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OUR FIVE-DAY MINDFULNESS EDUCATION PROGRAM
Mindfulness is the foundation of programming at Front Line Foundations (FLF). Drawing on twenty-five years of independent research, we combine a no-nonsense traditional approach to mindfulness with a modern scientific understanding of the effects of trauma and stress on the body and mind.
Our five-day mindfulness and resiliency skills education program takes place at our location in Bellows Falls, Vermont. It is a peer-supported outpatient program that takes place in a classroom setting. The mindfulness skills that we practice during the program help to reduce anxiety, build internal resiliency, and allow the body to regulate itself naturally.
Simply put, mindfulness is the ability to place your attention where you would like it. At FLF, we use meditative movement, breathwork, walks in nature, meditation, and other relaxation techniques to develop this kind of flexible attention that helps us stay grounded in the present moment. Incorporating these practices into our daily routines will allow our bodies to begin regulating themselves naturally.
THE SIX ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM
MINDFUNESS EDUCATION & PRACTICE
Mindfulness is the foundation of programming at Front Line Foundations (FLF). Drawing on twenty-five years of independent research, Mindfulness Education at FLF combines a no-nonsense traditional approach to mindfulness with a modern scientific understanding of the effects of trauma and stress on the body and mind. You will learn the concepts and skills critical to developing flexible attention, reducing anxiety, increasing productive responses to challenges, and leveraging the body's natural ability to regulate itself.
JOINING FORCES
Joining Forces is a time when we are able to come together as a group and find the commonalities in your experiences as first responders and members of the military. We dive a little deeper into what’s working for you in your day-to-day life and what isn’t working. We discuss what brought you to FLF and different value areas such as family, health, and work. These discussions help us to recognize the strength that comes from trusting and supporting each other. There is no expectation that you will need to share your traumatic memories with the group. However, Joining Forces is a time where difficult or uncomfortable feelings can be carefully shared with the group, with the support and guidance of a clinician.
RECREATION THERAPY
Recreation and other activities that we do for relaxation and enjoyment are some of the first things that we tend to forego when we struggle with post-traumatic stress. We often find ourselves sacrificing our recreation time so that we can attend to "more important" things, typically involving our jobs or our family responsibilities. Recreation and relaxation are a crucial part of living a healthier, happier, and more balanced life. Our knowledgeable staff will engage you in a variety of recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, birding, wildlife tracking, and more. As we experience these activities together, you will start to see how the mindfulness skills we teach enable you to broaden your horizons and get back to the things that you enjoy doing.
MEDITATIVE MOVEMENT
The body and the mind are two sides of the same coin. Meditative movement is a daily group where we practice different body-based exercises that work to unite the body, breath, mind, and spirit. It's a time to practice flexible attention and the mindfulness skills that we discuss throughout the program. Our staff leads group members in activities like Qi Gong, trauma-sensitive yoga, and outdoor mindfulness walks.
RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
The relaxation techniques we teach focus on activities that reduce stress and tension in the body, balance the nervous system, and decrease anxiety. You will be able to carry these relaxation practices over to other parts of your life, so that you may engage with family, friends and coworkers in a more full and meaningful way. The staff at FLF will lead you through body scans, progressive muscle relaxation, and other techniques that you can use to reach relaxation more quickly and easily in your daily life.
BREATHWORK
Breathwork is a time each day where we practice a variety of focused breathing techniques. These techniques are designed to help the body remember how to relax. When someone has spent years working in the military or as a first responder, it is common for the body to get “stuck” in a state of continual readiness - a state that allows individuals to function so well in these professions. By focusing on the breath, we can bring ourselves back to the current moment. This, in turn, will give our bodies more time to relax and heal.
OUR ALUMNI NETWORK
STAYING CONNECTED
The connections that people make during the five-day program are often lasting ones. In order to help our alumni stay connected once they have completed the program, we offer alumni meetings, both in-person and online. These meetings, lead by clinicians Jennifer Sell-Knapp, Amy Jaffe, and peer counselor Joe Gorman, also allow for new connections to be made between alumni who attended the program at different times. Our staff and alumni are motivated to continue building and enriching this community of veterans and first-responders. Together we walk this path of wellness, resiliency, and reclaiming our peace and joy.
PRINTABLE PROGRAM BROCHURE
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OUR FIVE-DAY MINDFULNESS PROGRAM
Mindfulness is the foundation of programming at Front Line Foundations. The mindfulness skills we practice during our five-day program help to reduce anxiety, build internal resiliency, and allow the body to regulate itself naturally. The program takes place in a classroom setting and is peer supported and skills-based.
"FLF has a very different approach. It does not feel like therapy. It feels like going to school, by teaching me the skills and the tools I need for reprogramming my body and nervous system."
- Brad K. (Firefighter, Veteran)
