Lucy Palmer Brown Mindfulness Teacher and Yoga Therapist
Based in Ascot

Mindfulness for You

Mindfulness training is available in group and private sessions.

**The next group courses are starting in May 2022**

Mindfulness has a long, long history taken from the ancient Buddhist teachings of giving kindness and compassion to ourselves. It has been the subject or growing attention in the therapy world because of the expanding scientific evidence showing that it can be helpful for many mental and physical health problems.

There are now over 100 scientific papers on aspects of the clinical applications of Mindfulness. MRI's and brain scans have shown physiological responses in the brain, including the left pre-frontal cortex responsible for compassion, happiness and pleasure and the Amygdala which performs a primary role n the processing of memories and emotional responses. Research includes looking at the brains of monks who have been meditating for years – their centers that are activated during compassion are almost off the scale for re-activity. Or taking people before and after 8 week mindfulness courses and finding changes in exactly the same areas of the brain.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness was originally translated from the Pali word - 'Sati' meaning 'To be aware' or 'knowing what you’re doing when you’re doing it'. Mindfulness is just that and is a beautifully simple technique to practice.

The modern practices of Mindfulness were initially developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Professor of Medicine and creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He defines Mindfulness as -

Paying attention
On purpose
In the present moment
Non judgmentally

So Mindfulness is simply about observation of ourselves without criticism and over time brings about long-term changes in mood, levels of happiness and well-being.

How can Mindfulness training help you?

When we regularly practice Mindfulness we step out of autopilot mode and develop insight into our emotions, thoughts and bodily sensations. This is useful because when we are unaware we spend most of the time going over the past or thinking about what is coming next. We can develop habitual response patterns such as anger, anxiety or frustration which can lead to stress and have a detrimental affect on our health. We tend to be in autopilot mode more these days because of the pressure to do it all, have it all and quickly. Smartphones as well as being useful, have added to this pressure allowing us to work, use social networking and answer emails on the go.

What are the benefits of Mindfulness training?

Greater insight and self-awareness
More useful responses to stressful situations and unpleasant experiences
Better concentration and creativity
Improved self-confidence
Greater friendliness to oneself and others
Improved physical health
A fresher relationship to our experience and the world around us

About the 8 week Mindfulness course

Meeting once a week for 8 weeks, the course is designed for you to cultivate this awareness for yourself. We find ways for you to relate to what is present in any moment without trying to push away or 'fix' anything. Instead you will learn that everything changes and that thoughts come and go of their own accord. You are not your thoughts and ultimately you have a choice about whether to act on them or not.

The course is structured so that you can begin your own formal daily Mindfulness practice and short informal Mindfulness practices from the first week. A commitment to practice each day will mean that you get the most out of the course. Sessions are experiential providing a mixture of practices, teaching, reflection and discussion.

Mindfulness supports us in living with awareness of our own mind, emotions and physical body. So we recognise our own resourcefulness for whatever arises in our lives and in the world around us. Mindfulness encourages us to cultivate a compassionate relationship towards our own thoughts, and in so doing, we can bring this approach to all situations and our relationships with others.

Anyone can learn Mindfulness, it's simple, you can practices it anywhere, and the results can be life-changing.

Group 8 week Course fees are £260 (concessions and payment options available).
Private Mindfulness classes usually span 6-8 sessions at £85 per 1 hr session.
If you would like any further information on Mindfulness or the booking details please use the contact details provided
About the course structure