Mindfulness Course

[MaryAnnSingleton]

I've signed up for an eight week(2 x hours a week) course - i know it's going to be hard work - has anyone any experience of this ?

bumping

No, but interested to hear how it goes, it is being offered in our area on a trial basis I think. Have looked at the book. It seems like finding the time for the meditation would require alot of dicipline which I am not sure I could do at the moment.
Keep up posted.

Yes, I went to mindfulness sessions for a while a couple of years ago, was recommended by a counsellor when I was having anxiety problems. It was actually quite helpful, for general relaxation and also coping with the anxiety and 'unwanted thoughts'. I did struggle to make time for practicing it every day though, which you're supposed to do.

thanks topsi and Ephiny - that's what I'm worrying about, not being able to make the time to meditate! I hope it'll be good for me as I spent all my life thinking ahead of myself

Wow! I'd love to do something like that. Please report back! How did you find it?

I did that a few years ago. Not as a structured course but as part of counselling I was having after coming out of an abusive relationship. It was really good. As others have said it was tricky at first to find the time to meditate but I noticed how much better I felt afterwards so I squeezed it in. It was only 15min a day anyway.

My counsellor also recommended practising mindfulness while walking or doing other everyday stuff like the washing up. Mindfulness while walking worked very well for me as I did it while walking to work. I still do it now when I get the time on my own as it is very calming. Walking through a park in the spring and really noticing all the colours smells and sounds is lovely, and so much nicer than being caught up in ones own thoughts and ignoring it all.

The important thing to remember is that when your thoughts start to wander, don't berate yourself or thing that you're doing it "wrong". It happens to everyone, repeatedly (unless you're a practised buddhist monk or similar). Just notice that your thoughts are wandering, think "gosh, isn't it curious how my thoughts tend to go off in that direction all by themselves" and then go back to just being in the moment.

Snorbs - thanks for that - it's helpful
I don't start until end of September, but the tutor is seeing me on 11th to have a chat

I went on a mindfulness course, and while the course seemed quite boring at times, I still use the techniques I learned, especially for insomnia and panic attacks. Even if you only have time to do a few minutes a day, while on the loo or waiting at traffic lights, its still definitely worth a go. I am quite cynical, and often used to sit there going "what rubbish" but I was proved wrong!

What were the tricks Mrs? Was it just general relaxation and breathing?

I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder about 18 months ago and "graduated" from a years intensive dialectical behavioural therapy at my local psychiatric hospital earlier this year. The core modules of this type of therapy is mindfullness and although it is really quite difficult to grasp it can be so helpful.

Its not necessarily about making time to meditate - you can do anything and everything mindfully.... for example while I'm typing this I'm fully aware of the way the keys feel as I'm typing, the noise that its making, the sounds of the phones ringing and printers buzzing elsewhere in the office. When you're not being mindfull these things go comletely unnoticed. Sounds crackers but honestly its great especially if you can use it when you are having a bad time (self soothing is a great way to take your mind off things).

Really hope it goes well for you xxxxx

I have also signed up for an 8 week course (suffering from post natal depression and anxiety), will report back how it went.