Mindful Parenting Course with Trisha Stotler

Parenting has always been a tough job, but it seems that between rapid advances in technology, increased academic and social pressure on our kids, and the fast pace of life in Fairfax County, it’s gotten harder and harder to connect on a regular basis with what’s most important to us.

We know that mindfulness instruction is coming to our schools, and our kids will have the benefit of learning these life-changing tools that will help them navigate their childhood and adolescent years. But there is also much that we can learn as parents that will positively impact our own well-being, which ripples out into our family and community.

This is a weekly course that meets every Friday morning for six weeks. In it, you will learn: 
• How we define “mindfulness” and why it’s an essential life skill 
• How mindfulness practices affect the function and structure of the brain, changing it in ways that appear to increase attention, sharpen focus, improve memory, and increase empathy 
• Specific practices to help you grow your capacity to be present, open and receptive, even with challenging people and circumstances 
• What’s going on in your child’s brain at key developmental stages and how to support them 
• Resources for integrating mindfulness practices into your daily life over the long-term

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mindful-parenting-course-with-trisha-stotler-tickets-12349765481

Minds Incorporated is a D.C.-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming schools and their communities into conscious, connected, and compassionate learning environments by teaching mindfulness and other scientifically validated mind-body practices to students, teachers, and parents

Kate Janke, the instructor for this course, has had mindfulness practice at the core of her life since 2004. Her teaching style and techniques stem from traditional meditation and philosophies, coupled with secular mindfulness methods and applications. The foundation of her practice developed from month long silent retreats in the US and in Thailand and was maintained by sitting daily and actively participating in a mindful community. She has completed the Dedicated Practitioners Program through Spirit Rock and is currently a teacher in training at Insight Meditation Society, Insight Retreat Center, and Spirit Rock. 

Kate became a mindfulness teacher in 2008 for Mindful Schools, a non-profit organization that develops and implements secular mindfulness curriculum for students in their classroom. A year later, she became the Director of Training and developed mindfulness training programs for educators, parents, psychologists, and health care providers. During her career with Mindful Schools, she had the privilege of teaching mindful awareness to over 1500 elementary and middle school students and close to 2000 professionals working with kids. 

Today, Kate provides mindfulness training to groups all across the country, offering her unique blend of traditional mindfulness practice with innovative heart-centered practices that cultivate resilience, compassion, and social emotional learning.