Mindfulness Classes and MBSR Courses Wicklow
Greystones and Newtownmountkennedy
I offer various Mindfulness classes either in a group or on an individual basis. Courses typically range from 4 to 6 week as well as the MBSR Course which takes 8 weeks (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction)
Mindfulness Classes Wicklow can also provide Introductory courses to Teachers in Schools or other organisations on request. These courses can be designed and structured to suit the specific needs and requirements of the group.
For more detailed information on all my Mindfulness classes, have a look at my dedicated Mindfulness with Angelika website here
Mindful Evenings
Creating Space to Be
Next 4 Weeks starting Monday 16th January
Time 7.45pm – 8.45pm
Cost: €60
Location: The Space Newtownmountkennedy
At these Mindful Evenings we come together to learn, to practice, to explore what Mindfulness is and how it can be integrated into our daily lives. We will experience first hand the potential benefits for ourselves.
Those classes are taught in the style of a retreat with 2 x 20 min sessions. The sessions will draw from a vast variety of Meditation, Mindfulness, gentle Yoga Stretches and Yoga Breathing practices. These evenings will give you space to be still, to reflect, to recharge and simply just to be in the company of like minded people. At the end of each session there is an opportunity to share and and to ask questions that may have come up during the practice or during the week. You may also would like some advise on your own personal practice.
There is a real sense of community- Sangha- through sitting together in real time that arises from the shared environment and intentions at that very moment creating a sense of belonging, of purpose and of peace.
It is very challenging to keep a personal practice going on your own, we all need a bit of help and support from time to time. Having a routine and a focus reinforces our commitment and intentions it keeps our practice alive.
These sessions are suitable for experienced practitioners as well as complete beginners. We always start from where we are at any given moment, there are no experts only students.
I will also record the session and make it available for anyone booked in for their own use in-between classes.
No previous experience is necessary and everybody is welcome. Let Monday evening become your little "mind, body and soul retreat"
Please book your place here
Mini Evening Retreats Live Online
4 evenings over 8 weeks
Monday 29th March - Monday 10th May 2021
Time 7.45pm – 9.00pm
Cost: €55 or €15 drop in ( if difficult please just pay what you can afford)
Every evening will be recorded and available for you to use at any time as many times as you wish during the two weeks interval
Those classes are taught in the style of a retreat with 3x 20 min sessions. The sessions will draw from a vast variety of Meditation, Mindfulness, gentle Yoga Stretches and Yoga Breathing practices. These evenings will give you space to be still, to reflect, to recharge and simply just to be in the company of like minded people. At the end of each session there is an opportunity to share and and to ask questions that may have come up during the practice or during the week. You may also would like some advise on your own personal practice.
There is a real sense of community- Sangha- through sitting together in real time that arises from the shared environment and intentions at that very moment creating a sense of belonging, of purpose and of peace.
It is very challenging to keep a personal practice going on your own, we all need a bit of help and support from time to time. Having a routine and a focus reinforces our commitment and intentions it keeps our practice alive.
These sessions are suitable for experienced practitioners as well as complete beginners. We always start from where we are at any given moment, there are no experts only students.
Everyone is very welcome.
Cost: €55 or €15 drop in
Please book your place here
Introduction to Meditation live online
4 Week Course
Monday 15th February - Monday 15th March 2021
Time 7.45pm – 8.45pm
Perhaps at some stage in your life you started with some Meditation Practice or what you thought Meditation is but despite your best intentions it kind of fizzed out at some point. Or you would like to learn in general a bit more about Meditation and how it is practiced. You are curious and open to give it a go.
Meditation in itself is not difficult but it is challenging to maintain a regular practice. There are many different ways of practicing and it is important to find a practice that suits you and your life right now.
Over these 3 weeks we will explore different techniques, explore the benefits and get an opportunity to practice in a group setting as well as practicing at home with guidance.
It will be informative, practical and supportive and can be an important stepping stone to a lifelong practice. An no, you don't have to be able to sit cross legged for hours. Meditation can be practiced in many different postures. Everybody can practice.
This course will also be beneficial for experienced Meditators.
You can start your Meditation practice at any stage in your life, but the best time is now.
