Learn and apply new concepts and practices, to support you in managing pain, illness and/or stress.
Read below to learn more about the 'Mindfulness for Stress' and 'Mindfulness for Health' 8 week courses that are available.
Vidyamala Burch, on 'What is Mindfulness'
Created through the lived experience of pain, illness and stress of the founder Vidyamala Burch, the format is a development of the MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) programmes, designed to specifically support the needs of those living with chronic illness, pain and/or stress. The programmes are evidence and practice-based, and embedded in strong values of kindness and compassion.
The approach uses concepts and practices of mindfulness that help us to build awareness, compassion and to feel more able to respond rather than react to our experiences. It isn't about changing our health or our circumstances (both of which are usually out of our control) but instead about supporting us to find choice. As Jon Kabat-Zinn says: "You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."
I first encountered Breathworks in 2018, at a time when I was experiencing high levels of anxiety. I undertook the Mindfulness for Stress course, as my colleague was training with Breathworks and happened to invite myself and other staff to join. I loved the approach and practices and found it very helpful personally, as well as then becoming interested in a professional capacity and applying the concepts in my work in communities.
Four years later, I returned to Breathworks to do the Mindfulness for Health course, as I had developed multiple chronic illnesses and health issues due to Long Covid. Again I found the course immensely supportive. It had a huge impact on my quality of life. At this point I decided to train as a teacher with Breathworks and I am so pleased to have qualified to teach both courses.
I teach these courses and from this approach because I believe in them wholeheartedly, and I feel really honoured to now be able to share the courses, practices and wisdom of mindfulness with others.
Helen - Mindfulness for Stress Participant
Both courses are run online and follow the same format, but with slightly different focuses. Although both courses are applicable for those living with chronic pain / illness, and/or stress.
The courses include:
Each week builds on the last, so you can gradually build a solid foundational understanding of mindfulness concepts, as well as developing a personal practice that works within your life.
Personal Practice / Engagement:
In terms of the time commitment as a participant, the minimum would be to attend all live sessions if at all possible (although of course I understand that life happens sometimes).
You will be encouraged to engage in short daily practices.
For each course there is an accompanying book, which is recommended to read - there will be a section of recommended reading for each week as the topics develop through the course.
The books for the courses are:
Mindfulness for Health course - 'Mindfulness for Health' by Vidyamala Burch (there is also a great audiobook version of this)
Mindfulness for Stress course - 'The Little Mindfulness Workbook' by Gary Hennessey
Group Size and Engagement
Groups are kept reasonably small (6-10) so that there is plenty of space for discussion, sharing and enquiry.
Equally there is no expectation to share, all aspects of the sessions are invitational and you can choose what feels right for you in terms of your energy and how much you want to share.
Although there are key concepts and practices taught each week, a huge amount of the learning on these courses comes from the group - this is a really beautiful part of the learning process in my experience.
Pre-course conversation
Before starting the course (or if you are undecided about whether you'd like to join) you can book in for a 121 chat with me where we can cover the scope of the course, the practicalities, any access needs and I can answer any questions or address any concerns that you might have. This can be a great way to get to know each other and check that you feel the course is a good fit for you right now.
Ava - Mindfulness for Stress Participant
I will run the next course most likely in early 2025. You can stay up to date with this by joining my my mailing list.
Weekly format for courses
Week 1 - 2.5 hours
Week 2 - 2 hours
Week 3 - 2 hours
Week 4 - 2 hours
Week 5 - 2 hours
Week 6 - 2 hours
Week 7 - 2 hours
Week 8 - 2.5 hours
I appreciate that these are potentially quite long sessions if you have chronic pain and/or energy limiting conditions. Please do get in touch if you have any concerns about access and I would be more than happy to discuss how I can best support you. Previous participants have joined from beds / sofas / in pyjamas, with camera off, engaged through chat or simply listened to the session. I am really keen to make these courses as accessible as possible so please don't hesitate to reach out.
I am providing this course on a 'pay what you can' system, based a sense of mutual trust and trying to move away from the capitalist ideas that we must all extract as much as we can from one another.
I have provided some 'suggested rates' below - If you are in well paid employment and/or a secure financial situation without other dependents then please do consider paying these as it supports me to continue to run the programmes with spaces for those who need to pay less or access for free.
This programme is a lot of work to run, and also I am really passionate about sharing this with those that need and I appreciate that not everyone has the same resources.
Suggested Rates:
(For context, the recommended rates from Breathworks are £250 Standard Individual Fee & £175 Concessionary Fee)
If you need to pay somewhere between these, less than these or can't pay then please know that I trust your judgement with this. I will never question the rate you need to access. I know that for people with long term health issues means that many people aren't able to access full-time employment and/or have limited funds/ resources and I really want to acknowledge and honour that.
How to book on to the upcoming course:
If you would like to book onto the course, and/or if you have any questions, please do send me an email - harriet@tenderbeingwithharriet.com
Mary - Mindfulness for Stress Participant
Get in touch with me to book your spot or to answer any questions you may have - harriet@tenderbeingwithharriet.com or you can book a chat with me
If you'd like to join a course that isn't currently available then you can join my mailing list to stay up to date with all future dates.