In a world full of distractions, one author teaches the importance of ‘paying attention on purpose’

ST. GEORGE —With many people glued to their phone screens, one local author and international educator is encouraging people of all ages to be present in the current moment. 

Jana York stands with her book, “U Is for Understanding: Claire's Journey toward Mindfulness” inside the St. George Library, Dec. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Jana York stands with her book, “U Is for Understanding: Claire’s Journey toward Mindfulness” inside the St. George Library, Dec. 1, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Jana York, a children’s mindfulness educator and practitioner for more than a decade, has used her personal experiences to write “U Is for Understanding: Claire’s Journey toward Mindfulness,” which helps parents and teachers pass on mindfulness to their kids.

But what is mindfulness?

“Paying attention on purpose in the present moment,” York said. “What happens is we’re always distracted, especially with our devices and everything, pulling us away. To get out of your head when everything is going on, chaos.”

While mindfulness and meditation are often considered to be the same thing, York said they’re not. Meditation is generally being quiet and still while sitting in a formal way, while mindfulness is something brought into everyday life. Through the use of breath and all five senses, one can place themselves into the now.

A photo shows York's students in Thailand making stress balls as part of a mindfulness lesson, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Jana York, St. George News
A photo shows York’s students in Thailand making stress balls as part of a mindfulness lesson, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Jana York, St. George News

“You can find a lot of good things, you can see a lot of things that would’ve been missed if you’re not present,” York said. “That’s the only moment we really have because the past is the past, the future hasn’t happened yet, so the present is really all we have.”

Originally from Florida, York moved with her husband to Japan in 2003. She became a health promotion educator on an Army base, where she was first introduced to the concept of mindfulness. The medical physician she worked with had a goal to help both military and civilians cope with stress and anxiety. Together, she and the doctor developed and taught mindfulness to teachers and school counselors through an eight-week program. 

“With suicides on the rise and PTSD, we were trying to give them alternatives instead of just taking a lot of medication,” York said.

She found a passion for teaching children mindfulness and began teaching her techniques at the school’s Army base.

After military civil service retirement, she and her husband moved to Thailand, where she taught mindfulness at international schools. When the pandemic struck and lockdowns were in effect, she decided to write her own book which she self-published in October 2020.

Author Jana York is shown at the author night and book signing inside the Book Bungalow, St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Jana York, St. George News
Author Jana York is shown at the author night and book signing inside the Book Bungalow, St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Jana York, St. George News

The book features storytelling based on some of York’s personal experiences and is designed specifically for teachers and parents to read to their kids. The book includes 30 activities to do with children, along with an additional 30 activities with every book purchase.

“I think storytelling sparks imagination,” she said. “Since I’ve taught to adults, I’ve taught to children, my goal now is to teach parents and teachers how to teach mindfulness to their kids and do it in a fun and engaging way.”

In 2021, the couple moved to St. George, where she has continued to educate both adults and children. York’s book is available for purchase at the downtown Modern Farm and Artisan Co-op and checked out at the St. George Library. Purchase the book on Amazon here.

“What I love most about offering this book to others is hearing about their journey and making a connection,” York said. “I hope children and adults enjoy Claire’s journey and learn to be a little more mindful, at peace and able to see the good in this world.”

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