MINDFULNESS

"The program is paramount in helping with anyone's stress be it physical or psychological. The value it had for me was to bring me back to the present moment and realizing there is a place where one can be quiet and calm even with everything that is going on around you. The program gave me insight with how I would avoid being present and focus too much on the past and future. I continue to use the tools which help with my day to day living. A true blessing."

"My life has been busy, and continues to be busy.  One motive for taking the mindfulness program was to alleviate persistent fatigue and feelings of being non-centered.  Through Dr. McIntosh’s patient and unconditional teaching, I have been learning to embrace my life as a process where in fact I have the choice to slow down, take a breath, and notice the moments.  This is not an easy nor immediate achievement, but definitely one worthy of exploring.  I wholeheartedly recommend this program to people who are willing to give mindfulness a chance. "

"The mindfulness program has been valuable in helping me manage my chronic pain. Techniques taught in the program such as deep breathing, meditation and yoga have helped me manage and at times reduce my pain. The mindfulness aspects of non-judging and positive attitude have surprisingly improved my already positive relationships. This program has contributed to my well-being and happiness. "

We are often mind full instead of mindful. Approaching the end of a chaotic year filled with life-changing events, I was becoming increasing aware that change was imperative for me to cope better with stress and with conflict. It’s through the 8 week program that I explored the benefits of meditation and embraced the mindset of “beginner's mind”. The tools acquired throughout the program have increased my confidence when dealing with difficult situations; I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about themselves.

"...I learned that we can lose ourselves dwelling in the past or worrying about our future.  The core of the program is the cultivation of paying attention to the present moment- not because the past is not important, nor because the future is not worth thinking about, but because we can only experience our lives in the present moment.  This is not a trivial observation.  I have often observed that the faster you go, the more you miss.  I am glad I slowed down for Dr. McIntosh's program.  She is a kind and thoughtful teacher.  She would say she is just as much a student as any of us.  Take this program as a gift to yourself."

Perhaps the best advice Shiona gave was 'just do it.' The thing is, mindfulness practices are not exhilarating; finding 40 minutes each day to meditate can be difficult not only because life is busy, busy, busy with endless demands and too little time, but also because a full body scan initially feels like an eternity, especially for fidgety bodies and wandering minds. Don’t expect to feel relaxed or comfortable or happier. Take the course, do the practices, and be attentive to the subtle changes in your way of being in the world. Your life will still be there in all its complexity, but you may experience the transformative potential of mindfulness in shifting your relationship to the complexity, developing your capacity to endure uncertainty or suffering, and creating a space in which to pause, reflect, and choose how to respond. Shiona will help you find the tools to manage yourself—body, mind, and spirit—with compassion and attentiveness. The course is worth doing. Just do it. 

Shiona is a recently retired family doctor with a passion for holistic wellness. She blends her knowledge base of human illness and disease from her medical training, with certification in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and a more recent attainment of Reiki Master Healer, having studied with Jocelyn Clark. Shiona has always wanted to "help people", and views her work now as simply a different way of healing- one that can be truly transformative. Shiona tries to weave her work into her day to day life, and most people who know her are drawn in by her grounding presence and interest in people. She loves the outdoors and spending time in her kayak, hiking, cycling and cross country skiing. Family comes first, and her husband and children are the true joy of her life. As well as the three adorable felines noted in the picture!