Dr. Nicole Libin is a certified mindfulness educator, adjunct professor, and author. She has designed and facilitated mindfulness curricula and other courses for Mindful Schools, Mount Royal University, and numerous private organizations. She co-created the Mindful Schools’ Mindful Teacher Certification program and has been its Lead Teacher for the past two years, training and certifying the next generation of mindful educators. Her doctorate in Religious Studies allows her to offer a unique perspective on mindfulness meditation, incorporating a variety of traditions and approaches to her teaching.
Nicole is the author of three books on mindfulness. Her children’s book Sticky Brains, a mindfulness and brain science picture book for children (edited by Raffi!) is now available for early pre-sale. Her other two books, Mindful Parenting in a Chaotic World and 5-Minute Mindfulness Meditations for Teens are both published by Rockridge Press and available on Amazon.
Nicole has been certified by both Mindful Schools and MBSR for teens, has trained with The Meditation Initiative, and has completed the UMass Center for Mindfulness Professional Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training in Mind-Body Medicine with Jon Kabat-Zinn. Nicole has experience working with adults, adolescents and children; prenatal groups; sports camps; government agencies; university faculty and students, professionals, and anyone else who will let her stop and take a breath with them.
Nicole lives in Calgary with her husband Cam and her daughter Aria (who continues to be her best mindfulness teacher and weighted blanket).
Nicole encourages students to find what works for them, recognizing that one path does not fit everyone. She focuses on inspiring students to trust their own wisdom and find stillness in their bodies, hearts, and minds.
Nicole’s Personal Story
I was diagnosed with depression when I was 16, though it had been a part of my life for many years before that. I remember going to all sorts of doctors and therapists and feeling like they were all trying to fix me. Like I was some sort of problem for them to solve and then be done with. And I felt so frustrated because I didn’t want someone to fix me. I just wanted someone to give me some tools to be able to help myself. It wasn’t about fixing it but finding ways to be okay with who I was. I wanted to learn to embrace myself for my sensitivities and vulnerability and be okay with being me.
Mindfulness has been that set of tools for me. It doesn’t make all of my problems go away. It hasn’t gotten rid of my depression. I still get a bit too upset when the traffic lights seem to be too long or when it snows in Calgary when it shouldn’t (which happens way too often). BUT…mindfulness helps me manage my powerful thoughts and strong emotions so I am in charge of my life rather than those thoughts and emotions having control over me. I will always have depression; I know that now. More importantly, I know that hating the depression or feeling bad about feeling bad just makes me feel worse. Mindfulness helps me have the awareness and the presence to feel what I’m feeling without hating it, blaming or judging myself for it, or comparing myself to other people or my preconceived notions of how I should be.
Over time I’ve learned that brains get good at what they practice. Attention is a resource that we can train. That means that every time I called myself an idiot (and I did it a lot, I admit) my brain got better at it and did it more often. With mindfulness, I have the tools to be aware of what’s happening in the present moment. That allows me to choose how I want to be with it. Those negative thoughts still come but now I have more presence, compassion, and awareness to be able to decide which ones to listen to and which ones to let pass me by.
It’s an ongoing practice. I admit I’m not one of those people who just loves meditation. And yet I’ve figured out how to make it work with me and my life. My intentions with Follow Your Breath are to support others to find their own paths towards greater ease and kindness and less stress and suffering.
Students’ & Clients’ Reviews
My experience with meditation has greatly improved with the help of Nicole. The meditation classes are insightful and practical. Her guidance and words of wisdom during, and after, the meditations have helped me to understand more about myself and my practice. Nicole’s advice has helped me in my formal and informal practice and I am indebted to her because of that. Her kind presence makes everyone (I’m sure) feel at ease and comfortable with sharing (or not sharing) their experiences.
Melissa B.
Hi Nicole,
I just wanted to send you a note to say thank you for the sessions we had last spring.
Becky W.
I think of my sessions with you often, and your words. It amazes me how 6 little sessions could have such an impact on my practice but it has. I’m feeling calmer and lighter.
Nicole, thank you for all your right effort.
I have new insights every time I attend a sitting with you! If mindfulness is noticing how one is feeling and what thoughts one is having about them, then one can be mindful every single minute of every single day… (Not that I am; I’m just staying that if it’s identifying what the mind is up to, then the potential exists!) I thought it was more profound, sacred, and esoteric than this, and that it required a shrine and some incense… I am not being facetious; I SO APPRECIATE that you’ve demystified it and taken some of the preciousness (and pretentiousness) out of it. I find this INVALUABLE. I always felt like Oprah and Goldie Hawn knew a secret that I didn’t…
Nadine R.
Nicole Libin’s eight Mindfulness courses (Part I and Part II) were absolutely excellent. Her approach to facilitating, the content she shared and the homework and follow up she provided worked so well. I am finding its making a big difference in my job and outside of work.
Lynn D.
I would highly recommend these courses for anyone on campus. Other participants I have chatted with have shared the same sentiments.
