TESTIMONIALS
First of all, my heart opened up to all of you in the class. Our common bond of health challenges brought us together to learn how to bring ourselves back to health, vitality and a good life. Bitter/sweet have been our experiences on this journey of self understanding. By giving us a realization of what we can do to help ourselves, by sharing our inner feelings and thoughts with one another, by risking loving ourselves more, cherishing who we really are inside, of starting to realize what counts is not how long we live but how well we live, by learning to bring all parts of ourselves together in harmony and peace. And Maura, thank you for so skillfully and lovingly leading us on to more understanding and connection. This class made a profound difference in me. The knowledge that anything that doesn't give me more peace and understanding can released. It gave me: victory in bringing joy into this life; victory over negative thinking; victory over living a passive life of pain. I am grateful to be on this journey with all of you. —SG, student
I appreciate all you have given me in the last 8 weeks of both classes (Stress Relief and Spirituality and Healing). You're very skilled at what you do! Introducing new material, sensing what the group needs, going with the flow, being flexible and always, always giving and enriching us. I feel so privileged to have been in your classes; they have provided the "medicine" I needed to get through this stressful time in my life. Mil gracias! —JJ, student
Maura holds a vital presence of hope in something beyond this space of pain and sickness. A hope that no matter the outcome, someone is here at my side who will hold my hand and understand for the time I and all the other patients are there. I would have been much more distressed, anxious, and over the edge scared if Maura hadn't come in and listened deeply, held my hand, and spoke truth that left me and my daughter feeling safe and okay again. Maura showed up for me on more than one occasion and was giving of her soul to my soul beyond words. -SN, patient
I am writing to express my deep appreciation for Maura's wise and deeply sympathetic help for me, and many others. Through my breast cancer (2007), colon cancer (2011) and continuing monitoring, I am benefiting enormously emotionally and physically from Maura's guidance. For example, whenever I have to endure scans (so many of them-CT, Pet-CT, MRI, and several times a test I can't remember the name of, but it required me to be absolutely still for an hour) I was able to get through them because of the calming techniques which Maura taught in our stress reduction classes. This is significant because my state of mind and body enabled me to not be stressed, and this resulted in superior test results for the radiologists and doctors to interpret and thus better advise me on the state of my health and possible therapies. I took part in Maura's stress reduction classes twice, and attend her weekly sessions (though not quite as often as I'd like). I would not have been able to endure chemotherapy and surgeries without the perspective and focus that I learned in Maura's classes. Her gentle powers are really quite remarkable and should likewise be valued, as they are integral to hundreds of patients' well-being. -JP, patient/student
Maura assists patients who are dealing with health challenges, grief, stress and loss in all forms. Maura is compassionate, supportive and kind. Her patients love her. She fosters a genuine richness and meaning as we seek balance in our health crisis. -KR, RN
Your classes have a deep spiritual center, a connection to earth and sky, rivers and forests. Other classes I've attended are pretty rote and by the numbers and one feels that the teachers are reading a script and not a participant in the experience the way you are. There is a deep and primordial connection in your class. A deeply felt movement. I will always take your classes! -TB, student
Like a number of my classmates, I have attended Maura's stress reduction classes for many years (since 2007 in my case). Her classes are a highlight of my week and an important part of my self-care. I have also watched many, many patients take advantage of these classes over the years. Almost everyone who has spent any time with Maura in class or as a chaplain, quickly becomes aware that she is an extraordinary caregiver with the ability to soothe and open us up to greater possibilities. -BB, patient/student
I have been a regular member of Maura's classes for the past 8 years; I've taken everything she's offered because I have never met a more skillful facilitator or a more knowledgeable caregiver. I have taken many other classes in mindfulness, meditation, and healing over the 25 years that I have been a cancer patient, and no one comes even close to Maura in providing insight, support, encouragment, compassion, and wisdom in the ongoing effort I (and all cancer patients) have to maintain courage and hope in my daily life. -NK, student
