Mindfulnessuk Teacher Training

MindfulnessUK is pleased to invite those who have experience of or are supporting loved ones through cancer to a four-week mindfulness and compassion course in Taunton, UK.

The course, developed by Karen and recognised by the European and British Association of Mindfulness Based Approaches (BAMBA & EAMBA), teaches evidence-based practices, skills, and techniques to develop emotional resilience and enhance wellbeing during the emotionally challenging times that cancer brings. 💚

For more information and to book, contact [email protected]

Is employee mental health and wellbeing actively supported in your organization or an organization you know?

Follow this link to find out more: https://lnkd.in/eAY6fbTS

***SPECIAL OFFER***
£250 off our next accredited online JOY Coach training in June.

Using positive psychology skills, tools and practices, we train those who have a responsibility for the mental health and wellbeing of employees to become an accredited JOY Coach (14 CPD points with the ) to teach and support others.

What our JOY Coaches say:

"I have the confidence and motivation to increase resilience and self-care for those I work with." Recovery College, JOY Coach

" I can now spread and scale to my organization, team by team." NHS, JOY Coach

The dates for our next online training:
Session One: Tuesday 4th June 9.30am-1.30pm
Session Two: Tuesday 11th June 9.30am-1.30pm and
Session Three: 18th June from 9.30am-1.30pm.

Special Offer: £250 off this training if booked before 17th May.

If you’d like to find out more, please either:

1) Check out our webpage for more information, https://mindfulnessuk.com/workplace-mindfulness/
2) Book a chat with me, Karen via [email protected]
3) Give us a call on 01823 697890 and we can talk you through the details.

Looking forward to training you to become a coach and ripple these tools far and wide.

Warmest wishes, Karen Atkinson (she/her), CEO MindfulnessUK
Honorary Lecturer Queen's University Belfast

Workplace Mindfulness - Mindfulness UK To support you and your employees our experienced team at MindfulnessUK have developed The JOY Programme. This 'train-the-trainer' programme will teach a group of employees how to lead mindfulness skills in the workplace, improving the psycho-social working environment and health and well-being of y...

Thrilled to have been quoted in The Guardian today. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/apr/09/the-vorfreude-secret-30-zero-effort-ways-to-fill-your-life-with-joy Resonates with our workplace wellbeing Just One You (JOY) programme. Karen

The vorfreude secret: 30 zero-effort ways to fill your life with joy How can you change your life for the better today? Learn not just to appreciate happiness – but to anticipate it

Fab post, love it.

We can never truly know what it’s like to walk in each other’s shoes, but we can listen and show empathy.

MindfulnessUK is celebrating its 14th Anniversary. Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years from our infancy to a fully grown international teacher training organisation. Karen xx

We love hearing about and celebrating news from our Graduates 🤩🍾🙌

Kalm Horizons was recently recognised at the Adur and Worthing Rusiness Awards, receiving the Highly Commended Award for Best New Business Start-up.

Mark says, “In amongst some very large and corporate businesses it was so great to see mindfulness and wellbeing recognised.”

Here’s some lovely pics of the award ceremony, looks like a fabulous evening 💕

Well done and congratulations from us all at MindfulnessUK 🎉

Christmas Party - tomorrow (wed 13th ) at 11.30am - Invite

The festive season is upon us and we would love to join together as a Community on 13th December (11.30-12.30pm) for our annual festive party.

You are welcome to join for the whole party or drop in when you can, we are always delighted to see your lovely faces. A wonderful opportunity to connect and have fun playing online festive games!

Grab something to drink / eat/ wear or simply just bring yourself along , be lovely to see you 💕

Zoom link was in the latest newsletter , on the community portal or email in [email protected] to request it.

hope to see you there.
💕

2023 Christmas Party - Invite

The festive season is upon us and we would love to join together as a Community on 13th December (11.30-12.30pm) for our annual festive party.

You are welcome to join for the whole party or drop in when you can, we are always delighted to see our lovely faces.

