AN INTRODUCTION TO MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION – 4 WEEK COURSE – BRISBANE

AUSTRALIA’S NUMBER ONE MINDFULNESS COURSE

$125 for a full 4 week introduction to mindfulness course in Brisbane. Includes 4 classes with an experienced mindfulness trainer, 4 week subscription to the full version of the CALM app, downloadable guided mindfulness meditations and a 45-page guidebook.

“Using mindfulness to help me better manage unrelenting anxiety, obsessive worrying & sadness. I have found that using the apps is helpful when having a stressful day, & I intend to keep practicing daily. Thank you.” – Cecily Wilson

BOOK A COURSE NOW | ALL COURSES ARE $125

“Thank goodness I came across Mindfulness Works. I have learnt so much in a year and have the happiest, authentic and content that I have ever been. By learning acceptance without judgement as been an eye opener for me. I’m continuing my journey of self compassion and feel excited and hopeful for my future. But am grateful of the now and who I am today…” – Rebecca Young

Mindfulness means “paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally.” – Jon Kabat Zinn (Professor of Medicine Emeritus Stress Reduction Clinic and the Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine).

Modern research on mindfulness and meditation shows that with regular practice and over time mindfulness and meditation practice can reduce stress and anxiety.

THE BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS

Many people who practice mindfulness regularly, over time find that they:

• Experience less stress, anxiety and worry

• Improve sleeping patterns

• Feel more self-acceptance and self-love

• Reduce reactivity and increase emotional intelligence

• Experience more joy

FREE 4 WEEK SUBSCRIPTION TO THE CALM APP INCLUDED

Every participant on the Mindfulness Works Introduction to Mindfulness 4 Week Course from receives a free 4 week gift subscription to the award-winning Calm mindfulness and meditation app (premium version). This app was the Apple app of the year for 2017.

“Since doing this course, I have been sleeping much better, I feel much more in control of my emotions, I have enjoyed ‘noticing’ my own state, but also it has transferred to everything around. This means I am re-enjoying many things that I had been taking for granted.” — Sandy Good

“Neuroscientists have found that meditators shift their brain activity to different areas of the cortex…This mental shift decreases the negative effects of stress, mild depression and anxiety. …The researchers found that the meditators showed a pronounced shift in activity to the left frontal lobe. In other words, they were calmer and happier than before.” – Psychology Today

NO RELIGION. NO DOGMA. NO FUNNY POSITIONS

COURSE CONTENTS

This particular course emphasises your own natural wisdom, your own innate OKness, right here and now. It is presented in a practical, non-religious way.

Week 1: What is Mindfulness?

• What mindfulness is
• The benefits of mindfulness and meditation
• How to get the most from the course
• Guided body scan mindfulness meditation
• Questions and answers / discussion.

Week 2: Working with the Mind

• Why thinking can be problematical
• Practical ways to work with difficult thoughts
• Self-judgement and how to intervene
• Guided mindfulness meditation – counting the breath
• Questions and answers / discussion.

Week 3: Working with Emotions

• What are emotions?
• Learning to feel emotions
• The RAIN method
• Non-judgement and acceptance
• Guided mindfulness meditation on feelings
• Questions and answers / discussion.

Week 4: Radical Acceptance

• What it means to be present
• How wanting causes stress
• Developing wisdom and insight
• Authentic self-compassion
• Open awareness guided mindfulness meditation
• Questions and answers / discussion
• Next steps.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE COURSE

“Am so glad I did the course and would recommend it to everyone. ” – Rosie Smith

“Huge reduction in anxiety, calmness of mind and body and empowerment over my symptoms.” – Jo Kirwan

“I feel calmer. I am able to use techniques when my triggers go off. Using the meditation at night has allowed me to get a better nights sleep” – Sue Mathew

“Using mindfulness to help me better manage unrelenting anxiety, obsessive worrying & sadness. I have found that using the apps is helpful when having a stressful day, & I intend to keep practicing daily. Thank you.” – Cecily Wilson

“Mindfulness is now my go-to tool when I’m overwhelmed or need to re focus” – Biljana Rufati

“The facilitator was exceptionally good. Really highly skilled.” – Victoria Barkway

“The facilitator took her time to explain things, asked questions, and was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.” – Janine Taylor

“The facilitator was interesting, captivating, funny, down-to-earth, compassionate and extremely good at what she does.” – Rosie Smith

“The facilitator presented well and had a very calming demeanour. I looked forward to the class every week” – Paulette Fraser

“[The course] covered all key areas of peoples’ basic issues and addressed them well. I also like the apps you recommend and all the extra info in the booklet!” – Biljana Rufati

BOOK A COURSE NOW

Refund and Transfer Policy

• Full refunds are available up to one week before a course starts.
• Free transfers to other courses are available up to one week before a course starts.
• Once a course has started, full refunds are only available if you attend every class of the course and feel you have not got value. In this case you are entitled to and will be given a full refund.
• Refunds are not given if you do not attend every class of the course and if you simply ‘do not like’ the course or decide it ‘is not for you’.
• For more details about our refund and transfer policy, please read our FAQ.

