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Page 1: WHAT IS - thinkingpositively.co.uk€¦ · benefitted them - Gwyneth Paltrow, Arianna Huffington, Oprah, Will Young, Emma Watson, Davina McCall and Giselle Bundchen to name a few

1

WHAT IS

MINDFULNESS?

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CONTENTS

What is Mindfulness? .................................................................... 3

What's So Great About Mindfulness? ............................................ 6

The scientific research on Mindfulness ......................................... 9

What are the benefits of Mindfulness? ........................................ 13

Tell me about the Exmouth Mindfulness course .......................... 17

Why should I choose this Mindfulness course ............................. 19

Frequently Asked Questions ........................................................ 20

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What is Mindfulness?

Let’s start by providing some definitions from a couple of well-known sources:-

“A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations….” - Oxford Dictionary.

“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally” - Jon Kabat-Zinn, Founder of MBSR (see explanation below).

So what does that actually mean? In order to explain this, allow me to digress

slightly………... Recently, it has been discovered that on average our minds wander 46.9

percent of the time.

46.9%! Really…. it's true.

Two students from Harvard created an app called 'Track your Happiness'. This app

tracks people’s every day activities in order to gauge their level of happiness. People

choose from general activities like walking, working, eating, shopping, watching television

etc., and the research has proved that on average our minds wander 46.9% – almost half

our daily lives!

cambridgenetwork.co.uk

So where do you suppose our focus is, then, in all that time? Mostly, we are either thinking of the past, or being concerned about the future – this is otherwise known as automatic pilot, or the monkey mind - you know the one, talks at you, says I must/should do this/that, judges everything, beats us up, keeps our minds really, really busy all the time.

Imagine this scenario. You are walking down the road.........here is the kind of mind-

wandering that might go on.......

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“Look at that dog! So tiny. Oh, there’s another one in that car. That’s a really old car -

wonder if it’s here for that car rally at the Royal. Mmmmm, that Hotel’s got that lovely

swimming pool and Jacuzzi; Jo and I had a great day there. Must give her a call, about

time us girls had a night out, when was the last time? March! Blimey, just before Sarah

gave birth to Megan. I should call her, we haven’t spoken for a month! John must have

his promotion by now. I’m such a bad friend. They were going away to celebrate.

Wonder where. Maybe Venice. Sarah will love Venice. Oh yes, Sis was going to fix

Daniel’s toy boat. Bet she’s forgotten. I’m always having to remind her – like that time

she forgot Mum’s birthday. Oh! I forgot the flowers for tomorrow’s dinner party. Wonder if

Stu will get them for me......I left it to the last minute as usual! Really hope Stu’s boss

appreciates our efforts..........”

So you see, we are less focused than we really could be, and therefore we have to ask

ourselves then, how much are we actually enjoying our day at all? How much are we

making the most of right now - this present moment?

This brilliant video explains this all very clearly. This is Matt Killingsworth, one of the

students that created Track Your Happiness - and who is now a Scholar of Psychology.

https://youtu.be/Qy5A8dVYU3k

What’s this got to do with Mindfulness I hear you ask? Well, Mindfulness is about

becoming aware of what is happening in the here and now, and allowing things to be just

as they are.

By paying attention to that mind-wandering, and allowing it to be there (rather than judging whether it's right or wrong), this gives our minds a much needed rest - it's like pressing the ‘pause’ button, switching off from all that busyness.

We have all had moments like that, for example when over-awed by a stunning view, or

when totally engrossed in painting, dancing, listening to music etc. That moment when

the mind is completely focused, calm and clear.

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As we build more and more moments like these into our daily lives, this helps us change

our relationship with our thoughts, and gives us more control over what we focus on!

“If you can learn to pay attention and not get dragged into unhelpful thoughts, you've

broken the chains of slavery. Our thinking mind will beg, scream, urge, tantalize you to

drag you off to wherever it wants but if you can keep focus, the benefits are biological,

psychological and neurological. Boom! I bet you never connected all that with paying

attention”.

Ruby Wax - Huffington Post, 06/08/15.

Mindfulness-based Therapies

Various therapies have been devised to help those with diagnosed mental/physical

conditions.

MBSR

MBCT

The two most well known and most widely offered are Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Therapy (MBSR) and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).

