(It is important that you read and understand the information below before enrolling for any of our 8-week course)

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Mindfulness reduces anxiety and stress, and MBCT has been shown to prevent depression in several research trials in those who have previously experienced depression. However, it is most useful to come to mindfulness with an open mind and a sense of curiosity rather than an expectation that it will definitely be beneficial.  

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Mindfulness techniques are best learned as an 8-week course guided by a qualified teacher as it takes a minimum of this much time to change our life-long ways of how we relate to our mental and physical experiences and thus cultivate new ways of seeing things. However, 8-weeks is the beginning of a new learning experience that could be life-changing if practiced regularly.

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For whom the 8-weeks course may not be suitable?

 The mindfulness courses are not suitable for everyone, particularly under the following circumstances:

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• If you think that you are currently experiencing depression

• If you have experienced a psychotic episode in the past 6-months

• If you have experienced a manic/ hypomanic episode in the past 6-months

• If you have deliberately harmed yourself in the past year or attempted to take your own life.

• If you have experienced a traumatic event or a bereavement that is currently affecting you.

• If you are being affected by any current life changes (loss of job, relationship breakdown, too many work commitments, etc) that may be placing you under additional stress.

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If you are not experiencing any of the above,  you may be considered for one of our 8-week courses.  If you are not sure, please contact us at info@mindfulhealth.org.uk. 

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Time requirement for each weekly session

Each weekly session lasts from 2 to 2 and a half-hour. You have to give additional 30 minutes for the first and the last session. At the end of the 6-weeks, there is generally a 6-hour long retreat to consolidate all the practices learned in the previous weeks. For online courses, you need to give additional 10-15 minutes before the beginning of the session to log onto Zoom, check your webcam, microphone, speaker, etc. For in-person courses, you have to allow yourself the travel time, parking, and arrive 10-15 minutes before the start of the course.

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Home practice

At the end of each session, you will be given hand-outs and asked to do specific practices at home for 40-45 minutes on the rest of the 6 days. This is an essential part of the 8-weeks course and the actual training takes place when we attempt to do the practices ourselves. You will be given audio recordings of these practices.  As we will be working to change patterns of mind that often have been around for a long time, they have become a habit. We can expect to succeed in making changes only if we put time and effort to learn new skills.

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It is thus important that you have the time to devote to the weekly guided sessions and the home practice before you embark on the 8-week course.

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Discussion during the weekly sessions

The mindfulness sessions are experiential with a minimum of lectures or slide presentations. Each session is devoted to meditation practices in sitting or lying down posture, yoga stretches, standing stretches, or mindful walking. Each session has a combination of these practices with a discussion about the experience of participants after each practice. It is however not essential for participants to share their experience if they feel it too personal but are asked to listen and learn from other’s experiences.

 

Confidentiality

All participants are asked to maintain the confidentiality of what is said or discussed in the sessions by other participants particularly if it is of personal nature.  Nothing that is discussed should be disclosed outside the classes that can violate this confidentiality.

 

Audio recording

The course teachers may record the audio of part or whole of the 8-week sessions for them to be used for their supervision. Supervision of mindfulness teachers is an essential part of maintaining the quality of teaching.

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You will be free to contact the course teacher in case you have particular issues or concerns about the mindfulness practices after the session.​

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Practical considerations

• The group sessions start promptly at the times specified for the course. 

• It is a good idea to wear comfortable clothes, and you might like to have a light blanket.

• We would like to emphasize the importance of attending each session. Please let the instructor know if you can't be there. 

• Because the class may be challenging, there may be times when you do not feel like coming. If this happens, we would like you to telephone and let us know how you are. We can discuss any problems with you. 

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It can feel difficult to come back if you miss a session, but it is worth it. You are always welcome to return. 

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Using Zoom for the mindfulness courses

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