"Letter of Learning"
from Tony C. in California

I started the MBSR program as an additive to my counseling practice, little did I realize the impact it would have. I am always trying to find ways to really help my clients. As a certified yoga instructor and a certified Vipassana teacher I have been looking for a way to bridge the gap between the two modalities.

This is just a bit of how MBSR has changed my life:

Change in reactionary breathing - I think this was more of an awareness of the way I breathe than a change in the pattern.

Improved sleep patterns - Doing body scans along with sitting seems to have extended my sleep times without any interruptions.

Stopped smoking - After 42 years I just wanted to stop. This was about 4 weeks into the program and it was not in my plan at all.

Decrease in coffee intake - I was a very heavy coffee drinker and by that I mean no less that a pot or two a day was normal for me. At the time of this writing I am drinking 3 cups a day and non-caffeinated tea at night.

Increase in walking and being outside - I now take walks after sunset and love it.

Decrease in sugar intake - This was another surprise to me, it is directly related to the amount of coffee I was drinking a day.

Increase in drinking water (coconut water) - My daughter introduced me to coconut water and I love it.

In following your format I have increased my own understanding and improved my life in ways I had not thought possible. After a lifetime of study (being 60, I get to say that, ha ha) yep I thought I knew everything, turns out I didn't.

It is my intention to introduce this format of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction somehow in all the classes I teach and to the clients I have. This is a truly valuable tool.

- Tony C.