Meditation Helps You To Stay Healthy

July 13, 2015 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

The health benefits of meditation have been widely documented. Recent studies using neuroimaging also report that practicing meditation appears to be associated with measurable changes in the brain regions involved in memory, learning and emotion. Research shows that meditation taught in schools can have positive effects on focus and behavior. Come and learn how meditation can help you and your students gain the benefits. This course is designed for those who have never meditated, and for those who may meditate in their personal life and would like to learn how to use it with students.

Participants in this 4-hour introductory program will become familiar with the current research of neuroscientists on the benefits of meditation and will learn a variety of meditation techniques that can be easily incorporated into personal and professional life.

The 4-hour program will include:

• Discussion of the scientific research on the benefits of meditation, specifically the research of neuroscientists on the positive changes observed in the meditating brain.
• Identification and discussion of stressors as they relate to our work with students.
• Discussion of how the body reacts to stress.
• An experience of a variety of guided meditations, including focus on the breath, muscle relaxation, mantra meditation, and mindfulness meditations.
• Discussion of strategies to incorporate meditation and mindfulness into daily life.
• Discussion of strategies to incorporate meditation into the work that we do with our students.

Presenter: Helen Rainoff was a Science and Biology teacher at Wayland High School for 32 years. During that time, she integrated the teaching of meditation into her work with her students and colleagues. Since retiring in 2010, Helen has brought the teaching of meditation to educators and students into a number of schools. Audience: Any educator who is interested in learning how meditation can help to reduce stress, improve wellness, and possibly improve student learning. Fee: Early Bird Registration ~ $50 for EDCO members who register by June 29, 2015, $60 for non-members and anyone who registers after June 29, 2015. Location: EDCO Collaborative, Bedford Registration: Contact the office of Curriculum and Instruction in your district. Participants will receive confirmation details from EDCO once the course has been finalized. Register by: June 29, 2015. Registrations received after the deadline will be accepted if space is available.