As life gets increasingly complex, often due to common challenges such as emerging health concerns, family and relationship issues, childrearing and care giving responsibilities, changes in work and financial status, and worries about the future, we often need support to help manage and reduce stress.

Chronic stress can contribute in major ways to serious health problems such as anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, heart disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer. Fortunately, there are several non-pharmacologic, evidence-based methods that can help reduce stress and the associated risks for developing or worsening these health problems.

Utilizing relaxation tools such as breathing exercises, visualization and imagery, soothing music and self-hypnosis are often helpful in reducing stressful feelings. There are many books and audio programs on the market that teach a broad variety of these kinds of tools, and they are easily learned by most people. Sometimes, however, these techniques can seem to offer only short term or superficial relief.

By contrast, learning and cultivating certain classical mind body skills (yoga, meditation, mindfulness and others) that teach us how to respond (rather than react) more skillfully to stressors is especially effective for providing long term relief from suffering caused by life’s unpredictable challenges and the things we cannot control. By practicing these skills over time, positive changes occur in the overall patterns of one’s life. The negative and potentially health damaging feelings of anxiety, anger, fear and unhappiness can be replaced with peace, acceptance, security and deep joy.

At Paragon, we offer Mindfullness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a program that was developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center nearly 30 years ago that combines the best of these life changing practices. This program has been shown in scores of clinical research studies to relieve symptoms of stress and stress related health problems, as well as contributing to high level well being and life satisfaction. Call today to find out more about this highly acclaimed program.

"I wish there was a Part 2, and that each class was longer - I got so much out of each session, all the practices, the readings, the discussions and other resources you shared with us; I feel I've only scratched the surface of this incredible power and freedom I didn't even know I had. Thank you for offering this truly life changing course!"

"Mindfulness training has helped me see that I have the power to change important things in my life - it's helped me stay calm and enjoy what I'm doing. The yoga has helped me be more flexible, have more energy and have less pain."

"I feel I've learned to 'bring on calm' just like I used to habitually 'bring on stress'. Mindfulness has helped lower my blood pressure and enjoy the 'magic' of my body and mind."

"This work has taught me that I can be still, I can be quiet, I can be non-judgemental toward myself. As I am more aware and peaceful, the world responds to me in the same peaceful and kind manner."

"This course became available to me while I was going through a very difficult time. The mindfulness practices helped me sit with myself and tune in to myself in such a way that it alleviated my anxiety and stress over all that was going on in my life at the time. This should be part of all people's basic health care. "

"I was the classic example of someone whose mind is racing in a hundred directions at once, worrying about things I had no control over. Now I'm able to slow down and catch my breath - I'm much calmer now! I'm glad this class was recommended to me and I'll recommend it to others."

"Learning about mindfulness in a group context was really helpful - it made me feel less alone, and I got a lot of support from everyone in the group. The homework practice always makes me feel better - and the more I do the better I feel! "

"Before taking this class I was quick to anger and fly off the handle, often causing arguments and conflicts at home because of it; now I know I have an alternative - I don't have to be governed by those conditioned responses. I feel much more free and happy."

"Thank you for this beautiful introduction to mindfulness. This is something I definitely intend to carry on into my future with as it has helped my relationships, my work life and especially how I feel about myself, the world and my place in it."