Through this literature review, Lazar and Ott identified four main ways mindfulness works to improve our quality of life:
Attention regulation
Body awareness
Emotion regulation
Sense of self

Attention regulation is the ability to focus on an object of awareness. Training the mind to overcome distraction helps you feel less flustered and “all over the place” and more centered.

Next, body awareness contributes to the ability to sense your own emotions and as a bonus, the emotions of others. In order to develop empathy, it’s key to be able to sense how you are feeling.

The third core feature of how mindfulness works is emotion regulation. By allowing feelings and emotions that might normally be avoided, to come up, be expressed, and fade away, mindfulness builds the capacity to bear undesirable feelings and works in a similar way to exposure therapy.

The final element that makes mindfulness work is the change in perspective of self. With practice, mindfulness can lead to a less static definition of one’s self, and the realization that we’re always changing. A more fluid existence can lead to less suffering and more “in the moment” enjoyment.

- National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine

It is tempting to label the experiences in our lives, to create sense and order we label people, ideas, relationships “good or bad”. The truth however is that nothing is ever all good or all bad.

Bellevue Relationship Counselor Katie Swartz Hosting 8 Week Chakra Class

Katie Swartz is a Bellevue, WA relationship counselor.  The eight week chakra course will help participants to explore the energy centers of the body and the chakra system while learning to tap into the hidden information that’s inside of our bodies and how to use this information for opening and healing.

Bellevue, Washington, November 3, 2011 – Bellevue Relationship Counselor, Katie Swartz is a Bellevue, WA relationship counselor.  The eight week chakra course will help participants to explore the energy centers of the body and the chakra system while learning to tap into the hidden information that’s inside of our bodies and how to use this information for opening and healing.

The eight week Bellevue chakra healing course is named, “Journey Through the Energy Body” and is limited to women only with classes beginning on Dec 21^st, 2011, and ending in February.  Space is limited in order to keep the class size small and will be held every Wednesday evenings from six to nine p.m.

“What makes Katie’s practice so different is, first, the compassion she brings on the path to healing. You truly learn to be kind to and nurture yourself. To borrow a line from the song “Perfect” she helps you, “change the voices in your head; make them like you, instead.” B. Seattle

Participants will learn how to create space in order to connect and reflect with others in the group as well as friends and family after the sessions. There will be a different topic each week that include using meditation, yoga and teachings to activate specific energy centers which are called chakras to help balance, center and heal the body.

Students will also learn how to use tools to activate and open chakras and how develop a deeper richer meditation practice as well as learn how to tune in and listen to the messages that the body sends us every moment we’re awake.

Following the teaching participants will enjoy a facilitated open discussion which will allow them greater exploration of the concepts surrounding the chakra and reflect on the deeper meaning of life and how this concept enhances or detracts from the current experience of life.

About

My interest in counseling and mentoring has come through my varied experience both personally and professionally. As a leader in the corporate world, much of my time has been spent coaching and counseling others to achieve their personal level of excellence professionally while maintaining a balanced life.

Contact

Authentic-You Katie Swartz
2025 112th Ave NE, Suite 300
Bellevue, WA 98004-2943
Phone: (206) 794-2717
Website: http://counselorbellevue.com/

1. Both feet firmly in the relationship.
Recognizing that you and your partner are committed in the relationship allows for a level of safety that supports openness.

2. A high regard for your partner.
An honest and loving regard for your partners feelings, needs and dreams.

3. Assume the best and have GRACE when the best doesn’t show up.
Always assume that your partner has the best interest of the relationship as priority #1. And if for whatever reason you or your partner doesn’t hit the mark, a high level of grace and compassion supports a healthy relationship.

4. Honest and open communication
This one requires a fearlessness that comes from commitment.

5. Willingness to work – and to be wrong
We all have our baggage, and we will always bring it into relationship (I can’t tell you how many times I hear “I was doing so great and then I got into a relationship”) . Relationship’s bring up our “stuff” – a willingness to work on and through your stuff will create a solid and loving relationship!

6. PLAY
It is true that couples that play together stay together!

Learning healthy boundaries requires practice, patience and people. The people part is why we do groups. Groups allow us to practice healthy boundaries in a safe and supportive environment.

This is a 7-week program designed to explore the chakra system. We will use meditation, yoga and teachings to activate specific energy centers (chakras) each week while learning practical uses for this energy and information.

Cost is $420.00 for the 7 week program – Includes all workbook material and Meditation CD’s.

Early Enrollment Special $350.00 if you sign up and pay by July 1st!

Facilitated by Troy Aylesworth and Katie Swartz

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

When we intentionally (or accidentally) seek to manifest something into our lives we must have Passion and  Enthusiasm, these supply the energy and focus essential for thought to become form.  What in your life are you Passionate/Enthusiastic about today?

The universe doesn’t judge what you want to manifest – if  you put passion and enthusiasm into something it will set in motion what is necessary to manifest what you focus this energy on.

Are you enthusiastically/passionately complaining about someone at work – about how bad the economy is – how difficult it is to find work – how unhappy you are at someone’s behavior …………

Gandhi said we need to “be the change we wish to see in the world.” – we don’t get there by focusing our passion on what is wrong with the world.  Focused enthusiasm and passion on solutions; solutions based on an understanding and appreciation for the world the way it is – an understanding of what is wrong – not a focus.

Notice where you focus your Passion and Enthusiasm – it is one of your most valuable and powerful resources!

If being right is your goal,
you may find error in the world,
and seek to change it to match your expectations.

But don’t expect peace of mind.

If peace of mind is your goal,
look for errors in your expectations;
seek to change them, not the world.
And always be prepared to be wrong.

- Peter Russell

The following are thoughts that have come from hearing the above quote…

Relationships Begin With YOU

Your

Own

Understanding and beliefs about self

If this statement is true, if my relationships really are a mirror, reflecting my internal beliefs, then the only way to change my relationships is to change my core beliefs about me.

When I found myself years ago in an unhappy place in my relationships, I was shocked to realize that there was a part of myself I didn’t like.  I was successful in my chosen profession, making a lot of money, respected and well liked – what wasn’t there to like?  “This is nuts” I thought,  “these other people just need to get there act together and then I will be fully happy.”  And, I was wrong.

After years of work, which provided the strength and courage I needed, I opened the aperture allowing in the light so I could see more fully – Who Do I Really Think I AM. While there was much about myself that I could appreciate, there was a significant part of myself that I hid or was ashamed of. And it was these parts, neatly tucked away in the shadows that changed and shaped my most intimate relationships.

I spent the next few years working in the shadows, sifting threw beliefs and truths, finding each parts strengths and gifts – I learned to honor all of me. I noticed a profound shift in how I related in the world.  I let go of judgement, because I had stopped judging myself.  I let go of resentments, because I no longer did things in order to get love that I didn’t want to do. I could hold space for those I love – the good the struggling and the frightened, because I could hold and honor all those parts of me.

This is not a journey for the faint of heart nor is it a selfish act.  This is a journey for humanity. Until we embrace our most authentic self we continue to wage war.  At home, in the office, through our governments and policies. We judge, compare, separate and divide – as we judge, compare, divide and separate ourselves.

It is now the work that I do to walk with others as they shine their own light into the shadows – and embrace what we find there.