Email [email protected] and we will send you the link to join.

We hope to see you there. 🎄

If you'd like an add-on train-the-trainer programme to support the wellbeing of employees, please join us at this webinar next Tuesday at 11am. Learn how to become an accredited JOY Advocate. Suitable for team leaders, managers, mental health first aiders, HR and anyone else who has a responsibility for the wellbeing of others at work. Here's the link to sign up: https://mindfulnessuk39382.activehosted.com/f/58 We really look forward to seeing you then. Karen

Build Happier Teams - The Joy Programme | LinkedIn Unlocking Workplace Potential by Supporting Mental & Emotional Well-Being. Low morale, the impact of post-pandemic stress disorder and secondary trauma from challenging jobs can all lead to an increase in employee absence or low employee retention. To support you and your employees, our experienced....

We’re delighted to share that MindfulnessUK’s CEO Karen Atkinson has been awarded the title of 👏 Honorary Lecturer 👏 at Queen's University Belfast for her ongoing contributions to research.

The recognition comes in response to her research with the university and Kidney Care UK into how MindfulnessUK’s Compassionate Mindful Resilience course can improve quality of life for people living with kidney disease.

Congratulations Karen 🙌

We love Sharpham Trust and Frances Tophill. Looking forward to watching. Karen x

We're on national telly (again)!

Our gardener Frances Tophill is hosting BBC Gardeners' World, 8pm on Friday 13th October and our Walled Garden will feature!

Links to seeing us on BBC iPlayer in the comments!

Beautiful words - a wonderful teacher 💕

Today is the birthdate of our beloved teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. On his continuation day we wish to express a deep heartfelt gratitude for sharing his teachings with us. May we all continue Thay and walk on the path of mindfulness, peace, love and compassion in our hearts 🙏🤎
Below is an excerpt of the poem 'A Teacher Looking For His Disciple', composed by Thich Nhat Hanh:

I have been looking for you, my child,
Since the time when rivers and mountains still lay in obscurity.
I was looking for you
When you were still in a deep sleep
Although the conch had many times echoed in the ten directions.
Without leaving our ancient mountain, I looked at distant lands
And recognized your footprints on so many different paths.

Where are you going, my child?
There have been times when the mist has come and enveloped the remote village,
But you are still wandering in faraway lands.
I have called your name with each breath,
Confident that even though you have lost your way over there,
You will finally find a way back to me.
Sometimes I manifest myself right on the path you are treading But you still look at me as if I were a stranger.
You cannot see the connection between us in our former lives,
You cannot remember the old vow you made.
You have not recognized me
Because your mind is caught up in images concerning a distant future.

In former lifetimes, you have often taken my hand and we have enjoyed walking together. (...)
You have picked up and given to me the first red autumn leaf
And I have taken you through forests deep in snow.
But wherever we go, we always return to our ancient mountain
To be near to the moon and stars
To invite the big bell every morning to sound,
And help living beings to wake up. (…)

But still there have been times when the seeds of a vagabond in you have come back to life.
You have left your teacher, your brothers and sisters.
Alone you go...
I look at you with compassion,
Although I know that this is not a true separation
(Because I am already in each cell of your body)

And that you may need once more to play the prodigal son.
That is why I promise I shall be there for you
Anytime you are in danger.
Sometimes you have lain unconscious on the hot sands of frontier deserts.
I have manifested myself as a cloud to bring you cool shade. (…)
Sometimes you sit in a deep abyss of darkness
Completely alienated from your true home.
I have manifested myself as a long ladder and lightly thrown myself down
So that you can climb up to the area where there is light
To discover again the blue of the sky and the sounds of the brook and the birds (…)

Where are you now?
The ancient mountain is still there
In this place of the present moment,
Although the white-crested wave still wants to go in the other direction.
Look again, you will see me in you and in every leaf and flower bud.
If you call my name, you will see me right away.

