New Mindfulness course in Cardiff

Mindfulness class

MONDAY EVENINGS 6.30pm-9pm,

• 8 classes from July 5th to August 23rd 2010
• Plus a whole day - Saturday 14th August

The course is about self –care, education and effective coping with stress, pain and illness. It promotes physical and emotional health, growth and healing for the rest of one’s life.
Mindfulness is awareness of the present moment with full acceptance. Also defined as ‘... the intentional cultivation of non-judgmental moment-to-moment awareness’ (Jon Kabat -Zinn). It includes:-

• Formal meditation practice of 45 minutes a day devoted solely to the cultivation of mindfulness. The methods are:
• • Body scan meditation
• • Gentle Hatha Yoga
• • Sitting Meditation (mindfulness of breath, body, feelings, thoughts, emotions and choiceless awareness)
• • Walking meditation, and
• Informal mindfulness practice of 15 minutes a day of conscious effort to bring moment-by-moment awareness into all aspects of daily life.

Mindfulness is not a technique but a way of being, a ‘path’ or a ‘way’ and is practised daily regardless of circumstances. Relaxation is a frequent by-product but it is not a goal of mindfulness practice. The goal is simply to experience the present, moment-by-moment. A willingness to bring a non-judgmental awareness to whatever one is experiencing.
 

Key principles of the course:

1. Observing one’s life mindfully is an adventure in living, not a chore
2. Individual effort , motivation and regular disciplined practice are key
3. Immediate lifestyle change is required to undertake formal practice
4. The importance of making each moment count
5. It is educational not group therapy, and provides a community of learning and practice
6. It is a diverse environment which focuses on what people have in common by being human, including the ability to access our own inner resources for learning, growing and healing.

History and research

This course was developed at the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre by Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979. The model has been successfully used in hospitals, schools, prisons and workplaces. Research has shown that is has been effective in reducing physical and psychological pain including chronic back pain, headaches, neck pain, chest pain, hypertension, heart disease, irritable bowel disease, anxiety disorders and depression. It also increases ‘Stress Hardiness’ and a ‘Sense of Coherence’ including a greater sense of control, increased commitment to the activities and experiences of daily living, and seeing life events as challenges rather than obstacles.

What to wear & what to bring

Comfortable loose clothing, blanket or shawl, yoga mat (if you have one), meditation cushion or stool (if you have one). You are welcome to bring a cold drink with you.

Notes

• It may be stressful in the short term to take the course as it requires an immediate and significant lifestyle change. Also things may seem as if they are getting worse rather than better at first as one brings more attention to unpleasant experiences and moments. This requires a commitment to ‘be with’ one’s problems rather than deny them or emotionally distance oneself from them.
• There is little opportunity or time during the course to discuss any current ongoing personal problems not related to the practices. If necessary, these should be pursued through individual work with a counsellor or appropriate worker.

For further information and to book a place, contact Bethan Roberts or phone 07734 176005