It’s easy to become mired in day-to-day life filled with work, family, relationships, stress and worry. Mindfulness and meditation can help us to break out of our patterns of negative emotions, and allows us to find peace no matter what is going on around us.  This workshop is open to all levels of experience; whether you’ve never tried meditation before or you’ve been doing it for many years. Our unique approach offers an enriching experience for all. The Stop, Breathe & Think Mindfulness and Meditation Workshop is for individuals looking to learn in-depth, hands-on techniques to integrate mindfulness and meditation into their daily lives. This is a great opportunity to get a refresher on your existing mindfulness and meditation practice, or learn some new tools!  During the course of the workshop we will use the Stop, Breathe & Think workbook and the creation of a personal mandala to:   Learn and practice effective mindfulness and meditation techniquesStrengthen your sense of peace and compassionContemplate ideas that inspire positive life choices  The Stop, Breathe & Think curriculum uses the blueprint of the Shi-tro Mandala, a symbolic representation of peaceful existence that can help us conceptualize harmony within ourselves and the world we live in. Where: San Francisco, CA Location TBA When: Friday, Feb. 22nd to Sunday, Feb. 24th (Friday: 9AM to 5PM; Saturday and Sunday 9AM to 6:30PM.  Yoga workshops will be in the afternoon.)   Meals:  Snacks and beverages, and lunch will be provided.  Dress: Please dress comfortably for this event. It is suggested that you wear shoes that you can slip on and off easil. We will be moving back and forth between the table and floor. (Chairs are available for those who cannot sit on the floor for long periods of time.) Cost: Early registration: $375 (before Jan. 31, 2013). General registration: $475 for each participant (on or after Feb. 1, 2013). Registration includes a workbook, specialized instruction, and all materials. Scholarship opportunities are available. Please inquire about scholarship opportunities by emailing us at events@toolsforpeace.org. Who Should Attend: We invite adults ages 18 and over who have an interest in meditation and mindfulness for personal or professional development.  This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a retreat-like experience without having to travel too far or be away from home for a long period of time. This training is not intended for those who want to start their own mindfulness and meditation program. Stop, Breathe & Think Workbook Using the Stop, Breathe & Think workbook as a guide, participants will experience the workbook content first-hand by combining training in mindfulness and meditation with artistic expression, writing, and discussion to create a personal mandala. Four-Day Training ScheduleFriday, February, 22nd 9AM – Introductions/ Introduction to Stop, Breathe & Think10AM to noon – Morning workshop*12PM – Lunch1PM to 5PM– Afternoon workshop* Saturday, February 23rd 8AM – Yoga workshop9AM to noon – Morning workshop*12PM – Lunch1PM to 6:30PM – Afternoon workshop* Sunday, February 24th 8AM – Yoga workshop9AM to noon – Morning workshop*12PM – Lunch1PM to 6:30PM – Afternoon workshop* *Breaks will be integrated throughout the day          FAQs Do I need to already have a background in mindfulness or meditation?No!  The Stop, Breathe, and Think approach is all encompassing.  It doesn’t matter is you’ve been meditating your whole life, or if you’ve never done it before.What are the benefits of learning mindfulness and meditation techniques?Documented studies have shown, that the use of mindfulness and meditation can decrease stress,  anxiety and depression and helps to increase and improve emotional regulation, social skills, focus, memory, self-esteem, a sense of calmness, relaxation, self-acceptance, relationship satisfaction and quality of sleep.I'm a working professional looking for tools to help me deal with workplace stress -- is this training a good fit?Yes, the techniques you’ll learn are designed to not only reduce stress, but to help you deal with situations before they become sources of stress.I want to learn meditation for my own personal benefit -- will this training help?Yes.  The training is for all aspects of your life, from work, to family to personal relationships.  Do I need to attend the entire duration of the training?Yes.  We recommend going through the entire training as one section builds on the next.  We want you to have access to the entire toolbox.What is the nearest airport to San Francisco, CA?We recommend getting to San Francisco via  SFO or OAK (Oakland CA)  Meditation is hard for me because I can’t stop my thoughts, will I still benefit from this training?Yes!  You’ll learn several kinds of meditations and mindfulness exercises where we use our thoughts to focus and guide us.  You don’t have to stop thinking to meditate!Do I need to bring anything to the training?Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that are easy to take on and off.  There will be yoga in the morning.Is your training rooted in a religion?While the fundamentals of our program are rooted in Buddhism, our training is intentionally secular.  You don’t have to know anything about Buddhism, and no matter what your beliefs, you can benefit from the techniques in our training program.What are some of the other activities we’ll be doing during the training?In addition to learning different meditations and mindfulness we’ll also be creating a personal mandala, journaling, yoga, mindful walking, and discussions.Do you offer supplemental materials for your training program?Yes, you’ll receive our Stop, Breathe and Think workbook, and we will also have recordings of our meditations available on our website for you to download. Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?events@toolsforpeace.org or 626.564.0700Is my registration/ticket transferrable?If you’re not able to make the event, please contact us at events@toolsforpeace.org and we can discuss other options.Can I update my registration information?Sure! Please contact us at events@toolsforpeace.org or 626.564.0700.Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?No, that is not required.Do I need to sign any additional forms?Upon arriving at the Ari Bhöd Retreat Center, you will be asked to sign a venue and code of conduct waiver.What is the refund policy?We can provide a refund up to 7 days prior to the event. Adult Early Registration (ends 1/31/13 375.00 Adult Registration 475.00 Staff 0.00