UCLA Mindful Awareness Practices
MAPS I for Daily Living
6-week program @ 2 hrs per week on zoom
Tuesday Evenings 7:30 - 9:30pm PST
January 31 - March 7
Tuesday Evenings 7:30 - 9:30pm PST
March 14 - April 18
Learn science-based practices for daily living
Click here for course description
Standard Enrollment: $200 USD
Covid Rate: $165 is for lost work or had reduced hours. UCLA Student: Free.
Who should take this class?
This course is open to anyone and is an excellent introduction to mindfulness for beginners. It is also appropriate for an experienced practitioner who wishes to revitalize his/her practice. MAPs is helpful for people of all backgrounds.
Some people prefer to learn on a 1:1 basis. If you're interested in 1:1 mindfulness coaching specific to your needs, please email me at vy.le@inwavegroup.com
Learn mindfulness from a leading center of mindfulness in the United States
Introduction to Mindfulness in an Anxious Age video w/ Diana Winston, Director of Mindfulness Education @ UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center
MAPS II: Cultivating Positive Emotions
Wednesdays 7:30 - 9:30pm PST
Feb 1 - Mar 8 course description
MAPS II: Obstacles to Allies
Wednesdays 7:30-9:30pm PST
March 15 - April 19 course description
MAPS II: Cultivating Self-Compassion
Spring course: Mar 21 - April 25
Tuesdays 1pm - 3pm PST
course description
Content
Practices
Class Structure
2 hours x
6 weeks
Each class is a combination of lecture, practice, and group feedback and discussion
Students receive weekly practice review sheets via email + web links to free guided meditations, online videos, and a reading list
MAPs is taught in a context of a supportive community environment with classes no larger than 30 students
Experiential
Content
Overview of Mindfulness
Mindfulness of the Body
Obstacles to Mindfulness Practice Mindfulness to help with Physical Pain
Working with Difficult Emotions Working with Difficult and Anxious Thoughts
Cultivating Positive Emotions Developing Self-Compassion
Mindful Relationships, Communication and Interactions
Health
Practices
Students will also learn a toolkit of mindfulness practices to discover skillful and useful practices.
Practices taught include:
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Sitting meditation
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Eating meditation
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Walking meditation
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Standing meditation
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Movement meditation
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Practices to develop positive emotions
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Practices to cultivate self-compassion
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Daily life integration
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Relational Mindfulness
Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs I) Course Objectives
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Introduce the science of mindfulness: research on its health benefits; research on its impact for learning and self-regulation; research on its impact in education. Each participant will receive knowledge of the science of mindfulness and in particular, how it can be helpful in everyday life.
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Study the practice and theory of mindfulness, including sitting and moving meditation, ways to deepen positive emotions like gratitude or joy, relational mindfulness, and methods for integrating awareness and creativity into ordinary activities. We will examine the science of mindfulness for mental and physical health, including reduced stress, improved attention, and greater mind-body awareness.
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Provide an overview of principles needed to establish mindfulness practice at home and in daily life and problem-solve difficulties in maintaining regular practice. Once participants learn the principles of mindfulness, they will then find ways to integrate into their lives techniques and practices, which help reduce stress and create a greater sense of well-being. This is crucial for care-providers so that they are equipped to deal with the stresses of caring for others.
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For healthcare providers, this program provides practical tools for incorporating mindful awareness into one’s professional activities. Since mindfulness is shown to be effective in reducing stress and increasing emotional regulation, the simple tools taught in MAPs classes can easily be implemented with clients in care contexts. When the participant finishes their MAPs program, they will have the basics for continuing with their own practice and sharing their knowledge and experience on a basic level with family members and clients.
Refund and Cancellation Policy
Refunds requested prior to two weeks before the first day of class will be assessed an administrative fee. We regret that we cannot give refunds after this date. Refunds should be requested by email. Registrants will be notified in advance of the class.
Make-up Class: If you miss a class, you are allowed to view one pre-recorded class. No refund or prorate will be issued for missed classes. MARC reserves the right to cancel classes due to low enrollment.
If you cannot make these sessions, please subscribe to hear
about upcoming online and in person classes!
Vy V. Le, MBA, CMT-P,
Instructor Bio
Vy received her training in mindfulness facilitation through the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Mindful Awareness Research Center in 2016. She is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher - Professional through the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA). Furthermore, she believes in the growth of the mindfulness space and is a Program Manager for the IMTA, which is dedicated to the professionalization and standardization of the mindfulness field.
She has shared mindfulness and compassion practices to all age groups from teens and young adults, professionals, healthcare providers, to retirees. Vy is a certified coach through the International Coach Federation and is also trained in the practice of Focusing by Gene Gendlin, a somatic process to help one deeply listen to the wisdom of the body. She has a degree in Mathematics with a specialization in Computing and Business Administration from UCLA, and an MBA from University of Southern California. She worked in the management consulting field and biotech business development prior to commencing her mindfulness path.
Alžběta Ambrožová,
Author & Translator
I took part in an 6-week long UCLA Mindfulness Meditation course with Vy and it was a both enjoyable and enriching experience. The course was very well structured, combining theoretical background, hands-on meditation practice and talking about our experiences.
