Mindfulness Practice

Emphasis areas:

Mindfulness Advocacy at Work

Mindfulness practice has been shown to be effective at reducing burnout in the workplace, particularly in healthcare. This emphasis area prepares students to integrate mindfulness into their own lives and to be an advocate for workplace integration of mindfulness to address institutional sources of burnout.

Clinical Applications of Mindfulness

Many clinical disciplines have found that mindfulness can have a positive effect on therapeutic outcomes for their patients. This emphasis area provides the tools for developing their own mindfulness practice and integrating mindfulness into their clinical interventions.

Awakening Compassion

Developing compassion has been shown to reduce workplace burnout and increase personal happiness and wellbeing. This emphasis provides the experience and tools to develop the heart qualities of empathy, kindness, and compassion and to integrate these qualities into their lives and work.

General Certificate Course Requirements (11 - 13 credits)

Core Mindfulness Courses (5-7 credits)

Introduction to Mindfulness or Fundamentals of Mindfulness

Effects of Mindfulness or The Mindful Practitioner                                                                                      

Mindfulness in Health Science

Mindfulness Capstone

Elective Courses:

Applications of Mindfulness: (2 credits from the following)

Mindful Self Compassion

Introduction to Yoga Nidra

Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice

Independent Study in Mindfulness                                                                                                                  

Theory and Context of Mindfulness: Choose ONE of the following (3 credits)

Introduction to Asian Philosophies

Cognitive Neuroscience

Complementary/Integrative Health    

Movement Meditation Course:  Choose ONE of the following (1 credit)

Beginning Yoga

Intermediate Yoga

Tai Chi             

For more information, please contact Tony Seikel at seikel@isu.edu.

Meet the Mindfulness Teachers of the KDHS Mindfulness Program!

Chris Owens, Director

Marlene Darling

Marlene Darling was born in San Francisco, California and received her BA in Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley in 1973, and her MA Counseling degree at Idaho State University's Counseling Department in 2005. She was employed at ISU for 22 years, including as a Licensed Professional Counselor and student Equity Counselor for the Center for New Directions in the College of Technology, and also co-instructed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction classes with Paula Seikel. She revived the Hatha Yoga program at ISU’s Physical Education Department in 1999, where she taught for 20 years. She also taught yoga classes in the local community and all across the United States since 1983. She received her Yoga Instructor Certification in 1991 and advanced training in 2001, at the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy in Honesdale, Pennsylvania; and attended their campus in Allahabad, India in 2001 for the Maha Kumba Mela. After she retired from ISU in 2017, she briefly counseled at Counseling & Testing, continued to teach yoga for the PE Department and to the Portneuf Sangha (via Zoom), and currently co-teaches ISU’s Mindfulness in Health Sciences (via Zoom) with Paula Seikel. She was a Level II PSIA Ski Instructor at Pebble Creek Ski Area for 20 years, and recently received her Master Gardener certification from the University of Idaho Extension in 2022. She is married and the mother of a beautiful daughter, has two lively granddaughters, and a super-cat named Sami.

Kristin Fletcher

Kristin Fletcher was born in Washington but her family moved to Idaho when she was 1½ years old so she humbly considers herself a native Idahoan.   At 7, she went on her first backpacking trip with her dad, and this began a lifelong love of nature and the out of doors.  As a young adult she lived in 4 states and worked a variety of jobs to pay the rent.   But a multi-year trip to Australasia changed the trajectory of her life when, in New Zealand, she encountered mindfulness or insight meditation and participated in her first silent, 10-day retreat.  Returning to the States, she sought mindfulness teaching wherever she could, often traveling hundreds of miles and estimates she has cumulatively spent over 6 months in retreat. She also resumed her academic studies, getting a Bachelor of University studies at ISU in Natural History with a Writing Emphasis at age 45.  A deep sense of interconnectedness with all forms of life informs both her meditation practice and work at the Idaho Museum of Natural History, Sawtooth Botanical Garden (Ketchum) and now the Hailey Public Library.  In 2005, she co-founded the Portneuf Sangha with Drs. Tony and Paula Seikel and their good friend Tess Greenup.

