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Participants in Seaway Mindful Stress Reduction courses have found their lives improved in many healthy ways. Below are some they have mentioned. (Click on a topic to see pertinent comments.)



Anger management

“I learned that if we’re mindful of how we respond and what our physiology is telling us at gut level, we can achieve what we want instead of just being reactionary.”

-William, IT Architect, Fortune 500 company

“When a situation has conflict in it, I remind myself that the person is seeing the subject in a different way and that is okay. If the person is getting irritable or frustrated, it is my choice to respond to their behavior in a positive or negative way.”

-Corporate class participant

“The breathing techniques are a quick remedy for reducing stress, allowing me to re-posture myself to a less confrontational, more solution-oriented response.”

-Corporate class participant

“Learning to take deep breaths before exploding at situations I have no control over, concentrating on my breathing and closing my eyes to meditate for that short moment helped me calm down and go about the situation with ease.”

-Corporate class participant

“The class helped me recognize when I was mirroring and following someone else’s emotional behavior. By choosing my own behavior, the discussion was less stressful for me.”

-Corporate class participant

“I am listening more to myself and how my voice fluctuates. I am breathing through reactions, and bringing calmness into stressful situations instead of reacting with an anger-filled voice.”

-Corporate class participant

“Recognizing that I stopped breathing when under stress was an ‘aha!’ for me, which led to learning to breathe while staying present in the midst of extremely volatile scenarios.”

-Corporate class participant

“People who know me well have noticed how much more calm I am in my interactions since the program!”

-Corporate class participant

“I still listen to the CDs. Instructor Linda Seagraves’ voice could calm a fire-breathing dragon.”

-Corporate class participant

“The breathing techniques are a quick remedy for reducing stress, allowing me to re-posture myself to a less confrontational, solution-oriented response.”

-Corporate class participant

Anxiety

“I would say that before the course I was anxious all the time. Then, through the practices I became more aware that there were some times that were worse than others; other times I was free and calm. I came to a new understanding of myself as occasionally having anxiety, but I stopped labeling myself as an anxious person.”

-Larry, Facilities Analyst, Fortune 500 company

“Being more mindful of my own self, my thought processes and my reactions are key to finding a position of balance throughout the workday. This inner calm is what helps me avoid dissipating my energies in useless fretting.”

-Corporate class participant

“One of the reasons I was particularly interested (in this program) is I suffer a lot from anxiety. It is a precursor to Parkinson’s disease, which I also have. I have learned to accept both. I have come to terms with the hand I have been dealt. I can even see these ailments as a blessing. They’re there because God has a reason. It’s up to me to accept and grow in the direction he wants me to.”

-Mike, IT Analyst, Fortune 500 company

Balance

“Being more mindful of my own self, my thought processes and my reactions is key to finding a position of balance throughout the workday. This inner calm is what helps me avoid dissipating my energies in useless fretting.”

-Corporate class participant

Communication

“I still struggle with the smooth delivery of ideas. But at least I can calm myself down and get myself back on track. The Seaway techniques work really well for that.”

-Phyllis, Finance Specialist, Fortune 500 company

“The class helped me recognize when I was mirroring and following someone else’s emotional behavior. By choosing my own behavior, the discussion was less stressful for me.”

-Corporate class participant

“I am much better at negotiating what I want and need.”

-Corporate class participant

“Practicing being non-judgmental in my communications with others is one of the keys I will take away from this class.”

-Corporate class participant

Convenience

“The course materials and format afforded a minimum of schedule impact, both personal and professional, and left plenty of time for practice between sessions.”

-Corporate class participant

“Instructor Linda Seagraves conducts her classes on the phone and online. So you don’t have to stress out about getting there. But they’re very personal and productive. She’s an amazing listener and group leader.”

-Judy, Freelance Writer and Educator

“I loved the experiences on the phone. One of my favorite memories was when Linda would take us through a guided meditation.”

Vasi, Co-founder, True Alignment Global

“The virtual program was excellent. The ability to participate with others in the comfort, and privacy of my own home added significant value to the experience.”

-Corporate class participant

“I still listen to the CDs. Instructor Linda Seagraves’ voice could calm a fire-breathing dragon.”

-Corporate class participant

Cooperation and teamwork

“I find it easier to work with diverse personalities. I am less fearful.”

-Corporate class participant

“I learned so much about myself, and how to help myself. It gave me a clearer picture of my co-workers as individuals, and how I can better engage with them.”

-Corporate class participant

“I was involved in an intense conflict with a co-worker, which could have accelerated into a significant incident requiring HR intervention. The possible bad ending did not occur because I was able to keep focused on the present, and move separately through each individual event related to the incident. I could not have done that successfully before taking this course.”

