A mini-mindfulness course, as well as taster sessions are being offered to colleagues who may still be unsure if it's for them.

Mindfulness for well-being is an introductory course that offers an explanation of what mindfulness is and a practical guide to a range of simple techniques that can help people to cultivate mindfulness and compassion in their everyday life: personal and professional. Every session offers an opportunity to explore mindfulness and compassion practices by putting the theory to the test, and reflecting on what we have experienced and learned as a result.

The course is suitable for people who are new to mindfulness, and people who may have experience of other contemplative or meditative practices but are curious about secular approaches to meditation. It is also a useful course for people whose mindfulness or meditation practice may have lapsed, or stalled completely, and are looking for support and inspiration.

Reasons colleagues give for signing up to Mindfulness for well-being include:

• “To feel good about self”
• “To reduce stress”
• “To increase calm”
• “To reduce the buzzy thoughts in my head”
• “To have more time for my self – slow down”
• “To have mindfulness at work & home”

Benefits reported by colleagues who’ve completed a course include:

• “Found it energising and felt serene no matter how tired I was or how bad the day”
• “Relaxing - helped me sleep”
• “I appreciate calm a lot more”
• “Following the breath in really helps me switch off”
• “Realising how much time I’m not in the present”
• “Learning in a group – doing this together”

Anyone who has attended at least 3 Mindfulness for well-being sessions has the option to attend the regular mindfulness drop-in sessions that we run in Huddersfield and Halifax to help colleagues maintain and develop their mindfulness and compassion practices. They can also join the Trust’s flourishing mindfulness group which keeps in contact through a weekly group email offering mindful musings as well as practice tips and techniques.

Mindfulness drop-in sessions

Mindfulness drop-in sessions are for colleagues who have attended at least three Mindfulness for well-being sessions. Mindfulness drop-ins are not for beginners. They are sessions where colleagues can join a group practice - which many people say they find motivating;  can swap mindfulness experiences and tips; and can learn new approaches to developing mindfulness and compassion, and explore how to apply them in everyday life.

Mindfulness taster sessions

These sessions are offered in Huddersfield and Halifax and are for colleagues who are curious about mindfulness but maybe don’t feel they know enough about it to commit to a Mindfulness for well-being course.

They are a chance to meet course facilitators, Prasadu and Jill, to ask questions about mindfulness and compassion training, and to get a taste of some of the things that are offered in the Mindfulness for well-being courses.

Please see the attached for details of the dates and course available from next month.