Mindfulness for Life / 8 Week Course
What is mindfulness
There are numerous ways to describe mindfulness but for now, here are two descriptions from two teachers in the mindfulness tradition; that collectively convey the range and depth of how mindfulness expresses a quality of mind, heart and body.
Jon Kabat-Zinn defines mindfulness simply and succinctly in terms of cognitive and affective training:
"Paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally"
Thich Nhat Hanh describes mindfulness as an energy that transforms our way of living:
"I define mindfulness as the practice of being fully present and alive, body and mind united. Mindfulness is the energy that helps us to know what is going on in the present moment. I drink water and I know that I am drinking the water. Drinking the water is what is happening."
Over 20 years of scientific research on mindfulness-based training consistently tells us the positive benefits associated with increased self-awareness, attention and emotional regulation: our mental health improves, reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression and increased resilience etc. Learning mindfulness helps us live healthier, happier lifes.
Why I teach
I began practising mindfulness over a decade ago. I was drawn to mindfulness as it was evidence-based and I could see the benefits in my life: I was happier and learnt a lot about living in the present moment even when adversity comes. In my life I continue to practice daily and attend retreats and trainings. I teach because I love helping people grow and develop through mindfulness and yoga.
Mindfulness For Life
Learn how to practice mindfulness. Practising mindfulness can be a life-changing journey. While mindfulness practice can be challenging, it can be extremely valuable, deeply nourishing and transformative. It helps to learn to recognize the sources of stress in our lives and develop effective strategies, working with them in a healthy and pro-social ways, rather than the way we often do, using unhelpful distractions to numb ourselves.
Course content
The Mindfulness for Life Course is a thorough introduction to mindfulness practice. Over the duration of eight weekly sessions and a one-day retreat, you will learn to cultivate present-moment awareness and to respond mindfully rather than react mindlessly to stress and diffcult emotions and adversity.
When you join the course you will receive the course manual, guided meditations as audio files to support your on-going practice.
- Duration of each weekly session: 2 hours
- One-day retreat: 6 hours in one day
What will you be expected to do?
- Attend all of the sessions including the one-day retreat
- 45 min a day development of your personal mindfulness practice
- Engage with the materials with openess and perseverance throughout the whole course
This course is accredited by the British Association for Mindfulness-Based Approaches.
Please contact me via email for more information: sharon.cagney@protonmail.com
Introductory courses and one-to-one sessions
In addition, she offers introductory courses to businesses, communities, groups and public sector organisations.
Youth Mindfulness
Sharon was trained to teach the youth mindfulness programme by Youth Mindfulness UK
The youth mindfulness kids programme is a 16 lesson introduction to mindfulness for 7 to 11 year olds, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning.
Its 16 one hour lessons build up sequentially, introducing and exploring new facets of mindfulness with each lesson.
The first six lessons focus on cultivating the foundational axioms of mindfulness intention, attention and attitude. As the course progresses the children then learn to cultivate gratitude, handle difficult thoughts towards themselves and others. Importantly the key foundation of mindfulness i.e, paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity and warmth are continuously strengthened throughout all the 16 lessons
The youth mindfulness programme is researched based and is running successfully throughout the UK and 31 countries throughout the world. Iceland has introduced it to all primary education schools. This programme can also be run in community-based settings and resource centres.
Please contact me via email for more information: sharon.charlotte@protonmail.com
"It is not the stress per say but how we are in relation to it and thus how we respond to it, that makes the difference. Jon Kabat-Zinn"