-Corporate class participant

“This stress management program gave me tools to apply to my daily life where I could see results including a difference in my demeanor, and how I interact with my team members.”

-Corporate class participant

Coping skills

“Take this class. You’ll be amazed. I think people who take the class will notice they can handle situations better. You will have done something for yourself. You’ll have a new coping mechanism to use.”

-Phyllis, Finance Specialist, Fortune 500 company

“I would typically bottle my stress and run 5-6 miles when the pressure cooker hit the red zone. I am dealing with it earlier now with this new set of tools.”

-Corporate class participant

“Using the techniques that Linda demonstrated changed my frame of reference around how to react to intensely stressful moments at work and at home without totally self-destructing when I’m over-wrought.”

-Corporate class participant

“In the past I decided stress was a part of my job, and I needed to live with it. Now I’ve learned about tools that I can apply to manage my stress rather than stress managing me.”

-Corporate class participant

Ease of use

“Many, many of the strategies can be done at your desk, or in a meeting.”

-Corporate class participant

“I was amazed to realize, after being in a session for a few minutes, how stressed I was, and to immediately experience strategies that helped reduce the stress.”

-Corporate class participant

“I could immediately put into practice what I learned. I was always happier on the days the sessions were conducted.”

-Corporate class participant

“It was the breathing exercises that helped me the most, because I could use them right in the moment.”

-Phyllis, Finance Specialist, Fortune 500 company

“As a skeptic of the subject matter, I was impressed by the way the material was presented and the methods to help us try them. It definitely helped me deal with the stresses here at work.”

-Corporate class participant

“The gradual introduction of awareness exercises was perfect. Guidance to learn to listen to our ‘being’ was very satisfying.”

-Corporate class participant

“Instructor Linda Seagraves is able to depict material so that it’s relatable and can be readily assimilated by the students. She provides a user-friendly way of understanding the material and is very good with fundamentals as well as deeper details.”

-William, IT Architect, Fortune 500 company

“The breathing techniques are a quick remedy for reducing stress, allowing me to re-posture myself to a less confrontational, solution-oriented response.”

-Corporate class participant

“I had taken yoga a long time ago, but it’s different in your mid-50s, when you’re older and wider! However, Linda’s yoga is geared to being easy, but it’s still useful and significant. She also gives you other kinds of meditations for other things.”

-Larry, Facilities Analyst, Fortune 500 company

“The website has lots of pictures and audio you download and use for practice. Instructor Linda Seagraves has really got the voice for this too. I could listen to her voice in a meditation tape all day long. She puts you at ease and makes you feel very comfortable.”

-Mike, IT Analyst, Fortune 500 company

“Mindfulness is not a difficult technique to take in. Recognizing that I’d stopped breathing when under stress was an ‘aha’ for me, which led to learning to breathe while staying present in the midst of extremely volatile scenarios. Eventually I was able do that in the ‘real world.’”

-Corporate class participant

“I appreciated the many reminders of ‘you can do this at your desk.’”

-Corporate class participant

Effectiveness

“I knew about some of the things covered but I always thought I couldn’t meditate. It turns out that I just needed the right guide to help me give the analyzing part of my mind a break. Usually I would get hung up on thinking about not thinking.”

-Corporate class participant

“In the past I decided stress was a part of my job, and I needed to live with it. Now I’ve learned about tools that I can apply to manage my stress rather than stress managing me.”

-Corporate class participant

“I was at the far end of stress and fortunately this class and its excellent instructor were a great help.”

-Corporate class participant

“We are a teaching and learning organization. This experience is far deeper-reaching and beneficial than most corporate training experiences.”

-Corporate class participant

“I am able to handle stressful situations much better. When I feel overwhelmed, I stop and take 10 deep breaths to calm myself. I am then able to move on with what was overwhelming in a calmer and more efficient manner.”

-Corporate class participant

“Diet change, exercise change and daily work planning habits are helping me reduce stress and anxiety, thereby allowing me to focus on work in a more peaceful way.”

-Corporate class participant

“The class is very different from what I expected. I really am enjoying and learning more than I thought I would.”

-Corporate class participant

“I do mindful things daily now with food, rest, thinking, and my work. EVERYONE should take this class.”

-Corporate class participant

“Most of the suggestions I see regarding stress management talk about eating better, getting exercise, and sleep. These are good things; however, this stress management program gave me tools to apply to my daily life where I could see results including a difference in my demeanor, and how I interact with my team members.”

-Corporate class participant

“The facilitator was excellent, and very encouraging in the way she presents the class – her voice is magical.”

