FAQs

There are no pre-requisites for joining a course. You don't need to have any prior experience of mindfulness or meditation. In fact the course is great for those who are new to practicing mindfulness.

You will be asked to attend 8 weekly sessions, each 2.5 hours in duration. Plus a separate online half-day retreat.

You will also have approximately 45 minutes of daily home practice in between sessions. Home practices include those which are taught during the class and reflection exercises. There are vital learnings to be gained from the home practice and it will inform our discussions during sessions. It is therefore really important participants think about whether they can make the time commitment, before registering for a course.

The courses will take place in small groups online via Zoom. Although the number of people on a course will vary, you can expect a minimum of 8 and maximum of 14 participants.

Once you have registered for a course, you will be asked to complete a confidential personal history questionnaire.

This is to ensure I am aware of any sensitive issues around your participation. A free 15 minute follow up call will then be arranged with you, prior to the course commencing.

At least 24 hours before the start of the course, you will receive an email with additional course details including the Zoom login information.

You will receive weekly PDF handouts before each session. The handouts will cover the theoretical elements of each session and details the home practice for that week. Audio files with guided meditation practices will also be sent via email after the first session.

It is suggested participants wear loose, comfortable clothing which they won't feel restricted in. You should have enough space in a room to comfortably lie down, and where you can close the door to avoid disturbances. If you have a yoga mat to lie down on, that may be helpful but it is not essential. It is also recommended to have a chair, cushions, a blanket and anything else which will enable you to feel comfortable during sessions.

To complete the course, you will need to download Zoom onto your desktop, laptop or tablet. You will need, or your device will already have in-built, a webcam and microphone. A stable internet connection is also required.

The movement / yoga part of the course is very gentle. Course participants are encouraged to work within their physical capabilities and never beyond it. A range of options will be offered for finding a comfortable sitting or lying posture.

A confidential, trusting and supportive group setting encourages participants to openly share their feelings and experiences. Often this is one of the most beneficial and rewarding aspects of the course. However it is completely up to you, how much and what you are willing to share within the group. You are under no pressure to share anything you don't want to.

No. MBSR courses are designed to be secular i.e. non-religious. People who take the course come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.

Although not ideal, it is not a major problem to miss one session but this should not be the first one. To optimise your experience of the course, you should avoid missing anymore than two sessions during the eight weeks.

Entire sessions will not be recorded, however there may be times when participants permission will be sought to record segments of teaching as part of my ongoing training. This would be under the supervision of a BAMBA accredited mindfulness supervisor. In such instances, your permission will be sought prior to joining a course.

A cancellation must be requested at least 30 days before the first session of a course. We will refund the full fee minus any administrative charge resulting from your payment method (if applicable). Refunds will not be offered, and courses will not be transferred to other course dates less than 30 days prior to the first session, or once the course starts.

No, the course is unsuitable for anyone under the age of 18.

The course is not ideal if you are suffering from a current mental health problem i.e. severe depression, suicidal thoughts, severe anxiety, psychosis or untreated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you have suffered a very recent bereavement, current trauma or active substance abuse addiction, a mindfulness course may not be right for you at this time.

Apps and books are wonderful resources for mindfulness and meditation practices. However people often find that a structured 8 week course gives them something to commit to. Hearing the experiences of others in a group setting also offers the opportunity for rich learning and provides a sense of community, as opposed to practicing alone.