Hamilton Intro to Mindfulness & Meditation 4 wk course. Tuesday Course. Starts Tues 27 Sep 2016 5:30pm ( No class 04 Oct )
Event on 2016-10-24 17:30:00
AN INTRODUCTION TO MINDFULNESS & MEDITATION 4 WEEK COURSE At just for four classes over and including downloadable guided mindfulness meditation audio files, a 45 page workbook and weekly emails, this the ideal starting point for you to de-stress, increase self-awareness and learn a new skill with support from a group and an experienced facilitator. What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness means “paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally.” – Jon Kabat Zinn (Professor of Medicine Emeritus Stress Reduction Clinic and the Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine). Modern research about mindfulness and meditation shows measurable and significant benefits to people including less stress, less anxiety, greater focus, calm and happiness. Organisations such as Google, Apple, Nike and Yahoo! now run mindfulness programmes and sessions for staff during work hours. The Benefits of Mindfulness “Neuroscientists have found that meditators shift their brain activity to different areas of the cortex…This mental shift decreases the negative effects of stress, mild depression and anxiety. …The researchers found that the meditators showed a pronounced shift in activity to the left frontal lobe. In other words, they were calmer and happier than before.” – Psychology Today Over time, and with regular practicemindfulness can help to: Reduce stress and anxiety Increase feelings of self-acceptance and self-love Improve sleeping patterns Increase relaxation Increase enjoyment of life "Mental Health Foundation mental health promoter Grant Rix says mindfulness has been shown to benefit our brains to such an extent that we can feel calmer, more aware, have an increased ability to focus and concentrate, remember things better and feel happier." – NZ Mental Health Foundation Press Release July 2012 About The Course Practical with no dogma or religion Each class includes a instruction, a guided meditation and time for questions/reflections Meditation is in chairs Four weekly 55 minute classes Safe and supportive environment Learn to meditate in a simple, clear, effective and practical way Develop your capacity of self-awareness, self-understanding, compassion and mindfulness Generate greater calm, insight and wisdom Course Contents: Week 1: What is Mindfulness? What mindfulness is The benefits of mindfulness and meditation How to get the most from the course Guided body scan mindfulness meditation Question and answers / discussion Week 2: Working with the Mind Why thinking can be problematical Practical ways to work with difficult thoughts Self judgement and how to intervene Guided mindfulness meditation – counting the breath Questions and answers / discussion Week 3: Working with Emotions and Feelings What are emotions? Learning to feel emotions The RAIN method Non-judgement and acceptance Guided mindfulness meditation on feelings Question and answers / discussion Week 4: Radical Acceptance What it means to be present How wanting causes stress Developing wisdom and insight Authentic self compassion Open awareness guided mindfulness meditation Question and answers / discussion All Introductory Courses Include: 4 classes 45 page workbook Downloadable guided mindfulness meditations Weekly emails Refund Policy and Transfer Policy Full refunds are available up to one week before a course starts. Free transfers to other courses are available up to one week before a course starts. Once a course has started, full refunds are only available if you attend every class of the course and feel you have not got value. In this case you are entitled to and will be given a full refund. Refunds are not given if you do not attend every class of the course and if you simply ‘do not like’ the course or decide it ‘is not for you’. How Long is Each Weekly Class and What Happens? Each class is 55 minutes long. There will be a guided meditation for a period. This will include meditation instruction. After the meditation and instruction there will be a talk or discussion. This includes a question and answer time. Who is This Course Suitable For? This course is suitable for absolute beginners. Your Trainer is Blair Bowker I have been meditating and teaching mindfulness for the past 20 years. My journey began with Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal and moved to doing Insight Meditation retreats. I became hooked doing many 10 day to 3 month retreats and living at meditation centers around the world. In the last 5 years my journey has taken me to Ramana Maharshi’s Ashram in South India where my calling was silence and the art of being. During the last 2 years I started training as a psychosynthesis counselor which brings mindfulness and the inner world together as a way to transform and deeply accept ourselves. I am interested in how we can be fully alive and present to all of life, even its challenges, while staying connected to what is essentially us. Questions or More Information If you have questions or require more information: Visit our website www.mindfulnessworks.co.nz Email: karen@mindfulnessworks.co.nz Ring or text: 027 664 9281 Contact Form: Mindfulness Works website contact form Testimonials For The Introduction to Mindfulness & Meditation Course “The course was very relaxed and friendly, and full of useful practical advice that recognised the limits to time that everyone faces. Also I liked the mix of people attending, with a range of different reasons for being there.” — Rosie Cree “Since doing this course, I have been sleeping much better, I feel much more in control of my emotions, I have enjoyed ‘noticing’ my own state, but also it has transferred to everything around. This means I am re-enjoying many things that I had been taking for granted.” — Sandy Good “The course guidebook was a useful guide and very informative. I also enjoyed the formal practice and the way different strategies were explained.” — Linda Daniell Questions or More Information: If you have questions or require more information: Email: karen@mindfulnessworks.co.nz Ring or text: 027 664 9281 Contact Form: Mindfulness Works website contact form Testimonials for the Introduction to Mindfulness & Meditation course: “The course was very relaxed and friendly, and full of useful practical advice that recognised the limits to time that everyone faces. Also I liked the mix of people attending, with a range of different reasons for being there.” — Rosie Cree “Since doing this course, I have been sleeping much better, I feel much more in control of my emotions, I have enjoyed ‘noticing’ my own state, but also it has transferred to everything around. This means I am re-enjoying many things that I had been taking for granted.” — Sandy Good “The course guidebook was a useful guide and very informative. I also enjoyed the formal practice and the way different strategies were explained.” — Linda Daniell
at The Link Centre
Cnr Te Aroha Street and River Road
Hamilton, New Zealand