Other less widely known Mindfulness-based therapies include Acceptance and

Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Both MBSR and MBCT courses teach the basic principles of Mindfulness - paying

attention to the present moment. MBSR, however, particularly teaches those dealing with

physical illness and pain, and so concentrates primarily on bodily sensations. MBCT

particularly teaches those dealing with anxiety and depression, and so concentrates

primarily on thoughts and feelings. They do also use each other’s exercises.

Generic Mindfulness courses teach the basic principles, and touch lightly on MBSR/MBCT

exercises. This makes them suitable for all those that aren’t diagnosed with any

mental/physical conditions.

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What's So Great About Mindfulness?

Over the past decade, lots of scientific research has been carried out about Mindfulness,

and the results have been phenomenal! - that's why it has become such a hot topic

recently.

On top of that, the latest findings in Neuroscience are proving how effective it is in aiding well-being. It is, therefore, now being recommended by many different institutions, for example:-

In 2004, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) – the guiding body for the NHS – ruled Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy be recommended to patients with depression. This is still in place.

Publication

CG90: Depression in

adults

In 2008, the Government spelt out five ways to mental well-being – and recommended ‘a specific form of training such as Mindfulness’.

Foresight report 113-08-FO/B: Mental Capital and Wellbeing.

In 2010, the Mental Health Foundation’s Be Mindful report to the Government concluded that "Mindfulness could be helpful to a very wide mix of people.....much, if not all, illness is influenced by stress, mental attitude, and behaviour choices......." :-

81% of the general public agreed “the fast pace of life and the number of things we have to do and worry about these days is a major cause of stress, unhappiness and illness.........”.

86% agreed they “would be much happier and healthier if we knew how to slow down and live in the moment”.

66% of GPs agreed they “would support a public information campaign to promote the health benefits of Mindfulness”.

Nearly 75% of GPs thought it “helpful for themselves to receive training in Mindfulness skills”.

Be Mindful Report

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In 2014, the Government set up a Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group all about Mindfulness, and published their final report in October 2015, which states '.....what is already clear is that (Mindfulness) is an important innovation in mental health which warrants serious attention from politicians, policymakers, public services in health, education and criminal justice, as well as employers, professional bodies, and researchers....................'

The report recommends Government train 1,200 NHS staff in Mindfulness, that three Teaching schools be designated for teaching Mindfulness, and that extensive research be carried out on Mindfulness in the workplace.

Mindful Nation Report October

2015

In 2015, the latest 'World Happiness Report' was published (by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations), which highlights four components of well-being; Mindfulness is one of them.

World Happiness

Report

In 2016, the Mindfulness All Party Parliamentary Group (otherwise known as the Mindfulness Initiative) produced a further report - Building the Case for Mindfulness in the Workplace - which highlights the business benefits of Mindfulness, and provides a proven strategy for implementation, as well as some successful case stories.

Building the Case for Mindfulness in

the Workplace

Also in 2016, two very interesting reports came out, backing up the current drive for improving Mental Health.

Business in the Community's Mental Health at Work Report - which highlights the latest shocking statistics of Mental Ill Health.

The Mental Health Foundation's Mental Health as a Workplace Asset Report - which outlines how tackling Mental Health at work can actually save businesses money.

Business in the

Community

Mental Health as a Workplace

Asset

As word has got out, well-known companies such as Apple, eBay, Reebok, Intel, Google,

Twitter, Starbucks, Xerox and Yahoo – have started training their staff in Mindfulness

(from top executives down). Organisations like the Bank of England, the police, the prison

system, Transport for London, the Military, and many schools, have also started to follow

suit.

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“I was initially skeptical about the Mindfulness course. However, I went with an open mind and it was life changing. I am much calmer and much more self-aware, and use

some of the techniques every day”.

Sergeant Kay Howarth, Durham Police - Northern Echo Newspaper, 26/07/15.

Celebrities are also talking about Mindfulness

To top it off, many celebrities have now come forward to highlight how Mindfulness has

benefitted them - Gwyneth Paltrow, Arianna Huffington, Oprah, Will Young, Emma

Watson, Davina McCall and Giselle Bundchen to name a few.

