Hari Sharma, MD, DABIHM
Mind-body therapies focus on interactions among the brain, mind, body and behavior, according to the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Types of mind-body therapies include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Guided imagery and self-hypnosis
- Heart-centered practices
- Massage
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Relaxation response
- Tai chi
- Yoga
What are the benefits of mind-body therapies?
Mind-body practices use the mind to affect physical functioning and promote health.
Meet Mariann Giles, MD
Frequently asked questions
Yes. You do not need a diagnosis to learn new skills and new ways of managing your attention, thoughts and emotions. Almost everyone can benefit from learning and strengthening these skills.
Real diseases cause suffering and stress. Mind-body therapies are excellent tools for helping reduce both suffering and stress and learning or strengthening resilience and coping skills. Many studies have shown the benefits of mind-body therapies for reducing pain and improving symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, itching and insomnia.
Yes. Caring for a suffering loved one is stressful. It demands clarity, compassion, wisdom, mindfulness and careful attention to details of medical care and relationships. Mind-body therapies can strengthen your capacity to stay clear, calm and compassionate so you can be an even better caregiver.
Insurance coverage varies by carrier. Check with your health plan to see if these services are covered for you, and if you need your doctor to give you a referral. There is no insurance coverage at this time for any class, but many of our online resources are available at no cost.
Recordings
Exhaustion and its Effects on us: Calming Yoga-Based Movement
Anxiety: Calming Yoga-Based Movement
Isolation and Overstimulation: Calming Yoga-Based MovementSelf-Care: Calming Yoga-Based Movement
Constant Change: Calming Yoga-Based Movement
Fatigue: Calming Yoga-Based Movement
Grief: Calming Yoga-Based Movement
This practice is adapted from The Power of Kindness: Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life by Piero Ferrucci. This practice helps us know ourselves as peaceful awareness itself, beyond the transient sensations, thoughts, and emotions that often occupy our awareness.
(To download this MP3 file, right click the MP3 icon button and select "Save Link As.")
This guided meditation helps us be aware of our chattering judgmental thoughts, the monkey mind or inner critic, and allows us to focus on simple non-judgmental awareness to achieve an optimal balance of discernment, acceptance, and self-compassion.
(To download this MP3 file, right click the MP3 icon button and select "Save Link As.")
Download the TranscriptThis meditation is adapted from Guided Meditations, Explorations, and Healings by Dr. Stephen Levine. It helps us notice our pain without judgment, breathing into it with curiosity, compassion, softness, and space.
(To download this MP3 file, right click the MP3 icon button and select "Save Link As.")
Coming soon.
This walking meditation is about being aware of being here now, on the journey, and not overly focused on the destination: walking as a simple exercise in being mindfully present.
(To download this MP3 file, right click the MP3 icon button and select "Save Link As.")
Mindful awareness, moment-to-moment non-judgmental awareness, can be an aspect of many daily activities. This guided 15 minute practice will help you get started in the daily practice of mindful walking. For some people, walking mindfully is easier than sitting practices. Try it for yourself to see what works best for you today.
(To download this MP3 file, right click the MP3 icon button and select "Save Link As.")
(To download this MP3 file, right click the MP3 icon button and select "Save Link As.")
These gentle yoga postures will help increase awareness of your body as well as developing balance and strength.
(To download this MP3 file, right click the MP3 icon button and select "Save Link As.")
This foundational practice teaches you use awareness of the breath, the body, sounds, and thoughts to support your goal of being aware of the present moment.
(To download this MP3 file, right click the MP3 icon button and select "Save Link As.")
Why choose mind-body therapies and stress management services at Ohio State?
We provide the highest quality mind-body and stress management services to increase calm, confidence, clarity and comfort. We offer educational experiences related to stress-reduction, mindfulness, resilience and more. And we incorporate the latest research on mind-body therapies and their optimal role in health and healing into your personalized care. Ohio State Integrative Health offers:
- Convenient and comprehensive care in one location
- Health services in the same location, such as massage, acupuncture and chiropractic care
- Additional Ohio State resources, such as cognitive behavioral therapy offered through the Department of Psychiatry, dialectical behavioral therapy offered through the Department of Psychology and the Stress Trauma and Resilience (STAR) program
- Classes in yoga, tai chi, mindfulness, stress reduction and more
- Free and convenient parking
Our Mind and Body Medicine Practitioners
Helpful Links
How would you like to schedule?
Don’t have MyChart? Create an account