The practice of mindfulness
As highly sensitive people, our experiences have often been seen as ‘too much’. We see ‘too much’, we feel ‘too much’. We struggle to process our emotions and often learn to suppress ourselves in order to keep the peace. This is toxic for our systems and can end up manifesting in chronic health issues.
Mindfulness is the practice of coming to listen to ourselves - heart, body and soul - with curiosity, acceptance and without judgement. It helps us realise the gifts in the depth of our perceptions. It is profoundly supportive and an incredible tool to have for the rest of your life.
There are 3 ways to access this teaching:
Tuesday lunch times
12-12.30 at the Wellness Centre on Fountain Street. £5 drop in. No need to to book.
Silent Sundays
Once a month I host a meditation retreat day 10am - 4pm during which I guide you through tai chi, yoga, mindfulness meditation practices, nature immersion and journaling practices. No phones are allowed. Participants are required to maintain silence for the duration of the day, enabling each person to really drop into a deeper stillness and connection with themselves.
£95 per person. Booking essential - click here for more information.
8 Week Mindfulness Course
The 8 week course helps you to develop more insight into your emotions and patterns of behaviour - as well as provides a stress relieving balm for the central nervous system.
We start each session with mindful movement and meditation - using gentle tai chi and yoga as a way of bringing the mind into the present moment. Creating this compassionate, non-judgemental atmosphere in a group setting is profoundly healing. It can teach us to accept and work with our emotional experiences and therefore connect with ourselves and each other in much deeper ways.
Each session is half practice and half discussion with different topics and exercises each week to take the the group on a journey into what it means to be human and to live in a more conscious, present way,
You will be given guided meditations and encouraged to practice at home as well as a coursepack for further reading.
“The course has been miraculous. Sam has lead the group with such warmth and wisdom. Mindfulness is certainly life changing, but in a gentle way.”
Overview of the Course
Week 1
The way our minds work, how we so often live on automatic pilot following the path laid out before us. Doing the same habitual actions and treading the same thought patterns. We explore how it feels to open to new ways of feeling, thinking, being.
Week 2
Our perceptions and how our thoughts, feelings, behaviours and attitudes are learned and within our power to change. This is the beginning of freedom.
Week 3
We explore how joyful being present in our bodies can be through an extended movement practice.
Week 4
We start to look at some of the more difficult aspects of our lives and how so often we numb, deny, push away our feelings and how this can wreak havoc as we are not being truthful either with ourselves or with those around us.
Week 5
We start to develop the clarity and strength to 'be' with difficulty. This is the beginning of self mastery.
Week 6
We look at relationships and how to communicate the truth of who we are to our nearest and dearest - saying no when we mean no and yes when we mean yes. We learn how to look at our family and friends without judgement. When we are able to do this, vast amounts of energy, empathy and intimacy are created.
Week 7
The importance of listening to yourself - the foundation of self care. We look at our habits, what we take into our minds through behaviours, media, exercise and whether they are helping or hindering us.
Week 8
Review of the learning of the course and how to stay mindful going forwards.
“Thank you so much for providing a space to just ‘be’. I’ve learnt so much about myself during this 8-week period which has made a huge difference and given me a sense of freedom. I am much more mindful in daily life and have found a deeper connection with myself. The course was deeper than anticipated - quite euphoric.”
“Sam has been an amazing teacher. I always feel so peaceful after the sessions. She is approachable and knowledgeable and conveys herself so clearly at a level that is easy to understand, putting everyone at ease. The course has helped me to come to my breath and use meditation to calm me down. I am much more aware of my body sensations and how I am feeling, which has really helped me gain control of myself and situations as they are, knowing they will pass. I have found Sam inspiring both as a facilitator and as a person.”