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We specialise in Applied Mindfulness Training for the general public, for Health Professionals and for those in leadership and management. Courses are designed for beginners through to advanced, to develop depth and breadth in intellectual understanding, practice and application. We all want to be happy in what we do, present when we do it, and wise in how we do it. And we want to help cultivate this in others.
Mindfulness is a critical skill that assists us to be passionate, present and wise. To live, not just survive. Mindfulness brings a sense of calm and kindness, as we learn to focus our attention in the sensory aspects of the present moment rather than getting lost in memories of the past or worry about the future. Mindfulness reminds us to focus on what matters, and teaches us to relate differently to the unbalancing 'familiar guests' of the mind so we can deal with life on its own terms.
Mindfulness is a way of thinking about and approaching life that allows us to transform our experience moment by moment. Mindfulness skills address the underlying processes we use to perceive, understand and react to our experience of the world. As we become more mindful the way we relate to our feelings and thoughts becomes softer, more fluid and clearer.
Mindfulness-based education cultivates greater self acceptance, sharpness of mind and a sustained inner ability to counter stress. By changing the way we approach, think and feel about challenging situations we see new solutions and opportunities. By taking the skills and acting with them, we help our own way out of negative thought and behaviour patterns and depression. This frees us to function better, be more productive and better enjoy the life we live.
Mindfulness training is especially useful for transforming difficult and challenging situations. As we change our approach, new ideas and options open up, enabling us to feel less stuck and consequently more able to access different choices - choices and decisions that are kinder and wiser.
Research has shown mindfulness to have profound, sustained effects for a broad range of people (see Who Benefits from Mindfulness below). Adapted to a Western context, our training courses are based on the ancient Buddhist tradition of Mindfulness meditation, and incorporate simple yet powerful meditation tools integrated with models from neuroscience, psychology, education, performance and management, and contemplative practices research.
How is Mindfulness used in the West?
Mindfulness is having a notable impact over the last decade, particularly in the health, mental health, management and performance arenas. Our foundation course, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (UK) as a treatment of choice for depression. Mindfulness Training is also taught in a range of personal and professional contexts including business, parenting, education and therapeutic settings for stress management, relaxation, prevention of burnout, greater focus and higher functioning.
What is MBCT?
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a state-of-the-art program combining Mindfulness with Cognitive Therapy. Mindfulness is a simple yet sophisticated Buddhist form of meditation and has been used for over two and a half thousand years. Cognitive Therapy - also known as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Behaviour Therapy - focuses on realising and changing unhelpful ways we may think, interpret and react to situations. It has developed in the West since the 1960s. The combination brings together sensory and cognitive techniques within a framework of kindness and acceptance. Focused on the present, MBCT is approachable and like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction from which it draws heavily, was developed in a Western context for meditators and non-meditators alike. It is for those who want to live with more ease, skill and wisdom.
What if I have never meditated?
Participants range from those who have never meditated, wanted to, or thought they could, to those very experienced in the art of meditating. Participants across the whole spectrum have commented on how much they gain from our courses. We think that this is in part due to a focus on being actively engaged in the present. Another aspect enjoyed by participants is the carefully stepped guidance offered to undertake the challenging and eventually delightful process of learning to bring an intense and rewarding awareness into one's senses. Walking, tasting and breathing meditations are but some of the delights - we look forward to hearing what you think!
Who benefits from Mindfulness?
When do I use Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is an approach that brings a different flavour to all parts of life - a flavour of acceptance and insight. Typically, mindfulness tools are especially valuable in the lead-up to, the middle or the aftermath of times of stress, negative emotion or overwhelm. We can use the skills daily to gain clarity around our work, to stop disruptive thoughts from going around and around and to successfully navigate relationships and situations towards healthy ground.
What course is right for me?
Mindfulness is a skill and like most skills, it improves and becomes easier to engage with guidance and practice. We can learn the basic skills through short courses during which we gain useful experiences and concepts which we can take away and build on. Longer courses serve to reinforce and strengthen our mindfulness skills, providing the opportunity to ask questions, develop, and integrate the skills more deeply. Many participants return to deepen their understanding by experiencing one or more modules a second or third time. Many Mindfulness trainers find the basic MBCT courses rich and layered and will attend one every six or twelve months to refresh their skills and gain new insight.
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Our practitioners are leaders in their fields and combine state of the art research, professional experience, and the heart and skill of mindfulness meditation.