Mindfulness Meditation for people with Generalized Anxiety Disorders

Genevieve Tregor, M.S. M.S. in Kinesiology at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo CA MBSR Trained Instructor with Bob Stahl in the UMass Center for Mindfulness in Medicine approved teacher practicum Certified Instructor in Radiant Heart Qi Gong with Teja Fudo Myoo Bell Certified Physical Fitness Specialist and Trainer with the Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research, Dallas TX Intensive Mindfulness Meditation Practice under the guidance of Jack Kornfield, Gil Fronsdal, Howard Cohn, and others in the Insight Meditation Tradition Genevieve received a MS in Kinesiology (Exercise Science and Health Promotion), from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo; and a B.A. in Classics, with a minor in Sports Science, from the University of Arizona. Her graduate level studies included anatomy, physiology, disease pathologies, health evaluation and testing, psychology, nutrition and models for behavior change. She has completed the MBSR Teacher Training Practicum as required by the University of Massachusetts Medical School's Center for Mindfulness in Medicine advanced teacher training, she is a Certified Instructor of Radiant Heart Qi Gong, and a Certified Instructor of Physical Fitness and Training though the Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research. Genevieve grew up in the Scottsdale and Northeast Phoenix area, at the age of 13 she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease which is generally considered a chronic autoimmune condition. As a teenager she decided to focus on wellness instead of disease and pursued running and weight lifting in high school as a way to counteract the physical and psychological effects of the illness and medication. As an undergraduate student at the University of Arizona she realized that her passion was to teach and inspire others to healthy behaviors and fitness, and began studies in a Wellness focused curriculum (her B.A. included a minor in Sports Science.) During this time her Crohn’s disease went into remission. She later moved to California and earned a graduate degree in Kinesiology while also training as a triathlete. Genevieve went on to work in the healthcare sector in public health, mental health research, and health education, while continuing an active lifestyle and working with individuals as a personal trainer in the San Francisco Bay Area. When she later experienced a debilitating back injury she began to explore in-depth the intersection of mind, body and spirit. At this time she engaged in an intensive inquiry into the nature of wholeness; exploring various traditions including Talmud and Catholic Mysticism, and eventually immersed herself in the Buddhist tradition with the practice of Vipassana (also known as Mindfulness Meditation or “Insight Meditation"). Vipassana meditation is the foundational practice for MBSR and is deeply rooted in a holistic embodied awareness. Genevieve began meditating in 2008 and has spent nearly six months cumulative in silent retreat practicing mindfulness meditation, including one two-month continuous silent practice period. Her primary Vipassana teachers are Gil Fronsdal and Howard Cohn. In the MBSR curriculum she trained with Bob Stahl, PhD, author and senior teacher with the UMass Center for Mindfulness Oasis Institute. She is also trained in Radiant Heart Qigong, an ancient energy healing practice bringing mindfulness to movement, with Teja Fudo Myoo Bell. Other influential teachers she's studied and practiced with in the Western Vipassana tradition include Jack Kornfield, John Travis and Kamala Masters. Genevieve is the founder and facilitating teacher for Insight Meditation Scottsdale, a buddhist meditation group practicing in the Western Vipassana tradition meeting Monday nights in Scottsdale.