intro
Mindfulness@Auburn is the evidence-based approach to optimal performance, health, and well-being. Dr. Ford Dyke and Olympian Reita Clanton from the School of Kinesiology disseminate Mindfulness and the Pillars of Performance & Health© through the following modalities: Keynotes, Seminars, Workshops, Webinars, and Retreats. The curriculum is designed to support optimal performance, health, and well-being at Auburn University and beyond!
Mission: Serve the administration, alumni, faculty, staff, and students at Auburn University and beyond by disseminating the evidence-based approach to performance and health optimization.
Vision: Support a lifestyle of optimal performance, health, and well-being for the Auburn Family worldwide.
Meet Us
Dr. Ford Dyke is an Associate Clinical Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Auburn University. He teaches courses in Pillars of Performance & Health, Motor Learning & Performance, and Exercise & Sport Psychology. As the Director of Mindfulness@Auburn, Dr. Dyke integrates components of his Professorship, career as a Team USA Athlete, and experience as a Performance Coach for the Auburn University Wheelchair Basketball Team and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Among his accomplishments, he is the recipient of the 2019 Gerald & Emily Leischuck Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, the 2022 College of Education Outstanding Young Alumni Award, the 2022 Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Faculty Award, and recognized in the Auburn Alumni Association ‘20 Under 40’ class of 2023.
Olympian Reita Clanton is the Coordinator of Performance & Health Optimization in the School of Kinesiology at Auburn University. Clanton teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and co-facilitates Mindfulness@Auburn. Notably, Clanton is a 1984 Team USA Olympian, 1996 Team USA Olympic Coach, 1997 Auburn University Tiger Trail inductee, 2010 Alabama Sports Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the 2023 College of Education Outstanding Administration & Professional Staff Award.
Services
Throughout the session(s), Dr. Ford Dyke and Olympian Reita Clanton present Mindfulness and the Pillars of Performance & Health© to support the interdependence of optimal performance, health, and well-being.
- Keynote
- Seminar
- Workshop
- Webinar
- Retreat
Testimonials & News
Testimonials
“When I heard about the Live Virtual Mindfulness Sessions I knew it was something that would help me refocus and realign … The sessions were scheduled bright and early, which gave me something to look forward to in the mornings … I learned valuable practices that help me stay present and remain calm … Thank you for the wonderful learning experience … I look forward to continuing my mindfulness journey!”
– Imani Hill, Graduate Student, Auburn University
“Thank you for making the effort and taking your time to offer the [Live] Virtual Mindfulness Sessions … I found the sessions to be very rewarding … The sessions gave me the opportunity to evaluate where I am in my health journey and where I need and want to be … Thank you for the opportunity to participate and learn.”
– Karen Rankin, Manager, Information Technology Services University Outreach, Auburn University
"We looked forward to our monthly sessions with the Mindfulness@Auburn team! The practical, research-based information was important for us, and we have each incorporated the information as indivduals, as a team in our workplace, and into the educational programs we provide to couples and youth in the community. Reita and Ford are accessible, person-oriented, and a complete joy to learn with. Our spirits were always lifted after our learning sessions, and we always had healthful, achievable goals after each session. We highly recommend working with Mindfulness@Auburn and we are looking forward to doing more with them in the future!"
– Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Initiative Team, August 2023
"Ford and Reita are a great team! They helped COSAM graduate students to see how mindfulness practices can help them navigate their personal and professional lives while maintaining balance. They made an impact in many people’s lives and that is greatly appreciated."
– Mark Liles, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, College of Science and Mathematics, August 2023
News Features
How to ease your mind with a return to campus (August 2020)
The practice of mindfulness-based performance and health optimization (May 2020)
School of Kinesiology offering free month-long virtual sessions on mindfulness (March 2020)
The Tools for Fighting Cancer: How Gardening has become a Wellness Practice
Research
Our team of instructors, faculty, and graduate students published a paper in the Human Kinetics Journal entitled A Framework for Addressing Mental Health Issues on Campus Through the Implementation of Coursework, Outreach, and Partnership Building. We have implemented a framework to address mental health on campus and within our community. Our framework consists of coursework, outreach efforts, and establishing key partnerships to facilitate the delivery and sustainability of our programs. Using a mindfulness-based approach, our programs enable individuals to establish self-regulation skills, thereby establishing effective and healthy coping mechanisms. This paper discusses the evolution of our framework, as well as barriers and facilitators of implementation and sustainability.
Contact
Send an e-mail to learn more about or collaborate with Mindfulness@Auburn.
