Meditation and mindfulness has been practiced for millenniums within various religions, cultural philosophies and traditional medicine. In the United States, it has become more mainstream with research substantiating numerous beneficial effects for well-being, physical, and mental health. We will explore various types and practices of meditation, their history, principles of practice in both traditional and contemporary medicine, as well as associated research. Knowledge of various techniques from multiple perspectives and values translates into a sense of awareness, reducing anxiety and stress, improving health, wisdom, introspection, a deeper sense of relaxation and well-being essential for greater appreciation for life and adaptability. Meditation develops mindful awareness that assists in cultivating many qualities and abilities as kindness, compassion, empathy, authentic speech, insight, focus, love, joy, inner peace, happiness among others. By empowering and inspiring individuals with a variety of practices of meditation allows for personal choice and alignment with living optimally. The practice of meditation and skills learned can be used to facilitate meditation personally, individually, with a group, in a class and/or within the community. Ultimately, taking care of ourselves transforms the root of stress, a precursor to many chronic diseases, in our daily lives and our society.

NOTE: This certificate is not transcripted and is not eligible for Financial Aid.