[fusion_accordion] [fusion_toggle title=”What is Mindfulness?”] Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way – on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.  Another way of saying it is that mindfulness is moment to moment non-judgmental awareness.

It is easy to spend much of our time caught up in thoughts about the past or the future and not be very aware of what is happening in the present moment, to be on a kind of automatic pilot.  Mindfulness is a way of stepping out of this automatic pilot and coming back to the present moment.

People find that when they train their mind to be more present in this way they start to gain a greater understanding of themselves and experience less stress and greater well-being.[/fusion_toggle] [fusion_toggle title=”What are the benefits of Mindfulness?”] Thousands of studies have been conducted on the benefits of mindfulness.  Studies show that mindfulness

• Reduces stress and afflictive emotions
• Enhances well-being
• Increases concentration and the ability to focus
• Can improve sleep
• Can improve your relationships (as we feel less stress and are more present, this can positively affect our interactions with others)
• Increases creativity

And since the present moment is the only moment in which life is available to us, practicing mindfulness helps us live our lives more fully.[/fusion_toggle] [fusion_toggle title=”What does a Mindfulness Course consist of?”] Mindfulness is typically taught as an 8-week course.  The 8 week course consists of:

• A class once a week for 8 weeks.  Each class is  2.5 hours
• Between classes 6 and 7, on the weekend, there is a session of 6 to 8 hours – the “day of mindfulness”, held in a room out in nature.  This longer session is a great opportunity for participants to deepen their mindfulness practice.
• Participants receive audios of guided mindfulness meditations that they can use at home.
• A course handbook

Since everyone on the course is starting together on the same day, it is generally a very supportive environment for people wishing to start their own mindfulness practice.[/fusion_toggle] [fusion_toggle title=”When is your next mindfulness course?”] Our next 8 week mindfulness courses start on May 9th 2017.  You can find details on our Mindfulness Courses in English page and our Mindfulness Courses in Spanish page. To be notified when registration opens and to learn about upcoming mindfulness courses, retreats and events, join our email list by entering your email in the blue box on this page.[/fusion_toggle] [fusion_toggle title=”How can I register for a Mindfulness Course?”] Registration for our next mindfulness courses opens April 25th 2017 at 12pm.  Places are limited and it is possible that classes could fill up quickly.  To be notified when registration opens, join our email list by entering your email in the blue sign up box on this page.[/fusion_toggle] [fusion_toggle title=”Where are your mindfulness courses?”] You can find out the location of our courses on the page for each course.  For example, see here for our Mindfulness Courses in English.[/fusion_toggle] [/fusion_accordion]