Eltham – An Introduction to Mindfulness & Meditation 4 Week Course

The Mindfulness Works exclusive 4-week introductory course provides you with an opportunity to experience the benefits of mindfulness. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COURSE? * 4 x classes  * 45-page guidebook * 4 week free gift subscription to the Calm premium mindfulness app * Weekly emails with extra articles and instructions * Downloadable guided mindfulness meditations for you to keep ABOUT MINDFULNESS WORKS Mindfulness Works is one of Australia's largest mindfulness training organisation. Every month over 600 people complete the Mindfulness Works introductory course across Australia and New Zealand. WHAT IS MINDFULNESS? Mindfulness means “paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally.” — Jon Kabat Zinn (Professor of Medicine Emeritus Stress Reduction Clinic and the Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine). Modern research about mindfulness and meditation [http://mindfulnessworks.co.nz/the-evidence-that-mindfulness-meditation-work/] shows that over time and with regular practice, mindfulness offers significant benefits to people including less stress, less anxiety, greater focus, calm and happiness. _“NEUROSCIENTISTS HAVE FOUND THAT MEDITATORS SHIFT THEIR BRAIN ACTIVITY TO DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE CORTEX…THIS MENTAL SHIFT DECREASES THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF STRESS, MILD DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY. …THE RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT THE MEDITATORS SHOWED A PRONOUNCED SHIFT IN ACTIVITY TO THE LEFT FRONTAL LOBE. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY WERE CALMER AND HAPPIER THAN BEFORE.” - PSYCHOLOGY TODAY_   THE BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION With regular practice and over time, mindfulness and meditation can offer the following benefits. * Reduced stress and anxiety * Improved sleeping patterns * Increased relaxation * Greater self-awareness and emotional intelligence * Deeper levels of self-acceptance and self-love “Neuroscientists have found that meditators shift their brain activity to different areas of the cortex…This mental shift decreases the negative effects of stress, mild depression and anxiety. …The researchers found that the meditators showed a pronounced shift in activity to the left frontal lobe. In other words, they were calmer and happier than before.” — Psychology Today [https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200304/the-benefits-meditation] IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE WITH CLINICAL OR SEVERE DEPRESSION Many studies show that with regular practice and over time (at least 8 weeks), mindfulness can reduce stress and anxiety. However if you have severe or clinical depression, it is important that you receive specialist medical advice. For more information and support on depression and to get help, please visit: Beyond the Blue  [https://www.beyondblue.org.au/]https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ [https://www.beyondblue.org.au/]  Phone: 1300 22 4636 FULL 4-WEEK COURSE – DON’T SETTLE FOR LESS:  Give yourself the full experience of a 4-week course rather than just an introductory workshop or a shorter course. Mindfulness takes time to develop as a habit and a full 4-week course allows you to practise between classes; giving you a greater opportunity to experience the benefits of mindfulness for yourself in a real way. NO RISK MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE:  If you attend all the classes (complete the course) and don’t feel you have received any benefit, you are entitled to a full 100% money-back refund. You still get to keep all the course materials, downloadable guided meditations, workbook and app. EXCLUSIVE 45-PAGE GUIDEBOOK: Our exclusive 45-page professionally-designed Mindfulness Works guidebook is for you to keep. This includes weekly assignments, lots of articles and a reading list. FREE 4 WEEK GIFT SUBSCRIPTION TO THE CALM PREMIUM MINDFULNESS APP:  All participants on courses  receive a free 4 week gift subscription to the full version of the award-winning Calm Mindfulness and Meditation App. PLUS get a 25% off the price of a 12 month subscription to Calm premium.  