Holistic Practitioners Discussion Forum

Reducing Stress with the Power of the Breath

This monthly group is open to any holistic health practitioner who wants to talk with practitioners in their own and other modalities. The purposes are: skill-building, sharing information and experiences, and discovering methods to develop ourselves and support each other. The cost is $5.00 to cover expenses.

There is a plethora of scientific research that supports what yogis have known and have been practicing for thousands of years: Paying attention to the breath creates changes in the natural rhythm and intentionally altering these rhythms creates positive changes in the nervous system and mind states.  We will explore breath as a tool for increasing emotional regulation, decreasing stress symptoms, and balancing energy in the body/mind.

During this presentation, Mira will provide an overview of sympathetic and parasympathic nervous system activity and how each relates to surviving and thriving. We will practice various breathing techniques that may arouse or calm the nervous system, all of which can be integrated with other healing modalities. The group will explore and discuss how various breath techniques might be used to benefit the healing processes with:

• ourselves for greater self-knowledge
• our clients in supporting them towards their treatment goals.
• attuning to and being more present with our client

“Mira” Mary E. Tessman, MA, LCPC is an experienced vipassana meditation and hatha yoga teacher and a mindfulness-based clinical psychotherapist in private practice for over 20 years.  She has been facilitating contemplative and expressive arts, and spiritual growth workshops, classes, and retreats since 1994, and supervises Master’s level psychology students. She was co-founder and co-director of the Heart’s Journey Wellness Center in Towson for five years. Mira views her daily contemplative practices as the most potent and essential supports for helping her to maintain balance in her life.

We will meet at Ruscombe’s Hill House Conference Room, 4801 Yellowwood Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209. The cost is $5.00 to cover expenses.

To RSVP or for further information, contact Paula Derry: paula.derry@gmail.com · 443-610-9881