One of the most distinct differences between typical PT and the approach at The Wellness Station is the integration of mindfulness principles not only into your movement and treatment session, but also in the attention and presence of your practitioner.
Here are some of the wonderful ways we blend the quality of mindfulness into our interventions, clinical approach, and our environment.
Pay Attention: This is the first step of all mindfulness practice; being aware of your thoughts and your body and observing them as they are without forcing or trying to change them. In our practice, we ask that you explore and pay attention to your inner sensory world and to your movement. If you plan to awaken to new movement patterns or change habitual neurological pathways associated with pain or certain functional activities, you must first decide to pay attention. Your practitioner will also be paying very close, attentive, and gentle attention to your body, your words, and to who you are as a person in order to better facilitate your learning. No two lessons or sessions are the same because we truly attend to each person in the present moment.
Non-Judgemental Awareness: Whatever arises, allow it and notice it without labeling or judging. Easier said than done! If you’ve grown up in American Culture and have been educated in an environment that uses tests to measure success and progress, or if you work at a job where good performance is valued with more money, then unfortunately you have been conditioned away from non-judgemental awareness. Part of learning to move with joy and pleasure is allowing yourself to sense and tune in without an agenda of good or perfect. Your “judging” mindset will limit your ability to fully experience the present moment. All of our practitioners honor and respect each individual’s process of learning, we do not judge movements or bodies, we make it a point to practice from a perspective of not knowing or assuming to understand why pain or dysfunction arises. From here, we can be creative and treat holistically and far more effectively because, well, no two bodies are the same.
Compassion and Kindness: Often times, we are harsh or judgemental of ourselves for not being “good” at something or “doing it right”. This whole mindset interrupts your ability to learn, be creative, and make meaningful changes in the neural networks in your brain that result from new experiences. Our practitioners will always gently acknowledge your tendency to do this and provide feedback and strategies to soften these patters with self-compassion. Each practitioner is actively engaged in their own mindful, self-care practices to ensure they resonate compassion and kindness in our clinic. You will feel this presence and healing environment when you walk in the door.
Written by The Wellness Station Team