How long is each weekly class and what happens?

Each class is one hour long. There will be a guided meditation for a period. This will include meditation instruction. After the meditation and instruction, there will be a talk or discussion. This includes a question and answer time.

Who is it suitable for?

This course is suitable for any of the following:

• 18-year-olds and over
• Beginners
• People who have never meditated or practised mindfulness before
• People who have just started meditating or practising mindfulness.

ABOUT MINDFULNESS WORKS

Mindfulness Works is the largest mindfulness training organisations in Australia. Every month over 600 people attend the Mindfulness Works Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation course.

Mindfulness Works is committed to:

• Providing accessible and affordable mindfulness courses
• Offering a diverse range of experienced and skilled mindfulness trainers
• Providing courses in a practical format with exceptional supporting resources
• Improving the mental health of all of us and fostering self-love in all
• Supporting our facilitators with options for further professional development

MEET YOUR TRAINERS

The approach of all Mindfulness Works teachers is straightforward, practical and heartfelt and directed towards you discovering your own innate wisdom and authentic experience.

Jonathan Wood

Jonathan is an experienced facilitator who has been practising insight meditation and mindfulness for over 15 years. He trained as a clinical psychologist (focusing on cognitive behavioural therapy) but his mindfulness teaching and practice also draws on secular Buddhist teachings about the nature of the mind and human experience – which is where the Western mindfulness movement began. 

Leaving aside mystical notions such as rebirth, the secular interpretation of this ancient tradition offers down-to-earth guidance about the art of living.  It provides a practical and philosophical context that can deepen mindfulness practice and help establish a pathway towards reduced stress, greater contentment and more genuine relationships with ourselves and others.

Over the past decade he has facilitated meditation and mindfulness classes in Australia and New Zealand.

Jonathan lives with his wife and children in Brisbane where he works for Queensland Health. He offers individual and group mindfulness teaching at introductory and more advanced levels.

Kate Hubert

Kate has been practising meditation for more than 25 years. Over this time, Kate has attended many meditation workshops and classes in a variety of meditation traditions and styles.

Since completing her International Yoga Teachers Association (I.Y.T.A) Diploma in 2005, she has taught a number of yoga and meditation classes. Kate holds a Mindfulness Diploma from The Centre of Excellence, is a member of the International Alliance of Holistic Therapists and has completed Reiki Level 1 training.

Being passionate about the benefits that Mindfulness brings to body, mind and life in general, Kate loves teaching people how to slow down, smell the roses and apply mindfulness practices to everything that they think, say and do.

Kate lives in Brisbane with her husband, their three teenage sons, dog Spike and incorrigible cat Miss Kitty. Kate’s interests include photography, sewing and reading, her favorite colour is green and she has never seen snow.

Jon Unal

Jon is a registered counsellor and the founder of Conscious Beginnings – Mindfulness & Psychotherapy (www.consciousbeginnings.com.au). He works with clients struggling with stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, mental illness and self-esteem issues.

As part of his training, Jon participated in a two-year group therapy that provided incredible opportunities to discover and heal deep traumas and unconscious reaction patterns. Upon graduation, he continued the self-exploration and healing through individual therapy (Gestalt and ACT) for another two years. He believes it is of utmost importance to discover, heal and understand himself before being able to help others.

He has been practising meditation and mindfulness for over 10 years and it became an essential part of his daily life. Mindfulness helps him to live in the moment and be fully present with people he works with.

His passion for consciousness took him to shamanic retreats in the jungles of Amazon, deep experiences through breathwork, and many silent meditation retreats.

He currently lives in Brisbane and runs group and corporate mindfulness workshops in addition to his private practice.

Debbie Lacey

Debbie is an Occupational Therapist with 20 years experience working in mental health and cancer care. She has expertise in the areas of stress and anxiety management with a particular interest in mindfulness and has been trained in mindfulness based cognitive therapy and ACT. Debbie believes strongly in empowering people to get in touch with their own inner strengths.

