Mindfulness is a broad term, but the generally accepted definition is purposeful attention to what’s happening in the moment, without judgment and with an attitude of openness and curiosity, and in the service of self-understanding and wisdom. A mindfulness practice affects our stress arousal response, effectively changing how we respond to stress. It also allows more space for insight and helps us to separate ourselves from and observe our thought patterns more clearly.
Mindfulness can be practiced in many different ways. It is often done through breath work, intentional movement, repetition of a word or phrase, focused attention, body awareness, or visualization. Over time, one begins to seamlessly weave mindfulness into everyday activities.
The fact that mindfulness improves overall wellbeing is based in science. Peer-reviewed and published research reflects that a regular mindfulness practice decreases activity in the brain’s default mode network, the area of the brain linked to disorders including anxiety and Alzheimer’s disease. It also increases the brain’s gray matter by encouraging the growth of neurons.
Studies show that after only 10 weeks of regular practice, gray matter increases. These changes lead to increased focus and lower likelihood of rumination; lower levels of stress hormones, blood pressure, and heart rate; increased immune function; resilience to chronic pain; protection of the length of telomeres, the chromosomal caps that shorten with age; and protection against cognitive decline.
I am a retired attorney with 23 years of experience in the public and private sectors. One of my favorite things to say is that experience is the best teacher, and I think that’s so because my personal and professional experiences over the course of my life are what led me to my true passion.
Guiding Mindfulness Practice
My goal is to help workplaces and individuals create, deepen, and sustain mindfulness practices that improve quality of life.
In 2009, as an attorney and new mother, I found mindfulness as a way to help me cope with and better manage my life and work. The practices quickly became indispensable life skills for me, as well as keys to collaborative teamwork and leadership.
By 2012, I was volunteer guiding mindfulness classes with groups in the community, including at schools, the library, the prison, the jail, my church, the workplace, and with family and friends.
Along the way, I took courses and received mindfulness and wellness training certifications from several credentialing entities, including Mindful Schools, Mindful Leader, and the Whole Health Institute, learning everything I could to better share the tools and concepts with others and become a more skilled mindfulness and wellness guide. I am an International Mindfulness Teachers Association Certified Professional Level Mindfulness Teacher (IMTA CMT-P). Mindfulness and self-compassion practices continue to be a transformative force in my life, and I have watched them change the lives of countless others.
As a member of what is often termed a moral profession, being an attorney carries with it the inherent possibility of “moral injury”, or the emotional strain that results when the right thing to do conflicts with what the situation permits, producing mental and emotional distress.
After practicing for over 20 years, I was met with that situation in 2021 — I couldn't do what needed to be done and keep both my job and my integrity.
With resilience and purpose built by my mindfulness practice, I completed my current projects and contemplated my future. An ability to shift my perspective and see things in a different light has been a hallmark of my mindfulness practice, and I suddenly realized that my entire experience had led to this moment — it was time to take these incredible tools I’d learned to use to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in my life, my relationships, and my career and share it with others on a larger scale. I used crisis as a catalyst for change and founded KLauckwork — A Mindful Solution to devote my time and my energy to this work full time.
My name is Kerrie Lauck, pronounced “Lock”. Some of my friends jokingly call me “clock” because my first initial and last name put together sound like that. I've often reflected that mindfulness practices make me more balanced and run more efficiently, consistently, and clearly — like clockwork. Thus, the name “KLauckwork” was born.
I have known Kerrie for over 10 years. I have admired her gentle wisdom and ability to be totally present. Her personal practice of mindfulness has shaped her life and helped her ability to gracefully navigate life's challenges. I am thrilled she has chosen to share these gifts to a broader circle of people. As a retired psychiatric nurse and fellow mindfulness practitioner, I wholeheartedly recommend the services of Kerrie Lauck and KLauckwork as a resource for personal growth!
Bringing Kerrie in to provide a mindfulness training was such a meaningful investment into our People. At Southwest, we prioritize caring for our Employees, and providing practical ways for them to also do so for themselves. The first time I went through a session with Kerrie outside of my department, I knew it was something we needed to bring to my direct group of Co-hearts. The airline industry can be stressful and overwhelming, even in the best of times. This pandemic has wreaked havoc on our world and definitely our industry, so the opportunity to give our People a chance to take a break and learn to focus on themselves in a fruitful way could not have been more timely. Kerrie is extremely relatable both on and off the stage, making her the ideal facilitator for mindfulness practice. I cannot recommend her enough, and count her a true friend!
You helped me immensely today. Had a rough go of it, but before I spiraled I found a dark quiet room and listened to your 9-minute recording on mindfulness. Thank you!
I recently completed a workplace series of sessions with Kerrie and have found so many of the things I learned to be extremely helpful in my work and just day to day life. The tips, the practices, the stories and Kerrie’s unbelievable calm and soothing nature have been a huge comfort in this crazy life. I would highly recommend that your workplace schedule time with Kerrie.
Do you know what I do when something major happens and I want to lash out? I ask myself: what would Kerrie do?
Are you stressed, burned out, anxious? Lack clarity and focus? Kerrie Lauck, a masterful mindfulness coach and trainer, can help you increase your clarity, resilience, and, balance, by teaching you simple mindfulness techniques that you can do on your own. I have experienced her magic one-on-one and in groups. She’s mesmerizing with her soothing voice and pacing. I experienced her at a Southwest Airlines forum where she led a group of 50 or so in mindfulness training using her soothing voice and down-to-earth approach. They agreed her presentation was the best of the day.