-Corporate class participant

“I would typically bottle my stress and run 5-6 miles when the pressure cooker hit the red zone. I am dealing with it earlier now with this new set of tools.”

-Corporate class participant

“Having the class span 10 sessions, when relatively stressful life events actually did occur, was far more impactful than single-point presentations.”

-Corporate class participant

Emotional intelligence

“Take the class! You can laugh about what used to cause you so much trouble.”

-Phyllis, Finance Specialist, Fortune 500 company

“With my ailments, I could really have a great pity party and get down. ‘Woe is me!’ I really credit Linda and her program with helping me to overcome these things.”

-Mike, IT Analyst, Fortune 500 company

“I can more easily notice when things are starting to get me upset. Rather than put up with it until it hits me, I notice in time to change my thought or even just my body position.”

-Larry, Facilities Analyst, Fortune 500 company

“The program made me aware of how I was beating myself up and how to address that.”

-Mike, IT Analyst, Fortune 500 company

Faith

“I’m an evangelical Christian. When I read the course included yoga and mindfulness, a cautionary flag went up. I was concerned the content would conflict with my beliefs. That wasn’t the case. Surprisingly, I found my faith strengthened.”

-Mike, IT Analyst, Fortune 500 company

Focus and concentration

“Mindfulness techniques allow me to focus better on completing a single task by allowing distracting thoughts to pass through.”

-Corporate class participant

“I noticed things that used to annoy me didn’t as much as they used to. Another thing I got out of this program was increased concentration.”

-Larry, Facilities Analyst, Fortune 500 company

“The mindfulness practice is not about mind-LESS-ness. It is not about emptying your mind and chanting the sacred mantras. It’s about BEING, OPERATING, LIVING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT. The shiny coins of past success can always be reviewed later.”

-Corporate class participant

“Before beginning the program, I was dealing with some very difficult issues at home that were consuming my energy and my focus and making it difficult for me to be fully present in my work. The program helped me develop my ability to be truly present where I was, whether at home or at work. This reduced my overall stress considerably and helped me be more productive.”

-Corporate class participant

“This class helped me realize how distractible and distracted I had become. The techniques we practiced helped me quiet my mind to focus on one task at a time, thereby increasing my productivity.”

-Corporate class participant

“Mindfulness is not a difficult technique. The challenge is to practice staying in that frame of mind for more than even the briefest of moments. Recognizing that I’d stopped breathing when under stress was an ‘aha’ for me, which led to learning to breathe while staying present in the midst of extremely volatile scenarios. Eventually I was able do that in the ‘real world.’ This takes major concentration and focus, which I did not have before taking the course.”

-Corporate class participant

“Before I took this class I would be consumed by a task and my attention would start to suffer because I focused too long and hard. Now I remind myself to look away from the screen for even a few seconds and do my eye exercises. This has greatly helped with my headaches.”

-Corporate class participant

Inspiration and creativity

“I learned from everyone in class–what we could do better, what we could learn.”

-Phyllis, Finance Specialist, Fortune 500 corporation

“Our work environment can be very demanding on our health and unsettling to our well-being. I felt inspired by the integration of the (program’s) healthy activities into my workday.”

-Corporate class participant

Leadership

“Using mindfulness has the potential to make us better at everything; better parents, leaders, spouses and friends.”

-Vasi, Co-founder, True Alignment Global

“This program was a great starting point for my new leadership circle program. Others can benefit.”

-Corporate class participant

“At first I wasn’t sure about the name of the class, ‘Stress Reduction’! Sometimes the lack of ability to manage stress is perceived as a weakness in the workplace. Even my manager seemed concerned that I needed to take this class, as I am the lead of the group. But the name appealed to me, since I thought I was stressed. The class changed my life.”

-Corporate class participant

Organizing and prioritizing

“I organize myself better and more often make commitments I am likely to meet.”

-Corporate class participant

“One principle of mindfulness is I don’t have tomorrow or the next day. What will I do with this moment right now? I wouldn’t have that without this program. That’s not to say we shouldn’t plan for the future, practice course corrections, etc. It’s acknowledging that the only thing you’ve really got is this moment. What will you do with it?”

-Mike, IT Analyst, Fortune 500 company

“Instead of getting rattled when faced with too many things at once, I apply the stress reduction techniques to regain my equanimity instead of flitting from one to the other.”

-Corporate class participant

“I was already confident in my ability to manage my workload, however, now there is a subtle difference in that I am managing my time and work better. I don’t feel so pressured to get everything done–even though I don’t have less work.”

