MINDFULNESS & BIAS WORKSHOP
Help your team be more present & more productive
Every human being has likes and dislikes for anything around us: people, colors, beverages, food, and a myriad of other categories. Preference for any of these items usually leads to a bias-prejudice in favor of or against something comparable.
In some instances, biases are harmless, but in certain situations, they can be detrimental or even dangerous. One way to address our biases is through mindfulness.
Jon Kabat-Zinn provided one of the more universally accepted definitions of mindfulness: “Mindfulness is sustained nonreactive attention to one’s ongoing contents and processes (physical sensations, perceptions, affective states, thoughts, and imagery).”
Practicing mindfulness can:
• Experience present moment more fully
• Reduce stress
• Develop less reactivity to people and situations
• Mitigate implicit bias
During the workshop, participants will learn:
• The theory on “why” mindfulness can assist you in developing well-being
• Evidenced based studies that validate different styles of mindfulness meditation’s ability to minimize bias
• Different styles of meditation that will help you determine if this is an appropriate method to add to your toolbox
Are you considering inviting Vertis Williams to present this workshop to your team?
Click Here to Request More Info!
INTRODUCTORY MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP
Mindfulness has gained more popularity in the mainstream media over the last twenty years; however, many people are uncertain about its meaning. This introductory to mindfulness workshop will acquaint novice participants with the following concepts:
• Learn about the origin of mindfulness and the science on how it helps mitigate the physiological reactivity to stress.
• Get a basic understanding of some concepts that accompany mindfulness practice.
• Experiment with different meditation styles to validate whether it is an acceptable practice to add to your repertoire.
POSITIVE HABITS WORKSHOP
Habit serves as the fundamental component of human psychology. Change ineffective mental habits to effective ones, and an individual's actions will yield better results, therefore, a better life.
The Positive Habits workshop will cover the following:
• Learn about goal setting techniques that will help you track and make proper adjustments to achieve success.
• Gain an understanding of the attitudinal precepts that increase the likelihood of attaining one’s goals.
• Learn how to motivate oneself to make the effective habitual changes necessary to progress in life.
PAST PARTICIPANTS' FEEDBACK
I have had the pleasure and fortune of participating in and observing workshops on mindfulness and bias that Vertis Williams has provided for our teacher training organization.
As a participant, each time I have experienced the powerful nature of the workshop and the thoughtful, respectful, and ultimately peaceful presence Mr. Williams embodies while pushing us all to grow and learn more about these important topics. He merges the two topics in an effective way to support positive personal transformation. Mr. Williams not only provided a strong foundation in research on the topics, but also provided opportunities for practice and a safe space for courageous conversations. His sharing of personal stories contributed to the atmosphere.
Our organization plans to continue to work with Mr. Williams as an important contributor to essential conversations for teachers in training.
~ Liza Davis, Director of Special Programs, Primary Trainer, Association Montessori Internationale
◊
Dr. Montessori asserts that the most important preparation of the adult to work with children is to look internally and become self-aware of our own prejudices, beliefs and biases. In a word, it means to become mindful of our thoughts and actions and how they impact our work with children.
Vertis is a master in mindfulness and has led our adult students through an incredible journey of self-reflection and self-awareness. His very presence exhibits what it means to be mindful, to be aware. His amazing sense of calmness, thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit is the essence of what it means to be mindful. One cannot help but think, “I have so much to learn from him, I must pay attention.” And so, we do, and many more will as well.
~ With respect and gratitude, Molly E. O’Shaughnessy, Director of Training at Montessori Training Center of Minnesota
♥