Center for Mindful Awareness

"This program has allowed me to find my power and take control of my life!" The mission of the Center for Mindful Awareness (CMA) is to bring mindfulness into the lives of underserved people and the professionals who support them, in order to deepen self-awareness, build resilience, promote self-regulation, strengthen family attachments, and reduce stress. We address the complex issues facing under-resourced families by providing a deeply respectful environment for participants as they access and experience insights drawn from their own mindful awareness practices. The personal, experiential, and responsive nature of each programs is its strength. All people have the capacity to learn and grow. The CMA believes that the best way to facilitate learning is to nurture mindful self-awareness within the context of relationship-focused, strength-building inquiry. We accomplish this mission by teaching research-based, mindful awareness practices (such as those studied by Dr. Dan Siegel and others) through the signature SHINE (Support Honor Inspire Nurture Evolve) program. SHINE is a 10-week program that focuses on teaching formal and informal mindfulness practices to underserved community members, as well as to the practitioners who serve them. "When you find your breath and follow it, you begin to relax. I had peace in here today. I haven't had peace in a week."