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Workshops & Events

Workshops are a great way to take time out, deepening your awareness and practice or exploring something new and interesting. The opportunity to focus on specific postures and ask a lot of questions, make workshops the perfect opportunity to take your practice to the next level.

Places are limited and so will need to be pre-booked and pre-paid. Bookings are all on a first come first served basis and confirmed on payment.

Book online today or give us a call on 01908 566610 and let the good energy commence!

Mindfulness (MBSR) 8wk Course

Workshops & Events >>

a 10-session course for personal development and well-being

About Mindfulness

The theory that meditation can reduce stress, depression and even chronic pain is one that has been gaining in momentum in recent years. And more recently, the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as taught by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) as taught by Mark Williams at the University of Oxford have quickly become the interest and choice for academics in the mental health faculty, the Mental Health Foundation and the NHS.

Our eight week course blends together the skills contained in both MBSR and MBCT and is designed to help you learn new ways of handling difficult physical sensations, feelings and moods. The core skill that you will learn is ‘mindfulness’; a way of paying attention, on purpose and non-judgmentally, to what goes on in the present moment in your body, mind, and the world around you.

Mindfulness can enable you to see things differently, undoing mental and physical knots and tensions. It can increase your sense of personal confidence, of having more options and more strength to face the different challenges in your life. Research shows that 85% of those completing a course continue to use mindfulness practices as part of their daily activities. And most people completing MBSR programmes report that they gain lasting benefits, such as:

    more energy and enthusiasm
    a greater capacity for relaxation
    enhanced self-confidence
    an increased ability to handle stressful situations

How Mindfulness Helps

A large body of research shows that mindfulness training and the MBSR programme helps you to be more emotionally aware, more attentive and more fully engaged, putting aside preoccupations and waking up to what is happening right now. Studies at Harvard and elsewhere show that just eight weeks of training brings a significant increase in brain grey matter concentration in regions of the brain associated with sustained attention, emotional regulation and perspective taking. Mindfulness helps you find more satisfaction in your life, and in working with particular issues such as daily stress, anxiety, depression and the stress of chronic pain and illness.

Here are some interesting articles researching the benefits of MBSR, including a recent BBC Reporter who researched the MBSR course. Please click here.

Who is it for?

Most of us can benefit from developing Mindfulness and people attending events are men and women from all walks of life, office workers to sports people. Our groups comprise individuals, interested in methods of self-help or those referred by professionals. The MBSR programme is known to help with a wide range of problems, both physical and psychological, and greatly enhance your capacity to cope. The course is useful for anyone who is ready to look directly into themselves and learn new ways of responding to what life brings. It is entirely secular and suitable for those of any religion or none, and is available to complete beginners and as well as field/healthcare professionals and counselors.

Some people want to learn better how to cope with stress in their work or family life; and some people simply want to learn to appreciate their lives more fully, letting go of preoccupations. Sometimes people come because they want to work with a particular issue: depression or anxiety, for example. The principles and practices explored in the course are relevant in each case, and through dialogue we will explore how they can apply in your life. Over the years, teachers have worked with people experiencing depression, OCD, PTSD, chronic pain and even terminal illness along with many others.

What happens on an MBSR course?

You’ll learn several mindfulness practices and have the chance to discuss your experience of them. The sessions are developmental, and participants are provided with full learning support, in the form of a course handbook and practice CDs. Please note that to gain the maximum benefit from the course, participants are encouraged to commit to home practice of around 45 minutes a day outside of the weekly sessions, using the handbook and CDs for guidance.

The weekly sessions will take place in a safe and relaxed context, with space for reflection and conversation. The emphasis will be on providing space for Mindfulness practice to unfold, and bringing kindness and a light heart to this process.

As the programme progresses, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about recognising and responding to problems and difficulties, and bringing Mindfulness skills into daily life

Ongoing Development

MBSR is a complete course and there is no obligation to undertake further courses. Graduate meditation groups and workshops are made available for all course participants to attend thereby providing continued support in the development of your mindfulness practice.

Course Dates + Price: Autumn 2013

Wednesdays 7pm - 9pm

Orientation 9th October
8 Wednesday evenings from 16th October 2013 – final class on 4th December
Day of practice: Sunday 24th November

All of the course dates are held at our beautiful, light filled dedicated yoga studios in Milton Keynes - the perfect environment to immerse yourself in this wonderful practice and share experiences with like-minded people.

The cost of the course is £195 / Early Bird Offer £175 by 28 June
A non-refundable deposit of £95 is required to reserve your place.

This covers all the taught sessions, the silent retreat all-day session, a set of audio CDs to support home practice and a workbook.

Terms & Conditions

In the event of cancellation:

90 days or more prior to the start date of your training:
    Your entire payment will be refunded, less your non-refundable deposit.

    31 - 89 days prior to the start date of your training:
    Payments are not refundable, but are transferable (less non refundable deposit) to a future workshops or classes.

    30 days or less prior to the start date of your training:
    Payments are not refundable.

About the teacher:
Elizabeth Bourdon is a Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist and Mindfulness teacher. Lizzie has been practising mindfulness meditation for 4 years and trained with Dr Patrizia Collard at Stress Minus in London. Stress Minus is recognised as an Affiliated Organisation with the UK Network for Mindfulness-Based Teacher Training Organisations. Lizzie follows the Good Practice Guidelines set by the UK Network. She is in supervision with a supervisor trained at the Centre for Mindfulness Research & Practice at Bangor University and she attends regular retreats as part of her continuing professional development. Lizzie also holds a monthly practice group to support students who have already completed the 8 week MBSR course.

Last changed: May 08 2013 at 7:41 PM