“It’s hard to even describe. I feel like I have an amazing tool to use in my daily life that I didn’t’ have before. This tool makes me feel hopeful and calm. This tool makes me feel confident.”  

“Is a saber-tooth tiger chasing me? No. Then let me look at why my body feels so stressed and try to breathe.”

“Realizing how powerful meditation can be and that I can do it – and it does help my reactions and ability to respond to stress.”

“I’ve learned that I can change. I’ve been stuck for so long I thought I would always be in the same place. The change has happened gradually, but it has made all the difference.”

 “It has helped me shift the narrative of my thoughts to be more positive and intentional.”

“I am “able to exercise greater control thru breathing over thoughts that interfere with my calm well-being.”

“I have really noticed my level of patience increase a great deal. Instead of pushing through difficulties to hurry and be over them I am walking intentionally through them.” 

“I make my schedule around having time to meditate. When I started, I found it hard to find the time. Now it’s a given time and the rest of my day is scheduled around it.”  

“Overall, I have a greater awareness of my thoughts and feelings as they occurred. This enhance awareness allowed me to shift from reactivity to a selected and intentional response.”

“I am in control of my life and the choices I make. It is up to me to live my life as fully as possible. I have the opportunity each day to embrace things and appreciate them.”

 “I am less judgmental of self and others. More aware of myself and others with greater clarity and reality.”

“I’ve made mindfulness a daily practice prioritized as the first thing I accomplish every day to set the foundation for the day.”

 “I am better able to create/extend the space between stimulus and response.”

“I have a lasting sense of integration.”  

 “Through my experience with MBSR, I’ve become more self-aware and less judgmental of self. Knowing when I need to take a moment and breathe rather than continue in a stressful moment.”

“I’ve also been able to assert myself more professionally”

“Learning about myself and how I interact with my own mind will last a lifetime.”

“Thank you so much for your caring and authenticity, Theresa!”

 “I’ve become a better parent and wife because I slow down and listen.”

 “I’ve learned how to recognize thoughts, feelings. Whereas I’d easily miss those previously and then not know why/how I’d get to the endpoint.”

I have experienced an “unbinding from identification with thoughts and feelings and greater understanding of the nature of them and shaping habits of mind.”

“I am more aware and accepting of my thoughts and feelings. I don’t feel as if I am reacting as much as responding more with a quietness and peacefulness.” 

“My relationship with my thoughts is more awareness of my thoughts, feelings and sensations of body and how they can wander but I can choose to focus on them and not focus on them.”

“My ability to recognize thoughts, feelings, and sensations more quickly and accurately will help in all times of my life. I firmly believe as I continue to practice and use these skills they will continue to improve my life.”

“There have been so many positive changes in how my brain reacts to stress. I can’t thank you enough for this class. It has opened my heart’s mind.”  

“I am able to be aware more of my thoughts and feelings and think about where they are coming from or what’s causing them.”

“I look at my feelings instead of pushing them away.”

“I actually recognize my thoughts/feelings now! Reactions have become less judgmental, more of an observation than explosion.”

“I notice thoughts or feelings to see if they actually need to be changed. Or if I just need to acknowledge them. I take time to respond instead of react.”

“I greatly appreciate Theresa and her ability to make me so comfortable and accepting of where I am in my practice. I strive and judge myself critically and she reminded me that in this moment, I am okay right where I am.”