Karen Genelle

Karen Genelle graduated from Arizona State with a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and obtained her MBA from Capella University. She has studied and practiced mindfulness for 13 years and has found great personal benefit from her practice. Karen is passionate about teaching mindfulness meditation and enjoys co-teaching classes for the Division of Health Sciences. She enjoys studying the effects of mindfulness in parenting and has implemented mindfulness practices into curriculum which she has used for her two homeschooled children. Karen is a regular member of the Portneuf Sangha Meditation Center in Pocatello and also enjoys practicing yoga.

Jenn Holst

Jenn Holst, Au.D., is a Clinical Professor in Audiology at Idaho State University.   She began her career at ISU in 2005 and her professional interests have expanded throughout the years.  Even though she is an audiologist, she has explored the benefits of mindfulness and mindful meditation not only for personal well-being but also for students who are seeking stress reduction and healthy ways to manage the demands of academic life.  Currently, she co-teaches mindfulness classes through the Division of Health Sciences at ISU in addition to her daily audiology activities.

Danny Kell

Danny Kell is a native of Pocatello, Idaho whose aspiration is to expand mindfulness in our individual lives, our community, and beyond. Teaching in the Mindfulness Program has provided the opportunity to sharing the experience with students and my colleagues. His interest in mindfulness and meditation began twenty years ago when he was introduced to it in massage school. Mindfulness and meditative practices have been essential parts of Danny’s life on a personal level, and he is enthusiastic about helping others to grow through learning and integrating these practices in their own lives.  He began this journey with his own personal experience and has been dedicated to expanding personal use of mindfulness in all areas of his life. He spent 10 years as a special education teacher, and at the center of this was teaching emotional regulation and coping skills. During that time, he taught mindfulness to children and developed a mindfulness program at a local school, showing him how the application of these practices can have real and lasting positive effects.  Everything in his research and life has pointed towards the benefits and usefulness of mindful attention. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in social work where he hopes to expand on his ability to teach and spread ways in which people can find internal peace and navigate this world with more intention and clarity. 

Jennifer Miesch

Jen Miesch, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in independent practice and Affiliate Faculty at Idaho State University. She previously worked at ISU for 12 years in the Counseling and Mental Health Center and taught courses. She is a Certified Teacher for the Mindful Self-Compassion program, trained by Drs. Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, and has been regularly studying and practicing mindfulness since 2010. Jen incorporates evidence-based mindfulness and self-compassion practices into her clinical work, which is strengths based and focused on resilience, empowerment, and helping clients find meaning and purpose. When not working, she enjoys hiking, camping, gardening, reading, music, and spending time with her family outdoors.

Rick Pongratz

Rick Pongratz, Ph.D. is Director of the Counseling and Mental Health Center at Idaho State University. He oversees comprehensive mental health services for college students.  Rick has served as PI or co-Investigator on several state-funded grants pertaining to prevention of mental health problems, coping with stress related to COVID-19, and HIV prevention. Rick has taught a number of different courses for the Department of Psychology and the Kasiska Division of Health Sciences, including but not limited to: Mindful Self-Compassion, Advanced Ethics, Human Sexuality, Fundamentals of HIV, and Theory and Method of Adult Therapy II. Rick’s areas of interest include college student mental health, the nature-mental health connection, diversity issues, and ACT and IPT treatments. Most recently his interest in the connection between nature and mental health has led him to conclude that maybe we shouldn't burn down the only planet on which we have to live. 

