Jackie Frederick-Berner

Background

About Jackie Frederick-Berner

When people new to meditation ask what it’s all about, I’ve learned that the best way to answer is to walk them through the steps: take a comfortable seat and place your awareness on your breath. When thoughts distract you, label it “thinking” and return to the breath. After just a few minutes, the shift I see in them is unmistakable. Their faces soften. Their body language goes from closed and tight to open and relaxed. And when they open their eyes they are fully connected to the present moment -not bogged down by the past or worrying about the future. I draw from my training in meditation and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction to offer instruction that is accessible, clear-cut and applicable to every-day life and work. I credit my experience as a video producer and writer with enabling me to break down and explain meditation concepts in a simple, non-threatening way. My teaching is inspired by the neuroscience behind the mind-body connection and the clarity and meaning that mindfulness can bring to all aspect of a person’s life. I help people incorporate mindfulness approaches based on their unique needs -from simple breathing techniques that can be done on the spot to making meditation practice part of a daily routine. And I'm passionate about developing customized workplace programs to reduce employee stress and increase engagement. I trained with David Nichtern, a senior meditation teacher in the Shambala Buddhist tradition, which takes a contemporary, secular approach. I have completed coursework and training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and through MindfulSchools.org. My role as a consultant in organizational mindfulness with Flourishing Culture Consultants, complements and enhances the organizational culture and leadership workshops offered by the company. I offer weekly meditation at Wainwright House in Rye, NY, where I was hired as one of the first instructors to launch ongoing meditation classes and workshops. At Wainwright House, I actively participate in its initiative to bring mindfulness and meditation to corporations and organizations. I lead meditations and workshops for organizations, including: SoulRyeders, dedicated to empowering people affected by cancer; LiveStrong at Rye, NY, YMCA; meditations for the community and teachers through the Healing Arts Collaborative of Rye. I teach privately and am the co-developer/teacher of The Life-Changing Art of Mindfulness Meditation, a workshop series focused on tuning into the senses through meditation to gain calmness and joy.