“What I have realised in my work life, is that there is a ‘me’ that stands back from all the

noise. He had always been there. He watched everything and it took some time to tune

into him and meet him. I like him.... he's cool”.

Will Young – Huffington Post, 14/05/15.

“When my “obnoxious roommate” knocks on the door in my head, I’ve found it’s better just

to let him in. If you try to tune him out, he just bangs louder. If you let him in, he sits

down, watches TV and shuts up. Know what I mean?”

Kobe Bryant - New York Times, 28/09/14.

Got your professor's hat on? Well, you won't need it in the scientific research section, as

I've made it all super! easy :-). Or, you could just skip it, and come discover all the

benefits instead!

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The scientific research on Mindfulness

Outlined below is some of the most pertinent scientific research on Mindfulness to date, starting with the one that really sparked off interest in the first place:-

2007 - Mindfulness meditation reveals distinct neural modes of self-reference

Authors: Norman A.S. Farb, Zindel V. Segal, Helen Mayberg, Jim Bean, Deborah

McKeon, Zainab Fatima, Adam K. Anderson

This research study broke new ground in understanding Mindfulness from a neuroscience

perspective (neuroscience studies the functioning of the nervous system and brain).

Two groups of people, those who practiced Mindfulness, and those who didn’t, were

studied using MRI imaging of the brain. This highlighted two distinct networks in the brain

– ‘Default’ and ‘Direct’. The Default network is often called the ‘Narrative’ as it's the one

that’s constantly planning, daydreaming or ruminating. This of course does have its

uses. The Direct network doesn’t think that much at all; it's more about experiencing,

coming into your senses in real time. What is happening right now – the present moment.

When the Direct network is activated, all our senses "come alive" at that moment. When

the Default/Narrative network is activated, you don't see as much, hear as much, feel as

much, or sense anything as much.

Imagine sitting by the sea on a sunny day, a breeze blowing through your hair, and you have a nice cold drink in your hand. The Direct mode is experiencing the warmth of the sun on your skin, the cool breeze in your hair, and the cold drink in your hand.

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The Default/Narrative mode, however, is thinking about what to cook for dinner tonight,

whether your partner will be home in time for the family to sit together etc etc., and

missing this beautiful day entirely.

Those with a good level of Mindfulness were more likely to notice they were in Default

mode, and could bring themselves back to Direct mode to enjoy the experience.

Summarised from an article by David Rock, co-founder of the NeuroLeadership Institute

and Summit.

2007 - The effects of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction on sleep disturbance

Authors: Winbush N.Y., Gross C.R., Kreitzer M.J.

Conclusion: There is some evidence that suggests increased practice of Mindfulness techniques is associated with improved sleep and that participants experience a decrease in sleep-interfering cognitive processes (eg. worry). More research needs to be done.

2008 – Mindfulness skills and interpersonal behaviour

Authors: Dekeyser M., Raes F., Leijssen M., Leysen S., Dewulf, D.

Conclusion: All elements of Mindfulness were positively associated with expressing oneself in various social situations. A greater tendency for mindful observation was associated with more engagement in empathy. Mindful description, acting with awareness, and non-judgmental acceptance were associated with better identification and description of feelings, more body satisfaction, less social anxiety, and less distress contagion.

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2009 – Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction for stress management in healthy people

Authors: Chiesa A., Serretti A.

Conclusion: A direct comparison study between MBSR (Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction) and standard relaxation training found that both treatments were equally able to reduce stress. Furthermore, MBSR was able to reduce ruminative thinking and trait anxiety, as well as to increase empathy and self-compassion.

MBSR is able to reduce stress levels in healthy people.....necessity of further research.

2010 - Mindfulness practice leads to increases in brain gray matter density

Authors: Britta K. Hölzel, James Carmody, Mark Vangel, Christina Congleton, Sita M. Yerramsetti, Tim Gard, Sara W. Lazar.

Conclusion: Participation in MBSR is associated with changes in gray matter concentration in brain regions involved in learning and memory processes, emotion regulation, self-referential processing, and perspective taking.

2012 – Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy and

Zen meditation for depression, anxiety, pain and psychological distress

Authors: Marchand W.R.

Conclusion: The evidence suggests that both MBSR and MBCT (Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy) have efficacy as adjunctive interventions for anxiety symptoms. MBSR is beneficial for general psychological health, and stress management in those with medical and psychiatric illness, as well as in healthy individuals.

