone over my head but at others it has helped me to not only clear my mind but also it taught me how to bring my thoughts to what is most important and that is the present. I now have techniques to use to get through difficult situations not only at work but also in my personal life.

— The workplace mindfulness program has shown me the importance of being present as well as patient. It is challenging at first, but gets easier when you start to see the positive results.

— To me mindfulness has been about learning how to reflect internally to improve and change different aspects of my life.

— Mindfulness to me means learning to take control of your thoughts and take a different thought process you wouldn’t normally think of. It helps you stay calm and collected all while helping you be more empathic and genuine towards others and even to yourself.

— Workplace mindfulness has opened my eyes to thinking about things I haven’t nor wouldn’t have thought about. It has made me be more cautious while listening and reacting in situations and it has made me become more attentive to my work, especially after pausing. I have really enjoyed my time in this class and it has opened my eyes to how I am in a workplace.

 

WINTER MINDFULNESS MEDITATION RETREAT

This year, our Winter Retreat at the Presentation Sisters Retreat House in St. John’s ran from Friday, February 2nd through Sunday, February 4th. Here are some of the folks who practiced together on Saturday.

 

 

NEW START DATE FOR NAVIGATING ANXIETY AND STRESS THROUGH MINDFULNESS: FEBRUARY 7TH

This live online workshop series will begin on February 7th and run until April 11th (on Wednesdays).

 

WINTER CLASSES, STARTING JANUARY 25TH

There was strong interest in the Mindfulness and Meditation Classes that ran from September 21 to December 7 at The Lantern.

“This workshop has changed how I think. I was surprised at how the benefits carried over to everyday life without conscious effort on my part.”

“Awareness is the key for me to dealing with different emotions and feelings and being able to separate from the self.”

“I wish I discovered mindfulness practice 25 years ago.”

“Your expertise and passion are obvious. Great to learn new ways to be present, aware, and mindful.”

We will explore new topics in the Winter series of Mindfulness and Meditation Classes (details below).

NAVIGATING ANXIETY AND STRESS THROUGH MINDFULNESS

The 14th series of this program since 2013 is scheduled to begin January 24th. For a discount, the registration deadline is January 17.

Participants’ insights, program description, evaluation outcomes

WORKPLACE MINDFULNESS COURSE FOR MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ON WORK TERMS

This 10-week Workplace Mindfulness program is being offered to Memorial students who are on a work term this Winter (co-op, practicum, field placement). This is the third series being offered through a collaboration between Dr. Janna Rosales, Visiting Professor, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Principal Investigator and Co-Facilitator; Dr. Kara Arnold, Professor, Faculty of Business; and Andrew Safer, Mindfulness Instructor, Trainer and Facilitator. The first two series were well received!

Tuesday nights, January 30th to April 3rd, 6:00 to 7:30 pm. We will meet on campus (TBD). For further details, stay tuned.

WINTER MINDFULNESS MEDITATION RETREAT

MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION PROGRAM PILOTED AT
HER MAJESTY’S PENITENTIARY IN ST. JOHN’S FOR THE FIRST TIME

Andrew Safer conducted a Mindfulness training program at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary with seven adult male inmates consisting of two 1.5-hour sessions per week for five weeks. Susan Green, Addictions Coordinator at the Penitentiary (below left), organized the sessions and invited the inmates to participate. Aside from two inmates who were released during the program, all of the participants attended the last session, indicative of their high level of engagement and interest. Evaluation outcomes were strong. (More: see below)

The themes of the sessions were:
– What Is Mindfulness?
– Mindfulness Practice (Sitting and Walking)
– Making Friends with Yourself
– Simplicity: Synchronizing Body and Mind
– Recognizing Thoughts
– Checking Your Impulsiveness: Pausing Practice
– Relating to Emotions
– Stress: Awareness Is Your Friend
– Anxiety: Feel It, Hear the Message, and Move On
– Mindfulness in Everyday Life

Participant quotes about the program (used with permission):

“Extremely helpful…Mindful eating has been a most effective way of practicing mindfulness in general.”
“It helped me see that helping is my very nature.”
“It has taught me how to put into practice all of the skills I’ve been trying to learn from books.”
“…Possibly I can use the meditations in the future to prevent any emotional outburst like those that led to my incarceration.”

