Mindfulness
Awareness of the senses
The last 20 years has seen amazing discoveries in neuro and cognitive science. One of them is showing that mindfulness practiced regularly helps to tremendously strengthen our minds. More resilient, less prone to stress, more creative, serene, flexible, happier. The benefits are endless and just need some willingness: one could say there is nothing easier than to be with our senses, observing and accepting our emotions and thoughts...until we realize that it is actually hard to just be, kindly letting go the constant flow of thoughts and emotions which sometimes prevent us to fully enjoy the present moment!
"I've lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened." Mark Twain
- 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course -
On demand
”Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain”
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Not being carried away by thoughts or emotions. Sitting down, calming the mind by paying attention to the body, the sensations and focusing on the breath, that powerful ally that is your breathing, the best we can being aware of it.
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Gradually, thanks to a regular practice, we feel better able to face adversity, guilty thoughts or the stress we sometimes put on ourselves. As a result, we manage to better comprehend our mind and the varied scenarios that are taking place there (often with great conviction)!
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The MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) programme is an 8 week long course that will put you at the heart of mindfulness: being aware of the present moment, deliberately and without judgement. Thanks to this programme you will get more autonomy for your own individual practice, taking pleasure to meditate in a group or alone.
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Numerous scientific studies have shown the benefits of this programme (MBSR) especially dealing with daily stress symptoms such as headaches, backaches, fatigue, insomnia, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, inflammation.
For the last decades this programme has been taught in the corporate world and more recently in schools in order to improve attention skills, concentration, relationship with others and also performance, self-confidence and creativity.
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This course is based on the original acclaimed programme from Jon Kabat-Zinn as well as the programmes currently taught at the Medical Center of the Massachusetts University and the University Centre of Bangor for Mindfulness Research and Practice (CMRP).
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MBSR is engaging and requires commitment to enjoy the full benefits.The learning is based firsthand on experimentation rather than theoretical knowledge. Here is a typical outcome for those who have attended MBSR: "I started this programme to calm my stress and discovered another way of being..."
Detail of the MBSR programme
Made of 8 weekly group sessions of 2 hours 30 minutes during which each participant gradually experiences mindfulness meditations in different aspects (lying down, sitting, walking, simple yoga movements). These guided exercises are followed by discussions between participants. The participatory dimension is an important feature of these sessions and allows each participant to explore his or her feelings as well as to listen to others in order to better understand the motion taking place deep within. Participants are given a comprehensive 135 pages workbook to guide them through the course.
+A 6-hour silent retreat-style session
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This programme also includes didactic elements, particularly on the anatomical and neurological mechanisms of stress. Practical exercises and daily meditations of 20 to 30 minutes are to be practiced at home, thanks to a supplied mp3 audio. It is eventually through regular and committed meditation practice that benefits are taking place. In the end, approximately 26 hours of training in group sessions, outside of home practice.
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Session 1 - Exploring Mindfulness
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Session 2 - Exploring our perceptions, relationship and creative responding to the challenges and stressor in our lives
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Session 3 - The Power of being present: Living all your moments
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Session 4 - Cultivating Curiosity and Openness to the whole of my experience
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Session 5 - Building on our Foundation of Mindfulness, paying attention to our capacity to respond rather than react to challenges and stressors
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Session 6 - Interpersonal Mindfulness and Building Resilience
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Session 7 - Integrating Mindfulness, reflecting on lifestyle choices - How can I best take care of myself?
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Session 8 - A Mindful Life, keeping up Momentum
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Who is the MBSR course for ?
No prerequisite required for this course. However there may be situations where mindfulness is not recommended or even inappropriate: acute depression, psychiatric troubles for instance. As a result you will be asked detailed health questions on the application form, if unsure please ensure that you speak first to your doctor and/or your therapist.