Where are you going?
The oldfrangipani tree offers its fragrant flowers this morning.
You and I have never really been apart.
Spring has come.
The pines have put out new shining green needles
And on the edge of the forest, the wild plum trees have burst into flower.

~ an excerpt of the poem A Teacher Looking For His Disciple, composed by Thich Nhat Hanh. You can find full version of the poem here: https://www.parallax.org/mindfulnessbell/article/poem-a-teacher-looking-for-his-disciple or access our today's morning meditation video and listen to the poem read by Teri.

We believe EVERY day is World Mental Health Day.

Sharing this beautiful image by as a reminder to take one day at a time.

Thinking About and Acting on Climate Change?

This evening,10th October, we are hosting our next Community masterclass, and are excited that Nicky Saunter from the New Weather Institute will be joining us to talk about the role of hope, imagination and story in facing climate change.
Climate change is a vast issue that can seem overwhelming and too large to approach with any purpose or clarity. Layer upon layer of bad news is made worse by the feeling that the pace of change is speeding up, which can engender feelings of panic and hopelessness. It can also be said that climate change is part of a “poly-crisis” - a perfect storm of catastrophic issues, from social division and isolation to pandemics and ecological breakdown.
Faced with this, how do we single humans continue to work, cooperate, create, and heal successfully? Humans are excellent at cooperating and skilful at creative thinking. We are also capable of fast, practical action. So how do we convince ourselves that a new future for people is possible on this beautiful planet and how might we build it together?
Nicky Saunter is from the New Weather Institute, a think tank on creative ways to a sustainable future and will lead an informative discussion on what we can do.
Date: 10th October 2023, 7pm - 8.15pm
Audience: Full Community Members
Sign up here using this link to secure your spot:
https://mindfulnessuk39382.activehosted.com/f/54
We hope to see you there 🙏

MINDFULNESSUK39382 Email Marketing - This event is open to MUK Community Full members. Please complete your details below to confirm you are attending. You will then be forwarded a Zoom link for the event, thank you.

It’s been wonderful to share such nourishing, insightful sessions with our MBSRTT students at Yogasara CIC in Bristol.

Thank you all for bringing your whole, beautiful selves to this teacher training 💙

Looking forward to seeing where your mindfulness careers take you!

Delighted to share that MindfulnessUK CEO Karen Atkinson is featured on Dawn Lister Therapy Centre’s fantastic podcast this week!

Together they explore the relationship between mindfulness and compassion, and discuss adapting to challenging times in a world that thrives on separation and isolation.

Will you be tuning in? Let us know what you think!

Karen and Angie had a wonderful time running a resilience training weekend for the team at UNISON. Thanks so much to everyone who attended and to Dartington Hall for hosting us!

🧘🧠💪

Does your workplace offer mindfulness training as part of their wellbeing programme? Would you like it to?

Will you be joining us for our next online retreat day? It's happening at the end of September and tickets are going fast! 💗

The day will be facilitated by Karen Atkinson and co-hosted by two MindfulnessUK graduates, Helen Potts and Gary Reynolds.

Find out everything you need to know and sign up here: https://bit.ly/44RQmnw

Since it's , we figured it was the perfect time to talk about mindful movement! Here are just a few of its benefits:

🧠 Stress Reduction
🧘 Improved Flexibility
📈 Enhanced Body Awareness
🚶‍♂️Better Posture and Alignment
✨ Increased Mind-Body Connection

So what are you going to do today to move more?

P.S. Our online Mindful Yoga course with Karen starts next week! Could be a great way to get back into moving mindfully and with intention 🙏 Details here: https://bit.ly/44NpCV

Really great up see Mark Smith, MindfulnessUK Integrating Mindfulness and Compassion (IMC) qualification graduate in this article 😊🤩

‘The sea’s a magnetic force’: three former city-dwellers on the lure of coastal living

Free online Mindfulness and Compassion lunchtime meditation sessions begin again this and every Wednesday from 1-1.45pm. They are suitable for everyone, whether completely new or if you have an established practice. Here's the link if you'd like to join us, we'd love to see you there: https://mindfulnessuk.com/weekly/ Karen x

Have just watched this fabulous film about climate change. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2040_(film)
It's full of hope and inspiration. The most important thing we can do to slow it down and make a difference is educating girls and young women. Makes complete sense and I support this wholeheartedly. Karen

2040 (film) - Wikipedia 2040 is a 2019 Australian documentary film directed by and starring Damon Gameau. The film looks at the effects of climate change over the next 20 years and what technologies that exist today can reverse the effects.