Vy is a great teacher who loves to share her knowledge and listen to others. I quickly warmed to her as well as the other participants of the course, so the atmosphere of the sessions was relaxed, friendly, confidential. We had quite a few good laughs together as well. When I was entering the course, I was sort of familiar with the idea of a mind-body unity, and how by isolating those two we can do harm to ourselves, but it was only deeper into the course that I was able to link that abstract idea to my own body/emotions/ideas and the way they are inseparable. I would highly recommend the course to anyone who dares to try and be mindful ;-)
Chris Maddox, Project Manager
Renee Eisen, Feng Shui
Vy is, by far, one of the best teachers I have ever studied with. She is thoughtful, insightful, smart, and compassionate. Vy has such a natural talent and gift for bringing out the best in people and her classes are always dynamic and interesting.
I have long been intrigued by the idea of mindfulness. The value of 'being in the moment' becomes quite clear when one realizes 'now' is all there is. Yesterday has come and gone and tomorrow has yet to come. It takes practice, awareness and know-how to integrate the practice of mindfulness into everyday life. This is where Vy's experience and expertise comes in. Through Vy's mindfulness sessions, I was able to learn practical methods that helped immensely in integrating mindfulness into my life. As with any discipline, it takes practice and patience and I'm still learning, however the benefits are well worth the investment in time; reduced stress, better sleep, appreciation and joy in experiencing of even the simplest of moments. The practice of mindfulness has also been valuable to me in handling 'uncomfortable' emotions and feelings. Rather than suppressing these feelings, mindfulness has helped me to recognize and acknowledge them and so has facilitated their release and alleviated the physical symptoms I had experienced because of them (sleeplessness and stomach problems). Mindfulness is something I will very much continue to practice and incorporate into my daily life. The benefits are well worth the effort; a happier more fulfilling and enjoyable life. Every journey begins with a first step, and to me Vy is an excellent facilitator and teacher to help you begin your entry into mindfulness. Take the time to invest in yourself. It is well worth it!
Jason Cruze, Community Wellness Coach & Humanities Teacher
I’ve had the privilege of learning from Vy in two courses through the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center. Vy brings a wealth of knowledge and practice to each class. I especially appreciated her ability to balance class time with theoretical foundation and personal application. For example, during a lesson on the concept of generosity, I discovered a novel approach to creatively practicing generosity as a mindset towards others. I appreciated Vy’s constant reminder that we are practicing “planting seeds” of kindness, connection, and joy to cultivate in the space of awareness. This helped me to stay more relaxed to simply be with my breath going in and out. I've also learned to open my curiosity to notice and feel emotions more deeply and to practice courage and the willingness to face suffering with gentleness and acceptance. Vy exemplifies the rare quality of good teaching that is not reduced to technique but comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher as practitioner.
Tala Abbasi,
Impact Investment Consultant
I wouldn't be where I am in my mindfulness journey had it not been for Vy. I had been shyly toying with the idea of meditation for years, and it was with Vy that my journey began in earnest. Through her gentle, kind way of showing the way rather than "telling" me how to meditate, I was able to really begin my practice. That was seven years ago, and I'm so grateful to say that my practice is stronger than ever, and that Vy continues to be an invaluable resource and support for mindfulness. Her grounding energy is incredibly calming and creates space for one's own introspection and healing. I am so very grateful for Vy, and especially grateful that she is sharing her gifts with us all!
MAPS II Next Steps:
Improve Your Meditation
Improving meditation depends on the further development of your practice.
In this follow up class to MAPs I, we will focus on maintaining and sustaining a daily mindfulness practice. Several factors can help in improving meditation.
You will learn about these factors, including developing more concentration and creating more confidence and wisdom through your practice.
MAPS II: Cultivating
Positive Emotions
This MAPs II class practices emphasize the heart-based qualities that complement mindfulness and can be cultivated through meditation practices.
We will explore loving kindness, compassion, equanimity (even-mindedness), joy, generosity, and gratitude. We will learn new meditations to develop these qualities, tools that support us when we find ourselves stuck, and practical exercises to incorporate them into our daily life.
This is a helpful expansion to our basic mindfulness practice.
MAPS II: Cultivating
Self-Compassion
In this course, we will explore mindfulness practices to work with self-critical thoughts, and self-compassion practices to nurture kindness and compassion for ourselves and others.
Self-Compassion is a struggle for many people, given our cultural tendency towards self-judgment and self-criticism. People of all ages and cultures may suffer from painful thoughts such as, “I’m not good enough,” “I messed that up again,” and “I hate my body.”
Although these thoughts may feel overwhelming and intractable, we can learn how to work with and lessen them. This class will include sitting and walking meditation, kindness meditation practices, periods of silence, personal exploration, and discussion to help cultivate and encourage more self-compassion.
MAPS II: Obstacles to Allies
This class will offer tools for working with both outer and inner obstacles, helping us to learn to see difficulties, not as problems, but as situations and mind states that can actually help us more deeply understand ourselves and our practice.
There is nothing we do in life that doesn’t have obstacles. Running into obstacles is part of the experience of being human. Obstacles don’t take away from the experience, although we may feel that way at that time. They are Part of the experience. With mindfulness we can learn to relate in healthy ways to our obstacles (not that we won’t have our preferences).
We can either relate with resentment, self-judgment, anger, self-pity Or with curiosity, ingenuity, mindfulness, openness, and HUMOR! The most important thing is not necessarily stopping the obstacles—although we will learn tools to work with and lessen them—but how we relate to the obstacles.