Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme for women

Research shows that mindfulness can help us to: ·        Be present in this moment, right here, right now ·        Stop ruminating about the past ·        Stop worrying and becoming anxious about the future ·        Gain greater self-awareness ·        Improve problem-solving ·        Improve attention and focus ·        Be more empathic and accepting of ourselves and towards others ·        Not be so attached to our mind and thinking ·        Enjoy life more

The course

On this course, each week we will be focusing on a different aspect of mindfulness. This will deepen your understanding of the practice and will also help you connect with different parts of yourself. Sometimes, throughout the course difficult feelings or sensations may arise – I encourage you to explore these difficult thoughts and feelings with a gentle curiosity and allow them to arise and pass. Perhaps you can bring your experiences to the group where they can be shared and understood better. And if difficult feelings arise as you practice the exercises, remember that you can always use your breath as an anchor, to help ground you and secure you.

Mindfulness practice is not about going into an altered state, being completely calm or free of thoughts – although feeling relaxed or calm might be a by-product of the practice. It is not about sitting in the lotus position or becoming a Buddhist! It is about befriending the person you are right now, so that you can sit still through the changing weather patterns of life.