Paula Seikel, Coordinator

Paula Seikel , Ph.D. worked as a clinical psychologist  in student counseling centers at Washington State University and Idaho State University for 30 years until she retired in 2018. In 2008, Paula spent a sabbatical semester studying ways to integrate mindfulness practices into psychotherapy and attended the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction intensive training taught by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli.  She and her husband Tony have taught meditation classes in the community and ISU since 2006 and helped found the Portneuf Sangha Meditation Center in Pocatello.  She recently graduated from a two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program led by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. She enjoys teaching mindfulness at ISU and presenting to organizations on mindful ways to reduce stress and burnout.

Tony Seikel, Coordinator

Tony (John A.) Seikel was on the faculty at Washington State University from 1988 to 1998, at which time he took a position at Idaho State University in Communication Sciences & Disorders.  He has a deep love of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, particularly as it relates to mindfulness and meditative practices.  A long-time meditator, he is especially interested in the positive effects of mindfulness practices on the brain and body.  He co-teaches classes for the Division of Health Sciences exploring the effects of mindfulness.  Along with Kristin Fletcher and Paula Seikel, he helped found the Portneuf Sangha Meditation Center in Pocatello in 2005. He completed a two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program led by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach in 2021. 

Kristin Stewart Yates

Kristin Stewart Yates, Ph. D., is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who has worked at Idaho State University Counseling and Mental Health Center since 2013. She enjoyed being the assistant director at the Counseling Center since 2023. Kristin has also had the privilege of teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Course (MSC) for ISU since 2018, along with other courses for the Counseling Department. Since graduate school, Kristin has researched, presented, and practiced mindfulness in several capacities.  In 2021, Kristin became a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and uses MSC principles and skills daily in her supervision and clinical practice. She also developed an MSC therapy group she runs multiple times a semester for ISU students through the counseling center. When not at work, Kristin enjoys spending time with her two daughters, husband, and overly friendly labradoodle. Ideally, this time is spent outdoors on an adventure. She finds great peace and spiritual practice through trail running on the beautiful trails surrounding Pocatello.

Jane Coe Smith

Ron Solbrig

Ronald Solbrig was born and raised in Idaho.  He attended Northwestern University for an undergraduate chemistry degree then University of Washington for Medical degree.  He worked at ISU for 30 years in a number of capacities including residency faculty, PA lecturer, Director of the ISU Health Center, and COVID lead physician.

Ron attended an ISU mindfulness class in 2018 and found the content life changing.  The 8-week class with meditation and self-observing opened new perspectives on thought, emotions, and self.  He continues to practice mindfulness and meditation on an erratic basis.  Multiple ISU classes and ongoing group practice with the Portneuf Sangha add to his ongoing experience.

Celeste Tandy

Celeste Tandy has certifications from the Mindfulness Meditation Teachers Certification Program, Yoga Nidra, and 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. She has studied under renowned teachers Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. Celeste's meditation journey began in 2008 with Yoga Asana, and deepened with a transformative 10-day silent retreat at the Goenka Vipassana Center in California in 2012. She annually attends silent retreats, including a month-long retreat in 2018, and completed four months of silent meditation retreats in 2023. Celeste explored ancient mantra meditation techniques in India in 2019 and holds certifications in Yoga Nidra Meditation from Brenna Geehan and Jillian Glikbarg, iRest Level 1 from Richard Miller, and Empowered Wisdom Teacher Training from Tracee Stanley and Chanti Tacoronte-Perez.

Her intention in teaching mindfulness classes is to create a space where individuals can explore their inner landscapes without judgment, fostering a deeper understanding and acceptance of their whole being. Drawing from her own experiences, her aim is to teach what she's learned about cultivating a practice that enhances overall well-being, reduces stress, and promotes balanced, intentional living. Through the practices of Yoga Nidra and other meditation techniques, she hopes to empower her students to discover the profound peace and self-awareness that can positively impact every aspect of their lives.

MINDFULNESS ONLINE COURSES

Spring and Summer, 2025

KDHS Mindfulness Classes are all offered by Zoom or Asynchronous Online this Spring.