Cost: €45 for 3 Weeks or €15 drop in
Please book your place here
Mindfulness for Health and Well-Being
3 Week Mindfulness Course
Introduction to Mindfulness and Continuation
Monday 14th September - Monday 28th September 2020
Time 7.45pm – 8.45pm (You can choose to either come to the class itself or join live online at home)
This course is for anyone who would either like to start practicing Mindfulness and is interested in learning what this is all about as well as those with previous experience who would like to deepen their own personal practice and learn the tools that can help to live life with more ease and joy.
This course will especially address issues around stress. Recognizing how stress affects every aspect of our life, how it manifests itself in our bodies, mind and emotions and ultimately learn how we can successfully manage stressful situations and develop resilience. Life is challenging, we can’t always avoid difficulties or stressful situations, but we can learn to manage stress and most importantly learn the difference between just merely reacting automatically or instead consciously responding appropriately to any given situation, giving us back control of how we act and feel.
Closely associated with stress are other health concerns such as anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain. We will learn practices that can be especially helpful and beneficial for those and make the practices more individually appropriate to what you may need.
However, we don’t need to wait till we have actual health difficulty in order to start Mindfulness or to benefit from Mindfulness, it is much better to learn the tools before we start developing problems.
The well-known Mindfulness Teacher Jon Kabat – Zinn so aptly said
“Weave your parachute every day, rather than leaving it to the time you jump out of the plane”
You can start your Mindfulness practice at any stage in your life, but the best time is now.
Location: Newtownmountkennedy – The Space or Zoom live online
Cost: €35 for 3 Weeks or €15 drop in
Please book your place here
Newtownmountkennedy - The Space
4 Week Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness for Every Day Living
Over the course of the 4 weeks you will be introduced to a variety of short and very practical Mindfulness practices that you can bring easily into your every day life. Bringing more moments of presence into our daily life significantly improve's our overall sense of well being. We feel more alert,connected and with a sense of purpose. The Patrice of mindfulness strengthens our resilience towards the many small and big challenges that come our way.
You may be surprised in how many different ways we can bring mindfulness into all aspects of our life and feel enriched for it.
Everyone is welcome - suitable also for complete beginners.
Dates: Monday 13th January - Monday 3rd February 2020
Time: 7.45pm – 8.45pm
Location: The Space – Newtownmountkennedy
Cost: €60 includes Handouts and access to audios
Please book your place here
Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation
Numerous psychological studies have shown that regular meditator's are happier and more contented than average. These are not just important results in themselves but have huge medical significance as such positive emotions are linked to a longer and healthier life.
- Anxiety, depression and irritability all decrease with regular sessions of meditation. Memory improves, reaction times become faster and mental and physical stamina increase.
- Regular meditator's in general enjoy better and more fulfilling relationships
- Studies worldwide have found that meditations reduce the key indicators of chronic stress, including hypertension
- Meditation has also been found to be effective in reducing the impact of serious conditions, such as chronic pain and cancer and can even help to relieve drug and alcohol dependence.
- Studies have now shown that meditation bolster the immune system and thus can help fighting off colds, flu and other infectious diseases.
- Regular Mindfulness practice increases one’s general overall awareness of body, emotions, thoughts, habits and actions which is the first step for change and for learning new life skills.
Newtownmountkennedy - The Space
6 Week Mindfulness Course “Finding Peace In A Frantic World”
This course is based on the same named book and follows a well-structured, informative and practical approach on how to bring Mindfulness into every aspect of life and experience the benefits for yourself rather then reading or hearing about them. Throughout this course you will learn and practice all the formal Mindfulness Meditations in class as well as at home and be encouraged to integrate some of the informal mindfulness practices into your daily life.
Dates: Monday 7th October – Monday 18th November -no class on Bank Holiday Monday 28th October
Time: 7.45pm – 8.45pm
Location: The Space – Newtownmountkennedy
Cost: €110 (6 x weekly classes + Mindfulness Day on 10th November) or €85 no Mindfulness Day
Provided: Personal Workbook, Audios and individual support if needed
Please book your place here
Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation
Numerous psychological studies have shown that regular meditator's are happier and more contented than average. These are not just important results in themselves but have huge medical significance as such positive emotions are linked to a longer and healthier life.
