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Mindfulness Midwest

Illinois MBSR Classes in Chicago: Mt. Greenwood, West Beverly, Beverly, Morgan Park, and Evergreen Park

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Mindfulness Midwest

Mindfulness Midwest

Recordings | MBSR | Yoga vs. Osteoporosis | Mindfulness for Educators

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a way of being in the world, an intentional practice of being aware of moment to moment experience, noticing thoughts, emotions, and sensations in a kind and curious way. In noticing, one can choose to pause, call upon informal and formal mindfulness practices (tools, resources), to move towards responding versus the habitual pattern of reacting to stress. 

In the practice of mindfulness, one may or may not be familiar with noticing the thoughts, emotions and sensations that are present moment to moment, thus this is an exploration, a practice, as one tends to inform the other.  Perhaps a sensation arises in the body, followed spontaneously by a thought, a storyline perhaps, and then perhaps, a related emotion arises.

In noticing thoughts, the nature of the mind is witnessed.  Thinking, planning, rehearsing the future, rehashing the past.  The practice is to gently guide the attention back to the present moment, over and over again, to what is here now, over and over again. 

Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, defines mindfulness as the awarenesss that arises when you “pay attention, in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally”.  

Jon developed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program at the UMASS Center for Mindfulness in 1979.

Benefits of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course

  • Increase ability to manage and cope with stress
  • Enhance ability to navigate and manage health problems and challenges
  • Increase in mental focus and clarity
  • Develop skills for self-care and participatory health care
  • Enhance communication through the practice of mindful speaking and listening

Benefits are not guaranteed and may vary with each participant. The MBSR course is not intended as a substitute for traditional medical care.

Evidence-based research supports MBSR as an effective complement to traditional medical care in a myriad of conditions. Below is a partial listing of conditions that may benefit from the practice of mindfulness.

  • Anxiety
  • Heart Disease
  • Cancer
  • Chronic Pain
  • Asthma
  • Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Hypertension
  • Mood Disorders
  • Stress Disorders
  • Sleep Disturbances

About Margaret McGann

Margaret M. McGann, MA, LCPC, E-RYT 500+, MSN, CSN, RN
Margaret is the founding Director of Midwest Mindfulness, LLC.  Margaret was awarded her Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher Certification from the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society™ (CFM) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.  Margaret is a Certified Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Practitioner through her studies and work with David Treleaven.

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Comments/feedback from participants

Read more comments

The MBSR classes taught me how to reduce my stress and to use my breathing as a way of relaxing. I found the classes fun and easy to follow. I met life long friends and recommend it.

Ann

I found the MBSR program with Margaret very beneficial. I had long been interested in yoga and meditation, but had not incorporated either into my daily life until I took this course. During the program, I was inspired to meditate often, and I continue to do so after the ending of the course. Now I feel calmer, even when facing stressful situations. I am sleeping better, paying attention more, and am finding more pleasure in life's little moments!

Margaret is a remarkable, empathetic teacher who creates a positive learning environment.

Michelle

I received 3 gifts from this program. First and foremost as a caregiver, I witness the physical and mental benefits my wife Barbara with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer receives. Secondly, I myself feel the physical and stress benefits that help me keep calm during this Cancer journey by using the techniques that Margaret teaches. Third the hope and friendship it inspires in all who attend. It enriches ones perspective on how to cope with this disease as a patient and caregiver.

Margaret exhibits a genuine concern for all that makes you feel like family. Her conduct is professional and welcoming.

James

I originally attended the MBSR Program to help with a very challenging time in my life, cancer. The MBSR Program has taught me the skills I need to navigate through life. I've learned how to practice meditation, mindful eating and walking and body scanning. The MBSR Program has helped with anxiety and stress in both my personal and professional life. My sleep has also improved because of the MBSR Program.

All of these skills we have learned from Margaret McGann. She has been an excellent facilitator. Margaret provides us with a friendly and supportive environment to learn and practice MBSR. We benefit from Margaret's extensive knowledge, continuing education and experience. She has taught us so much regarding MBSR for which I am thankful.

Sharon

What I got out of our eight week class was how to manage stress in my daily life. I loved learning about coping with stress responding vs reacting. I enjoyed the yoga as well as the mindfulness of breathing. I feel very blessed to have been given the opportunity to take this class.

Margaret is an excellent facilitator. She kept us all on task.

Carol

I am happy to take this opportunity to let people know about the MBSR program I attended nearly four years ago at Little Company of Mary Hospital. It has been instrumental in my recovery from the acute generalized anxiety I had begun experiencing about a month before I started attending MBSR in support of a good friend with cancer. Learning how to take time to breathe deeply, meditate, peacefully unite mind and body through gentle yoga, become aware of what is going on inside my mind and in my heart, and increase my sense of gratitude are invaluable gifts for a better life. We could ask for no better guide than Margaret McGann---patient, kind, always learning, gently challenging.

Laura

I found the MBSR program that I attended to genuinely make an impact on my daily life. I developed, as well as recognized, skills that exercise daily mindfulness which has contributed to my personal well being. I highly recommend the program. The program increased my sense of well being and my ability to control stress triggers. The practices were very useful. I continue to use many weekly.
The program influenced my life by providing me with skills to handle stress more effectively than pretty much anything else I have tried.

The presenter was awesome (and funny).

I'm glad I did it.

Mary

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” ~ Simone Weil

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Contact Margaret McGann

margaret@mindfulnessmidwest.com

(312) 620-7813

Mindfulness Recordings

Listen to mindfulness practice recordings to to explore and engage in mindfulness practices.
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