Mindful Yoga is BACK! Join us on Zoom every Tuesday from 9:30am to 10:45am (starting 12th Sept) to unwind your mind, invigorate your body, and nurture your soul in the comfort of your own space. 🪴🧘

Can't make it at that exact time? No worries! With the added convenience of recorded sessions, you can engage with the practice whenever suits you best. PLUS, these are available for unlimited viewing, so you can revisit and refine your practice as often as you wish.

Find out more and sign up here: bit.ly/45xJOeC

Certified teachers, is it time to start thinking about that next step?

We hear from so many of you that you're not sure the supervision training is meant for you, but are you underestimating yourself?

Here's your nudge to give yourself a long hard look and maybe you'll see that this is ✨exactly✨ the right thing for you.

Find out more here: bit.ly/3Qtb09S

If you're a UNISON member please join us in September. Love Dartington Hall. Karen🧡

2 SPACES LEFT!!

Learn to build resilience and gain skills for mindfulness. An amazing programme of 6 modules to gain skills and practices.

Taking part of Dartington Hall this residential is open for last minute bookings!

Join us on the evening of 15th from 5pm until 17th September. Meals , accommodation and expenses covered.

email: [email protected]

https://southwest.unison.org.uk/events/resiliencebuilding2023/

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UNISON South West Education and Equalities
UNISON South West
Mindfulnessuk Teacher Training

Priority booking for members who have not attended a UNISON learning offer before!!

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What does self care look like for you this week? For Karen's cat, Cherry, it looks like this 👇 but for you it might be journaling, spending mindful time with the people you love, or saying no to taking on too much.

Whatever it looks like, let's make a commitment to make ourselves a priority this week.

😺 😺

Your growth doesn't look the same as my growth. Or your sister's growth. Or your boss' growth🌿

Let's all keep growing in our own way.

Graphic reposted from the fabulous 🙌

Travelling this summer and want to more 📈MINDFUL and less 📉STRESSFUL?

Here are our top tips:

1: Pack mindfully

If you can, give yourself a decent amount of time to pack so you can do it slowly and mindfully.

Take a moment to mindfully select the items you need, and as you pack each item, reflect on its purpose and value to your journey.

2: Embrace the journey

Rather than solely focusing on reaching your destination, practise being present throughout the entire travel experience. Embrace the journey itself, whether it's by plane, train, or car, and appreciate the opportunity to observe new landscapes or interact with fellow travellers.

3: Drop the digital

We're not suggesting you remove your phone completely (although you can if you want to!) but it's worth setting boundaries for yourself and limiting the time you spend on digital devices.

4: Lean into the good and the bad

Holidays don't always go smoothly. Instead of getting frustrated or impatient during delays or unexpected situations, try to shift your focus to mindful observation.

Take delays as an opportunity to practise mindfulness and compassion by observing your surroundings without judgment. Notice the people, the architecture, and other small details you might have otherwise missed.

5. Practise mindful self-care

Travelling can disrupt our usual routines, leading to over-tiredness or neglecting our usual self-care.

Tune into your body regularly to ensure you are getting sufficient rest, eating nourishing foods and staying hydrated.

Mindfulness practices like 5 minute body scans can be great for understanding your needs, wherever you are.

Got other tips, or use some of these yourself? Let us know in the comments 👇

Who's going to be joining us for our next retreat? Kindly co-hosted by Helen Potts and Gary Reynolds 🙌

Find out all the info and secure your spot here: bit.ly/3OfjWyj