The GW Mindfulness Meditation Program continues! Brought to you by the Lerner Health & Wellness Center and University Counseling Center Between the city’s buzz, mounting school work, and demands on the job, things can get quite stressful. The Lerner Health & Wellness Center and University Counseling Center here at GW would like to invite you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of your busy schedule with a new series called the Mindfulness Meditation Program. Meditation, itself, is comprised of two main elements: controlled breathing and focused concentration. Mindfulness adds the aspect of paying attention to your experience in the present moment with a non-judgmental, openhearted presence. As you center your attention on your breathing and body movements, you can cultivate an inner tranquility and focus helpful in maintaining not only personal wellness, but also better physical health and stronger attention span. An introspective journey such as this trains the body to feel its inner workings. Though this is not a religious experience, it is important to acknowledge the roots of mindfulness meditation in Buddhist philosophy. Mindfulness and meditation come together in this series to create a peaceful state of being and self awareness. With the power of self awareness, you can take control of the seemingly uncontrollable. You can achieve a lowered stress level, decreased anxiety, reduced depression, improved blood pressure and heart rate, increased attention span and ability to concentrate. All of these give way to the ability to live every day with just a bit more calm, balance, compassion, patience, and concentration in the present. The Mindfulness Meditation classes are held on Tuesdays from 1 – 2 PM at the Lerner Health & Wellness Center in the multipurpose room on the 2nd floor. For more information about Lerner Health & Wellness Center, please click here. The meditation series is open to all GW students on the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses as well as Lerner Health & Wellness Center members. There is no preparation necessary—blankets, chairs, and mats are provided and you may come as you are. So no matter what you’re wearing, where you’re coming from, or what you are doing later, we encourage you to improve your over all well-being and take advantage of the Mindfulness Meditation Program. Mindfulness and Relaxation is also being offered for GW law students, faculty and staff on Wednesdays from 1:30 - 2:15 p.m. in Lisner 202 (the SCC Meeting Room). This program is being offered from June 3rd to July 22nd. Please contact Dr. Grace Kim at 202-994-5300 with any questions.