Deborah Norris, Ph.D. – Founder of The Mindfulness Center™, based in Washington, D.C., author of In the Flow: Bridging the Science and Practice of Mindfulness, and Editor-in-Chief of MindBodyJournal.com. Dr. Norris is a Psychologist-in-Residence at American University where she has taught Behavioral Medicine, Alternative Medicine and Meditation since 1984. She was Founding Director of the Psychobiology of Healing Program at American University, and past professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School. Renowned for her online meditation teacher training program, SOMA, The Science of Mindful Awareness, Dr. Norris is an internationally recognized speaker and educator on mindfulness, yoga, integrative mind-body medicine and neuroscience. A health scientist with over 40 years of experience ranging from traditional medical and psychotherapeutic practices to integrative therapies and lifestyle practices, she teaches and conducts research in mindfulness, behavioral medicine and other holistic approaches to happiness and well-being.
Dr. Norris is a registered yoga therapist (C-IAYT) with the International Alliance of Yoga Therapists and a 500-hr E-RYT with Yoga Alliance. She has been a certified instructor for the Arthritis Foundation. She has trained with the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, and is also certified by the Washington Center for Consciousness Studies in the theory and practice of Gestalt Psychotherapy and meditation. Dr. Norris is also an accomplished dancer, having apprenticed with the New York City Ballet. She studied ballet and modern dance with principles from the Royal Danish Ballet, Harkness Ballet, and Broadway star Honya Holme; and has studied Spanish, African, Jazz and Hindu dance. She taught modern dance with Erica Thimey in the 1970's, and has since taught modern, ballet and ballroom dance. Dr. Norris is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, certified in exercise physiology by the American College of Sports Medicine and other certifying organizations.
