IN-DEPTH yogaMindfulness & Meditation

Mindfulness has been gathering much attention over recent years as a tried-and-tested method of reducing stress and anxiety. By helping us to focus our attention on the present moment and not get swept up in worrying or negative thoughts about the past or future, a regular practice can help us to:

• learn to cope better with the pressures we're under;
• recognise the thoughts and judgements we make, often subconsciously, that generate more stress;
• find balance and a sense of calm.
• effectively deal with chronic illness and pain

Mindfulness is paying attention on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally. 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. The many Mindfulness techniques you learn will comprise of both formal seated meditation practices, to three-minute breathing techniques, a 'Body Scan', to learning how to eat more mindfully. Although Meditation is a large part of the Mindfulness Course, you will gain a whole host of techniques and practices to use that don't all involve sitting cross-legged on the floor!

Our experience suggests that regular mindfulness practice is really effective when trying to overcome stress, worry, lack of focus, relationship problems, addictions and more. It leads to peace of mind and wellbeing, greater focus and creativity and better relationships. It can help 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.