Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation 4-week Course — Toowoomba

An Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation 4-week course. Each class is one hour, once per week. This course is practical, non-religious and designed for beginners. The course includes

• 4 classes with an experienced mindfulness trainer
• 4-week subscription to the full version of the CALM app
• Downloadable guided mindfulness meditations for you to keep
• 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

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

The benefits of regular mindfulness are…

✔ Reduced stress and anxiety

✔ Improved sleeping patterns

✔ Less self-judgement and more self-acceptance

✔ Greater feelings of joy and freedom

✔ Improved mental health

✔ Effective ways to work with difficult thoughts and emotions

“Mindfulness helps you to keep your thoughts in the present moment. As you practice, you tend to get better at calming the mind and keeping things in perspective. ” — Dr Grant Blashki is a practising GP and Beyond Blue’s lead Clinical Advisor

✔ Full length 4-week course so you can practise and report back.

✔ No risk money-back guarantee; if you attend all the classes and don’t feel you have received any benefit get your money back.

✔ Includes 4-week subscription to the premium version of the CALM mindfulness and meditation app.

✔ Australia’s number one 'in-person' mindfulness course.

✔ Exclusive 45-page guidebook including weekly assignments, indepth articles and a reading list.

✔ Over 15 guided downloadable guided meditations for you to keep.

✔ No religion. No dogma. No funny positions. Practical and non-religious course.

✔ Designed for absolute beginners.

Week 1: What is Mindfulness?

• What mindfulness is
• The benefits of mindfulness and meditation
• Guided body scan mindfulness meditation.

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.

Week 3: Working with Emotions

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

Week 4: Radical Acceptance

• What it means to be present
• How "wanting things to be different" causes stress
• Developing wisdom and insight
• Authentic self-compassion
• Open awareness guided mindfulness meditation
• Next steps.

YOUR FACILITATOR IS MEL PRIDDIN

Mel has been working in the field of education and community welfare for over 25 years as a teacher, police officer and social worker. Currently based at the Toowoomba Hospital, Mel is now working as a Mental Health Clinician with Child Youth and Mental Health whilst completing her PhD focusing on neurobiology and teacher wellbeing.

Mel began her mindfulness practice 13 years ago as part of a university research project working with therapists in the child protection sector. The study introduced workers to mindfulness as a way to enhance overall wellbeing and cope with the enormous stressors and demands that arise when working with traumatised individuals and families. Since that time, Mel has undertaken further study in mindfulness completing a yearlong certification course with Mindful Schools and 200hr Yoga Teaching Training.

As well as maintaining her personal practice, Mel is passionate about holistic wellbeing and incorporates mindfulness into her work with both young people and adults. Mel also has a particular interest in trauma informed practices that allows for consideration and understanding around the ways that trauma can impact on one’s ability to safely explore and utilise mindfulness techniques.

Mel is married to a police officer, and mum to a teenager and 3 young adults. Working full time and studying with a busy family, Mel understands the need for peace and clarity in an often crazy and chaotic environment. Mindfulness definitely keeps her sane and she looks forward to sharing the ways that mindfulness can support your health and wellbeing in everyday life.

Mindfulness Works is the largest mindfulness training organisation in Australia. Over 10,000 people have completed the Mindfulness Works Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation 4-week 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.