I attended Maura's 8 week stress reduction introductory series in 2006 when I first received a diagnosis of advanced non-Hodgkins lymphoma. For the past 6 years I've been a faithful attendee at the twice weekly classes that Maura offers at the Cancer Center. Maura is without a doubt one of the most compassionate and skilled healers I have encountered at Alta Bates. The groups she leads on Tuesday and Thursday are attended by a rotating cast of individuals who are currently receiving cancer treatment or who like myself are cancer survivors living with the prospect of the return of the disease. Maura's work blending meditation, qigong, yoga and mindfulness exercises has been instrumental in reducing the stress that I and other participants contend with on a daily basis. By attending Maura's classes I have avoided availing myself of the services of psychotherapists and purveyors of other medical specialties that deal with anxiety disorders. -IZ, student
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you and what a treasure you are. What you did for the group on Tuesday was absolutely wonderful in that you can just spontaneously come up with exactly what the group needed in that moment. It was really helpful. The group talked about how wonderful you are and that that was exactly the right thing they needed. -GU, LCSW, leader of metastaic support group
Great stress-relief course! Thank you again for your skills, loving and caring presentations and facilitating. Yours in not-yet-entirely-blissful-yet-increasingly-entertaining NOW. -VD, caregiver
Thank you so much for sharing parts of your path and wisdom with me as I prepare for my ancestral journey to Poland. What a generous offering it is and a testament to your powerful journey. It helps me to not feel like I'm starting from scratch. Now I often say when I’m getting in the shower: "make this a mikveh" I want to meet again to be in ritual and keep learning from your wisdom. –MB, Jewish ancestral healing mentee
Maura is an exceptionally gifted teacher and practitioner. She provides an easy to understand foundation for her work and then actively invites the group’s participation and reflection. It is in this sacred space that she helps birth the wisdom of the group. Her instruction in breathing exercises and dream work have provided me with practical ways to incorporate these powerful practices into my spiritual care. The patients, families and staff I work with have, and will continue to be, blessed by her instruction. –Rev. Dr. KW, Chaplain resident
First of all, my heart opened up to all of you in the class. Our common bond of health challenges brought us together to learn how to bring ourselves back to health, vitality and a good life. Bitter/sweet have been our experiences on this journey of self understanding. By giving us a realization of what we can do to help ourselves, by sharing our inner feelings and thoughts with one another, by risking loving ourselves more, cherishing who we really are inside, of starting to realize what counts is not how long we live but how well we live, by learning to bring all parts of ourselves together in harmony and peace. And Maura, thank you for so skillfully and lovingly leading us on to more understanding and connection. This class made a profound difference in me. The knowledge that anything that doesn't give me more peace and understanding can released. It gave me: victory in bringing joy into this life; victory over negative thinking; victory over living a passive life of pain. I am grateful to be on this journey with all of you. —SG, student
I appreciate all you have given me in the last 8 weeks of both classes (Stress Relief and Spirituality and Healing). You're very skilled at what you do! Introducing new material, sensing what the group needs, going with the flow, being flexible and always, always giving and enriching us. I feel so privileged to have been in your classes; they have provided the "medicine" I needed to get through this stressful time in my life. Mil gracias! —JJ, student
Maura holds a vital presence of hope in something beyond this space of pain and sickness. A hope that no matter the outcome, someone is here at my side who will hold my hand and understand for the time I and all the other patients are there. I would have been much more distressed, anxious, and over the edge scared if Maura hadn't come in and listened deeply, held my hand, and spoke truth that left me and my daughter feeling safe and okay again. Maura showed up for me on more than one occasion and was giving of her soul to my soul beyond words. -SN, patient
