Foundations of Meditation: A 4-Week Introduction
Host: Jill Rand
This 4-week series introduces meditation as an accessible, practical way to calm the mind, settle the body, and cultivate focus and inner balance. Through breath awareness, gentle body scans, and guided attention practices, participants will develop tools to reduce stress, improve clarity, and support overall well-being.
About the Facilitator – Jill Rand
Jill Rand has practiced meditation for decades, studying Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, completing Buddhist teacher training with Dr. Matthew Flickstein, and attending yearly 30-day silent retreats. She founded and directed The Briar Rose Center in St. Augustine, where she offered meditation, yoga, and personal growth programs.
With a B.S. in Psychology, Reiki Master, and licensed Massage Therapist, Jill brings a compassionate, down-to-earth approach to making meditation accessible for everyone.
Over four weeks, students will explore:
Breath awareness for grounding and focus
Body scans to release tension and connect with the body
Observation of thoughts and feelings without judgment
Practical strategies to bring meditation into daily life
All levels welcome. No prior experience needed.
Why Meditation Matters
Long ago, powerful stress chemicals gave our ancestors the strength to fight a bear or run from a tiger. Today, those same chemicals flood our systems—not because of wild animals, but because of nonstop worries and pressures. A single stressful thought can trigger the same chemical reaction as a real threat, leaving the nervous system in overdrive.
Meditation offers another way. By cultivating awareness, we create a “cushion” between events and our reactions. Instead of being swept away by stress, we can pause, stay calm, and respond with clarity. Over time, thoughts lose their grip, anxiety eases, and we experience greater balance in the present moment.
What You’ll Walk Away With
Practical tools for stress relief and relaxation
Improved focus, clarity, and attention
Greater body awareness and calm
Confidence to continue meditation practice at home or in a group
register via our schedule