The manager I sent to work with you for stress told me that this is the best thing I’ve ever done for her!
Man, thank you for that session, Kerrie. I knew it would be a good use of time, but it hit home in some unexpected ways, right from the very first practice when I greeted myself. It was very, very useful and I'd love to do the full [mindfulness-based self-compassion] course.
I’ve been in therapy for years, but I got more out of Kerrie’s mindfulness-based self-compassion program in 2 months than I did in all those years. Since I’ve done the program, I just have loved these last few weeks because my insides feel better. I’m learning to stop and ask myself what I need.
Just watched the recording of your session and wanted to say how good you are at this! You’re clearly in your zone and I love that you decided to follow your heart and your calling. I can only imagine how daunting taking that step must have been. I’m so proud of you and what you’re doing—it’s invaluable, as are you!
It feels so good to be working with you. You are so soothing – even just the way you breathe makes me feel better.
We’ve had great feedback about your program.
For example, an employee had a scary medical emergency recently. As she was about to go into an MRI machine to see if she was having a stroke, frantic with worry and claustrophobic, she said she thought of your sessions and began one of the breathing exercises you taught. She told our HR director that practicing the mindfulness techniques you taught saved her sanity and helped her remain calm during a multi-day hospitalization and medical crisis.
In addition to the in-person and Zoom attendees, I’m aware of a number of people who watch the recordings afterward and review your materials. Altogether, I think we had 30-50 people engaged in at least one or more of the sessions. I consider this to be a big success, as it is always a struggle to get people engaged in workplace wellness programs. Sometimes, even the offer of a free lunch won’t get people to show up! The fact that so many continued to attend and watch the videos after the first session is a testament to your good work.
Although I still need to catch up by watching the last couple of videos, I’ve personally used what I learned in the first couple of sessions on several occasions. Specifically, when my brain gets onto the hamster wheel of the “story of me” (which is usually negative and generally during my commute or while trying to fall asleep at night), I tell myself to close the book and focus on what’s around me – what I see, hear, smell, and feel. It has been especially helpful to short-circuit the Sunday scaries, which I get pretty much every Sunday night.
Your work changes lives!
Kerrie Lauck is an absolute treasure. She carries such wisdom, expertise, kindness, and professionalism in her life and work and has blended it all together into a powerful vision that impacts individuals as well as workplace culture. Kerrie gently works to help us live more fully mindful of the present moment so we can live from a place of truth, more aware of our connectedness with others and also more aware of the connectedness between our mind and our actions. Kerrie works with diverse groups of people and has shown her capacity to engage with and empower others. She is grounded, full of joy, and one of those rare few with whom I always leave feeling like a better version of myself.
Last week's mindfulness session was great! I wasn't sure if I would be able to meditate virtually with a group, but I was pleasantly surprised.
“I’m so thrilled at your new profession! I love your Facebook mindfulness tips and feel you are perfect for this path. I couldn’t have been as effective a legislator without you, not just in your exceptional research and writing skills and legal knowledge, but also because every time I left your office, I felt energized and ready to enter the ring again and push forward. You ALWAYS helped me with my present to move to the immediate future, and that was the best present of all.”
Mindfulness training with Kerrie has been a revelation to me. I had taken a course in the past but never achieved the understanding of and ability to practice mindfulness as I have with Kerrie. Her exercises and practice recordings have given me a readily accessible path to use anytime. Her encouragement and excitement gave me a desire to practice on my own. Mindfulness really is an investment in yourself and a solid plan for improvement in your life.
My teenage son and I have participated in several mindfulness exercises with Kerrie, and I have worked with her one on one. We always looked forward to her guidance and left feeling light, grounded, and recharged. She has a true gift; her calm presence, soothing voice, and warm soul make the practice of centering effortless. We can't recommend her enough!
This workplace course has helped me so much in managing my response to the craziness at city hall. I was so disappointed the training was over when we got to the last session.
Kerrie has such an incredible way about her: a soft but firm confidence and the best voice I’ve ever heard. Our team enjoyed the sessions very much and want to do it again next year.
After knowing Kerrie for a decade, I am so glad to see her giving herself full time to an endeavor that makes use of her considerable empathy. I often relate within our community how intensely and completely Kerrie enters into each conversation, absorbing the needs and perspective of the speaker with startling focus. I can't imagine a better qualified person for this profession and will happily refer my own community to her for guidance on the journey toward mindfulness!
Yes, new research published in late 2022 confirms that mindfulness is as effective as medication in the treatment of anxiety.
No, unfortunately. The Gallup State of the Workplace 2022 Report reflects workplace stress is at its highest level ever recorded.
Anyone and everyone who is open to learning and to growth. Our brains and bodies are all designed and made in the same ways, so the application of mindfulness to each person works in the same ways (though with different results based on the makeup of the individual).
Mindfulness does not solve your problems but instead allows you to see your problems and their solutions more clearly. Mindfulness is not magic but instead is like exercise for your brain -- just like exercise for our body generates benefits only if we do it consistently, mindfulness benefits us if we practice it consistently.
Mindfulness doesn’t change what happens to you but allows you to change your relationship to what happens to you.
