8 week MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) course. 

"I valued Bob and Laura's calm and thoughtful teaching style delivered with warmth and compassion . Their dedication to mindful practice shines through, along with patience for the beginner. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this course. Missing the classes already" .. (participant in Autumn 2016 course)

This course will introduce you to the practice of mindfulness and aims to provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to fold mindfulness into your life and realise long term benefit. It is based on a tried and tested programme developed over many years and taught around the world.

MBSR courses involve participative effort during the sessions and up to one hour of personal practice and reflection per day. Sessions can be fun as well as challenging at times, however only through full engagement can significant benefits be realised.

who is it for?

If you feel you are suffering from stress in your work and or home life Mindfulness is a learnable concept and set of practices that can help you deal with these pressures in a constructive way. When practiced consistently it can enhance your resilience and sense of general well-being.

Courses are offered to charity and health workers at a discounted rate because Bob and Laura work in these areas and believe that their colleagues in these sectors often have extra pressures. Lower pay in these sectors often means that access to courses at full fee (£295) is difficult.

content of the course

  1. Automatic Pilot - recognising the present moment.
  2. Mindfulness of the breath
  3. Mindfulness of the body  moving
  4. Managing reactions
  5. Letting things be
  6. Recognising thoughts and emotions as mental events
  7. Taking good care of yourself
  8. Living mindfully

each session includes:

  • Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices
  • Gentle movement, stretching and mindful yoga exercises
  • Group discussion and mindful communication exercises.

home work will include:

  • Simple exercises and tasks
  • Following guided meditations and
  • Making notes on your experience for your use or to share in the group

All participants will receive handouts that will build into a course handbook to keep at the end of the course. The numbers will be restricted to less than 20 for this course.

note:

Because of the nature of the course it is unsuitable for people who have, for example, an ongoing significant mental health condition, who are currently effected by a life event such as bereavement or relationship breakdown. We only confirm places on the course after receiving an application and conducting a short discussion in person or by telephone.

"The course has really helped me feel happier. As someone who suffers from anxiety Mindfulness has allowed me to focus more on the present and manage my stress and feelings of panic a lot better. It is a tool I will use for life. It really puts things in perspective. Thank you so much to Bob and Laura for this invaluable lesson in how to make the most of the present moment" (participant MBSR 2015)

"Bob created a safe space, an approachable and welcoming environment. It is not an easy task to introduce concepts and practice to a group of stressed, wired and tired attendees and he maintained a great attitude and patience throughout, which we adopted. The informative handouts in class plus emails were great, I was able to utilise the 3 min breathing technique during course of my working day and have found myself noting my breathing style after the course had ended. I also liked at the beginning, the mention of how this is not a therapy session, and emphasis on homework, as it helps manage expectations" Natasha 2019