Protect Your Most Precious Resource

As we race forward into the digital age, our attention has become a precious commodity. With so many external stimuli and with technology advancing so fast, any hope of making it through the day without feeling scattered, anxious and drained depends on deliberate practice.

Mindfulness is uniquely suited to help with our modern-day struggles. Although we as a society value physical exercise and intellectual knowledge, we have not equally valued or prioritized attentional and emotional training.

Even the most well-educated among us may not be skilled in some of the things that matter most. We see the consequences of this deficiency all around us and in our own anxious minds.

Together We Rise

 Mindfulness is a radical act of empowerment and sovereignty, both for us as individuals and for society. While not a panacea, committing to a regular mindfulness practice can create a significant and lasting transformation.

Many people come to a mindfulness training out of curiosity and are surprised by how different life can feel in just 10-weeks. Engaging in a journey like this – in a safe and loving community, where you can be vulnerable, where you will be seen and heard, is therapeutic in and of itself. 

Now more than ever it is important to not leave our individual or collective well-being to chance. Won’t you join us?

A growing body of research documents the many physical and emotional benefits associated with mindfulness practice, which include:

✅ A stronger immune system

✅Less time spent ruminating over stressful events

✅Lower cortisol levels which means less stress

✅ Altered brain structure and function leading to a more positive mood

These benefits, and many more, make this ancient practice a very practical application for modern living. As a remedy for the stress and fast-pace of modern life, mindfulness is exploding in businesses, classrooms, boardrooms, hospitals and living rooms around the globe.

Connect more deeply to yourself, others, and the world around you, while having the opportunity to share this practice with others. Have fun, go deep, stretch and grow together. 

There is no better time than now to embrace a more heart-centered and conscious way of living.

If you feel drawn to truly be the change you want to see in the world, join Erin Sharaf, the founder of Mindfulness + Magic, for this comprehensive, heartfelt training.  

The three components:

• Online Program: 10 week Zoom training (can be taken by itself!)
• Online Plus Retreat: Saturday retreat is highly recommended as a way to anchor the practices and experience the rare container of what we call ‘Noble Silence.’ Sat. and Sun. are required for the full teacher training.
• Certification: a gentle, yet rigorous program to be completed within one year following the retreat weekend.

 Priscilla Szneke Have you ever wondered where the concept and practice of mindfulness comes from? Much of it originates from ancient texts called the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Priscilla will delve into these ancient teachings making them relevant in our everyday lives. Learn how mindfulness was very deliberately designed as a pathway to alleviate suffering and to take us from confused to awakened.

*Substitutions may need to be made depending on guest teachers’ availability. 

IN-PERSON RETREAT

Most people rarely, if ever, experience extended periods of introspection. Without the pressures of external distractions, we have the gift of going even more deeply into our own inner exploration.

This 2-day intensive is a highlight for many students, as it gives them the chance to meet each other in person, connect more deeply, and immerse themselves in a weekend steeped in mindfulness meditation and community. 

On Saturday, students are held in a safe container and  guided by Erin through a silent mindfulness retreat, getting to experience first-hand the unique benefits that come with such immersion.

On Sunday, the retreat continues with brainstorming and discussion of how you want to bring mindfulness out into the world, and an opportunity to practice leading the group through a short mindfulness practice.

Leave the weekend inspired and empowered to step into a leadership role in your own community. Create meaningful work for yourself and positive change for those around you. (*In person in beautiful S. Kingstown RI or by Zoom). 

Students are required to complete 10 hours of teaching on their own, as a way to support their growth as a Mindfulness Teacher. Each person will create their own offering and opportunity to share. Past participants have taught at their current places of employment, at community centers, nursing homes, churches and other venues.

The best way to learn is by doing, so this practicum is a great way to learn and grow as a teacher.

Erin is available to you throughout this time by email and short phone calls for guidance and to answer any questions that come up.

After the teaching, students are given a written exam and a final mentoring call with the Instructor. A continuing daily mindfulness practice is a prerequisite for anyone teaching mindfulness.

WHY CERTIFY?

✅ to increase your confidence and credibility

✅ to commit more fully to your own personal liberation

✅ you feel called to deliver evidence-based, high quality interventions that will have a positive impact

✅ to ensure that you will take bold action to start sharing with your community right away

✅ so you’re ready to step into a leadership role as mindfulness becomes more widespread

✅ to add ‘Certified Mindfulness Teacher’ to your CV, LinkedIn profile, business proposals, website etc.

✅ to be supported in making the changes you want to see in the world.

HOW IS THIS PROGRAM UNIQUE?

✅ If you go on to teach, you will be encouraged to make the offerings your own, not to teach from a recipe or a script. The world needs your authenticity and creativity.

✅ There are mindfulness certification programs offered with no retreat component. We feel the retreat experience is essential in really understanding, in a comprehensive, embodied way, what mindfulness is truly about.

✅ This program is heavily influenced by Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) which has been on the cutting edge of mindfulness based programming since 1979. This is the model on which most of the scientific studies have been done. You are getting all the core practices introduced into MBSR by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn plus readings and videos to reinforce the teachings.

✅ MBSR classes can be large with dozens of students enrolled. This training is more intimate (average enrollment 8-10 students) so you can get more attention and bond more easily with other participants. Students often stay connected after the class has ended.

✅ There are other programs you can take that are longer in duration. Since mindfulness is a practice to embrace and learn from over a lifetime, and with the understanding that you will continue to learn and grow as a mindfulness student and teacher, we believe there is no time to waste and want to give people the essential skills to start sharing in their communities as soon as possible.

✅The flexible, online format accommodates busy schedules, travel and other unforeseen situations that might make regular, in-person meetings impossible.

✅This program is comprehensive and robust, designed to give you a very solid grounding in core mindfulness practices in a relatively short amount of time. Students in the teacher training should plan to practice mindfulness for at least 30 minutes, 6-days a week and to set aside 60-90 minutes per week for class readings and videos. Those doing the immersion will be given options of home practices of different lengths. 

✅ Students who have taken the 10-week online program can retake the online-portion only at 50% off. Many participants have chosen this option to deepen their learning. 

✅ As space allows, MTT graduates who previously attended a retreat may attend the full 2-day retreat for $175, or Saturday only for $97. Many participants choose to come back to the retreat as a way to reinvigorate their practice and enjoy some time in community. 

✅ The world is changing rapidly. Erin and the guest instructors keep their pulse on what is happening in society. We are nimble enough to adapt the teaching to the current problems of the day so things feel fresh and relevant. 

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Not sure if Certification is right for you?

Offered in conjunction with this MTT program is our Mindfulness Immersion, which includes only the 10 weekly online meetings and the first day of the retreat. Students who want to deepen their own personal practice, but may not feel ready to train to teach others, can join the Immersion program and dive deep into personalized mindfulness practice, benefitting all aspects of life.

To see a list of Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

Still have questions? If you want to discuss the curriculum, or which program (Immersion or Teacher Training) is right for you, please contact Erin at Erin@erinsharaf.com with your questions or to schedule a call.

Registration opens three months prior to the start of each program. If you want to start the training now, but need to attend a different retreat weekend, that can be arranged. 

Join us by filling out this form. 💛    Registration

*This training has been approved for 25 CEUs for social workers, by the RI Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
*CEUs are possible through Yoga Alliance.