Projects
Wellbeing and Resilience in Humanist Teacher Education: Literature, Pedagogy, and the Modelling of Mindful Futures - December 13, 2021
In this talk, Dr. Karen Ragoonaden discusses how mindfulness practices can provide pathways to engage in responsive and responsible dialogues about equity, diversity and inclusion. The emergence of critical mindfulness movements seek to address historical, political, economic, and social inequities through greater awareness of self, of the other and of society. Respecting a sustained exchange between the humanities and the educational sciences, this talk examines the potential of literary and educational texts as provocations questioning the traditional protocols of teaching and learning. By providing a conceptual basis for wellbeing and resilience, we can model mindsets emphasizing an open and calm receptivity where unlearning and re-learning can occur.
Mindful Teaching and Learning: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Practice - University of North Carolina Wilmington - April 12, 2021
In this presentation, Dr. Karen Ragoonaden discusses how mindfulness practices can provide pathways to engage in responsive and responsible dialogues about equity, diversity and inclusion. Developing an open and calm receptivity along with a realistic attitude about long-held opinions and assumptions about the self and others can create supportive and non-reactive environments where unlearning and re-learning can occur.
"How to be a mindful anti-racist" - The Conversation - February 10, 2021
These times of uncertainty, anxiety and overwhelming information, mean that many of us are seeking to find a sense of calmness. On top of that, the global upheavals of a virulent pandemic, a very real climate crisis, the instability of economic and political powers and the emergence of anti-racist and anti-violent movements like Black Lives Matter are all issues that call to people to engage responsively with our world. A mindfulness practice — the simple act of pausing, taking a breath and becoming aware of our mind, body and heart — may offer some respite as well as a way to support one’s desire for action.
As a yoga teacher, mindfulness practitioner, former high-school teacher and now scholar, I have seen the benefit of mindfulness personally and professionally.
My practice has taught me how to respond to strong emotions, bad behaviours and forceful words. I have also witnessed how leading mindfulness practices in a community of mostly white education students can create greater space for social justice issues, like racism, classism and sexism. A growing body of scientific research supports my observations indicating that when one learns to examine long-held opinions and cultural assumptions towards the self and others, one can free the mind to unlearn and to re-learn, to story and to re-story, to revise and to recognize. This takes time, effort and commitment.
As a yoga teacher, mindfulness practitioner, former high-school teacher and now scholar, I have seen the benefit of mindfulness personally and professionally.
My practice has taught me how to respond to strong emotions, bad behaviours and forceful words. I have also witnessed how leading mindfulness practices in a community of mostly white education students can create greater space for social justice issues, like racism, classism and sexism. A growing body of scientific research supports my observations indicating that when one learns to examine long-held opinions and cultural assumptions towards the self and others, one can free the mind to unlearn and to re-learn, to story and to re-story, to revise and to recognize. This takes time, effort and commitment.
"Working mindfully from home: pause, breathe and smile" - Business Intelligence for BC - January 27,2021
As we navigate these unchartered times of physical distancing, let’s not forget about the importance of our mental, physical and emotional wellness. While the efforts to address COVID-19 are necessary, they pose a range of challenges as we respond to the demands of self-isolation and working from home. Our daily rituals and routines give structure to our lives, and when we no longer have them, we feel lost and untethered. This situation is stressful for everyone, and it is normal to be anxious and worried. Of course, a bit of humour always helps: check out Prof. Robert Kelly’s home office BCCTV interview that went viral after his toddlers interrupted with perfect comic timing. Understanding that we are all in this together, here are several ways to deal with working from home that support mental, physical and emotional wellness.
1. Establish a daily work routine with specific time frame. 2. Get up at the same time, have a shower, eat breakfast and get dressed. 3. Make a separate space for work. 4. Set an intention for your work day. 5. Stay connected to the outside world. 6. Develop a daily gratitude practice. 7. Humour is healing– find laughter at least once a day. 8. Take healthy nutritional breaks. 9. Mindful workouts: activate your mind and your muscles by moving and breathing in a way that shifts you from feeling busy and distracted to feeling strong and capable 10. Mindfulness practices: pause and breathe to settle thoughts, emotions and sensations |
"Contemplative Practices and Social Justice" Podcast - 824 The Spirit of Social Justice Podcast - Yoga for Social Justice - November 16, 2020
In this podcast, Dr. Karen Ragaoonaden, Professor of Teaching and the Director of the Center for Mindful Engagement at The University of British Columbia discusses the importance of contemplative practices for teacher education. Dr. Ragoonadeen pushes listeners to consider how working on the self impacts the ways social justice work occurs.
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"Mindfulness, Health and Well-Being" workshop - National Forum on Wellness in Post-Secondary Education - October 17-18, 2019
Karen Ragoonaden was a member of the organizing committee for the National Forum on Wellness in Post-Secondary Education in Vancouver, BC.
The forum was based on the Okanagan Charter.
Funding from Eminence supported travel and accommodations for Karen and her visiting Doctoral Student, Sina Derischweiler from University of Cologne.
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At this event, Karen presented on smart Education which is a course that helps educators:
SMART involves experiential practices that promote:
- Manage stress through a greater understanding and control of emotions
- Employ self-care techniques to cultivate personal and professional resilience
- Create effective strategies for relating to challenging situations
- Have personal experience to support other programs for students in mindfulness
- Enhance concentration and executive function (planning, decision-making, and impulse control)
- Revitalize purpose, personally and professionally
- Improve personal overall mental and physical health
- Promote happiness through healthy habits of the mind
SMART involves experiential practices that promote:
- Concentration, attention, and mindfulness
- Awareness and understanding of emotions
- Empathy, compassion, and positive interpersonal communication
Mindfulness and Indigenous knowledges.pptx | |
File Size: | 7138 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
smart Education Mindfulness Practices
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