Mindfulness (MBSR)
Mindfulness is being fully present in the moment, moment-by-moment with awareness without judging.
Most of us can find ourselves, perhaps frequently even, caught up in the current of thoughts and feelings, worries, pressures, responsibilities and want things to be different from how they are in that moment. This can be particularly draining when we are faced with many different situations where we cannot control or find an immediate solution.
Benefits of developing practical day-to-day mindfulness skills:
- Learn to tune in to what is going on in your mind and body without getting caught up in our experiences
- Catch negative thought patterns before they tip you into a downward spiral
- Develop resilience and resourcefulness to meet challenging issues
- Improve concentration and focus
- Help you be more insightful and compassionate about yourself and others
- Manage strong feelings in a less reactive way
- Renew energy and enthusiasm
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
is the most widely known systematic training for people suffering from stress, stress-related conditions and chronic pain. It was developed Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre over 30 years ago. By 1999 over 10,000 people had completed the programme. It is an 8 week programme, usually taught as a two hour once a week programme, plus one Saturday. It offers an integration of guided meditation, mindful movement and a range of formal and informal practices.
The MBSR programme and MCBT (mindfulness-based cognitive therapy) are tried and tested by a large number of research studies with benefits validated by neuroscience and wider medical and scientific communities (see www.bangor.ac.uk/mindfulness)
A still space in a frenetic world
I did my initial teacher training at the Centre for Mindfulness and Research at the Universe of Bangor and I have an established contemplative practice. I teach the 8 week MBSR programme in Cambridgeshire and London.
Mindfulness at work
I also offer this valuable training as a resource for individuals, coaches, therapists, and HR professionals, in fact anyone who has a role that deals intensively with supporting others 1:1 in their jobs and lives, and want to develop their own range of strategies as part of their professional and personal development. This can be delivered as 4 half days sessions with an additional half-day 'retreat'. Please contact us for details.