An Introduction for Women

In the final years of the last century exciting discoveries were made in neuroscience that brought together the fields of Western Science and Eastern meditational philosophies. It was found that the practice of meditation and mindfulness created changes in the brain which could exert a powerful influence on health, wellbeing and happiness.

This weekend is intended to introduce meditation and mindfulness to those who are interested in learning more as well as those who have some experience.

The weekend will include sitting, walking and mindful movement. The meditations will last no longer than 30 minutes and there will be plenty of breaks. We will also be cultivating awareness of body and mind and there will be simple circle dancing, guided visualisation and the chance to be creative.

The Grange offers us exclusive use of a beautiful country house and grounds which is perfect for maintaining focus and peace.

Why learn mindfulness? Mindfulness is a form of mind-body meditation, which, if practised correctly, can have very positive effects on your life. It can help you to change the way you think and feel. By gaining greater awareness of your thoughts and feelings, you can learn to manage them more effectively and in so doing better manage your life and your health. Mindfulness can be a great help for reducing stress and anxiety, and for boosting energy levels and positive thought patterns. As the founder of Mindfulness Meditation Jon Kabat-Zinn explained, we are living in a digital age in a multi-dimensional universe but with stone-age minds that are not in touch with the many dimensions of who we are. ‘We are playing Beethoven without tuning first.’ This course provides an opportunity to start tuning the most profoundly important aspect of you – your brain – and to begin to take it beyond thinking towards awareness.

There are two weekends scheduled for 2015. Both are introductory but the second one is designed more for older women – in the second half of their lives.