Workshop Overview

The growth of mindfulness and mindfulness meditation as key practices for achieving and maintaining well-being continues to be an international cultural phenomenon. Schools, colleges, and universities are increasingly integrating these practices to enhance the well-being of their communities. Research in mindfulness and neuroscience has shown that regular short periods of momentary awareness (SOMA) can significantly enhance concentration and self-awareness, while also alleviating the negative impact of toxic stress.

Part 1: Introduction to Mindfulness

Objective and Outcomes:

By the end of this session, participants will have:

• Understood a working definition of 'mindfulness' and how a regular mindfulness practice can result in positive health benefits such as reduced stress.

• Acquired the knowledge and skills needed to lead student groups in a one-minute mindfulness practice to help them ‘land safely’ at the beginning of a class or at other appropriate times during the school day.

• Gained the knowledge and skills required to start their own mindfulness practice if they wish.

• Received a comprehensive takeaway list of mindfulness resources.

• Been invited to join MINDKORCS (Mindful Korean Schools), a group dedicated to the promotion and practice of mindfulness in schools.

Target Audience:

Educators and others who work in education communities.

Part 2: 'Lie Down, Calm Down'

Overview of the Topic:

This experiential workshop will guide participants through a compassionate and mindful body scan while lying on their backs. The body scan is a time-honored practice promoted by secular mindfulness practitioners such as Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Dr. Kristin Neff, a global thought leader on self-compassion. Participants will be introduced to resources summarizing the benefits of the mindfulness body scan, including stress reduction, grounding, increased focus, better sleep, and increased self-compassion. They will also receive links to well-known body scan practices for personal and professional use.

Objective and Outcomes:

'Lie Down, Calm Down' will give participants the opportunity to learn about their bodies while lying down, advocating for the inclusion of such activities in school programs to emphasize the importance of being 'human beings' rather than 'human doings.'

Target Audience:

Educators and all who work in educational communities.

Presenter Bio

Bora Rancic is an international educator with extensive experience working in national and international schools worldwide. Currently teaching English at Dwight Seoul and serving as the Leader of Mindfulness, Bora encountered mindfulness meditation in Thailand twenty years ago and has since been dedicated to sharing it with school communities. He has completed numerous courses with Mindful Schools, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs, and 10-day Vipassana silent retreats. Bora is pursuing further certification through the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Program with Sean Fargo and recently established MINDKORCS (Mindful Korean School Teachers), aiming to support educators in practicing and teaching mindfulness. Outside of work, Bora enjoys meditating, exercising, watching football, reading, and spending time on tropical beaches.