June 18- Valeo FC is thrilled to announce the partnership with Dr. Ariel Botta to develop, administer and lead the Club’s Mindfulness program. “The Edge” will teach psychological skills such as mental toughness, anxiety reduction and stress management to all club members.
Ariel Botta, Ph.D. has worked in the field of mental health at Boston Children’s Hospital for the past 20 years and is a Teaching Associate in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She has dedicated her career to teaching mindfulness to children, adolescents and adults. Her research and techniques decrease stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue in healthcare workers.
“Soccer has been described as one of the most universal languages in the world. Mindfulness is also a universal language. I am looking forward to partnering with Valeo Futbol Club to weave together the sport of soccer with the art and science of mindfulness.” Says Dr. Botta. “My intention is to guide players to be in full contact with the present moment and to persist no matter what challenges arise. This practice teaches mental flexibility and leads to the creation of a rich and meaningful life. Mindfulness is not just a skill, it is a way of being in the world.“
With this valuable addition, Valeo Futbol Club is reinforcing its commitment to developing competitive athletes, outstanding citizens, and strong leaders. The Mindfulness program is designed to teach players purposeful, moment-to-moment awareness without judgment. The practice of mindfulness will help players better manage stress, reduce anxiety, foster resilience, build mental toughness, and ultimately give them the cutting edge as aspiring professionals.
“We are quite fortunate and excited to have Dr. Botta as a member of the staff. With her at the helm of our new Mindfulness Academy it will have a major impact on the development of our club and its focus on developing not only exceptional athletes, but future leaders and citizens.” - Club President, Emelio Williams
Dr. Botta will oversee all aspects of the program, which will include a variety of formats such as individual sessions, small and larger group workshops, podcasts and live streaming.
