Julie Anne Larkin, Mindfulness Coach
Anyone interested in living life with less stress and more calm and relaxation may want to check out the health and wellness benefits of mindfulness.
This fall Riverwood Healthcare will offer a 4-week mindfulness training class called “Stabilizing the Mind” in both Aitkin and McGregor. Julie Anne Larkin, mindfulness coach, will introduce participants to simple ways to integrate mindfulness practices into daily life, including yoga, meditation and breathing exercises.
“Mindfulness training teaches simple, accessible breathing, meditation and yoga practices to bring our awareness into the present moment,” Larkin explains. “It fosters kindness and non-judgment of ourselves and others so we can begin to see and work with our pain, anxiety and stressors in a positive way bringing a sense of peacefulness and the ability to respond with wise compassion.
The Aitkin class will be held on Wednesdays, 5 to 7 p.m., Oct. 22 and 29, Nov. 5 and 12 at Riverwood in conference room E/F in the Support Services wing of the hospital. The McGregor class will be held on Thursdays, 5 to 7 p.m., Oct. 23 and 30, Nov. 6 and 13 at McGregor School’s board room. The third session for each location will be four hours from 5 to 9 p.m.
Limited to 15 participants, the cost of the training is $50, which includes a manual with CDs of yoga, meditation and other practices for use at home. To continue to support their mindfulness practice, previous class participants are eligible to register at a reduced cost of only $30.
To find out more about mindfulness before committing to the 4-week class, attend a free introductory session to be offered in Aitkin on Wed., Oct. 1, at 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. and 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Riverwood Healthcare Center, conference room F; and in McGregor on Thurs., Oct. 2 at 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. and 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. at McGregor School’s board room.
To register for the introductory class or the 4-week class series on mindfulness, call Riverwood Education at (218) 927-5188 or email healthyliving@riverwoodhealthcare.org