The White Plains, NY, nonprofit organization Integrated Peace Arts will offer Westchester residents the Mindful Life Weight Loss program from January 2 through March 6, 2015. The program was created in response to the fact that 85 percent of people who lose weight ultimately gain it back. Incorporating the ancient practice of mindfulness, the program uses a comprehensive, behavioral approach to facilitate lasting weight loss.

Mindful Life Weight Loss helps participants to make small, gradual changes across multiple areas of their lives, says Kim Gold, who founded the program with Steve Kanney. “This isn’t the next new diet,” Gold says. “We help people understand weight loss in the context of their whole lives and see how each area of their lifestyle interacts with other areas. Mindfulness is the tool that helps people gain greater awareness and make effective changes. The medical establishment is beginning to recognize the importance of this approach.”

The program will be offered as a series of 10 Friday classes (8:30-9:30 p.m.) as well as unlimited group sessions, which are the backbone of the program, Kanney says. “The research shows that groups are crucial to weight-loss success,” he says. “Groups also allow for members to build community, brainstorm and help others. Helping others is one of the best ways to help yourself.”

Classes will be offered at 77 Tarrytown Rd., Ste. 1W, White Plains, NY. The cost is $50 for 10 weeks, with a sliding scale available based on income. For more information, visit WeightLossWestchesterNY.com or call Kanney at 914.648.0492.