Why begin with educators? Research shows that mindfulness training for educators has both personal and professional benefits. Students who are taught by teachers who act with compassion and self-compassion are more likely to cultivate this capacity in their relationship with themselves and with others. Positive psychology demonstrates that we can improve happiness by changing how we focus on the world. Mindfulness gives us a chance to choose to respond to what is happening in the moment more calmly, empathically, compassionately, effectively, and more in keeping with our values, rather than reacting unconsciously, automatically, judgmentally and while being driven by our emotional state. The more mindful we become, the more we broaden and build our inner resources that help us strengthen our resilience (the ability to shift our perceptions, change our responses, and act with compassion, curiousity, openness and acceptance).
Heidi Bornstein is the co-founder and executive director for Mindfulness Everyday, a Canadian registered charity that has been delivering mindfulness programs in the community since 2010, to students, parents, and educators. Heidi is an MBSR (Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction) teacher, a Hatha yoga and meditation teacher. She is the co-creator of The Mindful Edge™ – Stress Reduction and Life Strategies for Teens,. Heidi is a certified facilitator for SMART: smartEducation — Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques for Educators. Heidi has been teaching yoga and meditation in Toronto since 2002 and continues to support yoga, meditation, and mindfulness programs for children, youth, teens, and adults.