When asked if they felt that other inmates could benefit from learning about Mindfulness, all six said “yes” (including one who completed his evaluation on release).

WORKPLACE MINDFULNESS TRAINING PROGRAM AT MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY

Mindfulness-awareness meditation instruction with students at the first session of the 10-session Workplace Mindfulness program (September – November), offered through a partnership between Dr. Janna Rosales, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Dr. Kara Arnold, Faculty of Business, and Andrew Safer, Safer Mindfulness. With support from Memorial University’s Teaching and Learning Framework.

FALL MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION CLASSES

LIVE VIDEO CONFERENCING-BASED COURSE: NAVIGATING ANXIETY AND STRESS THROUGH MINDFULNESS

Evaluation Summary and Report for the previous live video conferencing-based workshop series (May-July 2017)

SUMMER MINDFULNESS MEDITATION RETREAT

MINDFULNESS IN RECOVERY: 7-MONTH FOLLOW-UP

Four years ago, after the Mindfulness in Recovery program (for people with addictions) was piloted, a 7-month follow-up was conducted. Participants found both the program and the mindfulness practices very helpful, which the evaluations confirmed, with a 59% increase in the scores between the first session and the 7-month follow-up session. Since this data was not shared earlier, it is posted here: Recovery 7-mo Follow-up Summary Oct 5 16

PRESENTATION AT INTERNATIONAL POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY CONFERENCE

I was honoured to have the opportunity to present at the 17th World Summit on Positive Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Sciences in Toronto this week. (Theme: Transforming Mental Health care through application of Positive Psychology with Psychotherapy & promoting a Science of Mindfulness for Well-being) My topic was “Navigating Anxiety and Stress through Mindfulness: Cultivating mindfulness and awareness in a community-based setting”.

What a wonderful group of people—mostly psychologists and psychotherapists—from all over the world! On Wednesday afternoon, for example, the presenters were from Lebanon, Canada, Netherlands, Brazil, Portugal, Philippines, and India. It’s inspiring to see the work they’re doing to help people in their countries, ranging from providing integrative grief treatment for adults and children (Italy) to the application of mindfulness training for the self-care of police officers and other first responders (Canada).
Below: Andrew is the tall guy in the back, centre

BASIC SANITY: DISCOVERING OUR INHERITANCE WORKSHOP SERIES STARTS MAY 30TH

ONLINE COURSE ON ANXIETY, STRESS AND MINDFULNESS TO START MAY 24TH

MEMORIAL’S FIRST WORKPLACE MINDFULNESS COURSE FOR STUDENTS

“Be Mindful”, Gazette, Memorial University, April 20, 2017

CHANNAL PRESENTS HOPE AWARD

CHANNAL (Consumer Health Awareness Network Newfoundland and Labrador) presented their inaugural Hope award to Cara Pike and Andrew Safer at the third annual Stigma Awareness Week Variety Show on March 9, 2017. Cara and Andrew were nominated and chosen by members of CHANNAL, the only consumer-led peer-support mental health organization in the province.

Photo: Courtesy of Mike Herrell, CHANNAL.

A MINDFUL WAY THROUGH FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY

Join us for this weekend workshop in early April…

WINTER RETREAT–FINAL DAY

Retreatants on February 5th, the last day of our Winter Retreat at the Presentation Sisters’ Retreat House in St. John’s

NEXT ANXIETY AND STRESS / MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP SERIES STARTS FEB. 15

WINTER SILENT MEDITATION RETREAT: FEB. 3-5

News Archive – 2014 to 2016

News Archive – 2011 to 2013