Saturday, November 6, 2010

Teacher Training Program & Volunteer Opportunities!

The Meditation Initiative will hold its next Teacher Training Program Saturday December 11, 2010 from 10am - 4pm. 

In addition, we are seeking volunteers for various positions to help expand our organization. This training will provide an overview of The Meditation Initiative and will be beneficial if you would like to get involved in any capacity.

Starting in January of 2009, TMI has led meditation for over 3,700 people. We rely on volunteers to continue to expand our Meditation Outreach Program.

If interested in attending, please email peace@meditationinitiative.org for more details.

Peace,
TMI


TMI Teacher Training - August 2010

New TMI Blog

The Meditation Initiative has a new blog! Make sure to follow us for the latest on meditation tips, newsletters, meditation teacher trainings, and where you can find us in the community! 

Remember, meditation is free!



Mission

The Meditation Initiative provides free meditation classes for children, adults and seniors to help reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and attention, and share tools for anger management while improving overall health and well-being.

We provide free community outreach to K-12 Public Schools, Colleges, Hospitals, Prisons, Diabetes Patients, HIV Patients, Senior Centers, Homeless Teens, Sober Living Homes, United States Military, At-Risk Youth in Tijuana, and Group Homes for Victims of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking.

San Diego Meditation Clients


The Monarch School
US Military Wounded Warriors
King Chavez High School
The Braille Institute
UCSD Medical Center
Morse High School
Crawford High School
Temple Emanu-El
KPBS
Christies Place
San Diego City College
IHSS Public Authority
UPLIFT Christian Group
Kids for Peace
Scripps Hospital
Jewish Family Services
Catholic Charities
Keeney, Waite & Stevens
Albert Einstein Academy
    Congregation Beth Israel                    
College Avenue Seniors Center
    Veterans Home of California                             
San Diego Central Jail
    New Alternatives Teen Group Home                   
US Navy Medical Center
    South Bay Community Services                  
La Jolla Recovery Sober Living
                      Tijuana Juvenile Facility                              

The Monarch School

TMI Mission Page


Please consider making a donation to support our effort in the community!




Monday, November 1, 2010

Will You Lead Meditation Before My Math Test?


The Meditation Initiative was invited to the 16th Annual Taking Control of Your Diabetes Health Fair. The event was held at the San Diego Convention Center. Meditation was one of the afternoon sessions which brought in about 100 people. Of all the questions asked, one clearly stuck in my mind.

A 16 year-old high school with Diabetes asked what it would take to come into his classroom and lead meditation before a test. He said teachers are always telling them to sharpen their pencil, finish on time, not to cheat, and how important this exam is for their final grade. He went on to tell me that they never tell them to relax and take a deep breath before they begin.

The kid continued to tell me how much emotional stress he is under with Diabetes and simply just being 16. He wanted to know why is it that so many kids have emotional issues and suffer from depression. I simply shared thoughts on meditation and how it might help.

There were other questions such as a school teacher asking how to calm down and not yell at her 1st grade students, an 88 year old man asking if meditation will replace his meds (i said no, but they will help), and various other questions about stress.

I thank TCOYD for allowing TMI to be a part of this special event!

Peace,
TMI








Thursday, October 21, 2010

Meditation Outreach Program - 8 New Trained Volunteers


THE MEDITATION INITIATIVE NAMES MEDITATION LEADERS FOR KEY ON-GOING OUTREACH PROGRAMS

The Meditation Initiative has named eight trained, experienced meditation leaders to conduct its meditation outreach programs at key organizations throughout the San Diego area.

According to TMI Executive Director Jeff Zlotnik, the new outreach meditation leaders and the organizations they will serve include:

• Luis Martel, KPBS Public Broadcasting for San Diego
• Mia Carlstrom, College Avenue Seniors Center
• David Viafora, Monarch School and King Chavez High School
• Sunshine Palmejar, La Jolla Recovery Sober Living Home
• Gail Braverman, The Braille Institute of San Diego
• Donna Pinto, Kids For Peace
• Joyce DiCicco and Joy Smith, Navy Medical Center San Diego



In making the announcement, Zlotnik said these organizations are typical of the diverse range of groups The Meditation Initiative serves. “We conduct free meditation sessions each week for children, adults and seniors to help reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and share tools for anger management, while improving overall health and wellbeing,” he said. “This includes everything from Catholic Charities to Jewish Family Services, wounded warriors at the U.S. Navy Medical Center, and SDSU, UCSD, San Diego City College and more.” “These new meditation leaders,” he added, “will help us to serve these vital community groups more consistently and more effectively than ever before.”

The Meditation Initiative is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization serving clients that include K-12 Public Schools, Colleges, Hospitals, Prisons, Diabetes Patients, HIV Patients, Veterans Groups, Sober Living Homes and Group Homes for Victims of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking. Please visit our website www.meditationinitiative.org for more information.

The Meditation Initiative

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Wounded Warrior Meditation - A Soft Belly


As I sat in meditation yesterday, I could not help but think about what these young men have gone through to protect our country. The rest of their lives will be forever changed based on their experiences. It was the end of an 8-week meditation program for some and the start of 8-weeks for others. One soldier shared that for the first 3-4 weeks he did not enjoy the meditation. He went on to say that once he let go of not liking it, he started to try the meditation and has been amazed at how much it has helped. He shared how many tours of duty he has been on and the intesity of his mission. Now in a big brother type of way, he was telling these other young soldiers to feel their "belly soften". It was clear he did not want to seem that he had lost his toughness and he had not. He had simply gained back some peace of mind and learned a tool that will help him integrate back into civilian life. I am honored to lead meditation and serve the young men and women that serve this country.

Please click here to make a donation and support this program!

Peace,
TMI

The Meditation Initiative

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

San Diego TCOYD Conference & Health Fair October 30, 2010


The Meditation Initiative will be leading meditation in the afternoon. Please share this event with friends and family you know who may be interested.


San Diego TCOYD Conference & Health Fair October 30, 2010