MVP / NFLPA Mindfulness & Meditation Course II
4 Stages of the Self
Continuing with their efforts to provide Wellness Opportunities to all members, MERGING VETS & PLAYERS (“MVP”) and the PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES FOUNDATION (“PAF”) are proud to partner with HIDDEN PEARLS PODCAST, (“HPP”), to offer this Mindfulness & Meditation Course II - “Knowing the Self”. This is a follow up to the Introduction to Mindfulness & Meditation class that was offered earlier this spring.
This class will build on the concepts and skills shared in Course I, Intro to Mindfulness & Meditation, but will also review those concepts in this course.
PARTICIPATION IN THE INTRO COURSE IS NOT A PRE-REQUISITE AND IS NOT REQUIRED FOR PARTICIPATION IN COURSE II.
Course II will provide participants a non-judgmental, safe, and supportive environment to learn more about mindfulness and meditation, how it can benefit them, along with resources for beginning and/or deepening their practice.
WHEN/HOW: The class will run for 4 sessions, 1 time per week each Monday evening starting May 16, taking a Memorial Day off (6/30) to April 4 beginning at 5:30PT/8:30ET. The class will be held via zoom and will run no more than 60 minutes.
DATES:
1. May 16 - 5:30PT/8:30ET - Know Thy Self
2. May 23 - 5:30PT/8:30ET - Heal Thy Self
Memorial Day Monday May 30 - NO CLASS
3. June 6 - 5:30PT/8:30ET - Be Thy Self
4. June 13 - 5:30PT/8:30ET - Share Thy Self
COST: The class is free to all former/current NFL players and their partners, and all MVP members and their partners.
Instructors
Professor Rhonda Magee
M.A., J.D.
A leading thought and practice innovator of mindfulness-based social justice concepts and practices, Rhonda V. Magee, M.A., J.D., is Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco. Magee has spent more than twenty years exploring the intersections of anti-racist education, social justice, and contemplative practices. She is the inaugural recipient of the Reed Smith Excellence in Wellbeing in Law Award (2022), awarded after an independent, national selection process by the Institute for Wellbeing in Law. A Fellow of the Mind and Life Institute, she is a global/international Keynote speaker; mindfulness teacher and teacher trainer; practice innovator, storyteller, and thought leader on integrating Mindfulness into Higher Education, Law and Social Justice. She is student of a range of Buddhist traditions and mindfulness masters, and is a lay teacher in the Peacemaker Order led by Upaya Zen Center founder Roshi Joan Halifax.
Rhonda’s award-winning book, The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness (Penguin RandomHouse TarcherPerigee: 2019; paperback edition 2021), was named one of the top ten books released for the year by the Greater Good Science Center
Ralph Steele
B.A., M.A., Licensed Therapist
Ralph Steele is the founder of Life Transition Meditation Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he serves as the guiding meditation teacher. He has practiced Theravadin Buddhist meditation for over three decades and taught since 1987, including at such venues as Spirit Rock Meditation Center and Insight Meditation Society. He completed a year of intensive practice as a monk in Burma and in Thailand. Along with his interest in preserving the Theravada tradition, he is dedicated to making the dharma available to culturally diverse populations. Ralph has done a great deal of work in cultural diversity. He has also worked with youth around the country.
Ralph received his M.A. degree from the University of Santa Clara in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy in 1979. He holds BA degrees in Humanistic Psychology, and Religious Studies with board honors. Ralph is also the Founder of the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Hospice Training Program at Northern New Mexico Community College. During his tenure as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he was instrumental in transitioning the EKR Hospice Program, from a two year Associate’s Degree program to a Master’s Degree program in Grief, Bereavement and Counseling. He studied for nine years to become certified as a trauma practitioner, initially with the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Treatment Institute and then with Raja Selvem PhD, PhD for his certification in Integral Somatic Psychology. He is a member of the following organizations:
* The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
* The American Academy of Pain Management
* The American Pain Society
Bruce Kittle
J.D., M.Div
Partner in TBP and Director of Mindful Awareness & Performance program, a meditation/mindfulness based mental prep program for athletes. He is also a criminal defense lawyer, ordained pastor, certified Life Coach, former college football coach, and father of George Kittle of SF 49ers.
Emma Kittle
B.A., 200 RYT, L1 KRI
Partner and President of TBP, certified Yoga Instructor (200 HR RYT & KRI Level 1), certified Holistic Health Coach (Institute of Integrative Nutrition), and long-time meditation and breath-work practitioner. She is also sister to George Kittle of SF 49ers.