IMI Network Working Party Membership

MIAMI MINDFULNESS honors the integrity of MBSR and Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s work by following and advocating for “A Framework for the Integrity of Mindfulness-Based Programs,” May 2020, A Living Document, authored by the International Mindfulness Integrity (IMI) Network.  Valerie York-Zimmerman is a current member of the IMI Network Working Party which is tasked to inform the ethics and standards of teaching for mindfulness-based teachers, trainers, teaching organizations and centers:  Inspiring inclusivity – transparency – warmheartedness – collaboration – connection – clarity – generosity – authenticity – integrity.

Video: “Mindfulness and Mental Health” with Runcie, Jennings, Brewer and Leifman.

In loving memory and honor: Ferris Buck Urbanowski

Ferris Buck Urbanowski, RIP

In loving memory and honor of my first MBSR teacher Ferris Buck Urbanowski who passed away on March 29, 2019. An early student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, she was among the first practitioners of Mindfulness-Based Meditation in the U.S.  For years she worked with her friend Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn as the Director of Training, Center for Mindfulness, UMass Medical Center.  Ferris taught at many spiritual centers, universities, and professional institutions including Tufts, Harvard, Pepperdine, Omega Center, as well as in Canada, Wales and Denmark.

Let’s Prevent More Tragic Heartache

U.S. Representative Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, a 2020 candidate for president and advocate for mindfulness, said in his book, “A Mindful Nation”:

“For a very small investment, we can prevent tragic future costs and heartaches in our communities. How much will we save in preventing substance abuse? How much we will save in preventing suicides and mass shootings because children feel isolated and alone? My goal is to get us to focus more on mental health and well-being in the most important asset we have in America – well-functioning human beings.” 

More: TimRyanForAmerica.com

Congressman Tim Ryan Visits Miami-Dade Schools (The Miami Herald)

CONGRESSMAN TIM RYAN, D-OHIO

Published May 1, 2018 Copyright  (c) 2018 The Miami Herald

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan
Rep. Tim Ryan

Congressman Tim Ryan, an Ohio Democrat, recently visited several inner city schools in Miami-Dade to raise awareness on the importance of using the Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Program as a tool to combat stress, aggression, bullying and school violence.

Ryan visited the Academy for International Education in Miami Springs, Mater Academy of International Studies in Miami, and Arcola Lakes Elementary School in Liberty City. His visit was organized by Valerie York-Zimmerman, founder of Miami Mindfulness, which provides professional training of the program to teachers and counselors, who then teach students in the classroom. The training aims to increase attention and academic achievement, reduce stress and increase performance, improve impulse control and increase teaching time in classrooms, develop emotional regulation and teach students to respond instead of reacting, and build empathy and compassion.

“For a very small investment, we can prevent tragic future costs and heartaches in our communities. How much will we save in preventing substance abuse? How much will we save in preventing suicides and mass shootings because children feel isolated and alone? My goal is to get us to focus more on mental health and well-being in the most important asset we have in America — well-functioning human beings,” Ryan said.

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article210238134.html#


Tim Ryan to Visit Miami Classrooms to Raise Awareness About Violence and How to Develop Safe Schools and Mental Health

JOIN US NOW IN A CALL TO ACTION!
Support Mindfulness-Based Programs in Your School to Improve Mental Health and Reduce Stress, Bullying & Violence.

Berger Singerman Law Firm, 1450 Brickell Avenue #1900, Miami FL

Monday, April 23, 2018,  5:30 until 7:30 p.m.

U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan to Visit Miami Classrooms to Raise Awareness About Violence and How to Develop Safe Schools and Mental Health

Tim Ryan with family

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