Mindfulness is the ability we all have to be fully present in the moment and aware of out surroundings. Mindfulness means having a constant awareness of the present, whilst non-judgementally experiencing our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and surroundings. Mindfulness is essential for effective animal training as it not only ensures that we are aware of the subtleties of the animal’s behaviour so that our training is accurate, but also keep us safe through an increased awareness of our surrounding and the animals reaction to it.
When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts focus on what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than revisiting the past or imagining the future. There are three core elements are important for mindfulness to be successful: intention, attention, and attitude (Shapiro & Carlson, 2009; 2014). Intention is informed by what is our aim, vision or aspiration is for this time; it is what you hope to get from practising mindfulness. Attention requires us to be fully aware and tuned into the present moment, rather than being preoccupied with the past or future. Finally, how we attend to the present, our attitude, should be open, kind, and curious. Each element supports the others.
Meditation aims to train awareness, focus and perspective through mental exercises. Mindful mediation is the practice of being aware of the unconditional truth of the present without judgement. Most mindful meditation techniques focus on aspects of body, breath and thought awareness during a period of quiet sitting.
A recent study has found that just 40 days of mindfulness meditation training can change the structure of your brain and improve your quality of life. The results centred on the parietal cortex with a relative increase in cortical thickness in the left precuneus. Furthermore, in the upper left parietal cortex and bilateral inferior parietal lobe, cortical thickness increased in the left inferior temporal gyrus after 40 days. Participants also report decreases symptoms of depression and trait anxiety after the mindfulness training.
See the study at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-47470-4
TL:DR Mindfulness can make you a great animal trainer and rewire your brain improving your quality of life!
Emma Lethbridge Horsemanship 