Mindfulness & Meditation by the Breast Cancer Network of WNY
Thursday 7th Sep, 2017
An Introduction to Mindfulness and Managing the Stress of a Cancer Diagnosis, presented by the Breast Cancer Network of WNY.
Our bodies react to psychological stress by igniting our Stress Response System. Chronic stress causes the body harm and decreases its ability to rest and heal.
This introductory class is designed to provide the participant with an understanding of how we stress, the real source of our stress, and its impact on our overall well-being. This will include reviewing the latest research studies and scientific evidence about stress and the effects mindfulness has in treating chronic stress and enabling us to activate our body's natural Relaxation Response; returning to a calm, natural state of being. Mindfulness guided us to our own deep internal resources to deal with illness, stress, anxiety, depression, and other challenging life situations.
Each participant will learn how to recognize his or her own personal stress, what triggers it and how the practice of mindfulness can be used to manage stress effectively and sustainably. Finally, participants will be instructed in mindfulness exercises they may put into practice immediately.
About our instructor...
Maria Kahn has taught Mindfulness at Univera Health, Independent Health, M&T Bank, Seneca Niagara, NCCC, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo State College, The Hemophilia Center of WNY, Dent Neurological, and to a variety of other groups and individual clients throughout Western New York and abroad. Over 20 years of training and practice has led her to teach Mindfulness as way of reducing stress and unleashing the innate potential we all have to live our lives with greater calm, clarity, and stability. Maria’s clientele come from multiple disciplines and all walks of life, including business owners, healthcare professionals, attorneys, students, artists, educators, and parents.
While incorporating a patient and compassionate approach, Maria offers a unique skill set that allows students to access the root cause of their actual stressors, while learning to manage them effectively from within. She offers courses in the classroom setting as well as private instruction and has helped people overcome their struggles with a variety of issues and conditions, including stress (work related, financial, family/relationship or health), sleeping disorders, anxiety, high blood pressure, chronic pain, fatigue, headaches, and other problems inhibiting one’s quality of life.
Maria earned her degree in Philosophy from Buffalo State College with an emphasis in Eastern Philosophy and its practical applications. Her experience includes 20 years of Mindfulness training and practice under the guidance of Dr. George Hole (Distinguished Professor, Philosophical Counselor, Mentor), retreats with Thich Nhat Hanh (internationally renowned teacher, monk, author, and peace activist) and meditation instruction with experts in China, Japan, Vietnam, India, and Burma. In January 2014, Maria created, coordinated, and implemented the first Mindfulness Program for the Institute for Shipboard Education, Semester at Sea, leading over 100 students, faculty, and staff through an 8-Week Mindfulness Course. She counseled faculty and staff in developing coping strategies for students experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression, facilitated several mindfulness process groups, and led guided mindfulness meditation throughout the five-month voyage. Most recently in August 2016, Maria traveled to Kenya and taught mindfulness for the faculty and staff at Woodland Star International School.
FREE PARKING is available in the Catholic Health parking ramp on Genesee Street.
Seminars are FREE for breast cancer patients and survivors. Learn more about Breast Cancer Survivor Wellness Seminar Series and register at www.bcnwny.org or call (716) 706-0600.
Light refreshments will be served.
Register at our website: BCNWNY.
Funding for this program was made possible by the State of New York. The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers or moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the State.
