UCLA Heath’s mindful awareness program, now known as UCLA Mindful, is restarting its free weekly drop-in meditation sessions at the UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. The sessions will take place on Tuesdays from 12:30 – 1 pm in the auditorium on the first floor of the hospital, which is located at 1250 16th Street, Santa Monica.
“These weekly sessions have been very popular in the past, so we’re looking forward to reconnecting with previous participants,” said Diana Winston, director of UCLA Mindful. “We’re also hoping that others in the community – neighbors, those shopping or eating in restaurants nearby, hospital staff, visitors and even patients – will stop in for a session.”
According to Winston, scientific studies – more than 7000 published over the past 30 years – have shown that mindfulness is helpful in managing chronic pain, anxiety and depression as well as reducing general stress and stress-related health conditions. It can also improve attention, lesson feelings of burnout, and even change brain function by increasing brainwaves that are linked to states of calm, deep focus and sleep.
The Tuesday in-person sessions in Santa Monica will be led by rotating UCLA Mindful-trained facilitators. Weekly in-person sessions are also held at the Hammer Museum in Westwood on Thursdays.
No previous meditation experience required, newcomers are encouraged, and all are welcome.
UCLA Mindful, the mindfulness education center at UCLA Health, is dedicated to advancing mindful education to promote individual and cultural well-being and resilience world-wide. Its mission is provide innovative, evidence-based mindfulness programs that empower individuals and institutions to manage stress, enhance health and cultivate inner and outer piece. To learn more or to download the UCLA Mindful app, visit UCLA Health's Mindfulness Education Center. For a list of classes and events, go to Classes and Events.