-Corporate class participant

“When I am stressing about my workload I tend to get nothing done. I flit from one thing to another accomplishing nothing and opening up my work to more errors. I now make a list of the top 5 items that must be done before I go home, and stick to the list. The visual of what needs to be done focuses me and keeps me on task. I am much more productive and my work has better quality.”

-Corporate class participant

Patience

“Among other things, the program builds patience — which pays major dividends over time when dealing with the inevitable emotional swings that occur in organizations as complex as ours.”

-Corporate class participant

Physical health

“I was under enormous stress. My mother had recently died, my blood pressure was high and I had gained weight. But before the class was over, I had lost 20 pounds, my blood pressure was normal and, best of all, I wasn’t screaming at people anymore.”

-Patricia, Senior Business Process Analyst, Fortune 500 company

“Along with other lifestyle changes, the reduced stress has decreased my sick days. The improved health improved my productivity.”

-Corporate class participant

“Our work environment can be very demanding on our health and unsettling to our well-being. I felt inspired by the integration of the program’s healthy activities into my workday.”

-Corporate class participant

“I have Parkinson’s disease. I have come to terms with the hand I have been dealt. I can even see my ailments as a blessing. They’re there because God has a reason. It’s up to me to accept and grow in the direction he wants me to.”

-Mike, IT Analyst, Fortune 500 company

“I do not get as tired and worn out as quickly as I used to.”

-Corporate class participant

“My psoriasis has gotten better.”

-Corporate class participant

“The 10 weeks of the course contained extremely stress-filled periods. I experienced multiple health issues and included things like massive knots in my shoulders that cut off my circulation to other parts of my body, shingles in my hair and near my eye, etc. I used a lot of the techniques to get through the hours and days.”

-Corporate class participant

“Using this process, I reduced my headaches, and, further, it helped me understand and control them.”

-Corporate class participant

Practicality

“I had no experience with these practices before and was very surprised that they could work for me. I previously saw them as something that only hippies, spiritualists and touchy-feely people could take seriously. As an engineer, I thought that there was little chance that there was really any logic behind this stuff. But experiencing is believing.”

-Corporate class participant

“The practicality of the process is second to none. The experience is indispensible.”

-Corporate class participant

“I was amazed to realize, after being in a session for a few minutes, how stressed I was, and to immediately experience strategies that helped reduce the stress.”

-Corporate class participant

“I was having troubles at work. Instructor Linda Seagraves gave me words and visualizations to help me. It was the breathing exercises that helped me the most, because I could use them right in the moment.”

-Phyllis, Finance Specialist, Fortune 500 company

“Many, many of the strategies can be done at your desk, or in a meeting.”

-Corporate class participant

“Instructor Linda Seagraves is able to depict material so that it’s relatable and can be readily assimilated by the students. She provides a user-friendly way of understanding the material and is very good with fundamentals as well as deeper details.”

-William, IT Architect, Fortune 500 company

“I appreciated the many reminders of ‘you can do this at your desk.’”

-Corporate class participant

“As a skeptic of the subject matter, I was impressed by the way in which the material was presented, what was claimed to be the benefits, and the methods to help us try them out. The realistic expectations that were presented, and realistic accommodations for those of us not as flexible or experienced, helped convince me to give this program a try. It definitely helped me deal with the stresses here at work in a notable way.”

-Corporate class participant

Productivity

“The sessions restored my energy and made me more productive.”

-Corporate class participant

“Along with other lifestyle changes, the reduced stress has decreased my sick days. The improved health improved my productivity.”

-Corporate class participant

“Instead of getting rattled when faced with too many things at once, I apply the stress reduction techniques to regain my equanimity instead of flitting from one to the other. I also sleep better and rarely wake up in the middle of the night thinking about work. That alone definitely helps with productivity the next day.”

-Corporate class participant

“Before beginning the program, I was dealing with some very difficult issues at home that were consuming my energy and my focus and making it difficult for me to be fully present in my work. The program helped me develop my ability to be truly present where I was, whether at home or at work. . This reduced my overall stress considerably and helped me be more productive.”

-Corporate class participant

“(I learned that) if we’re mindful of how we respond and what our physiology is telling us at gut level, we can achieve what we want instead of just being reactionary.”

-William, IT Architect, Fortune 500 company

“This class helped me realize how distractible and distracted I had become. The techniques we practiced helped me quiet my mind to focus on one task at a time, thereby increasing my productivity.”

-Corporate class participant

“I am much more productive and my work has better quality.”

-Corporate class participant

Quality of life

“The awareness training is very beneficial to daily life. Many times during the 12 weeks I was very aware of the way I responded/reacted to life.”