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2013 – Mindfulness-based therapy: a comprehensive meta-analysis

Authors: Khoury B., Lecomte T., Fortin G., Masse M., Therien P., Bouchard V., Chapleau M.A., Paquin K., Hofmann S.G.

Conclusion: Mindfulness-based therapy is an effective treatment for a variety of psychological problems, and is especially effective for reducing anxiety, depression, and stress.

Recent scientific research on Mindfulness

2015 - Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy

compared with anti-depressant treatment in the prevention of depressive relapse or

recurrence

Authors: Dr Willem Kuyken, Rachel Hayes, Barbara Barrett, Richard Byng, Tim Dalgleish,

David Kessler, Glyn Lewis, Edward Watkins, Claire Brejcha, Jessica Cardy, Aaron

Causley, Suzanne Cowderoy, Alison Evans, Felix Gradinger, Surinder Kaur, Paul

Lanham, Nicola Morant, Jonathan Richards, Pooja Shah, Harry Sutton, Rachael Vicary,

Alice Weaver, Jenny Wilks, Matthew Williams, Rod S Taylor, Sarah Byford.

Conclusion: The time to relapse or recurrence of depression did not differ between MBCT and anti-depressants over 24 months, nor did the number of serious adverse events.

OK, that's enough scientific research on Mindfulness don't you think? If you would like to

see the latest research, check out Twitter feed 'at mindfully_u' – it’s constantly tweeting

new research.

Now, come find out about the benefits!

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What are the benefits of Mindfulness?

So what are the benefits of Mindfulness? Let's start by backing up just a little.

Have you noticed how 'well-being' seems to be one of the latest fads? This isn’t just

some clever marketing ploy; it is because everybody is waking up to the fact that it really

matters. In fact, one could say it matters more than anything else.

According to www.dictionary.cambridge.org, well-being is defined as “the state of feeling

healthy and happy”; the World Happiness Report even highlights well-being as its main

factor.

The truth though, is that we are far from a well-being nation. In the Mental Health

Foundation’s 2007 booklet ‘Fundamental Facts’, the figures are quite alarming - in any

one year 1 in 4 British adults experience at least one mental disorder - anxiety and

depression being the most common.

And well, isn’t it any wonder, when so many of us are leading extremely busy, stressful,

lives? When we aren’t commuting, we are working 8 hours a day, looking after the

children/animals/parents, catching up with household chores, helping the children with

their homework, going shopping etc. etc. Add the whole social media side of things, and

we are never relaxing for more than 30 seconds before pulling out our phone, logging

onto Facebook, Twitter etc. etc............our minds are constantly! on the go. And many of

us are running on empty.

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In 2013, the Mental Health Foundation’s survey found that

nearly half the public felt stressed every day or every few

days, and 59% said their life was generally more stressful

than it was five years ago.

Now whilst a little stress every now and again is fine (and

we can help ourselves by eating well, exercising, getting

regular sleep etc. etc.), prolonged stress can be detrimental

to both mental and physical health.

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Mindfulness has been proven to be especially effective in reducing anxiety and stress

(see scientific research link below). The techniques we learn can be put into practice

during the day whenever we feel stressed. It helps us to calm down, and it is particularly

useful for handling those moments when we feel totally overwhelmed. It also enables us

to re-spond rather than re-act.

But that’s not all it’s good for. Here’s what the Mental Health Foundation’s ‘Be Mindful’

report says of the benefits of Mindfulness:-

can snap out of bad moods quickly lower social anxiety less frequent negative thoughts can express oneself better improved problem-solving increased focus and attention increased self-awareness higher self-esteem more optimistic greater insight easier to let things go better physical well-being fewer visits to the doctor/hospital better immune system lower blood pressure.

better identify and describe feeling more satisfying relationships better at communicating less likely to react defensively not so stuck in repetitive thinking more connected with others greater life satisfaction better memory improved creativity more compassion for self and others better at learning new skills easier to handle challenges sleep better more in control improved motivation.

Sounds like a pretty great list of the benefits of Mindfulness!

