What do participants think of the program?
Satisfaction
We are very pleased that our participant program satisfaction levels ratings are consistently high.
Participants were satisfied overall with the program. After just eight weeks, the program was is successful in helping them participants to reduce stress in their lives.
Most importantly, participants tell us that they plan to continue using the mindfulness meditation tools they learned from our program.
In sum, participants appreciated the stress management techniques we taught them, found them effective in managing stressful thoughts and emotions, and will continue to use them.
Perhaps that is why 99% of participants tell us that they plan to refer their friends, colleagues and family to the program.
Participant Experience
"The Penn Program on Mindfulness changed my life.. This is not an overstatement it is the truth. ..."
Susan Philadelphia, PA
How Effective is the Program?
Combined with increases in vigor (28% increase) and decreases in fatigue (30% reduction), this confirms that participants feel more rested and relaxed, which is often their goal.
Measurable Results
Participation in Relax the Mind and Body, our public mindfulness meditation program, is robust and growing. The course teaches deep relaxation, meditation and physical exercises and demonstrates how these techniques can be used as part of a comprehensive approach to stress management.
The program teaches participants to change the negative and confusing thought patterns and emotions that accompany stress. Participants learn how to recognize their unique reactions to stress, how to find more effective ways to respond to stressful situations, and how to utilize their own inner resources to find greater health and well being.
Participants in our 2007 public mindfulness classes reported impressive reductions in confusion, anxiety, depression, anger, and fatigue as measured by the Profile of Mood States (POMS) (see graph below).
We are especially pleased that public program participants experienced dramatic reductions in four of the most troubling emotions:
- confusion (40% reduction)
- anxiety (52% reduction)
- depression (53% reduction)
- anger (54% reduction)
