What is Mindfulness? 

Mindfulness means paying close attention to things as they are right now, in the present moment.  It means learning to notice more clearly our thoughts, feelings and physical sensations, and the people and world around us, in a spirit of friendliness and curiosity.  This is for the benefit of our personal, as well as our collective, well-being and mental health.  One way to become more mindful is by training through meditation ~ The Oxford Mindfulness Foundation

Mindfulness can help with…

Compassionate observation of ourselves and others, without criticism

Paying closer attention to things helps us to see the world more clearly, and in time responding more wisely

Developing awareness which can help us to relate to our cycles and patterns of thinking and behaving

Improving our own well-being as well as having a knock on effect with our relationships

Becoming fully present, more in touch with ourselves and the world around us

The mindfulness training that I offer is derived from Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), an 8 week programme developed by John Kabit-Zin MD in the 1970s. Kabit-Zin was a hospital doctor and an experienced meditator, who wanted to help patients with chronic pain. MBSR remains a highly successful way to manage a variety of conditions. In the early 21^st century the MBSR curriculum was adapted by Mark Williams, John Teasdale and Zindel Segal to help treat people with recurrent depression.  Elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy were incorporated creating Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).

Through the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation (co-founded by Mark Williams), MBCT has been amended for anyone- not just those with depression or other ailments. This is the Mindfulness for Life that I offer. The full training is completed over 8 weeks, with 2 hours of teaching per week and regular home practice. There is an optional additional full day of practice within the 8 week programme.

I also offer shorter Introducing Mindfulness courses with 3 one hour sessions. All my work is done in groups. Group size is dependent on the training, but generally is around 8-16 participants.

Mindfulness is set of skills and also our innate ability to be aware of our present experience, moment by moment, with attitudes of compassion, non-judgement and acceptance. Mindfulness is a sense of mind characterised by kindness and curiosity for whatever is happening for us right now.

I came to mindfulness through my work supporting the wellbeing of doctors in training. I have practiced meditation in a variety of forms, off and on, for about 25 years. What I really like about the Mindfulness for Life approach is the emphasis on developing skills, useful for all parts of our live: at work, home and in our relationships. The emphasis is always on looking at ourselves gently with compassion and curiosity.