Mindful Living

We can reap some of the benefits of Mindfulness quite easily by taking time-out to

practice on a regular basis, however, if we wish to make the absolute most of the benefits,

we need to incorporate Mindfulness more fully into our daily lives – what we call Mindful

Living.

Once we have grasped the principles, it becomes so portable, so easy to weave into our

everyday life. Imagine mindfully walking, commuting, sitting, working, speaking on the

telephone, talking to your partner/clients, listening to your screaming child etc etc.

Mindful living really can be life changing!

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“It’s very transportable. People can do it in their cars, and turn ordinary, dull moments like

standing in a supermarket queue into a Mindfulness exercise, instead of getting angry

with the person in front of them because they’re not moving fast enough…………...”.

Professor Mark Williams, Director-Oxford Mindfulness Centre, Oxford University - ‘Be

Mindful’ Report.

January 2010

How Mindful are you?

Would you like to find out how mindfully you currently live your life?

Below is a link to a simple, well known, and scientifically tested questionnaire. All you

need to do is answer 15 questions, add up your score, and then divide it by 15. There’s

no sign up and it's totally anonymous. The total score ranges from 1 to 6. The higher the

score, the more mindful you are.

Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)

“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans"

Made famous by John Lennon; actually dates back to Readers Digest 1957

Keen to find out more about the course now? See below.

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Tell me about the Exmouth Mindfulness course

NOTE: The Exmouth Mindfulness course is just one of the Mindfulness course structures

available (via www.mindfullyu.co.uk). Please email info’at’mindfullyu.co.uk for further

details.

THE EXMOUTH MINDFULNESS COURSE

Prior to attending this course, participants complete a confidential booking form with a few

questions regarding any existing mental/physical health conditions, special needs etc.

etc.

The course usually follows a set format of 8 group sessions, and each session usually comprises of:-

One or two directly experienced guided practices in Mindfulness. Group reflection. Simple exercises. Home experiments to try.

Summary Outline of the Exmouth Mindfulness Course

Week 1 - Automatic Pilot Week 2 - Dealing with Barriers Week 3 - Mindfulness of the Breath Week 4 - Staying Present Week 5 - Allowing/Letting Be Week 6 - Thoughts are not Facts Week 7 - How can I best take care of Myself? Week 8 - Handling Future Moods.

Mindfulness isn't difficult.

What's difficult is to remember to be mindful.

John Teasdale (one of the Founders of MBCT)

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What to consider before attending this Mindfulness course?

If you are going through an unsettling period in your life, such as a recent bereavement or

trauma, a house move, a change in job, or problems in relationships, for example, it would

be wise to consider whether this is the right time for you to take this course.

If you are currently in therapy, or are alcohol or substance dependent, you are advised

(not necessarily discouraged from attending) to discuss the pros and cons of attending

this course with your doctor or therapist first.

If you feel you are depressed, are diagnosed with depression, anxiety or any other mental health condition, you may prefer to attend the next MBCT (Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy) course instead. Please email for further details.

If you are in serious physical pain, you are advised to consult your doctor with a view to being referred onto an MBSR (Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction) course. These courses can be available on the NHS.

What can I realistically achieve from this course?

You will learn various Mindfulness practices that can be used anywhere, anytime, within

your daily life. These are designed to help you to switch off from your busyness, to better

handle difficult situations, to calm yourself down at will, and to feel generally more in

control. With sufficient practice, however, this can change your life entirely - depending

on your level of commitment.

What happens after the Exmouth Mindfulness course?

Participants are highly encouraged to regularly practice at home. It can be challenging, however, to keep up momentum, therefore ongoing post-course group practice sessions will be offered to help with this. Further one-to-one sessions will also be an option.

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Why should I choose this Mindfulness course?

I am a trained Mindfulness Teacher, trained by Shamash Alidina, well-known and respected international bestseller of ‘Mindfulness for Dummies’.

Shamash has trained directly with Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of MBSR (Mindfulness- based

Stress Reduction), and also extensively with the Centre for Mindfulness at Bangor

University.

I have personally practiced Mindfulness for 15 years, am a member of a private

Mindfulness Teacher co-coaching Group, and am on an on-going mentoring programme.

I follow the UK Mindfulness Teachers’ Good Practice Guidelines, adhere to all UK legal

requirements (including data protection), and am fully insured.

