Olean Meditation Center

Mindfulness is an ancient wisdom-based discipline as well as a scientifically-proven path to profound self-awareness, personal development and inner calm especially needed in these turbulent times. This course introduces evidence-based mindfulness techniques that have been shown to increase well-being and reduce stress-related anxiety. 

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Our facilitators:

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Audrey Hager, PhD, is the Program Director of the Mindful Wellness Program at OMC and works full time as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at St. Bonaventure University. Dr. Hager has over 15 years of experience practicing meditation and facilitates mindfulness programs at universities for students, faculty and staff. A psychologist and behavioral neuroscientist, Dr. Hager’s current research is exploring the physiological effects and benefits of mindfulness practices on the body and brain. 

Celine Daly, MD, MPH, has been practicing Buddhist meditation for over 40 years in the Thai Vipassana and Tibetan traditions and is a graduate of The 3 Doors Academy, an intensive program of self-reflection and meditation, and she is continuing in their teacher training program. She has taught meditation at Sacred Spirit Yoga and Healing Arts in Westchester, NY and for the United Nations staff in Bhutan. She is also a certified yoga instructor, pranic healer, musician, and sound healer.

Max Jensen, PhD, is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at U. Pitt-Bradford. Dr. Jensen has been teaching university as well as practicing meditation since 2013, and has offered meditation teachings at O-An Zendo in Julian, PA since 2015. He also co-led a 6-week long workshop on meditation and mindfulness at Pitt-Bradford in 2019.

Katie Ward, MSEd, is a board-certified lactation consultant working with perinatal families. She has been practicing meditation at OMC for 12 years and in that time has led specific programs including the Mindful Families Program and aided in the development of the Mindful Wellness Program. She is a graduate of the two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Program with renowned meditators Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield.  

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Feedback from previous program participants:

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• “I think the program has helped me not act so impulsively on my emotions. I am more aware of my emotions and can now sit and think about why I am feeling this way, and then act. I can put myself in ‘check’ easier and find I have a more peaceful way to deal with stressors.”

•  “I’ve enjoyed my time here at the meditation center. I’ve learned ways to help me cope with stress and triggers, etc. I’ve enjoyed learning the new ways to meditate. I appreciate you all taking the time out to teach us, it means a lot.”

• "I learned that there are many different types of meditation and that I could fit meditation into my day in different ways. My spouse and I really enjoyed doing the meditations together and discussing them."

• "I feel like I can be more present. I feel myself seeing and appreciating the smaller things more. I have also seen a decrease in annoyance and anxiety in this time."

• "Meditation has allowed me to take a step back and take a moment to breathe. In this job, and even in life, we are all about fast-paced, get things done now. Meditation has helped me to realize I don’t have to move that fast all the time, even if the people around me are. It has helped me give permission to myself to slow down and take things as they come."