Post-meeting Update: Vice President Katherine Blair introduced Dr. Frank Dane whose research encompasses the positive effects of mindfulness on small group dynamics and models of medical outcomes. He explained the process of mindfulness and the importance of integrating it into our everyday lives. It involves focusing your awareness on the present moment. Mindfulness means paying attention to your sensations, feelings, thoughts, and environment in the here-and-now with an attitude of acceptance.
A few of the benefits of mindfulness include:
reducing stress
lowering blood pressure
improving emotional regulation
boosting cognitive abilities
strengthening relationships
Research has also shown that mindfulness can lead to changes in the structure and function of the brain.
Dr. Dane guided the group in a timed exercise, instructing attendees to focus on their breath only and not their thoughts for two minutes. Attendees reported that it was more challenging than expected! Dr. Dane took several questions and comments following the exercise.
Original Post: Join us Tuesday, January 23 at 7:00pm for the first 2024 meeting of Neighbors in South Roanoke. This month's guest speaker is Dr. Frank Dane, South Roanoke neighbor and board member of Mindfulness Institute of the Roanoke Valley. Preceding his presentation, we will hold a brief business meeting. The Board has new and exciting plans for 2024 to announce!
From the Mindfulness Institute website: Dr. Frank Dane is a social psychologist (Ph.D., University of Kansas, 1979) whose research encompassed the effects of mindfulness on small group dynamics and mathematical models of medical outcomes. In addition to being Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Radford University, he holds secondary faculty appointments at Mercer University School of Medicine (Macon, GA) and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (Roanoke, VA). Frank is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia State Simulation Alliance. As well as charter memberships in the Association for Psychological Science and the Virginia State Simulation Alliance, he is a member of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Statistical Association, and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Frank is a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society. He serves on the Editorial Boards of Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, Critical Care, and Simulation in Healthcare. Frank directs the Compassionate Roanoke Project and chairs the Board.
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