I score 'high' on the well-known Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and high on

About.com's Emotional Intelligence test.

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU

At all times, participants are treated with the utmost respect, kindness and courtesy.

All personal information shared, whether in group, or in person, is held in complete

confidence - unless it is considered to breach any legal reporting requirements. Even

then, I will discuss this with all concerned first.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'Mindfulness' and 'Meditation'?

True Meditation involves sitting and observing the breath, and/or an object or mantra.

Meditation brings the mind temporarily into the NOW - a state of relaxed, calm, focus.

The challenge, however, is that once outside of the meditation room, our distracted minds

within our busy lives stop us from staying in that space.

Mindfulness uses meditation as a tool to bring our mind into the NOW, and then

introduces further techniques to help us stay in that space, even in the midst of everyday

life.

An added benefit to all this, is that we start to recognise our automatic re-actions, and

instead can then choose how we re-spond to people/situations. The longer term effects of

this are more numerous - these are documented here - 'benefits' and 'science').

As with anything, the more we practice, the better we become at it - hence the 8 week

course is specifically designed to help us embed this practice into our daily life.

I don’t have the time to learn Mindfulness

It can feel that way at first, however, even top Chief Executives can find the time to learn

Mindfulness, so really it is a question of re-assessing our priorities. By taking those few

minutes to practice, your day becomes more effective and less stressful.

My mind never switches off

It's the same for almost everyone at first. Practicing Mindfulness, however, helps us to

find that pause button :-).

I can't afford it, are there any free places?

Certain Mindfulness courses are available on the NHS by referral from your GP. Please

discuss this with them. Unfortunately, there are no free places on this course - however, it

is hoped to be able to offer this in the future. Some participants do actually manage to

gain sponsorship from their employers.

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How accessible is the room?

The room is physically-challenged friendly. Should you wish to discuss any particular

special needs, however, please don't hesitate to email as above.

Do I need to be physically fit?

This course suits all levels of physical ability and mobility. At no time are you expected to

do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. If you have any concerns regarding this,

please email as above, so we can discuss any necessary work-arounds.

Who will be on the course?

People from all walks of life - all just wishing to learn how to be more mindful in their daily

lives.

How many people will be in the group?

There is usually around 6-8 people.

I’m really shy.

You are never requested to speak out in any way – this is at all times optional.

What should I wear/bring?

Just wear something comfortable – and bring a cushion/blanket if that suits you, and

perhaps a bottle of water if you like for refreshment.

Can I attend at the same time as friends/family?

Taking the course along with someone close to you is not recommended as it may

discourage one of you from speaking as you wish, and thus could hinder progress. This

is, of course, a decision for you to make together.

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What do I need to do/read to prepare for the course?

There is no preparation required - in fact it's better that you come with a completely open

mind. Further reading will be recommended in the course.

Do I need to bring a pen and paper?

This is not like a normal training program. You are encouraged not to write anything at all

actually (phew!........bet that feels better already) - as this takes you away from truly

experiencing the full effects of the practice. You are invited, however, to write a private

journal outside of sessions, if you like, as it can be really helpful to read back and reflect

on progress.

I have no time to practice in between sessions

It is very important that you commit to practicing regularly outside of the course. But don’t

worry - you will be guided on how to easily find that ‘extra’ time during your day.

Can I re-join if I miss a session or two?

Emergencies can crop up and therefore sometimes this is unavoidable. You will,

however, have missed some very important steps that will likely hinder progress.

Unfortunately, there won't be another opportunity to run through these steps again,

however, catch-up (chargeable) one-to-one sessions can be offered - and you will be

more than welcome to join the next course at a discounted rate.

Does this have anything to do with religion?

Absolutely not. The Mindfulness practice does derive from ancient religions, however all

religious connotation has been removed, leaving just the effective technique. All faiths

and none are encouraged to join the course.

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I want to learn so that I can teach Mindfulness to others

This course is a great start in that direction, but please note this is purely an experiential

course. There are plenty of courses available to learn how to Teach Mindfulness,

however, their usual prequisite is that you have been practicing personally for at least a

year.

So - ready to attend a course?

Just email info’at’mindfullyu.co.uk, and we'll send you all you need to know!

And should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to email. We will be

more than happy to talk things through further with you.

We very much look forward to meeting you!