Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Courses

“The overall tenor of mindfulness practice is gentle, appreciative, nurturing.  Another way to think of it would be heartfulness”

About Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction courses

I love the above quote from Jon Kabat-Zinn.  It reminds us that mindfulness is really heartfulness – coming back to our hearts and out of our heads.  This is the basis or foundation on which an MBSR course sits

During an MBSR course, you will be introduced to some simple mindfulness or meditation practices.   This could be a ‘bodyscan’ or a sitting practice, some walking or gentle stretches and movements.  We begin with the invitation to pay attention to different aspects of experience (this could be the breath, sensations in hands, sounds, thoughts or something else).  The practices are fully guided, by me, with gentleness and kindness.  Participants are invited to explore their experience at their own pace and in their own way.  The practices can be done sitting down, standing or lying down – whichever feels right at that particular moment

There is a fair amount of home practice, followed by some gentle inquiry in the subsequent session.  With this support, participants become more skilled at managing difficulties, interruptions or those times when life just seems to get in the way.  This is really helpful in establishing a personal practice that really ‘sticks’

The sessions also use poetry, readings, discussion and reflection.  Participants are invited to explore their own patterns of thinking, behaving and reacting.  In particular, we look at reactions to stressful or difficult situations and how these reactions can create even more stress, anxiety and discomfort in mind and body.  Developing a friendly awareness towards what is happening, while it is happening, creates a sense of space around it, so that we can choose a different response if we wish.  This isn’t about a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to do things.  It’s about learning to see ourselves with a fresh pair of eyes, letting go of the need to judge and criticise

During the 8 weeks, participants can:

• Become more familiar with what takes away their energy or peace of mind and what soothes, nourishes or uplifts them
• Learn to see thoughts as simply thoughts, mental events which come and go
• Learn to connect with an anchor of their choice as a way to steady the attention, feel more grounded, steady and resourced
• Develop a sense of resilience and learn to be with difficult situations, thoughts and emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them
• Learn to step out of automaticity (doing things automatically and without awareness) and re-connect with the present moment
• Practise letting go of the need for things to be different to how they are, which drives most of our actions and impulses

How will it help?

Many participants are surprised to discover what a difference a mindful practice can make to their lives.  Some of the benefits they have reported include the following:

• Feel happier
• Sleep better
• Less reactive
• Feel more in control of their lives
• Easier to make decisions
• Feel more resourced and able to meet challenges
• Able to recover more quickly from stressful or difficult situations
• Less guilty
• Improved listening skills
• Less self-critical
• More alert and motivated
• More aware of when starting to feel stressed
• Kinder to self
• Stronger sense of gratitude and appreciation

The practicalities

When: 1 ½ hours a week for 8 weeks at a time to suit you

Where: sessions can be face-to-face (Saltash) or online via Zoom

Sessions can be taught 1-1 or in a group (bring some friends or work colleagues)

Cost: see drop-down box below

Want to know what other participants have to say?  Head on over to the testimonials page