What is Mindfulness?
Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn has been the leading therapist associated with this simple but effective therapy. Please click here for more information
Mindfulness training is increasingly popular among doctors and psychologists as a practical tool to help patients who are anxious, stressed or depressed. It may be a new concept for some people, but the root of it is thousands of years old. Also known as Mindfulness Meditation, the benefits are both incredible and far-reaching.
Mindfulness is our natural ability to bring attention to our experience as it unfolds in the present moment, bringing us back to what is happening in the here-and-now. It is a practical grounding in the “present-ness” of the human experience.
This is important: if we are scattered, we are unaware of how stress, tension and unhealthy emotions gradually develop in mind and body, resulting in reactivity rather than intelligent response. This can result in dysfunction in aspects of our life – at work, in relationships, and with oneself.
Mindfulness allows us to clear this away and work from a point of self awareness, from a “being” mode that lets experience unfold and be released rather than a “doing-mode” that all too often manipulates feelings and situations in ways that can create more problems than they solve. This allows a greater choice of skillful action in our daily life situations.
Scientific Research
Finally the scientific proof has caught up with what has long been known to bring positive health benefits to a wide range of illnesses and conditions. Cutting-edge research from mainstream doctors and psychologists shows that this natural awareness helps to alleviate problems in mind and body. Healthcare professionals are particularly interested in the effectiveness of mindfulness in helping such mental and behavioural issues as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, stress, panic and anxiety attacks, attention deficit, compulsive behaviours, high blood pressure and many other disorders.
Mindfulness meditation training has been shown to alter brain and immune system function. This means that long-lasting benefits are gained from training, which includes a boost to the immune system meaning a lower risk of illness 1. Stress is now thought to play a part in 70 % of illness seen by the average family doctor.
An interesting article in The Guardian highlights significant health benefits, as does this scientific article in the Journal of Biobehavioural Medicine.
What is involved in a Mindfulness course, and who is it for?
Participants learn a “toolkit” of straightforward mindfulness exercises that are directly related to everyday experience. After all, anxiety and stress are experienced by most people on a daily basis, so we need to learn to handle it somehow. Participants use the periods between sessions to work with the practices, noting and reflecting on their experiences in a diary.
The classes focus on around 10 different areas, giving you numerous tools and techniques to use in different situations.
Courses are open to, and would benefit anyone, but they are particularly designed for people who lead busy lives in challenging working or family environments. A focused, relaxed mind can benefit people from any walk of life. Mindfulness can be applied in all situations of life, and as discussed, has enormous health and life benefits.
Can I try this out?
Yes! Holistic Central is very pleased to introduce our Mindfulness trainer, Julian Chase, who is offering a complimentary introductory training session, to give you a taste of what Mindfulness is about, which will give you useful tools to take with you after just one session.
We are offering a choice of two sessions: Wednesday evening, 10th April at 7.00pm, and Saturday afternoon, 13th April at 1.00pm. Bookings essential and limited places available – phone 2523 8044. Why not bring a friend along?