Spark
Perspectives, news, and announcements from the Center that will ignite your passion for wellbeing.
April 16, 2018
After 4 years of speaking to hundreds of women in networking events, individual coaching sessions, and speaking engagements, I have come to realize how vital creativity is to a woman’s wellbeing. In my own life, I reached a point where having my creativity on the shelf became unbearable. I didn’t realize it was the missing link until I reconnected with it and discovered it was actually a form of fuel for my wellbeing. Now, I consciously nurture my relationship with my creativity every single day and enjoy the boost of energy it gives me for whatever life sends my way.
Tags: Health Coaching
April 2, 2018
I often get asked the question, “Why would someone work with a health coach?” It’s a great question and one that has different answers. Let me start with the stories of a couple of my recent clients to illustrate. One had just finished acute treatment for cancer and found herself in the strange transition time between actively receiving treatment and finding the new normal in her life after a major health crisis. For her, coaching allowed her a place to stop and figure out what kind of a support team she needed to navigate this new phase of the ongoing maintenance of her condition. She also took some time to define the new normal in her life and figure out what she most needed to feel like she was in charge of her life and thriving again.
March 27, 2018
The gonging of a Tibetan singing bowl signifies the start and end of staff meetings at The Waters in Oakdale. Before every shift, the health and wellbeing team comes together for huddles to talk about their intentions for the day and what they will focus on, starting perhaps with a guided imagery exercise or aromatherapy. Grounded and primed with information needed to provide excellent care, these nurse leaders head out to engage with residents.
Tags: Care-Model Innovation, Community Stories, Faculty Stories, Mandala, Mindfulness, Mindfulness in Education
March 13, 2018
Just 3 years ago, I had never practiced mindfulness, and the word “mindfulness” had likely never even passed my lips. Now, being mindful is an intention I have for all of the moments of my day. Mindfulness practices find their way into all parts of my life, all locations of my life, and they support me in being the person that I mean to be. - Jamie Edwards, School Social Worker in a local public school
Tags: Mandala, Thought Leadership, Wellbeing
March 6, 2018
The University of Minnesota’s Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing and the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities are teaming up on a study to help these adults enhance their health and wellbeing so they can live their best lives. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study focuses on developing and testing a new educational program called Mindful Movement which aims to help adults ages 50 and up overcome barriers to exercise, and gain the skills and motivation to improve their wellbeing.
March 1, 2018
For forty years, my career has featured the interface between land and water — most of it on Lake Superior. Paddling over and camping along water, its rhythms have become a part of me. On Lake Superior, the sound of waves is as constant as breathing — the silence is shocking when I walk inland.
February 27, 2018
“Many people have strong inner critics,” says Center mindfulness teacher Jean Fagerstrom. “We think [self-criticism] is a good way to motivate ourselves. But the truth is we function better and happier if we learn to be kind to ourselves.”
Not only that, but we’re more successful when we forgive ourselves our inevitable human failings, she says. “Research shows that kind people are more resilient and persistent in the face of setbacks.”
February 21, 2018
As I reflect on our current culture and what behavior is considered status quo, I intuitively sense that as an American culture we are overstimulated, undernourished, and disconnected from our deeper lives. I recently heard that in the leading technology country of South Korea, one of the newest forms of rehabilitation centers popping up all over is technology addiction centers. And it leaves me as a health coach reflecting on the many types of nourishment that we tend to overlook as we stay responsive to the constant external stimulation and distraction of our current society. This article is my health coach remedy for the epidemic we face.
Tags: Courses, Faculty Stories, Wellbeing
February 12, 2018
From the moment we are born our bodies are essential to our learning, growth and relationships with others. Throughout our lives, our bodies and movements communicate much more clearly than our words.
Tags: Health Coaching
January 29, 2018
Individuals pursue a career in coaching for many reasons, but there are some common themes. Health Coaches are committed to their own growth and wellbeing, and want to support others with that commitment.
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Mandala is a biannual magazine produced by Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. It captures the core aspects of the Center: reflection, transformation, spirituality, creation, and the ongoing journey that continues to shape what we are to become.
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The Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing blog covers a range of integrative health and wellbeing topics. For more information about our blog, contact us at csh@umn.edu