-Corporate class participant

“I wouldn’t change a thing with the program. I encourage more people to take time for themselves, and take this program. It definitely has changed my perspective on situations and how I approach them. There is only one you and it’s up to you to take care of yourself! Thank you!”

-Corporate class participant

“Using the techniques that Instructor Linda Seagraves demonstrated throughout the 10 weeks afforded me some stress relief. More importantly it changed my frame of reference around how to react to intensely stressful moments at work and at home without totally self-destructing when I’m over-wrought. No one or four-hour presentation or even a full-day presentation could have that result. I still listen to the CDs. Linda’s voice can calm even a fire-breathing dragon.”

-Corporate class participant

“Thank you for this opportunity to remember how important my life is, and for deepening my awareness that the way I live it and manage it matters.”

-Corporate class participant

Relationships

“I am now more likely to listen to and understand the viewpoints of others.”

-Corporate class participant

“I remember one difficult supervisor. Even the sight of her was enough to stress me out. I learned exercises that helped me greet her warmly, then listen and respond better. I was amazed that I learned as much as I did.”

-Phyllis, Finance Specialist, Fortune 500 company

“You can use this knowledge for the rest of your life. Using mindfulness has the potential to make us better at everything… better parents, leaders, spouses and friends.”

-Vasi, Co-founder, True Alignment Global

“I find it easier to work with diverse personalities. I am less fearful.”

-Corporate class participant

“I learned so much about myself, and how to help myself. It gave me a clearer picture of my co-workers as individuals, and how I can better engage with them.”

-Corporate class participant

“People who know me well have noticed how much more calm I am.”

-Corporate class participant

“This program brings awareness about how all people are different, and view the world around them differently. When a situation has conflict in it, I remind myself that the person is seeing the subject in a different way and that is okay.”

-Corporate class participant

“This stress management program gave me tools to apply to my daily life where I could see results including a difference in my demeanor, and how I interact with my team members.”

-Corporate class participant

Resilience

“I was under enormous stress. My mother had recently died, my blood pressure was high and I had gained weight. But before the class was over, I had lost 20 pounds, my blood pressure was normal and, best of all, I wasn’t screaming at people anymore.”

-Patricia, Senior Business Process Analyst, Fortune 500 company

“Take this class. You’ll be amazed…I think people who take the class will notice they can handle situations better. You will have done something for yourself. You’ll have a new coping mechanism to use.”

-Phyllis, Fortune 500 company

“It’s kind of like riding a bike. If you fall off, you’re frustrated, but you keep trying – then one day it just happens to move into your subconscious.”

-Mike, IT Analyst, Fortune 500 company

“I now realize how important it is to get away from my desk, find a calm spot, breathe and center myself before tackling the next problem. There will always be another problem waiting for me!”

-Corporate class participant

Self-confidence

“The program happened to coincide with what would have ordinarily been a crushing workload for me along with a seemingly insurmountable set of personal challenges (e.g., financial, logistical, emotional, etc.). With mindfulness and detachment, I was able to keep plugging away, with confidence and equanimity.”

-Corporate class participant

“This program was a great starting point for my new leadership circle program. Others can benefit.”

-Corporate class participant

“I was already confident in my ability to manage my workload. Now, however, there is a subtle difference in that I am managing my time and work better. I don’t feel so pressured to get everything done even though I don’t have less work.”

-Corporate class participant

Self-control

“The class helped me recognize when I was mirroring and following someone else’s emotional behavior. By choosing my own behavior, the discussion was less stressful for me.”

-Corporate class participant

“I still have more work to do than I can get done, but the lessons I learned in this class help me stay calm in the face of my workload.”

-Corporate class participant

“I learned so much about myself, and how to help myself. It gave me a clearer picture of my co-workers as individuals, and how I can better engage with them.”

-Corporate class participant

“Using the techniques that instructor Linda Seagraves demonstrated throughout the 10 weeks afforded me some stress relief. More importantly it changed my frame of reference around how to react to intensely stressful moments at work and at home without totally self-destructing when I’m over-wrought. No one or four-hour presentation or even a full-day presentation could have that result. I still listen to the CDs. Linda’s voice can calm even a fire-breathing dragon.”

-Corporate class participant

“Participating in this program helps me catch what I am feeling sooner, and manage the situation reasonably.”

-Corporate class participant

Sleep

“Instead of getting rattled when faced with too many things at once, I apply the stress reduction techniques to regain my equanimity instead of flitting from one to the other. I also sleep better and rarely wake up in the middle of the night thinking about work. That alone definitely helps with productivity the next day.”

-Corporate class participant

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