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Mindfulness In Jamaica - Is It Catching On?

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Jamaican Yoga Retreats | Flower Hill JamaicaMindfulness In Jamaica - Jamaican Yoga Retreats | Flower Hill Jamaica

by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

Life is beautiful, especially here in Jamaica. However, as beautiful as it is, difficulties are inevitable. We have to deal with all the struggles of our environments and society on top of our struggles and internalised issues.

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This is where mindfulness comes in. If you aren’t sure what I am talking about, I am happy to be the first to introduce it to you and share some ways it has been benefiting people living here in Jamaica.

Mindfulness, being present and truly engaged in a moment, has gained global popularity for its positive impact on mental well-being. It’s quite a simple concept, if you think about it but, maintaining moment-by-moment awareness of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment is not always as easy in practice.

For thousands of years, people engaged in mindfulness practices independently or as a part of broader traditions. Many other cultures and religions, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism, have had this concept as a standard part of their daily lives. Modern and more secular versions of this, like yoga, have seen the benefits of this idea and it has become even more popular.

In general, religious and spiritual organizations in the East were responsible for the popularization of mindfulness, whereas certain individuals and secular organizations were responsible for its spread here in the West. It's interesting to note that, just as yoga's roots are in Hinduism, so too do mindfulness movements and the recent surge in yoga's popularity in the West. This ancient practice has been tapped into here in Jamaica and has begun to be explored more by our locals.

We have some of the most breathtaking landscapes here in Jamaica, from lush rainforests to sandy beaches - the ultimate backdrop for mindfulness practices. There is a symbiotic relationship between our natural environment and the practice of mindfulness that promotes an overall holistic well-being.

The integration of mindfulness into health and wellness practices is gaining momentum in Jamaica. Yoga retreats, meditation centres, and wellness resorts are emerging, allowing us to explore mindfulness and rejuvenate our minds and bodies.

But what does yoga have to do with mindfulness? The practice of yoga has been growing here in Jamaica as well, and even I have given it a try. If you have been practising yoga, you have inadvertently been practising mindfulness too. Both historically and currently, mindfulness and yoga share many similarities. Most yoga techniques require mindfulness, and some mindfulness meditation techniques—like the body scan—have commonalities with yoga because they both call for body awareness.

To test this theory, one study measured the awareness of yoga practitioners (Gaiswinkler & Unterrainer, 2016). The results? It suggested a positive correlation between yoga and mindfulness levels and that certain types of yoga and mindfulness share similar objectives.

Introducing Mindfulness in Our Schools

While it isn’t popular by any means, mindfulness is slowly making its way into Jamaican schools. The practice cultivates awareness and creates a healthy learning environment for students.

There are many benefits for students as it promotes awareness and a healthy learning environment. Research shows that frequent mindfulness practice in children leads to positive brain changes, such as calmer, higher self-esteem, confidence, and empathy.

And with the constant violence in our schools, this is a practice that needs to become a part of every school's curriculum. The pressure of today's education system, including the Primary Exit Profile, our children have less time for play and are more stressed and anxious than ever. This practice could help them achieve well-needed balance or at least feel a bit less pressured.

If you're looking to boost happiness and well-being, mindfulness training courses are available in Jamaica. These courses teach techniques to reduce stress and improve mental health.

Zonya Rodney who is a Psychotherapist and Mindful Living Coach right here in Jamaica is one of our best on the island.

Want to explore the practice of mindfulness during your next visit to Jamaica? Here is a list of some of our top wellness resorts, perfect for tapping into yourself. And if the only thing holding you back is your budget, you should grab a copy of our E-book, Jamaica on a Budget, for an in-depth guide on how to make the best of your budget-friendly trip to Jamaica.

As we continue to evolve, I hope to see this become a more widespread practice. It could bring a world of difference to our society, don’t you think?

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References & Sources For Mindfulness In Jamaica

  1. About – Zonya Rodney • Mindful Living Jamaica (no date) Zonya Rodney Mindful Living Jamaica. Available at: https://zonyarodney.com/about/ (Accessed: 16 January 2024).
  2. Hylton, D.K. (2019) Bringing mindfulness into schools, Jamaica Observer. Available at: https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/career-education/bringing-mindfulness-into-schools/ (Accessed: 16 January 2024).
  3. Mindfulness is helping these women cope with grief, and challenges (2021) Lifestyle | Jamaica Gleaner. Available at: https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/social/20210516/mindfulness-helping-these-women-cope-grief-challenges (Accessed: 16 January 2024).
  4. TheKnowledgeAcademy (no date) Mindfulness training - Jamaica, Mindfulness Course. Available at: https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/jm/courses/mental-health/mindfulness-training/ (Accessed: 16 January 2024).

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