For the past 3 years I have been teaching a bi weekly meditation class for employees, patients, and volunteers at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. The intent for the classes is to provide Mayo Clinic employees, volunteers, and patients with information and tools to reduce stress and promote overall wellness through education on use of meditation and mindfulness as part of their daily routine and through group meditation.The larger intent is to create a higher vibration for the Clinic, the community, and the world. The purpose of this paper is to share the steps that were used and the challenges faced in starting the program, and the strategies to keep the audience engaged and informed of the offerings. The paper explains how the biopsychosocial model can apply to a large group and how the classes were structured to address all aspects of the PYT Pentagon of Wellness. This project started 3 years ago, before I initiated training with PYT. About 6 months into the program I enrolled in mindfulness and meditation teacher training and became certified. This training improved my knowledge of meditation teaching as well as brain science. I became a more skilled and confident meditation teacher. Through PYT, my skills and knowledge level have further increased, specifically the awareness of the Pentagon of Wellness and the importance of integrating all aspects into the class, and make sure to include knowledge, pranayama, a bit of asana, and consistently close with either a visualization, intention, or prayer to share the peace we experience with others. PYT has also been helpful in expanding my awareness of specific pranayama techniques and their particular benefits and made me more aware of the use of my voice.

This project started 3 years ago, before I initiated training with PYT. About 6 months into the project I enrolled in mindfulness and meditation teacher training and became certified. This training improved my knowledge of meditation teaching as well as brain science. I became a more skilled and confident meditation teacher. Through PYT, my skills and knowledge level have further increased, specifically the awareness of the Pentagon of Wellness and the importance of integrating all aspects into each meditation class, and making sure to include knowledge, pranayama, a bit of asana, and consistently close with either a visualization, intention, or prayer to share the peace we experience through meditation with others. PYT has also been helpful in expanding my awareness of specific pranayama techniques and their particular benefits and made me more aware of the use of my voice.
Specific lessons learned from the past years of working with the meditation program and reflecting on my experiences through writing for PYT:
1. Don’t give up on ideas, trust that a solution will show up when the time is right and keep working towards it.
2. Have an open mind as solutions and opportunities may come from unexpected places and people
3. Share ideas with people, you never know who may be able to support in some way.
4. Be proactive, take charge, and don’t take no for an answer.
5. Create a team that supports your ideas, don’t be a lone ranger
6. Realize that by creating a team, you may also create opportunity for the other team members.
7. Keep the bigger picture in mind: who might be served by the project? (it’s not about me!)
8. Welcome change (it’s part of life) and stay flexible