A short video with Jon Kabat-Zinn about why mindfulness is so important in the classroom ( first 3 minutes talks specifically to the classroom)
Interested in finding out bringing mindfulness to your school? I offer dotbfoundations or MBSR/MBCT 8 week pre-requisite courses for teachers in the Essex/Suffolk area and also can train the pawsb course for 7-11 year olds. Find out more about these courses at the mindfulness in schools website
Want to hear a bit more? Listen to Richard Burnett, who designed the dotb course for teenagers (20 minutes)
Have a listen to what Jon Kabat-Zinn has to say about practicing mindfulness in sitting practice or in everyday life. There is a first introductory video and then Jon goes on to talk about the following attitudes which he discussed in his book Full Catastrophe Living:
Non Judging Patience Beginners’s mind Trust Non Striving Acceptance Letting Go Gratitude and Generosity
…and this compilation seems to have missed acceptance!
As many of you are aware, over the last year I have been doing some additional mindfulness training focused on friendship (or loving kindness) and compassion practices. I am now one of the first 20 or so people trained in this new course in the UK while it has been running for a longer time in Europe! I have personally gained so much from these practices- a greater feeling of happiness, a way of self soothing when things get tough and for those of us in the caring and helping professions a way of dealing with the possibilities of burnout from empathy fatigue. Read more
What needs weeding? (let go)
What extra nourishment and sowing do we need to provide? (let in)
Backed up by the latest research on neuroplasticity, taking in the good, mind training, kindness and compassion I can work with individuals, teams and organisations to help to add a bit of fertiliser and/or help you tend a few weeds. So if you fancy a different take on your standard staff training programs, coaching, or team development then do give me a call. I can offer off the shelf and tailored interventions focused around
Staff wellbeing, strengths and happiness
Leadership and management development
Team Development
Coaching and Supervisory skills
Mind training for attention, creativity and self care for adults and children
Compassion and kindness interventions
Creative arts
So if you are an individual, blue chip organisation, small business, charity, school or government organisation I may have something to help. All prices are tailored to sector and ability to pay. Curious?
Got some questions? Then please do get in touch to explore on 07801 246113 or via email heather@mindtrip.co.uk
Know someone that this may interest?… Then please do forward this mail with the links below…
It would be lovely to reconnect with those that I haven’t spoken to for a while even if you don’t have an immediate need!
Wellbeing, compassion and nourishing the positive is going to be the focus of my offering for 2017. I’m 2/3 of the way through my teacher training course on mindfulness based compassionate living which embodies the work of Paul
Gilbert, Kristen Neff, Rick hanson and Barbara Frederickson to name a few. Not to mention the eastern contemplative traditions of Tibetan Buddhism as practised by the Dalai lama and Matthieu Ricard. It’s going to be a good year!
See more about the differences between compassion, loving kindness and mindfulness in this article written by Richie Davidson here
I have been tracking informally over the year participants feedback at the end of the course as to how they feel different as a result of taking the course…While not hugely scientific it is useful to hear what past participants have said. All feedback was collected anonymously as a tick box questionnaire !
100% of people feel more aware
92% of people feel more in touch with themselves
84% felt less anxious
81% felt less stressed
76% of people felt better about themselves and
75% felt more contented
other stats included 66% of people reporting feeling less hijacked by negative moods, 64% appreciate life more and 66% felt their relationships had improved with others
So what are you waiting for? Next course starts 21st April 2017 ! Taster session 10th March 2017. Find out more here
Some lovely feedback from my day of silence at the weekend (November 2016) at Wormingford community education centre. Next day of silence, open to all that have attended an MBSR or MBCT class will be Saturday March 18th. 9.30-3.30:
‘Thankyou for such an interesting and enlightening day. A perfect venue and location. I’d certainly do it again to build on what i have learnt from you’
‘Wormingford is the perfect place to practice mindfulness. Being here in the Autumn we were flooded with colour against the crisp blue sky. The room has beautiful views outdoors and you don’t have to walk far to feel fully engaged in nature.
The day of silence i came away feeling free, calm and at peace. I hadn’t appreciated how much i needed to slow down’
‘A wonderful day being with myself and nature. Carefully and thoughtfully guided. A real pleasure. I’m grateful I’ve been to do it and for the beautiful surroundings’
‘Wormingford is a lovely spot with beautiful views within a short walk, very peaceful. To subside into silence for several hours is a luxury we rarely afford ourselves and brings relaxation of mind and body. A lovely day refreshing old practices and introducing new ones.’
