“The overall tenor of mindfulness practice is gentle, appreciative, nurturing. Another way to think of it would be heartfulness”
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Courses near Plymouth
Based in Saltash, Cornwall, my Mindfulness based Stress Reduction(MBSR) courses are easily accessible from Plymouth and the surrounding areas. Many participants travel from Plymouth to attend in person while online options are available for those who prefer to join from home
Who is the MBSR Course For?
An MBSR course may be helpful if you:
- feel stressed, overwhelmed or constantly busy
- would like to develop a regular mindfulness practice
- want to understand your thoughts, emotions and reactions more clearly
- would like to develop greater resilience and wellbeing
- want to cultivate a kinder relationship with yourself
No previous mindfulness or meditation experience is required
What is a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course?
The 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course is an evidence-based program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn. It can help to reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and build emotional resilience. MBSR is grounded in evidence-based practice. You can read more about the roots of modern mindfulness at Oxford Mindfulness Foundation
Since its development in the late 1970s, MBSR has become one of the most widely researched mindfulness programmes in the world. It combines mindfulness meditation, gentle mindful movement, reflection and group inquiry to help participants develop greater awareness, resilience and a more balanced relationship with life’s challenges
Although the course is called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, it is not simply about reducing stress or learning relaxation techniques. MBSR explores the nature of stress itself — how stress arises, how our perceptions influence our experience, and how mindfulness can help us develop greater choice in how we respond
Mindfulness invites us to pay attention to different aspects of our experience — sensations in the body, thoughts, emotions, sounds and our surroundings — with curiosity and kindness
Practices are fully guided and can be adapted so that you can explore mindfulness in a way that feels supportive for you
What You Will Learn in the MBSR Course
Throughout the 8-week MBSR course, you will develop valuable mindfulness skills through a combination of meditation practices, gentle movement, teaching and reflection
Awareness of Experience
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of what is happening in each moment — thoughts, feelings, body sensations and our responses to life
Rather than automatically getting caught up in our thoughts or emotions, we begin to notice our experience with greater clarity and compassion
Understanding Automatic Pilot
Much of our daily life is lived through familiar habits and patterns. We often move quickly from one thing to another without fully noticing what is happening.
MBSR explores the idea of automatic pilot — recognising the moments when we are reacting from habit rather than responding consciously.
Through mindfulness practice, we begin to create space between an experience and our response.
Exploring Stress and Our Responses
A key part of MBSR is exploring how stress develops and how we relate to difficult experiences. This helps build emotional resilience
Stress is influenced not only by what happens to us, but also by how we perceive situations and the meanings we attach to them
During the course we explore:
- how the body and mind respond to stress
- the connection between thoughts, emotions and physical sensations
- how our perceptions shape our experience
- the difference between reacting automatically and responding with awareness
- how we can meet challenges with greater flexibility and kindness
Body Awareness
Through practices such as the body scan and mindful movement, we develop a deeper awareness of physical sensations and learn to reconnect with the body
This can help us notice patterns of tension, stress and holding that often go unnoticed
Mindful Meditation
Sitting meditation practices support the development of awareness, concentration and a kinder relationship with thoughts and emotions
We learn that mindfulness is not about stopping thoughts or achieving a particular state of mind, but about learning to relate differently to whatever is present
Bringing Mindfulness into Everyday Life
The aim of MBSR is not simply to practise mindfulness during meditation sessions, but to bring greater awareness into everyday living
This may include:
- mindful communication
- eating and daily activities
- responding to challenging situations
- recognising moments of stress as they arise
I offer Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) courses based in Saltash, with participants joining from across Devon and Cornwall
What Does the MBSR Course Involve?
The course includes:
✔ Guided mindfulness practices
✔ Body scan meditation
✔ Gentle mindful movement
✔ Sitting meditation
✔ Reflection and group inquiry
✔ Home mindfulness practice
✔ Exploring how mindfulness applies to everyday life
The course is experiential. The more you engage with the practices between sessions, the more opportunity there is to discover how mindfulness can support you
Course Details
- Course Duration: 8 weeks, with 1.5-hour – 2 hour sessions each week
- Format: Face-to-face sessions (Saltash) or online via Zoom
- Group or One-on-One Sessions Available: Bring friends, family, or colleagues to join you in a group setting, or enjoy the personalized attention of one-on-one sessions
Interested? Get in touch to reserve your place
A Trauma-Sensitive Approach
My teaching approach is trauma-sensitive and recognises that everyone comes to mindfulness with their own experiences and needs
Mindfulness is offered as an invitation rather than something to achieve. You will be encouraged to explore practices with curiosity, kindness and respect for yourself
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course Benefits
Participants often discover that mindfulness practice can support:
- reduced feelings of stress and overwhelm
- greater emotional awareness
- improved ability to manage difficult emotions
- increased resilience
- greater self-compassion
- improved concentration and focus
- a deeper connection with themselves and others
- a greater ability to respond rather than react
Mindfulness is not about creating a life without difficulties. Instead, it helps us develop the awareness and skills to meet life’s challenges with greater steadiness and care
Interested in Exploring MBSR?
If you would like to explore mindfulness, develop greater awareness and learn practical ways to work with stress and life’s challenges, an MBSR course may be the right next step
I offer Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) courses in Saltash, with participants joining from Plymouth and across Devon and Cornwall