Mindfulness Meditation Courses

8 week mindfulness meditation course:

​What to expect:
The eight week mindfulness course is a course in simple meditation practices, that can help you to become more aware of your emotions, thoughts and bodily sensations, and to manage them more effectively.
In the course you will learn:
  • to become more aware of your day-to-day emotions and thinking habits.
  • To become more skilful in dealing with difficult thoughts, sensations and emotions
  • a variety of different mindfulness meditation practices that can help you to make improvements to your life and well-being.
The course comprises eight weekly sessions (each 1 hour 40), and half day retreat day towards the end of the course.

Participants are provided with a safe and supportive environment to share their experience within pairs and the group. It is not essential that you do share, it is entirely voluntary.

​Sessions are made up of a combination of mindfulness meditation, gentle movement, discussions and teaching.

What mindfulness course do you teach? 
The 8 week mindfulness course that I teach has evolved from the feedback received from teaching the mindfulness 8 week course over a number of years. It is unique in that although it is predominantly based on the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course, it also contains effective practices from  the Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) course developed at the Oxford Centre for Mindfulness and  Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). 

The range of mindfulness meditation techniques I teach have been clinically proven to help improve people's emotional physical and mental well-being.

What is the MBSR course?
The Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) eight week program was developed by Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn, which has been proven to help people with chronic pain, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, and anxiety and stress.

Who is the course for? 
The course is designed for anyone, irrespective of previous knowledge of mindfulness or meditation. It is appropriate for anyone looking for reduction of stress, anxiety, help coping with a long-term illness or condition or pain; or just to get more out of life, feel relaxed and more "in the now".

I aim to make it relaxed and enjoyable. Mindful meditation is not religious, and is easy to learn with a little practice. You are not required to purchase any special equipment, nor to sit in a certain way.

Home practice: 
I advise you about home practice that would be beneficial. Approximately 30 to 40 minutes a day is advised for you to get the full benefit. I do not check up on anyone, however, it is only by dedication to the home practice that you will reap the full benefits.
"I know but one freedom, and that is the freedom of the mind" Antoine de Saint-Exupery

testimonials

"The course has been very beneficial to me. It has given me a better understanding of how my mind works, to be more mindful and how to deal with difficult situations. It was also good to talk within a group to share experiences. I would also highly recommend the course to others".

"very happy with the course and think it is very good value for money."

"Maria was an excellent mindfulness trainer, and I would highly recommend her to others,"   
See more testimonials here;

The meditation course offers:

  • Evidence-based approach based on MBSR and MBCT 8 week course.
  • Practical experience of different methods of mindfulness meditation techniques, and guided meditations.
  • A relaxed group within which to safely share your experience (if you wish), and gain support.
  • A comprehensive course handbook to enable you to fully absorb the information and to provide you with  further information and resources to assist you if you wish to learn more about meditation. There is also space to note down your experiences of the practices.
  • Each week you will be given some suggested practices to be done at home.
  • Many mindfulness meditations MP3/ CD to help you practice on your own at home, including my free Wellbeing App where you can access all of the downloads with ease.
  • A retreat half day which is included in the price and many have found to be the most beneficial part of the course. (If you are not available on this day, you can always participate in another one).

Venues

From left to right: Reigate Subud, the Shuh Shuh Guh and The Reading room in Buckland, Reigate..

Post course survey responses:

I survey all attendance of the eight-week course. Here are a few highlights of the findings:
All respondents were found the meditation course enjoyable, felt they gained a good understanding of mindfulness and would recommend it to others.