Debbie has been practising meditation for almost 20 years with a focus on mindfulness for the last five years. She is passionate about mindfulness as she has seen how it has changed the lives of people she works with as well as her own. In particular, Debbie has witnessed how people experience more joy in their lives and develop a more resilient approach to difficulties. She attends regular mindful retreats and has her own mindfulness teacher.

Debbie lives in Brisbane with her adult daughter (in-training!) and extremely spoiled and delightful cat, Truffles. What Debbie enjoys most about life is walking by the beach, expressive dance and yoga.

Lyndi Smith

Lyndi is a Brisbane-based mindfulness trainer with Mindfulness Works Australia and international charity Mind With Heart and is a qualified mindfulness meditation teacher (BSY). She has trained in both secular and traditional mindfulness.

She started practising near burnout ten years ago and has racked up over 3,000 hours of mindfulness practice since then. Lyndi now enjoys a happier, more balanced quality of life.

She has led over thirty mindfulness-and-compassion-based programmes in the last five years.

Lyndi has designed and implemented mindfulness-and-compassion-based wellbeing programmes for the Queensland Dept. of Education and Training, Excite Media and Teachers Health Fund.

She loves nature, especially the ocean… the sound of waves crashing… the salty breeze… relaxing onto warm sand… She also enjoys a good laugh and notes that a sense of humour can sometimes offer a new perspective when she gets stuck.

Learning mindfulness is an opportunity for us to find moments of calm and insight – even at the desk!

Testimonials:
“Now I sleep much better at night and I’m less distracted and irritable during the day.” — Jason
“I really felt the benefit with my daughter. She said, ‘Mummy, when you’re calm, I’m calm.’ ” — Jill

Lyndi offers free consultations, taster sessions and tailor-made mindfulness programmes for the workplace. She looks forward to exploring how mindfulness works, for you.

For more information or to read what people say about Lyndi’s work, visit lyndismith.com.

Sophie Jayamaha

Sophie is a dedicated Mindfulness practitioner and a facilitator. With her firsthand experience in applying mindfulness to her own life situations, her passion is to empower people to live fulfilled lives.

She is also a medical doctor and combines her medical knowledge and mindfulness skills in her teaching of how to apply mindfulness to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing and quality of life.

Sophie sees a huge need in educating mindfulness to improve people’s quality of life in all aspects. She has observed that medical treatment alone is not very effective in treating chronic pain, anxiety, depression and chronic diseases which she believes are caused by a person’s own lifestyle, attitude, beliefs and mindset; that these chronic diseases will not go away until we treat the underlying causes rooted in our minds.

In her experience seeing thousands of patients, Sophie has observed that lack of resilience in coping with life’s stresses leads to anxiety and depression as well as diseases in the body. Unmanaged stress also forces people to adopt unhealthy lifestyles causing weight gain and other chronic diseases. Inadequate recovery from stress causes biochemical and physiological changes in the body collectively known as stress response.

As an anaesthesiologist, Sophie is familiar with the body’s response to stress, and she explains the scientific basis of the body becoming diseased when the mind is stressed. We do not pay attention to early warning signals that appear as discomforts in the mind and the body or even weight gain until a life-threatening disease such as cancer, diabetes, heart attack or stroke cripples us. Early warning signals are often suppressed by drugs and alcohol, as well as by the many distractions of busy lifestyles. She teaches mindfulness practices to enhance mind and body awareness and to reduce stress response in the body before a person becomes a victim of chronic illness. She can assess a person’s stress and recovery levels during a mindfulness course using a heartbeat monitor.

Her mission is to empower people with mindfulness skills to self-manage their own health to recover and reverse chronic diseases and live a better quality of life with fulfilment. 

Jamie Brown – Brisbane

Jamie is an accredited Mindfulness Educator, Positive Psychology Practitioner, 121 Strengths Coach and Workplace Trainer. She has worked within the corporate sector in a variety of roles, most recently as a trainer/facilitator since 2013.

Jamie’s focus is on helping individuals, teams and organisations discover and lead their most happiest, meaningful and authentic lives. She became the 47th person in the world to complete the world’s only government accredited Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing and has also studied happiness and wellbeing courses at Yale University and The University of California.

Jamie is passionate about educating others to become the best version of themselves possible and to overcome any emotional and/or mental health challenges that may be negatively impacting both the home and workplace.

She has a variety of both online and face-to-face services for workplaces and individuals available at www.strategiceq.com