MIAMI MINDFULNESS, LLC
CORAL SPRINGS, FLORIDA

About Miami Mindfulness Miami Mindfulness is dedicated to making accessible and affordable the world-renowned Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, as developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, both directly to students of all ages and by training future MBSR teachers. Inner Journey at Miami Mindfulness – Starting Out in 1998 Valerie continued to operate under Inner Journey but added “at Miami Mindfulness” to identify with her Miami community. Miami Mindfulness and Mindful Kids Miami Through Miami Mindfulness, Valerie continued to bring MBSR and other adult Mindfulness-Based programming to busy people with stress-related illness and psychological symptoms, some with difficult and life-threatening diagnosis - professionals such as healthcare providers, therapists, people in institutional settings, ministers, lawyers, judges, law enforcement, people in business, finance, public policy, etc.. Miami Mindfulness, LLC -- Today Miami Mindfulness, LLC help those committed to learning and becoming skilled MBSR teachers by teaching the MBSR Practicum, Mentoring teachers-in-training, and leading 5-Day Silent Retreats so that the Pathway to MBSR Certification is accessible and more affordable to people in the South Florida community. Miami Mindfulness programs are directed and taught by Valerie York-Zimmerman, one of only a few CFM Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teachers in the State of Florida. Valerie was awarded certification by the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She is one of the MBSR Mentors for the Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute (MBPTI) at the CFM at UC San Diego Health System. Hundreds of people from all walks of life have taken Valerie’s IJ-MBSR training over the past 19 years, including many community leaders, physicians and mental health professionals, academics, judges and others whose work and lives impact the South Florida community. Many still take her advanced classes and have helped her in her mission to spread the benefits of mindfulness in the South Florida community. ( After years of ongoing study and teaching her IJ-MBSR classes to adults, Valerie envisioned expanding these life-affirming principles to children. Convinced the most effective way to reach children was by raining their teachers, Valerie embarked on this daunting task with indefatigable energy and focus: Since 1998 Valerie has taught in her husband Dr. Leonard Zimmerman’s medical office and in other clinical or institutional settings. She wanted to provide an organic, peaceful setting for her students so in 2008 she and Dr. Zimmerman built The Sanctuary, a meditation hall nestled in the tranquility of a tropical Zen garden, deck and waterfall. Classes and the All-Day Retreat are held at The Sanctuary. “How could we forget those ancient myths that stand at the beginning of all races – the myths about dragons that at the last moment are transformed into princesses.  Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are only princesses waiting for us to act, just once, with beauty and courage.  Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love. Why do you want to shut out of your life any uneasiness, any miseries, or any depressions?  For after all, you do not know what work these conditions are doing inside you.” is a way of being and includes both a narrow and wide range of awareness developing flexibility of mind.  It has to do with refining our capacities for paying attention, for sustained and penetrative awareness. It teaches us how to become still so that we are able to “respond” rather than continue to “react” in inappropriate ways. includes intentionally suspending the impulse to characterize, evaluate, and judge what one is experiencing. It is a secular practice that involves paying attention to what is happening as it happens with an attitude of kindness, curiosity, and non-judging. With practice, our minds begin to settle down into non-judgmental awareness which is the foundation of emotional intelligence, healthy social relationships, and good mental health. It helps us to discover who we are at the deepest level and to find balance. . Today we are experiencing extraordinary technological advances in the diagnosis and treatment of illness while at the same time learning to take more responsibility for our own health and well-being. In this book, Saki Santorelli, director of the nationally acclaimed Stress Reduction Clinic, explores the ancient roots of medicine, and shows us how to introduce mindfulness into the crucible of the healing relationship. Children of all ages can benefit from mindfulness, the simple practice of bringing a gentle, accepting attitude to the present moment. It can help parents and caregivers, too, by promoting happiness and relieving stress. Here, we offer basic tips for children and adults of all ages, as well as several activities that develop compassion, focus, curiosity and empathy. And remember, mindfulness can be fun.  ( Mindfulness is more than just moment-to-moment awareness, says Shauna Shapiro. It is a kind, curious awareness that helps us relate to ourselves and others with compassion. ( “How could we forget those ancient myths that stand at the beginning of all races – the myths about dragons that at the last moment are transformed into princesses.  Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are only princesses waiting for us to act, just once, with beauty and courage.  Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love. Why do you want to shut out of your life any uneasiness, any miseries, or any depressions?  For after all, you do not know what work these conditions are doing inside you.” is a way of being and includes both a narrow and wide range of awareness developing flexibility of mind.  It has to do with refining our capacities for paying attention, for sustained and penetrative awareness. It teaches us how to become still so that we are able to “respond” rather than continue to “react” in inappropriate ways.