Spring 2025:

Mindful Parenting (DHS 4499-13/5599-12, 2 cr.) Online, fixed time.  Thursdays, 4:30-6:00 pm MT.  Instructors Karen Genelle & Danny Kell.  Students will learn how to practice mindfulness to reduce reactivity and cultivate compassion. Effective communication skills and elements of mindful discipline will be employed to increase cooperation and improve relationships. Contact karengenelle@isu.edu

Introduction to Mindfulness (DHS 4411-01; DHS 5511-01; 1 cr.)  Online, fixed time.  Early 8 weeks, Tuesdays, 4:30-5:50 pm MT. Instructors:  Jenn Holst & Paula Seikel.  This course introduces core skills and basic practices based on the four foundations of mindfulness: body, feelings, thoughts, and daily activities. Outside-of-class practice is an important part of the class. Contact Jenn Holst holsjenn@isu.edu

Effects of Mindfulness (DHS 4405-01/5505-01; 1 cr.) Online, Fixed time. Late 8 weeks; Tuesdays, 5:00-6:40pm MT. Instructors: Tony Seikel, Kristin Fletcher, & Ron Solbrig.   This course provides meditation instruction and examination of your practice, while focusing on research on the physical, psychological, and neurophysiological changes resulting from meditation.  Outside-of-class practice is an important part of the class. Contact Tony Seikel seikel@isu.edu

Mindful Self-Compassion (DHS 4408-01/5508-01; 2 cr.) Online, fixed time. Pocatello campus, early 8 weeks, Wednesdays, 3:00-5:00 pm.  Instructors: Kristin Stewart Yates & Rick Pongratz. Based on the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, -supported, 8-week, training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. Based on the groundbreaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding. Participants will learn how to practice self-compassion in daily life and understand the benefits of self-compassion. Contact Kristin Stewart Yates at stewkris@isu.edu.

Introduction to Mindfulness and Yoga Nidra: (DHS 4499/5599, 1 cr.) Online No Fixed Time, late 8 weeks.   Celeste Tandy & Tony Seikel. Yoga Nidra is a meditative practice that helps reduce the effects of physical and emotional stress and increases balance and equanimity. Students will learn how to integrate Yoga Nidra and other meditation practices into their personal and professional lives. This form of yoga is practiced lying down in deep relaxation. Contact Celeste Tandy celestetandy@isu.edu or Tony Seikel at seikel@isu.edu.

Mindfulness-Based Strength Practices (MBSP). (DHS 4416-01/5599-14, 1 cr.) Online Fixed Time, Wed. 1:00-3:00 pm MT, March 10 - May 9.  Jane Coe Smith. MBSP integrates mindfulness and character strengths practices. Character Strengths builds awareness of personal strengths. Mindfulness practices are introduced and integrated with personal strengths practice. This interactive and experiential course promotes mindfully employing character strengths in personal and professional contexts. Contact Jane Coe Smith at <janecoesmith@isu.edu>

Summer 2025:

Introduction to Mindfulness (DHS 4411-01; DHS 5511-01; 1 cr.)  Online, fixed time.  Late 8 weeks, Wednesdays, 4:00-5:40 pm MT. Instructors:  Karen Genelle & Kristin Fletcher.  This course introduces core skills and basic practices based on the four foundations of mindfulness: body, feelings, thoughts, and daily activities. Outside-of-class practice is an important part of the class. Contact Karen Genelle karengenelle@isu.edu

Mindful Parenting (DHS 4499-*/5599-*, 2 cr.) Online, fixed time. Early 8 weeks, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30-6:10 pm MT.  Instructors Karen Genelle & Danny Kell.  Students will learn how to practice mindfulness to reduce reactivity and cultivate compassion. Effective communication skills and elements of mindful discipline will be employed to increase cooperation and improve relationships. Contact karengenelle@isu.edu

Mindful Self-Compassion (DHS 4408-01/5508-01; 2 cr.) Online, fixed time. Pocatello campus, late 8 weeks, Wednesdays, 1:00-3:00 pm.  Instructor: Kristin Stewart Yates. Based on the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, -supported, 8-week, training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. Based on the groundbreaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding. Participants will learn how to practice self-compassion in daily life and understand the benefits of self-compassion. Contact Kristin Stewart Yates at stewkris@isu.edu.

