Contemplative Training for Mindful Aging: Insights from a Study of Participants’ Experiences in a Mind–Body Training Course
Samantha Teichman, Rebecca M. Pearson, William A. Cook, Albert Banerjee
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement January 21, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1017/s0714980826100531 via OpenAlex
Summary
An 8-week mind-body course helped older adults navigate change and vulnerability. Participants reported improvements in physical and mental health, greater kindness and curiosity, and a heightened ability to cope with challenges. Three themes emerged: learning to be with emotionally challenging experiences, normalizing change and vulnerability, and developing a personal toolkit. The program supported adapting to change and embracing vulnerability as part of healthy aging, suggesting contemplative practice as training for aging well.
Study at a glance
| Design | qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24 |
| Population | older adults in an 8-week mind-body course |
| Key finding | Contemplative practices helped older adults cope with challenges, make intentional life choices, and foster a positive attitude, supporting healthy aging. |
Abstract
Abstract Contemplative practices offer a promising lens for thinking about how people navigate change, vulnerability, and the emotional texture of later life. This article examines how such practices extend ideas of healthy aging, drawing on interviews and focus groups ( n = 24) from an 8-week mind–body course. Participants reported strong satisfaction with the course, noting improvements in physical and mental health, and a notable shift towards greater kindness, openness, and curiosity towards themselves and others. Aiming to understand the key elements of contemplative training, our analysis identified three notable themes: learning to be with emotionally challenging experiences; normalizing change and vulnerability; and the ongoing development of a toolkit. Participants also reported a heightened ability to cope with challenges, make intentional life choices, and foster a positive attitude. From a gerontological perspective, the program offered helpful resources for adapting to change and embracing vulnerability as fundamental components of healthy aging. We also suggest the value of a life course perspective, which enables us to imagine contemplative practice as a form of training for aging well.