I am writing to express my deep appreciation for Maura's wise and deeply sympathetic help for me, and many others. Through my breast cancer (2007), colon cancer (2011) and continuing monitoring, I am benefiting enormously emotionally and physically from Maura's guidance. For example, whenever I have to endure scans (so many of them-CT, Pet-CT, MRI, and several times a test I can't remember the name of, but it required me to be absolutely still for an hour) I was able to get through them because of the calming techniques which Maura taught in our stress reduction classes. This is significant because my state of mind and body enabled me to not be stressed, and this resulted in superior test results for the radiologists and doctors to interpret and thus better advise me on the state of my health and possible therapies. I took part in Maura's stress reduction classes twice, and attend her weekly sessions (though not quite as often as I'd like). I would not have been able to endure chemotherapy and surgeries without the perspective and focus that I learned in Maura's classes. Her gentle powers are really quite remarkable and should likewise be valued, as they are integral to hundreds of patients' well-being. -JP, patient/student
Maura assists patients who are dealing with health challenges, grief, stress and loss in all forms. Maura is compassionate, supportive and kind. Her patients love her. She fosters a genuine richness and meaning as we seek balance in our health crisis. -KR, RN
Your classes have a deep spiritual center, a connection to earth and sky, rivers and forests. Other classes I've attended are pretty rote and by the numbers and one feels that the teachers are reading a script and not a participant in the experience the way you are. There is a deep and primordial connection in your class. A deeply felt movement. I will always take your classes! -TB, student
Like a number of my classmates, I have attended Maura's stress reduction classes for many years (since 2007 in my case). Her classes are a highlight of my week and an important part of my self-care. I have also watched many, many patients take advantage of these classes over the years. Almost everyone who has spent any time with Maura in class or as a chaplain, quickly becomes aware that she is an extraordinary caregiver with the ability to soothe and open us up to greater possibilities. -BB, patient/student
I have been a regular member of Maura's classes for the past 8 years; I've taken everything she's offered because I have never met a more skillful facilitator or a more knowledgeable caregiver. I have taken many other classes in mindfulness, meditation, and healing over the 25 years that I have been a cancer patient, and no one comes even close to Maura in providing insight, support, encouragment, compassion, and wisdom in the ongoing effort I (and all cancer patients) have to maintain courage and hope in my daily life. -NK, student
I attended Maura's 8 week stress reduction introductory series in 2006 when I first received a diagnosis of advanced non-Hodgkins lymphoma. For the past 6 years I've been a faithful attendee at the twice weekly classes that Maura offers at the Cancer Center. Maura is without a doubt one of the most compassionate and skilled healers I have encountered at Alta Bates. The groups she leads on Tuesday and Thursday are attended by a rotating cast of individuals who are currently receiving cancer treatment or who like myself are cancer survivors living with the prospect of the return of the disease. Maura's work blending meditation, qigong, yoga and mindfulness exercises has been instrumental in reducing the stress that I and other participants contend with on a daily basis. By attending Maura's classes I have avoided availing myself of the services of psychotherapists and purveyors of other medical specialties that deal with anxiety disorders. -IZ, student
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you and what a treasure you are. What you did for the group on Tuesday was absolutely wonderful in that you can just spontaneously come up with exactly what the group needed in that moment. It was really helpful. The group talked about how wonderful you are and that that was exactly the right thing they needed. -GU, LCSW, leader of metastaic support group
Great stress-relief course! Thank you again for your skills, loving and caring presentations and facilitating. Yours in not-yet-entirely-blissful-yet-increasingly-entertaining NOW. -VD, caregiver
Thank you so much for sharing parts of your path and wisdom with me as I prepare for my ancestral journey to Poland. What a generous offering it is and a testament to your powerful journey. It helps me to not feel like I'm starting from scratch. Now I often say when I’m getting in the shower: "make this a mikveh" I want to meet again to be in ritual and keep learning from your wisdom. –MB, Jewish ancestral healing mentee
Maura is an exceptionally gifted teacher and practitioner. She provides an easy to understand foundation for her work and then actively invites the group’s participation and reflection. It is in this sacred space that she helps birth the wisdom of the group. Her instruction in breathing exercises and dream work have provided me with practical ways to incorporate these powerful practices into my spiritual care. The patients, families and staff I work with have, and will continue to be, blessed by her instruction. –Rev. Dr. KW, Chaplain resident