‘A very good day for me, I valued the time outside, gaining the contrast of feeling cold air and then the warmth of sunshine. A world full of colour, rustling leaves and soggy darker leaves under your feet…time thoughts unconsciously evaporating…everything inside was also of great value, the mindfulness practices and i also really stop and listen to the special poems being read. A good day that I can draw on.’
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Please join me of a truly special day exploring both our inner and outer landscape…on Saturday 26th November 2016
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Having previously run successful Mindfulness courses at the Colchester Institute you may recognise some of these testimonials…Participants come from all walks of life and include stay at home mums, electricians, Doctors, school teachers, counsellors, social workers, pastoral leads and various business professionals!
It has given me strength of mind and i will use and adapt what i have been learning into my everyday life
Course Participant
I feel that the course has been very good for me at a time when things are and have been difficult in my work and home life.
Cathy
Not at all ” wee-woo” ! My partner says I’m happier and calmer.
This course is to be recommended for people with a chronic illness. Connecting the mind and body and facilitates health and self care.
Course Participant
I really enjoyed it, nice subject, nice people and nice experience. Its made me aware of me, what i do and what i am.
Donna
It has helped me to meditate without fear of not doing it right!
Adrian
Even entrenched bad habits can be broken! Give it a go! These courses can help bring a more balanced and calm attitude to life and may help you break lifelong bad habits.
Jean
Very useful and practical and has helped me awaken my creative and curious personality. Thank you Heather!!
I would highly recommend this course to everyone, as even the most practical person still can use time to be more mindfully aware in giving your grey matter some time out for a workout.
Debbie
This mindfulness course has really opened up my path of self development and brings about a more positive way of being in the World
Cath
This course was just what I needed at this point in my life. It has been enlightening and life changing and helped me focus and learn what being mindful really means. The course has helped me get to know myself and be kind and compassionate to myself
Much needed in a stressful world. A way of finding yourself and staying sane.
Elizabeth
A valuable journey of self discovery. I am less stressed, have less back pain, have more acknowledgement/understanding of self, more time for self and the here and now is what matters
Karen
I have really enjoyed coming to the course and practicing with others and being lead. It has made me allocate time to press the ‘reset’ button!
Alex
Has helped me to ‘untangle’ my brain! Am more aware of when i am on autopilot or not fully in the present- better able to change this
Marion ( Hospital Doctor)
I would definitely recommend to others and would say it is essential in looking after oneself in a nourishing way. Helps to cope with the stresses of life.
Maggie (Counsellor)
The course has offered the real opportunity for me to think about myself, learn about myself and take care of myself. The course has supported me to start to break down the barriers that i have built up over the years as a false protection of myself
Deb
Some further comments on Heather’s facilitation style in the mindfulness sessions:
Very concise, useful course in the way it was delivered. Given in a way that did not overload or overwhelm when embarking on a personal course. Also delivered very creatively, Thank you.
Heather, you hold the space during the sessions wonderfully. You bring a very calm open approach to each session which aids learning about oneself
Thankyou for being kind, non judgemental, warm and empathetic. A satisfying learning environment that has allowed me the space to grow.
Well paced, 4 sessions works well despite being designed as eight sessions. Felt we were all given time to have our say
Really enjoyed your welcoming non-judgemental approach.
Found Heather, relaxing, supportive and knowledgeable. Already believing in what she does.
Heather really gave all that she could whilst facilitating the course, including all of us in the group.
CDs are excellent. Heather is a very patient, reflective person. Managed the class with kindness.
I have enjoyed everything Heather has done on the course giving me space to notice in my own time and way.
What a lovely soothing voice. Went at a good pace. Running over more weeks has almost certainly helped to embed it.
Her teaching is very clear. She has a compassionate authority. Her advice about breaking rules and doing what feels personally ok has really helped me during the course and will encourage me in the future
Heather was always non-judgemental and was able to capture and share difficult experiences that we may have been having.
New course for January 2018 here
Mindfulness is very much ‘in vogue’ at the moment and it can be difficult to decide what course or method is right for you; or if you are an Organisation which provider might be the best fit. In this post I wanted to highlight a few things to help you make your choices clearer.