This class was really pleasant. It was a nice way to start my friday mornings and got me through a difficult time. I was very satisfied with the MBSR class.
"I took the eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) workshop with Emily and in short, it made a huge difference in my life—both in stress reduction (read in: depression) and putting a lid on my anxiety,"
I felt connected to everyone in this group and I thank each and everyone of them for leaving me with something. For having taught me something and for just listening and not judging. For once in my life I did not feel like I had to stage anything nor play any part or role apart from being myself. I thank you mostly Emily for shedding light to this and for making me realize that playing a part may be a survival skill in society ( work place etc.) but does not have to be a way of living - and letting go - just being yourself is ok as well. Thank you. I needed that. I am still left with memories of our classes.... this is my way of feeling it is not the end but the beginning of a wonderful journey. Thank you ALL once again and thank you Emily for making something I thought was impossible possible!!”
Emily has truly helped me through our regular meetings, the strategies/resources that she shares with me, and the longterm support that she provides me in the healing process, which involves a great deal of personal commitment, work, and responsibility. I can personally testify to how mindfulness, self-compassion, and psychotherapy in a supportive/learning framework helps me heal in huge ways and essentially, helps me to evolve to be more myself. I have so much gratitude for this work, this practice, and so much gratitude for Emily, her practice and spirit.
By the way, my anxiety has been completely manageable since the class began 5 months ago, almost not even present anymore. It was truly a life altering experience for me, and I am deeply grateful to you (and Jon Kabat-Zinn).
While the course sticks to the main format designed by Kabat-Zinn, Emily adds her own unique insights and learning, making it original and refreshing while still being based on a proven method. I came away from this course with a deeper understanding of myself, and with tools to get through difficult times... and just every day! Doing the practice from week to week built up a solid experience of mindfulness practice, which made it easier to carry into my life after the course. Emily continuously stressed that we should DO the practice--though not judging us if we'd had an off week--and I think that was an extremely important aspect that merited the repetition. The consistent practice during the class was concrete proof that we could continue on our own after the class ended. I enjoyed doing this in a group where we could share our questions and felt free enough to do so without being judged. I really felt that we were on a journey together, and that by being in class, I was supporting my fellow classmates, just as they were supporting me.
I went into the workshop without any particular expectations in mind or a problem to 'resolve'. However, when I began the mindfulness workshop & learned what it was really about, I began to see my past experiences in a new way and realized there was some unresolved emotions I needed to deal with in certain parts of my life. Mindfulness made me more present, more aware, and more attentive. I not only noticed that I had more patience in my relationships and in raising my daughter, but did so with more compassion. The key to my experience was realizing that all of this had to come from within. I first needed to be mindful to myself, in order to allow greater mindfulness towards others." ~ Y.C.
I am very grateful to Emily for sharing her knowledge and generously bringing mindfulness in our lives by offering this course. I have tried for many years to integrate meditation into my very busy and sometimes overwhelming schedule with limited sucess. Committing to this 8 weeks course made me become engaged in the process. What made it very powerful was sharing with the group about the obstacles as well as the beautiful dicoveries along the way. Mindfulness meditation has helped me become more connected with myself and my emotions. This was a gradual process that naturally unfolded as the weeks went by. I did not feel like I made an effort to 'change myself' or 'change my life' other than putting effort into developing a regular meditation practice. But then, it was my practice that changed me in a very subtle but profound way. Feeling more connected with myself means I am more genuine with myself and others.
Also, I no longer find use for my former bad habits which served to cope with some of my difficult emotions. I have a calm, safe and simple place to go now: within myself! I hope you find this too.
The MBSR mindfulness workshop taught by Emily has changed the rhythm of my life. I am more present with myself and others and I savour each day as a new adventure. Learning to meditate has opened a new perspective on my life path. Emily has the talent to turn us towards mindfulness through group workshops of great simplicity, sweetness and good humour.
I would like to tell you my story...... One day, my daughter told me that she thought I was more nervous than usual. And a few days before, I had received the announcement for the MBSR course. I knew, this was for me. To tell you, I was not sleeping a single night, being awake from 1:00 to 6:00 am every night......I was very concerned about family situations, not knowing how to react and staying close to my feelings. So I registered for this course, I practised every day and I started again sleeping through the nights. I noticed that I was more calm towards others and I made better decisions. I recommend this approach very strongly and I thank Emily."
The Mindfulness and Your Relationships course gave a good overview of mindfulness practice and then focused on how we can incorporate mindfulness into our relationships. I found the exercises we practiced throughout the workshop were really concrete; Emily offered us practical tools which can be used to improve any kind of relationship. I found it helpful to review how important it is to be mindful in moments of conflict with our partners or with any other person in our life.
Just to say that I reluctantly (I'm not a big fan of group training) took Emily's MBSR course in the fall... I was quite surprised at how effective the training was for me with stress reduction and lowering anxiety. Emily is a fabulous teacher with a generous spirit, warmth and grace that is not often found. I would work with Emily again...gladly."
A quick note to thank you for your patience, devotion and respect in which you granted to everyone who comes in. You have forwarded us the gift of self-love and how to turn towards and appreciate the present moment.
I just wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed taking the MBSR course with you. Not only have you been the perfect instructor -knowledgeable, patient, soothing and accepting - but your follow through is incredible! It's been a thoroughly enjoyable experience!
You are a remarkable counselor and woman and I just wanted to let you know that. You gave us permission to be sad and angry but you always gently turned us toward each other and nudged us closer to enable empathy and healing and feeling positive and hopeful and I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.