- Anxiety, depression and irritability all decrease with regular sessions of meditation. Memory improves, reaction times become faster and mental and physical stamina increase.
- Regular meditator's in general enjoy better and more fulfilling relationships
- Studies worldwide have found that meditations reduce the key indicators of chronic stress, including hypertension
- Meditation has also been found to be effective in reducing the impact of serious conditions, such as chronic pain and cancer and can even help to relieve drug and alcohol dependence.
- Studies have now shown that meditation bolster the immune system and thus can help fighting off colds, flu and other infectious diseases.
- Regular Mindfulness practice increases one’s general overall awareness of body, emotions, thoughts, habits and actions which is the first step for change and for learning new life skills.
It has been shown and proven through extensive research and brain scanning that a 6 - 8 week mindfulness program can literally change the physical structure of the brain such as the shrinking of the Amygdala Gland which is responsible for our “stress responses”. The effect of which is being able to respond rather than react habitually to challenging and stressful events. The other exciting discoveries was that the brain areas responsible for “empathy” and “reasoning” became more active and enlarged increasing the ability to bring attitudes of kindness and acceptance to oneself as well as to others. All of these resulted in an enhanced sense of well being and contentment and more resilience.
Newtownmountkennedy
MBSR 8 week course
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
- Approach your life with more composure, energy, understanding and enthusiasm
- Develop the ability to cope effectively with short-term and long-term stressful situations
- Enhance your ability to manage and reduce pain levels in many instances
- Improve your focus, resilience and capacity to recover more quickly from challenging events
More information on MBSR Course in general please visit here
Next Course: Monday 18th February 2019
Newtownmountkennedy: The Space @ Corner House behind Village Practice
Cost: €295 for 8 x 2.5hr weekly class + 1 full Day + Workbook and Audio Recordings of Practices
Full details here
Mindfulness Classes Greystones
Cancer Support Center
This class supports anyone who is currently going through treatment or is recovering and also for those caring for somebody who is ill. This is an ongoing class possible to drop in as it suits. We practice all aspects of Mindfulness and create a supportive, deeply nourishing environment. Participants have found that this class has given them a different perspective about their health and how to look after themselves with kindness and compassion.
Where: Support Center Greystones.
When: Mondays 10.30am - 12.00pm and Friday 11am -12pm
Cost: free for Members please contact Greystones Cancer Support Center here
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is an integral mind/body approach supported by meditation practice for mental and physical health and general well-being.
When we bring mindfulness into our work, lives and relationships, we are learning to acknowledge what is going on for us in each moment- noticing the activities of the mind, sensations in the body and emotions and developing the presence and emotional resilience to respond in ways that are non reactive and more skilful.
At times of stress, depression and anxiety our defences and automatic coping mechanism often makes matters worse. We can use all kinds of strategies to avoid feeling this way.
A favourite is to retreat into our heads to think our way out of a situation. Rumination and judgemental thinking tend to carry us down a path of automatic pilot where we habitually find ourselves dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Such distraction takes us away from the present moment with little satisfaction, low productivity and a lot of exhaustion. Our minds constrict and creativity dwindles.
As a consequence, we can engage in destructive self limiting beliefs, our self esteem and confidence dips and the quality of our relationships become strained and susceptible to conflict.
When we are mindful, we sharpen our ability to notice the point at which we have engaged in automatic and judgemental behaviour, and learn how to use the breath and body to maintain presence, clarity and centeredness.
Instead of using energy and stress to get rid of our difficulties and uncomfortable feelings, we learn how to relate to them differently and to be more accepting as it is. Learning how to accept what we cannot change and letting go our resistance to “what is” is one of the foundational elements of Mindfulness. This is key in helping us to relate effectively to stressful situations, ourselves and others.
Paradoxically, though taking our foot off the accelerator, giving ourselves a physical and mental break and operating from a place of core presence and awareness, we are often surprised to experience that life itself becomes more rewarding; relationships thrive and potential becomes a possibility.
The scientific evidence base that supports the effectiveness of Mindfulness approaches for mental and physical health and general well-being is very widespread and compelling.
