"This course was a very intense experience in my life.  Through the practice, you start opening your eyes to a different dimension of your own life and it helps you to go deeper in the root causes of stress, anxiety or depression.  The course is very well designed and I would recommend it to everybody who is looking for a sincere new approach to a peaceful life."

"At this time in my life, this program has been an enlightening experience, a turning point. I feel I am finally my own father and my own mother. I have chosen to give myself roots and at the same time I have chosen to give myself a brand new set of wings."

"I came to the eight week program curious, open-minded, committed but somewhat skeptical. Although I had practiced and enjoyed yoga in the past, meditation was something that was "way out in the twilight zone" for me. However, I was suffering from work burnout and anxiety and needed help as I was stuck and wished to get off my anxiety medication, not increase it. Melodie provided a supportive environment and with wisdom and gentleness guided myself and the other participants through mindfulness meditation and yoga techniques. The best way for me to share my experirence is to describe what happened to me over the eight week period as I learned and practiced, practiced, practiced. I learned to "be with my breath"; my mind then became more restful, calm and stable. I became more aware of my thoughts, feelings and emotions and how much energy and lost moments I expended in thnking about the past and worrying about the future and all my stories I had created about them. I became aware that I cannot control the uncontrollable. I became aware of my automatic reactions to the stressors in my life. My perspective on things grew. I became aware that there were better ways to respond and that I could choose better options for myself. Most of all, one day I experienced some strange emotions... I felt happy and confident."

"In this fast paced world with its many competing and often multi-faceted challenges and demands, it is useful to have strategies that serve to strengthen and replenish our own inner resourcefulness. Mindfulness practice is such a tool. It builds an awaraeness of how to be fully present as a means of managing the vicissitudes of life with acceptance and grace. One of the most powerful results for me has been the ability to embrace the changing landscape of life experiences in a calm and positive manner, and to trust in my own inner strength. This program is a must for those who seek to expand their repertoire for dealing with the inevitable challenges of life with equanimity, the result being able to fully appreciate the joy and beauty and messiness of life itself, one moment at a time."

"Rarely have I taken a course that has lived up to its objectives as well as the mindfulness program. One of my goals at the outset of the program was to be able to stay centred as much as possible. Now, a year after finishing the course, I'm grateful that I do feel my centre and my strength more often than not. What a legacy for an eight week program."

"The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program gave me the courage and the necessary tools to take a closer look at myself. This program helped me to deal in a positive and constructive manner with stress, and in a much broader perspective, the time to reflect upon my life."

"More than a year after taking the mindfulness program, I still have the lasting benefits of remembering when things get tough for me that my options are not limited to running away or fighting back - the path of mindfulness continues to open new doors. It's more than coping - it's a journey of discovery into territory that has always been there, just waiting to be tapped into."

"Mindfulness meditation was like coming home to myself after a long trip...my partner, my daughter and clients liked what they saw and also came home...but most important of all when faced with adversity during a car accident, the practice enabled me to stay with myself and breathe."