Mindfulness Based Cognitve Therapy (MBCT) Class Facilitated by The Insight Network Practitioners
Every Monday evening at Keats House from 7:00PM-9:00PM
Please contact us for more details.
Would you like to…
…respond more effectively to complex or difficult situations?
…see situations more clearly?
…achieve better balance and resilience at home and at work?
…become more creative?
These skills and more are possible with the ongoing practice of Mindfulness.
What is Mindfulness?
“Mindfulness is the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, with compassion, and open-hearted curiosity. Through cultivating mindful awareness, we discover how to live in the present moment rather than brooding about the past or worrying about the future.” Oxford Mindfulness Centre
Meditation is not about clearing the mind, but rather coming to see the mind’s patterns. Daily meditation practice allows people to see the way in which certain patterns of mind lead to escalation of emotions, despite our best efforts to control them. It also allows us to see more clearly what sorts of actions lead to more wholesome outcomes in everyday life.
It is a life skill that is of potential value to everyone.
The MBCT Programme
MBCT is particularly effective for people who experiece repeated bouts of depression. It was developed by Zindel Segal, Mark Williams and John Teasdale and was based on Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme.
The course takes the form of 8 weekly classes. A set of Guided Meditations accompany the programme, so that participants can practise at home once a day, six days a week, throughout the course.
What are the Benefits of Mindfulness?
Improves Well-Being
Developing Mindfulness techniques support many styles of thinking that lead to getting more out of life. It becomes a natural habit to savour life’s pleasures as they occur. It helps you become more fully engaged in activities. It helps create a greater capacity to deal with difficult events.
Improves Physical Health
There are many established health benefits to practicing mindfulness including:
- Relieving stress
- Lowering blood pressure
- Reducing chronic pain
- Improving sleep
- Alleviating gastrointestinal difficulties
Improves Mental Well-Being
As well as better general well-being, mindfulness has proved effective in the treatment of various mental health issues, such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Substance Abuse
- Eating Disorders
- Couples’ Conflicts
What does Mindfulness do to the brain?
Research has demonstrated that after a period of practicing mindfulness there are changes in the areas of the brain associated with decision-making, attention and empathy. Research has also demonstrated that it increases blood flow to the areas of the brain linked to managing emotion. It also improves job performance, productivity and satisfaction.
Testimonials
“Potentially transforming. It is a great ground on which to build. Hagen has a very empathetic ‘allowing’ style entirely consistent with the scope and purpose of the course” – John, October 2015
“This has been instrumental in relapse prevention following the battle of depression of two years” – Judith, April 2015
“Helped to cement techniques and ways of being that had been more elusive before; in part because of the commitment to returning each week. This has been a useful step in my ongoing journey. Thank you.” – Duncan, December 2015
“Meeting others going through the same experiences was very therapeutic. Hagen was very gentle and a deep thinker.” – Ian, January 2015
“The experience has been one of self-learning and appreciating the different ways in which I can direct my thoughts and reactions. I recognise this as an ongoing life skill.” – Lorraine, April 2015
“There was a part of me that was a bit sceptical in the beginning of the course but the more I practiced, and also seeing my fellow course attendees views and improvements made me realise that this is something worth practicing for life in the search of happiness and peace.” – Neelam, January 2015
“In just 8 weeks, I have seen an improment in my approach, particularly in personal circumstances at work. The course was nicely balanced and the sesions were well-planned.” – John, April 2015
“This course has made me very aware of how busy life is and how hard it can be to stop and on the now. Shifting focus from ‘doing’ to ‘being’ has many benefits.” – Alan, December 2015
“Excellent. The sesions always left me feeling uplifted. Hagen was calming, non-judgmental, dedicated and followed up with good notes. Supportive and Understanding.” – Neeraj, July 2015
Mindfulness