NO RELIGION. NO DOGMA. NO FUNNY POSITIONS:  This course is practical and fun with no religious elements at all. We sit in chairs, the language used is clear and modern. EXPERIENCED AND WELL-SUPPORTED TEACHERS:Receive guidance from experienced mindfulness teachers who have received our Mindfulness Works teacher training and partake in ongoing professional development. COURSE TOPICS: WEEK 1: WHAT IS MINDFULNESS AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? WEEK 2: MINDFULNESS AND THE THINKING MIND WEEK 3: MINDFULNESS AND EMOTIONS WEEK 4: MINDFULNESS AND SELF-COMPASSION WHO IS THIS COURSE SUITABLE FOR? This course is suitable for absolute beginners who have no or very little mindfulness and meditation experience. This course is not suitable for children and is best for people aged 18+. YOUR COURSE FACILITATOR IS CATHERINE OGILVY Catherine is a dedicated practitioner and teacher of MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION. She began practising in 2000 and MEDITATION HAS INSPIRED PROFOUND GROWTH AND POSITIVE CHANGE WITHIN HER LIFE. Catherine completed a MEDITATION COURSE EARLY ON IN HER PRACTICE AND HAS EXPANDED THIS PRACTICE THROUGH MANY SILENT RETREATS. Catherine began a study of MINDFULNESS AND SPECIFICALLY THE WORK OF JON KABAT-Zinn. She has completed the 8-week MBSR course herself twice and went on to train as an MBSR teacher with the Mindfulness Training Institute Australia and New Zealand in 2017. She is extremely passionate about teaching meditation and loves to create a safe and welcoming space for people to connect with themselves and others to learn the wonderful practice of meditation. She has taught the MBSR course for a couple of years now as well as an ongoing Meditation/Mindful Movement classes. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and continues to work in a corporate environment, understanding the day-to-day challenges of these roles. Supplementing her studies, she completed a Graduate Diploma of Applied Psychology and currently volunteers in this capacity. Catherine has a wealth of life experience to draw from, informing her empathetic approach to teaching and being with people. When Catherine is not working, she likes to hang out with her family and friends, do yoga, meditation, sing and play music and exercise. Catherine has a strong interest in research-based approaches that bring together the strength of modern science and ancient wisdom to help empower people and familiarise themselves with their own mind and body. She is deeply grateful to developers and teachers of MBSR/MBCT, and her other precious teachers and friends from various walks of life. Catherine believes everyone has a story and there is an opportunity to learn from every interaction. A link to her website: themeditationpractice.com.au [http://www.themeditationpractice.com.au]   QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION: If you have questions or require more information:  Email: karen@mindfulnessworksaustralia.com Ring 1 800 138 119 Contact Form: Mindfulness Works website contact form [http://mindfulnessworksaustralia.com.au/contact/] TESTIMONIALS FOR THE MINDFULNESS WORKS INTRODUCTION TO MINDFULNESS & MEDITATION COURSE: _“Thank goodness I came across Mindfulness Works. I have learnt so much in a year and am the happiest, authentic and most content that I have ever been. By learning acceptance without judgement has been an eye opener for me. I’m continuing my journey of self-compassion and feel excited and hopeful for my future. But am grateful of the now and who I am today…” __– Rebecca Young_ _“The course was very relaxed and friendly, and full of useful practical advice that recognised the limits to time that everyone faces. Also I liked the mix of people attending, with a range of different reasons for being there.” _— Rosie Cree  _“Since doing this course, I have been sleeping much better, I feel much more in control of my emotions, I have enjoyed ‘noticing’ my own state, but also it has transferred to everything around. This means I am re-enjoying many things that I had been taking for granted.”  _— Sandy Good   FAQS   ARE THERE MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER THE EVENT? This course is for people 18 years of age and over.   WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE EVENT? Please bring comfortable, warm clothing. If you would like to sit on a cushion or stool, please bring this with you.   WHAT'S THE REFUND AND TRANFER POLICY? We offer full refunds or transfers up to one week before this course starts. If you attend all 4 classes of the course and feel you have not got value, you are entitled to a full refund. We do not offer refunds if you do not attend all 4 classes of the course.   DO I HAVE TO BRING MY PRINTED TICKET TO THE EVENT? No   IS IT OK IF THE NAME ON MY TICKET OR REGISTRATION DOESN'T MATCH THE PERSON WHO ATTENDS? Yes