Meditation Class
Crestwood, IL - The Pointe at Kilpatrick held its first Meditation Class on Monday, February 28th.
The class was led by Magda Szymczyk, a meditation teacher at Body and Soul in Palos Heights, Illinois.  Beginning last year, The Pointe has implemented many programs that "pamper" and/or help the residents relax.  Stress is a common contributor to both physical and mental ailments and the programs were designed and utilized to minimize this.  

     It's widely known that meditation can be extremely useful for helping people to relax and release daily stress.  However, new research from Massachusetts General Hospital also indicates that meditating regularly can actually change our brain structure for the better and as in little time as a few months. Participants showed significant gray matter density growth in areas of the brain involved in learning and memory among other functions. Further results of this study can be found in the January, 2011 issue of Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging.

Szymczyk began her class at The Pointe with simple instructions:

1. Sit in a comfortable position
2. Close your eyes
3. Clear your mind
4. Focus on the present moment

Szymczyk quickly added that focusing on the present moment can be difficult at first. "Don't get discouraged by a wandering mind.  It's perfectly normal,"  says Szymczyk encouragingly, "The important thing is once you realize that you are thinking about other things, gently bring your attention back to the present without judgment or criticism."  Many of the residents who attended admitted to being more curious than interested in meditation, but discovered that they really enjoyed it and could see the benefits of regular meditation.  Because of all of the positive reactions and expressed desire to continue the classes, Szymczyk has agreed to teach a class every month. 

Thanks to Szymczyk for sharing her knowledge with all of us and to Angie for yet another, wonderful experience. If you would like to learn more about life at The Pointe or would like a tour of our community, please call 708-293-0010 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it