Who is Adriane David?
If somebody had told me a decade ago that I’d become a mindfulness teacher and a coach supporting people through mindset shifting and life transitions, I’d have thought them mad.
At the time, I was a classic Type A woman: wound tight; over-achieving; always gunning for the next promotion, nicer things, etc. I was constantly stressed and I never felt “good enough” despite everything I’d accomplished. No amount of therapy — psychological or physical — could help me manage the negativity, or make me feel … content. Satisfied.
And then everything changed… but not overnight. About a decade ago, I met my first mindfulness teacher, who inspired me to commit to meditation. He embodied what he spoke about: serenity and composure. I wanted that for myself, so much so that I later studied his techniques intensively in Colorado.
“For years before I started, I knew I wanted and needed to meditate, but found every excuse not to. When I finally committed, it was a while before I realized it was doing anything, but now I can’t imagine my life without it.”
Afterwards I practiced meditation daily, and it was a few months before I noticed a difference. But what a difference!
I realized I was becoming less reactive and more responsive. I was more aware and thus in control of my thoughts and emotions. Setbacks and challenges that had once riled me up felt manageable. I was hooked.
That doesn’t mean I have it all figured out, not by a long shot. Author Richard Bach wrote, “We teach best what we most need to learn,” (Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah), and I know that I learn more every time I teach and share my mindfulness practice.
My Qualifications
My Practice
I’ve had a mindfulness and mindful meditation practice for several years and have been leading meditations, giving talks, facilitating workshops and coaching formally and informally since 2015.
Yoga & Meditation
In 2023 I completed a two-year mindfulness meditation teacher certification program with Soundstrue and am a trained yoga teacher (certified by Toronto’s 889 Community). I also hold a certificate from the University of Toronto in the Foundations of Applied Mindfulness Meditation and regularly attend conferences and retreats to keep my practice and teaching fresh.
Schooling
I have an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, Dean’s List, and an undergraduate degree in Psychology and English, also from the University of Toronto. I also completed life coaching certifications with CTI (Co-Active Training Institute) and with the Flourishing Center in NYC.
“In 2021, I became certified in applied positive psychology (APP) with New York’s Flourishing Center. I believe wellness isn’t just about the absence of stress or anxiety; it’s going ‘north of neutral’ by improving on what’s already working well to make it work even better.”
+ What is APP?
Dr. Martin Seligman, psychologist, educator, author and founder of positive psychology, defines it as “the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive.” He describes the three pillars of the approach as “positive experiences, positive individual traits and positive institutions,” all of which need to be bolstered for us to live our fullest, happiest lives.
+ How I work with clients
There are many techniques and tools that work to shift negative thinking patterns to positive or at least neutral. In order to do this, however, we need to be aware of the thought patterns we want to change in the first place. And that’s where I come in. I help my clients leverage scientifically proven techniques so they can experience less angst and more serenity in their lives — at work, at home and, most importantly, within themselves.