Letter to Professionals from Duke Integrative Medicine

This program was developed after working with thousands of people who struggle with their weight.  It is designed to allow program participants to have a gradual, guided path into a more fulfilling relationship with their mind/body.  It may take them into new and challenging territory they have consciously or unconsciously avoided.  A strong belief in the power of mindfulness practices, as well as an attitude of empathy, compassion, and caring on the part of the instructors is essential to gain the trust needed for participants to see the program through.  We encourage people to go at their own pace and to respect their own capabilities, but to stay with the program.

The guided meditation part of each session is very important, and should not be minimized for the sake of saving time.  It is placed after the homework review, so latecomers will not miss it.  Encouraging participants to keep up a regular practice will make it more likely that positive changes will occur.  In a previous binge eating study we conducted at Duke, participants who kept up a regular meditation practice made surprising changes in ways the program didn’t even directly address, such as in improved self-esteem.

A Mindful Morning is scheduled between sessions 7 and 8 as a half day of more concentrated practice.  The flow of practices for that event is left up to the presenter to decide.

We hope you benefit from this program and welcome any feedback you would like to send.

Sasha Loring, M.Ed, LCSW                       Ruth Q. Wolever, PhD
sasha.loring@duke.edu                               quill004@mc.duke.edu

Duke Integrative Medicine
DUMC 102904
Durham, NC 27710