Classes are offered through the Division of Health Sciences and are open to ISU students, staff, and faculty and others wanting to learn ways to respond more mindfully to stress, improve their ability to stay present, and practice these skills with other learners. These classes are primarily experiential, so consistent attendance is essential. For more information and guided practices see https://www.isu.edu/healthsciences/mindfulness/

         *The section numbers for these courses are not yet available.

DHS 4401/5501 Mindfulness in Health Science

DHS 4408/5508 Mindful Self-Compassion

1. The students will understand concepts of Mindful Self-Compassion.
2. The students will explore and evaluate self-compassion practices as demonstrated through their weekly reflection journals and class discussions. 
3. The graduate students will create a short paper on applying self-compassion in their fields of study. 

DHS 4405/5505 Effects of Mindfulness

DHS 4406/5506 The Mindful Practitioner

1. Students will apply their knowledge of mindfulness through various practices, including meditation, movement, and daily living, and as evidenced in their daily meditation logs.
2. Students will explore and evaluate applications of mindfulness in healthcare.
3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of mindful communication as it relates to the work setting through classroom discussion.
4. Students will learn individual and workplace problems that lead to employee burnout, and identify strategies to ameliorate those at the agency level.
5. The Graduate Student will create a presentation for the class on the ways mindfulness could be applied to their fields of study.

 DHS 4410/5510 Fundamentals of Mindfulness

1.  The students will understand the concepts of mindfulness.
2. Students will apply their knowledge of mindfulness through various practices, including meditation, movement, and daily living, and as evidenced in their daily meditation logs.
3. The student will understand the theory of mindfulness meditation and practice, as demonstrated through classroom discussion.
4. The students will assess and evaluate the outcome of their meditation practice, as demonstrated through their daily meditation logs.
5. Graduate students will have the additional assignment to write a summary of a research article on mindfulness.

DHS 4412/5512 Introduction to Yoga Nidra and Mindfulness

1.  Students will apply their knowledge of Yoga Nidra and Mindfulness through various practices, as evidenced in their daily meditation logs.
2. The student will understand the theory of Yoga Nidra and Mindfulness, as demonstrated through classroom discussion.
3. The students will assess and evaluate the outcome of their Yoga Nidra practice, as demonstrated through their daily meditation logs.
4. Graduate students will have the additional assignment to write a summary of a research article on mindfulness.
    

DHS 4411/5511 Introduction to Mindfulness

1. Students will understand basic concepts of mindfulness.
2. Students will demonstrate their understanding of mindfulness through daily journals.
3. Students will experience a variety of mindfulness activities and evaluate their usefulness in their lives.
4. Graduate students will have the additional assignment to write a summary of a research article on mindfulness.

DHS 4416/5516 Mindfulness-Based Strength Practices

1. The students will understand the concepts of mindfulness and character strengths practices.
2. The students will explore and practice integrated applications of mindfulness-based strengths practices.
3. The students will assess and evaluate the outcome of their mindfulness-based strengths practices in their weekly reflection journals and class discussions.
4. The graduate students will develop a short paper on applying mindfulness-based strengths practices to their field of study.

 DHS 4414/5515 Independent Study in Mindfulness

1.  Students will work with their mindfulness advisor to develop and implement a plan of independent study in mindfulness.

DHS 4415/5515 Capstone in Mindfulness

1. Students will work with their mindfulness advisor to create and implement a project that may include new program development, research in a particular area, or focused study of a specific interest.