Author / Teacher

Elaine Smookler

Elaine Smookler is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and teacher. She was a founding faculty member at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies in Toronto, where she taught clinical programs including MBCT and MBSR. She also taught Mindfulness throughout the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine, was a founding member of the Compassionate Care team at Sick Kids hospital, and a longtime faculty member at the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies, where she taught her own program, “A Mindful Way through the Creative Process” and was part of the certificate program for Mindfulness Informed End-of-Life Care. Elaine has offered mindfulness training to Parole Officers, the Catholic School Board, Employee Assistance programs throughout North America and to a broad corporate audience. She is also part of the Dawn DTx Personalized Cancer Stewardship Program. Elaine is a key-note speaker, columnist, standup comedian, actor and singer. With her clients, she employs a light touch to encourage people to turn towards difficulty, confusion, and challenge as part of the greater technicolour experience of life.

Articles by Elaine Smookler

Beginner’s Body Scan Meditation
Body Scan

Beginner’s Body Scan Meditation

Try this meditation practice to relax your body from head to toe. Read More

3 Ways to Be Kind to Yourself When You’re Feeling Blue
Depression & Grief

3 Ways to Be Kind to Yourself When You’re Feeling Blue

Feeling unwell can be hard work sometimes—and that might be a sign that it’s time to stop trying so hard. Taking the mindful path means making room for suffering, too. Read More

The Future of Mindfulness Is Up to You. Here’s What That Means
Magazine

The Future of Mindfulness Is Up to You. Here’s What That Means

The practice of mindfulness is evolving and changing, but the heart of it stays the same: Letting our awareness guide us gently back to the present moment. Read More

A Guided Meditation to Give Gratitude for Your Body
Body Scan

A Guided Meditation to Give Gratitude for Your Body

Our bodies do so much for us. Take a moment to bring a spirit of curiosity and appreciation to what’s happening in your body right now. Read More

Thanks For That?!
Gratitude

Thanks For That?!

On difficult days, you may find gratitude hard to come by. But when you make it your plan to welcome life’s vast smorgasbord of experiences, you’ll find lots of delightful treasures to be grateful for. Read More

Why You Should Invite Your Inner Demons to Tea
Loving-Kindness & Compassion

Why You Should Invite Your Inner Demons to Tea

When it feels like a storm is brewing inside you—a potent mix of anxiety, jealousy, anger, and other difficult emotions—you might be inclined to turn away. But that rarely makes them dissipate, so you might as well invite them in and get to know them better. Read More

Get Curious: You Can Love the Body You’re In
Eating & Body Image

Get Curious: You Can Love the Body You’re In

When you make a point of being curious, kind, and non-judgmental about all the shenanigans your body will get up to, you may find it much easier to manage it all, and love your body, just as it is. Read More

How to Find Common Ground—in Spite of Differing Views
Mindfulness For

How to Find Common Ground—in Spite of Differing Views

What do you do when people have the audacity to think differently than you do? Here’s how you can stay open and curious in moments of disagreement, instead of getting stuck in defensiveness. Read More

How to Stay When You Want to Run
Breathing Meditations

How to Stay When You Want to Run

Mindful meditation might overwhelm you some days, and underwhelm you others. With a little practice, you can stay curious and engaged, when you might otherwise run. Read More

Finding Community (Where You Least Expect It)
Magazine

Finding Community (Where You Least Expect It)

Even when you feel disconnected, you’re part of something larger than yourself. Your community is not just who you already know—it flows in abundance when you’re in need. Read More

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