Cultivating Mindfulness: Addressing Stress

4731 Willow Springs Rd,La Grange IL 60525

16 September, 2021

Description

Join us for this session with Adenia Linker, Adjunct Professor & Doctoral Student, Erikson Institute’s SEL Initiative Presenter: Adenia Linker, MEd, SAYD, CYT Families who are navigating at-home learning for the first time may be experiencing challenges that are increasing household stress. One strategy that can strengthen our coping skills and support our well-being is developing a mindfulness practice. Mindfulness, the skill of being present, involves honing our awareness and deepening our acceptance in order to cultivate greater mental and relational peace. It has been used to address stress, anxiety, pain, and help with relaxation. Join us for this three-session series to learn more - both parents and youth are welcome! With nearly 20 years’ experience bringing wellness education to children, families and educators, Adenia's organic style, "teaching while playing," creates a dynamic dialogue about the body and its maintenance. She has a deep understanding of how our youth respond to their environment and how to help them foster valuable physical, intellectual, emotional and social skills. Given the opportunity to demonstrate her passion for wellness, Adenia easily translates mind-body research into real-life applications for all ages. During that time, Adenia has partnered with over 50 Chicago schools and community organizations, supporting their staff and families. Adenia’s most recent large scale project involved managing a federally funded study of mindfulness as tool for enhancing social and emotional skills in K-2nd grade classrooms. Overseeing the implementation in over 90 classrooms, supporting 16 elementary school teams and engaging with stakeholders at every level, she (like all involved) eagerly awaits published outcomes expected this winter. In 2019, Adenia spoke on an international panel of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) experts in Jilin Province, China and at this time is consulting on a project based in Malaysia. She also provides SEL professional development for educators and community partners throughout the Chicagoland area, and serves as a local liaison for a research project based at University of Virginia. As a graduate of UIC's Department of Educational Psychology, Masters in Positive Youth Development, she is engaged in ongoing social and emotional learning research, and serves as an Adjunct Professor at Erikson Institute. Trained as a National SEED Fellow (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), Adenia also conducts equity and inclusion sessions, and is currently enrolled in Erikson’s Doctoral program with a focus on the intersection between social justice and social and emotional learning. Attendance is free and 1.5 CEU's are offered for $15 at checkout. Questions? Email [email protected]. NAMI Metro-Suburban is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental illness. We are a grassroots family and consumer self-help support, education, and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with mental illness, their families and friends within the communities of west suburban Cook County, Illinois.