Mindfulness involves paying attention “on purpose.” It also involves focusing awareness, a particular way of being in the present moment. Mindfulness enables a focus and clarity that deadlines, life stressors, and daily interactions often preclude. Leaders in healthcare and business recognize, through their own use, how mindfulness benefits their own work and the work of their patients, clients, employees, and colleagues. Mindfulness exercises are now “mainstream” and practiced in meditation rooms and conference rooms alike.
Mindfulness reduces stress and anxiety and therefore improves health; mindfulness improves sleep; improves mental and physical well-being; improves relationships; enhances productivity in the workplace; increases customer and employee satisfaction; leads to long-term health changes that result in fewer chronic illnesses; reduces demand on the healthcare system; and reduces health-related costs in business (Regents of the University of Minnesota, 2013).
The concept of mindfulness can be applied to any activity, including movement. While many types of aerobic and anaerobic exercises promote physical and mental well-being, there are certain types of movements, such as walking, yoga, tai chi, and qigong, which have an inherent mind-body approach.
Mindful walking, also called walking meditation, is a practice that requires people to be consciously aware of their movement in the environment. It brings people closer to nature, makes them more aware of their bodies and connects them to the present moment (Regents of the University of Minnesota, 2013).
Mindful yoga is a multidimensional system that includes stretching and strengthening poses, breathing exercises, and ethical meditation practices. This system uses body, breath, and senses to reconnect the practitioner with the universe and move emotions and thoughts into stillness (Regents of the University of Minnesota, 2013).
Mindful tai chi is a Chinese system of physical exercises that is believed to facilitate the flow of qi (the life force, pronounced “chee”) in the body. Tai chi promotes health, healing, and vitality. Tai chi utilizes movements that are opposites. For example, it incorporates softness and strength, forward and backward motions, and action and calmness (Regents of the University of Minnesota, 2013).
Mindful qigong is a Chinese practice using movement, affirmation, breath, visualizations, and meditation to improve the flow of qi. Qigong seeks to restore internal harmony and the practitioner’s harmony with nature. Mindful qigong develops mindfulness and supports the flow of qi simultaneously. It can be practiced either with gentle body movements or a motionless body posture (Regents of the University of Minnesota, 2013).